The coordination of the punch list and managing multiple stakeholders through that process had become cumbersome and challenging. Valley was seeking a technology-based solution that would enable their project management teams to proactively manage quality assurance and site coordination. OpenSpace helped Valley proactively solve problems, lead communication on site and uphold their high-quality standards for craftsmanship and customer experience.

The challenge

Before OpenSpace, punch list processes at Valley Interior Systems were needing more consistency, efficiency and streamlining:

• Multiple stakeholders maintained separate lists, causing confusion
• Punch list items were often completed while trades were still working, leading to potential damage and rework
• Site visits for documentation and training were repetitive and time-consuming

Without a centralized process for capturing and sharing site conditions, it was difficult to maintain consistent communication and drive accountability. As a result, Valley often found themselves in reactive mode, addressing issues after the fact instead of having inputs to prevent them.

The solution

On a recent project, Valley deployed OpenSpace and pivoted from reactive punch list management to proactive problem-solving.

Key strategies included:

• Weekly documentation walks: A foreman walked the jobsite weekly, creating timestamped Field Notes in OpenSpace for each completed room. These quality assurance notes explicitly marked areas as completed and damage-free.
• Reporting to GCs: Weekly, the team compiled and sent Field Reports with need-to-know information to the general contractor (GC).
• Strategic timing: Job Walks were scheduled in the mornings and afternoons to consistently measure progress and align with other logistics across active project sites.

This new level of documentation built a powerful strategy: protecting all stakeholders from rework and additional costs.

The results 

OpenSpace supported Valley’s operations with tangible benefits:

Improved GC Communication

The GC consistently referenced Valley’s documentation in jobsite meetings to create more accountability throughout all subcontractors. This culture of accountability minimizes finger-pointing and rework.

Schedule confidence and early starts

With OpenSpace, Valley began work earlier and with greater confidence, knowing their consistent documentation would capture the details necessary for each occurrence. This transparency and proactivity was so effective that the GC regularly cited Valley’s reports in jobsite meetings as a reminder to all teams to stay accountable.

Project manager time savings

The Senior Project Manager at Valley was able to remotely monitor progress in OpenSpace, saving half a day of travel and time at the site each week. Over the course of a year-long project, this translates into approximately 26–52 days of repurposed time.

Building leaders

With remote access to site walks, the Senior PM had a new opportunity to coach a less experienced PM without needing to be on-site, freeing up bandwidth, while supporting team growth.

Driving accountability

Consistent use of OpenSpace significantly reduced the amount of rework and damage-related issues. Capturing clear, time-stamped documentation eliminated any question of what parts of the punch list had been delivered, who was responsible, and when and how it was resolved.

“OpenSpace has completely changed how we manage projects. Instead of spending time and money fixing issues we couldn’t settle, we now have clear documentation that holds everyone accountable. It’s helped us save time, recover costs, and build stronger trust with our GC and trade partners.”

Looking ahead: a digital partnership for smarter construction

Valley Interior Systems sees OpenSpace as a vital tool for future projects, offering:

• Improved trust and transparency with GCs and trade partners
• A supportive tool for training and developing project managers
• Greater efficiency with less rework
• A more consistent means of delivering their standard of quality craftsmanship

Valley’s successful transformation of proactive practices with OpenSpace highlights how modern construction teams can save time, reduce costs, and build stronger relationships through visual documentation and accountability.

The post Valley Interior Systems: driving accountability with OpenSpace appeared first on OpenSpace.

The challenge

On complex projects with many subcontractors and moving parts, keeping health and safety reporting both accurate and actionable can be demanding. At Gap İnşaat, inspectors traditionally relied on photos taken with mobile phones and notes shared through messaging apps. Weekly reports required a full day of manual work, which meant leadership and subcontractors often had to rely on delayed information that no longer reflected the situation on site.

For the company’s management team, having timely and reliable data was more than a matter of efficiency. It was essential for quickly identifying hazards, preventing risks from escalating, and making confident decisions about where to direct resources. As Azerhan Turan, Technology and Innovation Manager at Gap İnşaat explained: “Our health and safety reports used to take a full day to prepare every week. By the time they were ready, the information was already outdated.”

The solution

When Gap İnşaat introduced OpenSpace on site, the health and safety team quickly realized they could transform the way they documented observations. Instead of juggling phone photos, notes, and WhatsApp messages, inspectors now walk the site with a 360° camera and log issues directly in OpenSpace using OpenSpace Field Notes. Each note is automatically pinned to the floor plan, complete with images, descriptions, categories, and priorities. This gives every observation clear context and ensures that the responsible party knows exactly where action is required.

Because OpenSpace Field Notes are customizable, Gap İnşaat designed its own structured tagging system to capture details such as safety category, subcontractor, work type, and risk level. This flexibility allowed the team to shape OpenSpace around their existing workflows rather than change processes to fit the tool. Over time, these structured notes became the backbone of Gap’s digital safety and quality reporting.

