For over two centuries, one of the biggest tourist attractions on the Canadian shore of Niagara Falls (other than the falls themselves), the Table Rock Centre, has been in a state of perpetual renovation, both of the natural and manmade kind. The site is aptly named after the massive piece of flat slab of rock that once protruded from the gorge on the Canadian side of the falls, resembling a table-like structure. Attracting millions of tourists from around the globe annually, this spectacular locale is rich with fascinating history. When the Queen Victoria Niagara Falls Park Act was passed in 1885, the Ontario government took ownership of all privately owned properties in the area, demolishing most of them because they were in disrepair. The only one that survived was Saul Davis’s Table Rock House and even that underwent numerous renovations over the years. It was eventually demolished as well due to the southern migration of the waterfalls.
Construction on a new Table House Rock began in 1925 and since then, this building has undergone countless modifications over the years to commercialize it and attract more tourists. Currently known as the Table Rock Centre, the site is still a major tourist attraction and is constantly being renovated.
Applied Precision 3D’s Role: Digital Templating for Glass
As part of a three-year redevelopment plan, Applied Precision 3D worked with local architectural glass experts, Cambridge Architectural Systems Inc. Using LiDAR 3D scanning technology, the team at Applied Precision 3D took precise onsite measurements for a complex custom glass installation. That information was used to create 3D curves for the glass-trimmed ramps and stairs. After collecting the critical measurements for the installation, the 3D site data was then used by Applied Precision 3D to create digital templates for the glass.
Challenges Faced in Glass Digital Templating
Considering the vast history and tourist appeal of the Table Rock Centre, it was important that every last detail was just right. One of the biggest challenges Applied Precision 3D faced with this project was ensuring accurate and comprehensive measurements were taken. Even the slightest discrepancy in 3D measurement could render an entire glass panel unusable. This would mean having to start from scratch, causing major project delays.
With two of the most popular tourist seasons—spring and summer—on the horizon, it was important that absolutely no mistakes were made. Given the demanding time constraints of the project, the margin for error was practically nonexistent and as always, Applied Precision 3D delivered.
Complex architectural structures often require precision and attention to ornate details and using 3D scanning technology to guarantee that each curve, and feature detail is accounted for is the optimal solution. 3D scanning technology has the ability to tremendously decrease the chances of mismeasurements and miscalculations, while also validating the complexities of the architectural structures in question.
Applied Precision 3D is proud to have worked on numerous architectural and engineering projects from corporate headquarters, to airports, to universities, to heritage buildings and other institutions throughout North America that require complex 3D measurement and modeling such as architectural glass installations.
For more information on the Table Rock Centre redevelopment project or to learn more about our 3D solutions, please contact us.
Note: All image were taken from Niagara Parks (https://www.niagaraparks.com/things-to-do/table-rock-centre/)