MEA House, University of Northumbria
Comprehensive Survey Solutions for University Refurbishment
Written by J.Jackson | Published: 7th May 2026
Topographical Survey
If you are looking to plan a development on your land, then a Topographical Survey or Land Survey is essential to inform your design and reduce errors later down the line.
Measured Building Survey
If you are planning a refurb, extension or just simply re-jigging the space you have, then you’ll need an accurate and reliable measured building survey to help you plan.
GPR / PAS 128 Utility Survey
Offers detailed, accurate mapping of underground utilities, crucial for efficient planning and preventing damages in construction and excavation projects.
MEA House, located at the University of Northumbria in Newcastle, is a large existing university building undergoing refurbishment and internal strip-out works. Before any design or construction could begin, the client needed a complete and reliable understanding of the building, its surroundings, and the infrastructure beneath it.
The primary goal was to gather accurate and detailed survey data that would support the redevelopment of the site. This included identifying existing structures, mapping land levels, understanding the surrounding context, and crucially, locating underground utilities to avoid costly and potentially dangerous service strikes.
With refurbishment projects, especially those involving older buildings, there is often a lack of accurate existing information. In this case, the client required a full suite of surveys to remove uncertainty and allow their design team to move forward with confidence.
To achieve this, we delivered a combination of services including a point cloud survey, measured building survey, topographical survey, surrounding context survey, and a PAS128 underground utilities survey. Together, these provided a complete digital representation of the site, both above and below ground.
Point Cloud → Revit Model
Our Approach
Given the scale and complexity of the project, our approach focused on efficiency, accuracy, and integration across multiple survey methods.
We carried out six days on site, capturing high-quality data using advanced surveying equipment. This included laser scanning to produce a detailed point cloud, as well as specialist utility detection techniques to accurately map underground services in line with PAS128 standards.
The measured building survey captured the internal and external structure of the building in precise detail. This ensured that architects and designers had a reliable base to work from, removing the need for assumptions or repeat site visits.
Alongside this, the topographical survey recorded land levels, external features, and the surrounding environment. This information is particularly important for planning drainage, access, and any external works, especially where level changes may impact design decisions.
A key element of the project was the underground utilities survey. Understanding the location and depth of buried services such as gas, water, and electricity is essential when planning excavation or redevelopment works. By mapping these accurately, we helped the client avoid potential service strikes and plan any required diversions safely and efficiently.
Once the site work was completed, we moved into processing. This took five days to convert the captured data into usable outputs, ensuring everything was clean, accurate, and ready for modelling.
Finally, over three days, we developed a detailed Revit model. This allowed the client to visualise the building and its services in 3D, making it much easier to understand spatial relationships, depths, and potential clashes between new and existing elements.
How Did Our Client Benefit From a SolidPoint Survey?
Complete Documentation of the Existing Site
One of the biggest advantages of this project was the creation of a fully documented record of the building and its surroundings. The combination of point cloud data, measured surveys, and topographical information gave the client a clear and accurate picture of the existing conditions.
This level of detail is invaluable when working on refurbishment projects, where unknowns can quickly lead to delays and increased costs. With everything captured and modelled, the design team could work with confidence, knowing their plans were based on reliable data.
Reduced Risk of Service Strikes and Costly Delays
The underground utilities survey played a critical role in reducing risk on site. By identifying the exact location and depth of buried services, the client was able to plan excavation works safely and avoid accidental damage to infrastructure.
Service strikes can be extremely costly, both in terms of repairs and project delays. They can also pose serious safety risks. Having this information upfront allowed the client to take a proactive approach, improving both safety and efficiency across the project.
In addition, the data supports future planning, whether that involves connecting to existing services or carrying out diversions as part of the redevelopment.
Improved Collaboration and Decision Making Through 3D Modelling
The Revit model provided a clear and accessible way for the entire project team to understand the site. Rather than relying on 2D drawings alone, stakeholders could visualise the building, its structure, and its services in three dimensions.
This improves communication between architects, engineers, and contractors, ensuring everyone is working from the same information. It also allows for early identification of clashes or design challenges, reducing the likelihood of issues arising during construction.
By having a coordinated and accurate model, the client was able to streamline decision making and move the project forward more efficiently.
Why Choose SolidPoint?
Our work at MEA House highlights the value of combining multiple survey techniques to deliver a complete and reliable understanding of a site.
By providing a point cloud survey, measured building survey, topographical survey, surrounding context, and underground utilities survey, we equipped the client with everything they needed to plan their refurbishment with confidence.
The result was a well-informed design process, reduced risk on site, and improved collaboration across the project team. With accurate data at every stage, the client could focus on delivering their vision without the uncertainty that often comes with working on existing buildings.
For projects like this, having the right information from the start makes all the difference. It saves time, reduces costs, and ultimately leads to better outcomes.
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How Can SolidPoint Help Your Project?
At SolidPoint, we are passionate about providing accurate and efficiently collected data for our clients and have worked on numerous projects across the UK. If you are looking to commission a survey in your next project, please don’t hesitate to Get in touch with a member of our friendly team to discuss your requirements and get a free quote.
Alternatively, you can call us on 01332 898350 or email us at projects@solidpoint.co.uk for more information on our services. We look forward to hearing from you!
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