To make the information usable at scale, the Technology and Innovation team set up automated data flows from OpenSpace into their business intelligence environment. Field Notes data is exported to SharePoint and visualized in Power BI dashboards that refresh every morning at 08:00. For project leaders, this meant they could start each day with a clear, up-to-date picture of safety trends, subcontractor performance, and site progress. “With OpenSpace and Power BI working together, we no longer wait a week for reports. The information is there the next morning, ready for everyone to use,” explains Azerhan.

So far on the prestigious Istanbul project, the team has created more than 105 captures with over 1,200 Field Notes, providing a rich and detailed dataset that underpins their reporting and analysis.

What began with health and safety is now starting to expand into other areas. QA/QC and handover teams have begun trialling the use of Field Notes for inspections, snagging, and punch lists. While still in its early stages, this approach shows strong potential to create a single source of truth for all reality data, helping teams align their workflows more closely.

“With OpenSpace and Power BI working together, we no longer wait a week for reports. The information is there the next morning, ready for everyone to use.”

The results 

With OpenSpace, Gap İnşaat now captures a complete visual record of site conditions and logs safety observations directly in the field. By pushing this structured data into their reporting environment, the team turned a previously time-consuming process into a faster, clearer, and more actionable system. Instead of spending hours compiling weekly reports, managers and subcontractors can focus on acting on insights drawn from fresh, trustworthy data.

The impact has been significant, with measurable improvements in reporting efficiency, safety awareness, and decision-making.

Reporting time reduced to near zero

Weekly manual reports that previously took a full day are now generated automatically. With dashboards refreshing each morning, the health and safety team saves at least four workdays per month, while management benefits from up-to-date insights instead of delayed weekly summaries. “Reporting used to eat up every Friday. Now the dashboards are ready the next morning, and everyone sees the same information,” says Azerhan.

Eightfold increase in safety observations

Health and safety observations rose from an average of 0.5 per day to 4 per day. The higher volume reflects not only greater on-site awareness, but also the ease and speed of logging issues with OpenSpace. By making it simple to capture observations, the team ensures more hazards are documented, which helps identify patterns and address risks before they escalate.

As Dilek Çelik, HSE Manager, explains: “Before OpenSpace, we were drowning in photos and messages from everywhere. It took hours just to understand what was happening on site. Now, everything is in one place, clear, visual, and reliable. We can finally focus on keeping people safe, not chasing data. We can also send instant notifications to the relevant managers and take quick action on any nonconformities.”

Faster issue resolution

With observations captured in one place, complete with images, location, and responsibility, managers no longer wait for a weekly report to take action. Corrective measures can be assigned immediately, accelerating the cycle from identification to resolution. “Before, we might only discuss an issue once a week. Now it’s visible right away, so the subcontractor can act the
same day,” explains Azerhan.

Stronger subcontractor accountability

Every note is tagged to the responsible firm and visible in dashboards that can be filtered by company and floor. This makes it easier to track follow-ups, verify progress, and hold subcontractors accountable.

For the team at Gap İnşaat, this is not just about oversight: it ensures problems are addressed at the right level, prevents delays, and strengthens trust across the project team. As a member of the project management team explains: “What truly changed for us was visibility. With OpenSpace we could finally see the exact situation on site — not just what was reported. When issues came up with subcontractors, we no longer debated whose version was correct; we simply looked at the record. That clarity saved time, prevented conflicts, and helped us solve problems before they grew.”

Better and faster decision making

Dashboards update at 08:00 daily, giving managers a clear view of current risks and progress at the start of each day. Having fresh, trustworthy data enables quicker interventions, smarter resource allocation, and the confidence to act without waiting for a weekly reporting cycle.

“What truly changed for us was visibility. With OpenSpace we could finally see the exact situation on site — not just what was reported. When issues came up with subcontractors, we no longer debated whose version was correct; we simply looked at the record.”

Looking ahead

Building on the success of the Istanbul project, Gap İnşaat is now preparing to extend the use of OpenSpace to upcoming work in Turkmenistan, including a fertilizer plant and two hospitals. The focus will remain on health and safety, QA/QC, and handover, with continued investment in structured tagging and live reporting to drive faster, safer delivery.

The post Gap İnşaat boosts safety reporting and efficiency with OpenSpace appeared first on OpenSpace.

The challenge

The renovation project is being delivered on an aggressive 18-month schedule, with handover planned for May 2026. This pace leaves little room for delays and demands precise coordination at every stage. At the same time, it’s a brownfield renovation, which means working around existing infrastructure that is often undocumented. As the building was partially demolished and stripped back to its structural core, the team uncovered unforeseen conditions that required quick design adjustments to keep the project on track.

The solution

OpenSpace was introduced to address these challenges on the recommendation of a group company CEO who had seen its value on a previous Saudi project. After seeing a product demo, Joint Venture Management approved the investment, even though it wasn’t part of the original budget.

A dedicated staff member now performs daily 360° captures of the entire site. This approach has replaced time-consuming and inconsistent manual photography. In fewer than 5 months the site team has created 460 captures resulting in over 790,000 360° images of the site—all automatically mapped to project plans—providing stakeholders with a complete, easy to navigate visual record of the project.

The team simply needs to log in to OpenSpace to see the latest site conditions and compare progress over time. As Deputy Project Director Ali Elmaskaya explained, “It is a useful tool for us, especially as a joint venture with executives and managers often outside the city or country. They can monitor site progress anytime, from anywhere.”

OpenSpace also enables the team to directly compare site conditions side by side with the BIM model, making it easier to spot discrepancies early. As Architectural Coordinator Onur Kapukaya noted, “When we integrated the BIM model in OpenSpace, that was a big aha moment for me. With this perspective we were able to identify problems immediately and could quickly solve them. For us, this feature saves time, reduces rework, and supports faster decision-making.”

“It is a useful tool for us, especially as a joint venture with executives and managers often outside the city or country. They can monitor site progress anytime, from anywhere.”

The results 

OpenSpace has become a critical tool for keeping the Airport project on track, improving visibility, communication, and accuracy across the joint venture team. The platform has delivered measurable benefits in multiple areas.

Reduced delays through faster issue resolution

By spotting discrepancies early, the team can address design conflicts before they cause rework or slow down progress. “Catching mistakes early reduces both cost and time losses, which is especially important on a large-scale airport project,” said Onur Kapukaya.

Improved communication via remote progress insights

Remote project access is a real game changer especially for key stakeholders. Executives and technical staff can check the latest site conditions from anywhere, avoiding travel, saving time, and keeping approvals moving. As Ali Elmaskaya described, “It’s like watching a traffic camera—you can see exactly what’s happening without being there.”

Higher design accuracy and more informed construction decisions

Side-by-side comparisons with the BIM model have led to corrections that improve the accuracy of construction drawings and reduce rework. As the project progresses, the team also verifies that as-built conditions match the model, ensuring that construction stays aligned with design intent.

Less time spent on site visits

With comprehensive, up-to-date visual documentation, managers and specialists only need to visit the site when necessary, freeing time for other high-priority work. As Onur Kapukaya explained, “On a project with tight deadlines and in a location with extreme heat, being able to see all site conditions without leaving the office is a big deal.”

“When we integrated the BIM model in OpenSpace, that was a big aha moment for me. With this perspective we were able to identify problems immediately and could quickly solve them. For us, this feature saves time, reduces rework, and supports faster decision-making.”

Looking ahead

Looking ahead, the captured data will continue to deliver value at project closeout, simplifying end-of-project reporting, easing the handover process, and providing the client with a complete visual history that can support future facility management. The team also plans to test additional OpenSpace features such as Field Notes to further streamline cross-team collaboration and is already considering the platform for upcoming projects in Saudi Arabia and beyond.

The post Fast-tracking a complex airport renovation with OpenSpace appeared first on OpenSpace.

The challenge

At the helm of one of Sweet Projects’ major builds—an advanced data centre project in Longcross—is Project Director Andrew Moss. Andrew is charged with delivering the project on time while meeting the highest standards of quality, and doing so safely.

Managing a fast-paced construction site of this scale comes with daily challenges, from coordinating teams across locations to keeping accurate records of progress and resolving questions quickly. Andrew needed a solution that would allow his team to stay on track and provide complete transparency across all phases of construction.

The solution

Andrew was introduced to OpenSpace by a colleague and immediately recognised its potential as a game-changing recording tool. Seeing that the 360° documentation process was so simple and the app was so easy to use, Andrew knew adoption would be straightforward. “Anyone can press a button, put a helmet on their head, and go for a walk. It works perfectly.”

OpenSpace makes it incredibly easy for Andrew and his team to capture the site. Starting with weekly walks, they quickly transitioned to daily, and sometimes even twice-daily captures. The result is a complete 360° visual timeline of the build, with images automatically pinned to the site floor plan and time-stamped for future reference.

Compared to manually snapping hundreds of photos, OpenSpace hands-free documentation saves hours and ensures nothing gets lost. “I have probably 5,000 photos on my phone which I should download and store somewhere, but I just don’t always have the time,” Andrew explains. “Same goes for my team—if they move on, those photos leave with them. With OpenSpace, we have peace of mind knowing that the images are in the system, and quick to find.”

“I have probably 5,000 photos on my phone which I should download and store somewhere, but I just don’t always have the time. Same goes for my team—if they move on, those photos leave with them. With OpenSpace, we have peace of mind knowing that the images are in the system, and quick to find.”

The results 

Since implementing OpenSpace, Andrew and his team have seen a range of significant benefits across the project lifecycle—from improving quality control to streamlining communication and protecting against disputes.

Quality control and as-built verification

Whether confirming insulation in a wall or tracking each stage of roof construction, OpenSpace has become an essential tool for verifying quality on-site. “If someone asks if a wall has insulation in it, I can say, let’s go back in time and look,” says Andrew. “When we pull up the captures, we can see everything that’s been installed: the plywood, the insulation, the boards. That to me is superb.”

For roofing inspections, Andrew can clearly demonstrate that each layer—primer, vapor barrier, insulation—has been correctly installed. This visual proof not only reassures the client but also satisfies the requirements of roofing manufacturers, helping Sweet Projects secure warranties with confidence.

Speed and permanence of visual records

OpenSpace is faster than manual photography and the records are centralised and secure. “It’s a fantastic recording tool,” Andrew says. “It can’t be tampered with, which makes things easier if there’s a contractual argument or challenges with the supply chain. We have clear evidence.”

Enhanced client communication

OpenSpace has become a valuable part of client presentations. “We did a presentation to a client’s team and could first show them the 3D model and then the OpenSpace picture alongside it. They looked very much identical, which was fantastic to see. The records are excellent.”

Improved scheduling and safety

Andrew’s team uses OpenSpace to monitor site progress in real time, understanding exactly what’s been completed, when, and how. This clarity supports more efficient scheduling and ensures high safety standards are maintained throughout the site.

Dispute avoidance and contractual protection

By providing a visual, tamper-proof record of construction, OpenSpace has helped the team avoid and resolve disputes quickly. Andrew remembers a specific case where his 360 captures helped him dismiss a claim. “If I didn’t have OpenSpace, it would have been them against us. Instead, I was able to unequivocally defend my position.”

Remote collaboration

With team members and stakeholders often located in different countries, OpenSpace plays a key role in coordination. Virtual walk-throughs allow everyone to stay on the same page, no matter where they are.

“OpenSpace can’t be tampered with, which makes things easier if there’s a contractual argument or challenges with the supply chain. We have clear evidence.”

Driving change across the business

Thanks to its simplicity, speed, and transparency, OpenSpace has become an indispensable tool for Andrew and his team at Longcross. “It works perfectly,” he reiterates. Inspired by the success on this project, Andrew is now actively promoting OpenSpace across Sweet Projects, and adoption is already growing on other sites.

The post Sweet Projects—rolling out OpenSpace to deliver data centres on time and with confidence appeared first on OpenSpace.

The challenge

To document site conditions, OHLA used a mix of tools and methods such as drones for infrastructure jobs, and solutions for simple site documentation and static timelapses. These tools, while useful, lacked the versatility the company needed to support remote site management.

A key limitation OHLA faced was the ability to compare and validate as-built site conditions against the design intent—without constant site visits. Subcontractors and remote teams needed an easier way to reliably track progress without physically being on-site. Sergio and his team began searching for a more versatile and user-friendly solution that could help them streamline access to site data from anywhere.

The solution

After carefully evaluating six different vendors, OHLA chose OpenSpace for its ease of use, scalability, and native integration with Autodesk Construction Cloud and Procore. “Additionally, the ability to remotely verify as-built conditions was a game-changer for our distributed teams,” says Sergio.

OHLA first introduced OpenSpace on school projects in Ireland, where its value quickly became evident. Teams rapidly embraced the platform, prompting expansion to more projects across the region. The ease of use combined with clear value resulted in a speedy transition from implementation to cross-team adoption. “The adoption process was smooth, and we quickly realized that OpenSpace could be applied to both building and infrastructure projects,” says Sergio. “It significantly improved our ability to document and track progress in real time.” As a result, the team now conducts site captures weekly across all active projects.

“The adoption process was smooth, and we quickly realized that OpenSpace could be applied to both building and infrastructure projects,” says Sergio. “It significantly improved our ability to document and track progress in real time.”

The results 

Sergio and his team were delighted with the multiple ways OpenSpace helped OHLA transform key processes and have real business impact: “OpenSpace has become an essential tool in our digital workflow.”

Reduced site travel

Subcontractors and design teams can now easily verify work remotely, considerably reducing site visits and related travel costs. “By minimizing unnecessary site visits, we’ve significantly improved project efficiency,” says Sergio.

Faster site documentation

Documenting sites has become far less time-consuming: “The time saved in documentation has allowed teams to focus more on problem-solving rather than data collection,” Sergio adds.

Enhanced coordination

Remote teams across different countries can simply log into OpenSpace to see the current site conditions in almost real time, which dramatically improves team alignment and coordination. The ability to compare the BIM model to real-world conditions in seconds has transformed how OHLA verifies work and resolves potential issues.

With OpenSpace, OHLA has found a powerful partner in its digital transformation journey—empowering distributed teams, enhancing efficiency, and redefining how work is verified across complex infrastructure and building projects. The company plans to expand its use of OpenSpace further and is excited about the product roadmap, specifically new AI-driven features.

“The time saved in documentation has allowed teams to focus more on problem-solving rather than data collection.”

The post OHLA: Using OpenSpace to Advance Digital Workflows Across Europe appeared first on OpenSpace.

The challenge

As the construction industry evolved with new technological trends, KBS recognized the growing importance of visual documentation and data capture to streamline processes, enhance collaboration, and reduce risk. They attended conferences to explore emerging trends, particularly in 360-degree reality capture technologies where they reviewed several solutions, with OpenSpace and Matterport being the leading contenders.

KBS’s key goals were:

• To find a solution that required minimal time input but yielded high-quality results.
• To ensure the selected technology had long-term potential, particularly in data capture for future capabilities like tracking progress percentages and integrating with other technologies.

Why OpenSpace?

After reviewing various options, KBS chose OpenSpace for two primary reasons:

1. Practicality and efficiency:

   OpenSpace’s simplicity and minimal time requirement for capturing a site in high quality made it the top choice. OpenSpace offered a quicker and more user-friendly process. KBS could efficiently document large areas of their sites with minimal effort, freeing up resources for other critical tasks.

2. Long-term vision:

   KBS appreciated OpenSpace’s commitment to embracing data capture and using it to enhance future capabilities. The company valued the forward-thinking innovations in place and on the roadmap. The ability to grow alongside a tech company that focuses on data-driven insights was crucial to KBS’s decision.

Number one reason for using OpenSpace

The top reason KBS relies on OpenSpace is documentation. OpenSpace has become their go-to tool for capturing visual records of job sites and sharing them with clients, designers, and subcontractors. This documentation process has significantly improved risk management by creating a visual record that can be used to resolve disputes and manage conflicts. Unlike traditional photo documentation, which was often overlooked due to time constraints, OpenSpace ensures a comprehensive record of site conditions at every stage.

Additional value from OpenSpace

For KBS Constructors, OpenSpace has not only simplified site documentation but also enhanced collaboration, improved safety monitoring, and strengthened risk management. The combination of ease of use and future potential in data capture made OpenSpace the ideal solution for KBS.

Preconstruction documentation

Coordination in OAC meetings

Vendor disputes

Risk management

Before and after OpenSpace

Documentation pre-OpenSpace:

Before OpenSpace, KBS relied heavily on traditional photo documentation, which was time-consuming and often incomplete due to limited resources. As a result, documentation wasn’t always prioritized, and gaps in visual records could lead to disputes or confusion down the line.

With OpenSpace:

OpenSpace has streamlined the entire documentation process. Site walks are now captured quickly, and the resulting images provide a comprehensive and reliable record of site conditions. This has led to fewer disputes, faster problem-solving, and improved communication with all project stakeholders.

By embracing technology that saves time while offering forward-thinking capabilities, KBS has positioned itself to lead in the construction industry’s evolving landscape. To learn more about how KBS Constructors is using OpenSpace to improve its processes, visit their website here.

The post KBS Constructors and OpenSpace Reality Capture appeared first on OpenSpace.

The challenge

CGS, under the direction of its innovation lab led by Maximo Moore, then Program Manager, was constantly exploring market-ready technologies to address various operational challenges. One of the major challenges faced by CGS was the extensive travel required for their team to monitor progress across multiple projects and sites. This travel was not only time-consuming but also expensive, limiting the efficiency of the company’s oversight on key projects.

Additionally, CGS was looking for ways to improve communication with its government clients regarding project progress. The need for transparency and real-time updates was critical, especially when reporting back to clients on the progress of work completed in remote and difficult-to-access locations.

Discovering OpenSpace

CGS discovered OpenSpace while attending a trade show. The reality capture technology was intriguing, and the team decided to try it out. After using OpenSpace, they presented the technology to the company president, who was immediately impressed with its capabilities. The ability to remotely monitor project progress in real-time offered a compelling solution to their travel and communication challenges.

The initial draw was that OpenSpace could significantly reduce the amount of travel required by providing comprehensive visual records of ongoing projects. Additionally, the technology allowed CGS to keep their government clients informed of progress with detailed visual updates, minimizing any potential misunderstandings.

Why OpenSpace

CGS chose OpenSpace because it provided an intuitive, user-friendly way to document, track, and manage construction projects remotely. OpenSpace’s ability to capture high-quality 360-degree images of jobsites with minimal effort was a game-changer. Its integration with existing workflows and tools like Procore also made it easy for CGS to adopt the technology without disrupting their current processes.

The adoption of OpenSpace has really changed the way we do business. While the dollars saved in travel are significant (with some site visits coming in at the tune of thousands per person, per trip), the even greater impact is in the time saved. With the breadth of projects we work on, getting out to one site could take the better part of a week or more. Now we can ‘visit’ five sites in a day, if needed. The time this frees up to give back to our clients is invaluable.

The results

Reducing the need for physical presence

Enhanced transparency and trust

Improved vendor collaboration

Improved bidding accuracy

1. Reduced travel and increased oversight: OpenSpace eliminated the need for Max and his team to travel frequently to project sites. With a simple walk of the jobsite by an on-site worker, CGS could get real-time progress reports, reducing the need for physical presence.
2. Improved customer communication: OpenSpace became a key tool in providing real-time updates to government customers. CGS could share visual documentation of work completed, enhancing transparency and strengthening trust.
3. Virtual walkthroughs in remote locations: CGS even had someone walk a space in Guam remotely using OpenSpace. The ability to inspect and assess a site without being physically present expanded the company’s ability to manage projects globally, streamlining operations across multiple locations.
4. Synchronizing future work with subcontractors: OpenSpace proved useful for keeping subcontractors aligned. Visual documentation allowed for clear communication of intent, helping to avoid misunderstandings and keeping future work on track.
5. Bidding: OpenSpace also became an asset in the bidding process. By using OpenSpace to capture existing conditions, CGS could accurately assess what it would take to complete a construction project. This allowed them to provide more precise bids for future work, ensuring they had an accurate understanding of the scope.
6. Visual inventory management: An unexpected use case came when the facilities manager used OpenSpace to walk and document a floor at the corporate office during a recapitalization project. Instead of manually documenting the state of the property and the existing resources, the manager captured a visual inventory using OpenSpace, saving time and ensuring accuracy in handover documentation.

The post Chugach Government Solutions and OpenSpace Reality Capture appeared first on OpenSpace.

The campus is the biggest expansion in UCL’s 200-year history. Its flagship Marshgate building comprises eight stories of hi-tech labs and collaboration spaces focused on solving the biggest challenges facing people and the planet, transcending traditional academic boundaries.

The challenge

Construction work on UCL East commenced in summer 2019. Just a few months later, the entire country went under lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic. “All of the sudden, many things which we wouldn’t think about twice before Covid, became a problem, like having a client come to site on a regular basis”, says Ivana Tudja, Associate Director for BIM and Digital Engineering at Mace. She sought a technical solution that could deliver remote site access and progress tracking. Given the project’s significant size, Mace needed a solution that was quick to implement, easy to use, and efficient.

The solution

After evaluating several options, the team chose a fast, easy-to-use 360° reality capture solution that was ideal for documenting and tracking a large-scale project like Marshgate, and started to onboard OpenSpace. To capture the site, a member of their team simply opens the app on their smartphone, snaps a 360° camera on their hard hat, and walks the site. The result would be a complete visual representation of the project with all images automatically pinned to the floor plan. “If you have a large-scale site like this, it can take you potentially hours or even days to capture all the records manually with a standard camera on the phone. With this 360 solution the capturing process was very efficient”, says Ivana.

The team needed only a 45-minute intro session to start capturing and using the data. As a result, Mace was able to deploy the software without disrupting ongoing work on the project. “At first we thought it might be hard to get the team on-site to capture regularly, but everyone saw the value immediately”, says Ivana. In fact, the data was used so frequently that a missing capture was quickly noticed.

“At first we thought it might be hard to get the team on-site to capture regularly, but everyone saw the value immediately.”

Beyond 360° documentation, the team used features like BIM Compare which allowed them to compare as-built conditions to the project’s BIM model. With the side-by-side comparison, project managers and the client could easily validate that everything was being built according to plan.

Another big benefit that made workflows a lot smoother was the seamless integration with BIM360 (now part of Autodesk Construction Cloud). The ability to integrate OpenSpace reality capture with Mace’s main construction management platform to avoid duplication of work was key.

By taking frequent captures, the team created a “visual time machine” of the Marshgate project. This archive remains valuable even after project completion. When the building was successfully handed over to the client in March 2023 before opening to students and staff in September 2023, Mace was able to download all its capture data for offline access. “This was critical for us. Having access to the generated information library independent from the use of the platform in the future”, says Ivana. With the ability to go back to a specific time and location, the team can look behind walls or above ceilings to aid future works, mitigate potential future disputes, or prove compliance with regulations.

The results 

Implementing OpenSpace solved the immediate need for remote site access, and delivered much more. “Initially this was a solution to enable the client to access the site without travel. But it became much bigger, as our site teams quickly recognised the benefits for themselves”, says Ivana.

Faster and more complete site documentation

Before introducing reality capture, the team was documenting the site with photos organised in a structured photo library. This was a time-consuming process that lacked relevant context for progress tracking: “Implementing a reality capture solution is really low effort in comparison to the results you get at the end. While a standard photo library can work, it takes a lot of effort and you still don’t have the guarantee that all the required information is recorded” Ivana explains.

Reduced site travel

Virtual site navigation provided an easier and more efficient way for the team and the client to access progress information remotely. Especially during the lockdown phases, virtual, anytime access was critical to keep everyone up to date while reducing necessary site visits.

Improved stakeholder coordination and communication

Accessing captured information from anywhere became increasingly valuable in coordination and update meetings. According to Ivana, “If you’re running a meeting, you can just pull up a recorded location at a specific date and everyone knows exactly what is going on. This makes it easy to discuss specific issues”.

The as-built comparison to the BIM model improved internal, supported trade handovers and enabled the team to easily validate completed work.

Reduced risk

The captured data has already proven invaluable during the construction process. Ivana also highlights that having such records available for years to come is a big additional benefit for them—a visual insurance policy for anyone involved in the project that would always be available when needed. Plus, the data provides the digital records required to comply with the Building Safety Act in the UK that aims to ensure buildings comply with fire safety regulations. “This just gives you the certainty that the information you need, or more importantly the information you might need in the future, is captured”, according to Ivana.

“This just gives you the certainty that the information you need, or more importantly the information you might need in the future, is captured.”

Conclusion

The Marshgate project demonstrates the transformative potential of adopting digital solutions in construction. By addressing the immediate need for remote site access during the Covid-19 lockdown, the technology also delivered long-term benefits, including improved documentation, reduced travel, enhanced communication, and risk mitigation. By embracing digital transformation, Mace and other construction companies are achieving more efficient, collaborative, and resilient construction practices.

The post How Digital Innovation helped deliver UCL Marshgate amid pandemic challenges appeared first on OpenSpace.

The challenge

The Mason Clinic project required comprehensive visual as-built models, asset data, and physical asset stickers in place as part of the project deliverables. The client requested this information for their facility and asset management system. Without a proper tracking and accountability system in place, the team previously relied on manually capturing pictures and creating reports with them, a process that lacked efficiency and transparency.

The solution

Southbase Group chose OpenSpace after an in-depth evaluation. OpenSpace stood out for its phenomenal support and ease of use, which allowed not just BIM Managers but also on-site teams and subcontractors to use the platform confidently. The BIM Compare tool, in particular, played a crucial role in identifying clashes, managing design issues and ensuring that late design changes were incorporated before installation. During the implementation, OpenSpace became an essential part of their workflow, not only helping the team to capture visual as-builts but also holding subcontractors accountable and ensuring the build aligned with the design. Regular use of OpenSpace for progress tracking, discrepancy identification, and issue resolution allowed for smoother coordination among all teams involved.

OpenSpace has been a game changer on-site, streamlining the ability of construction teams and subcontractors to deliver and confirm the quality of their work. The result is better construction and that is very satisfying.

The results

Since implementing OpenSpace, the team has seen significant improvements in accountability, coordination, and time savings. The BIM Compare tool enabled the team to resolve potential issues before they escalated, reducing the need for costly rework.

On the Mason Clinic project, the use of OpenSpace contributed to a 20% overall reduction in quality assessment time. This time saving has been made across the whole construction management and subcontractor team, of more than 20 people. Everybody on the project has found time savings and value from the easy-to-use mobile tools.

The capture and reporting of asset management data requires significant effort and is critical to ensure the accurate handover of services elements into facilities management. At Mason Clinic there are more than 5,000 assets to be captured and reported. The previous approach was manual and could take weeks of effort to complete accurately. With OpenSpace, 90% of this effort has been automated with the ability to reconcile, check, and report on assets with ease.

Using OpenSpace has also proven to be invaluable in reducing destructive investigations and resolving sequencing issues that could have delayed the Mason Clinic project.

Preformance Building Technologies is a leader in using digital solutions to transform the construction sector for good. Preformance has partnered with OpenSpace to improve project outcomes, saving on materials, time, and program costs while improving quality.

90% reduction in asset reporting effort

20% overall reduction

Invaluable in reducing

The future

Southbase Construction and Preformance is committed to integrating OpenSpace into all future projects that require deliverables, enhancing the company’s digital maturity. They plan to continue using OpenSpace to improve communication between teams and optimize their construction workflows. Moving forward, Sadique looks forward to OpenSpace further developing integrations with tools like Revit and enhancing two-way sync with Revizto. These features will continue to support Southbase in achieving their KPIs and maximizing their return on investment by streamlining processes and improving project outcomes.

The post Building smarter: How Preformance uses OpenSpace to help Southbase Construction boost efficiency & cut costs appeared first on OpenSpace.

Western Partitions is one of the largest and most reputable interior and exterior contracting firms in the western United States. Founded in 1972 and headquartered outside of Portland, OR, Western Partitions provides specialty contracting services in multiple sectors, including commercial, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, and public works.

In 2020, Western Partitions won a bid for a large hotel project and was contractually required to provide photo documentation of site conditions before closing up any walls. Given the scale of the project, the company turned to OpenSpace to automate its documentation process. Teams quickly saw that the technology was delivering significant value beyond the initial use case.

Read this case study to learn how, working with OpenSpace, Western Partitions has avoided thousands of dollars in chargebacks and rework, improved trust and coordination with GCs and other stakeholders, achieved dramatic time savings, and benefited from more accurate progress tracking.

Goal: Provide Detailed Photo Documentation to Fulfill Contractual Obligation

Oregon-based Western Partitions is one of the largest and most reputable specialty contractors in the western US.  In 2020, they won a bid to work on a new hotel in Portland, Oregon, which they call the Block 216 project. Their scope includes metal stud framing, drywall, insulation, acoustical ceilings, spray-applied fireproofing, resistive firestopping and hollow metal door frames for the 35-story, mixed-use building, which is scheduled to open in Summer 2023.

 As part of their contract, the company is required to take photos of site conditions before closing up any walls. 

“We’ve previously been required to submit photo documentation, but we’re talking 35 stories and 24 units per story,” said General Project Foreman Zach Gabrielse, who helps oversee a crew of 120+ people on Block 216. “It’s mind-boggling how much rinse and repeat that is.” 

Taking one-off still photos in the field wasn’t practical, since it would have consumed an inordinate amount of time and resources. Neither was using other software, which also would have entailed capturing thousands of still images and videos with an iPad in the field. (Western Partitions teams have previously used other software to document data center projects with rigorous QA/QC requirements, but the Block 216 project is significantly larger than any of those.) 

“We shopped around to see how we could automate this, and, thankfully, we came across OpenSpace,” Gabrielse said.

Strategy: Leverage OpenSpace for Photo Documentation at a Massive Scale

Gabrielse has found OpenSpace to be fast and intuitive to use–all the person capturing needs to do is strap a 360-degree camera to their hard hat and walk, and OpenSpace captures in the background and pins imagery to the floorplan. He noted that it had recently taken him only 18 minutes to walk an entire floor, encompassing 24 units. 

“It’s set-it-and-forget-it,” he said. “You walk the floor, and it captures from every angle so you don’t have to worry about getting the right shot. It’s awesome.” 

OpenSpace has been beneficial for internal coordination, since people in various roles can refer to captured imagery if they forgot to walk a specific area when they were on-site. (The technology is also being utilized on a project in New Mexico.)

It also helps improve trust and communication with the GC while helping to avoid rework. For example, in one instance, another trade partner said Western Partitions had forgotten to frame an access panel. Western Partitions was able to pull up a photo to show that no layout was ever indicated, avoiding a hefty chargeback. They’ve also been able to alert GCs to instances when other subcontractors have caused trade damage, such as bending a door frame with a forklift. 

“We send the images to the GC (who also uses OpenSpace) to show that we’re always doing our due diligence,” he said.

It literally paid for itself in the first third of this job’s duration. Anything from now on is protecting our bottom line.

Results: A Single Source of Truth that Mitigates Risk and Delivers Savings

Going forward, Gabrielse hopes to use OpenSpace for progress tracking on every project—of any size. Along with Block 216 colleagues, he’s currently pitching OpenSpace to the corporate team in the hopes of it becoming “a tool in the toolbox” that’s always available. 

While Western Partitions initially sought out OpenSpace to fulfill a contractual obligation on a complex project, the technology has delivered much more. 

“It literally paid for itself in the first third of this job’s duration,” Gabrielse said. “Anything from now on is protecting our bottom line.”

Savings on Rework: With OpenSpace captures to check against, Western Partitions can avoid costly rework when disputes arise. Gabrielse recalls when another subcontractor claimed the Western Partitions team had framed through work they had laid out. “We went back to the captures, and there was no layout on the ground, so we were able to save some money there on backcharges,” he said. “There wasn’t a whole lot the sub could say.” On another occasion, Western Partitions was accused of damaging a condensate line, which would have resulted in a $7,500 backcharge. “We went to OpenSpace, looked back two months, and were able to prove the line had been damaged for at least that long—before we ever went through the area,” he said. 

Time Savings: OpenSpace dramatically reduces the time required for photo documentation, which, in turn, makes it possible to capture more frequently and have a more complete, reliable record. An apprentice captures active areas of the Block 216 site every day—and the whole site once a week. Before OpenSpace, a Project Manager would have been tasked with taking still photos to fulfill a documentation requirement. Given their other responsibilities, it likely would take them a week to capture the full Block 216 site (not including daily captures of active areas, which probably wouldn’t have happened.) “We probably would have needed more than one person to be capturing with still photos to meet our obligation, which is a bad use of resources,” Gabrielse said.

More Accurate Progress Tracking: Western Partitions is using OpenSpace’s Progress Tracking feature to track and validate percent completes for various workstreams. While they still send people out into the field to double-check (and always will), the feature delivers huge time savings. Traditionally, someone would have had to walk the jobsite with a clipboard or an iPad to take notes on how work was progressing and then enter the data into a spreadsheet. With automated progress tracking as a baseline, the process has become much more efficient.

AVOIDED $10K+

100X

7X

The post How Western Partitions Saved on Rework & Improved Progress Tracking Using OpenSpace appeared first on OpenSpace.