How 3D Scanning Can Protect Historic Buildings from Natural Disasters

We backup everything - images, documents, etc. But what about the historic buildings that have stood for centuries? If your building could have a backup file, wouldn’t you want one? That’s the idea behind 3D scanning in preservation. It’s a way to “save” your property’s details long before damage ever happens.

TL;DR: Preservationists are using laser scanning and photogrammetry to create exact digital models (“digital twins”) of historic buildings. They’re insurance against time, weather, and disaster.

What Exactly Is a Digital Twin (and Why Boston Needs Them)

A digital twin is basically a precise 3D copy of a real building, down to every curve in the molding and every crack in the masonry. Using laser scanning or drone photogrammetry, technicians gather millions of data points to create a model that’s accurate within millimeters.

This isn’t sci-fi; it’s already happening. Researchers at Oregon State University recently used this tech to scan 1930s Civilian Conservation Corps buildings at Silver Falls State Park. Those structures, built of timber and stone, are now preserved digitally in case of wildfires or erosion. If anything happens, restorers can rebuild them with near-perfect accuracy.

Same goes for Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. When it burned in 2019, restoration teams turned to a 2015 laser scan that mapped the cathedral within five millimeters of precision. That scan became the blueprint for one of the most accurate restorations in history.

Here in Boston, we might not face wildfires, but our risks are real: sea-level rise, nor’easters, and century-old brick meeting 21st-century weather. Having a “digital copy” of an old Boston building could make all the difference if a storm, flood, or even a fire hits.

How 3D Scanning Helps Before the Damage Happens

A 3D scan is like a time capsule, it records your building’s exact state today. That helps masons, engineers, and preservationists track movement, settling, and damage over time. If a wall leans an inch more next year, the scan will show it.

And when it’s time to restore? That data saves countless hours. We can plan precisely where to replace stone, how to rebuild a decorative cornice, or how to repair historic mortar joints without guessing.

For Homeowners and Property Managers

If you own or manage a historic property (say, a South End brownstone or a North Shore estate) 3D scanning can be your best ally. You don’t need a giant budget or a research grant. Smaller scans are affordable now and can sometimes be done in just a few days.

They’re especially valuable before a renovation or repointing project. Let’s say you restore your façade this year and notice cracks five years later. A digital model lets you compare conditions over time, proving whether the movement is new, or something that’s always been there. That’s gold for future maintenance and insurance claims alike.

Boston’s Climate Challenge

It’s no surprise that Boston’s coastal location puts its historic fabric at risk. Flood maps keep expanding, and freeze-thaw cycles will always play a role in New England masonry.

Many preservationists are calling for digital documentation of major landmarks (churches, brownstones, even city-owned historic buildings) as a safeguard against what’s coming. Think of it like a digital preservation fund: you invest once, and if disaster strikes, you’ve got the blueprint ready.

For cities like Boston, where 30.39% the housing stock predates 1940, that’s not a luxury, it’s a responsibility.

Craftsmanship Still Matters

Scanning makes the planning smarter, but the restoration still depends on skilled masons with an eye for history and hands that know what old mortar feels like.

That’s the sweet spot - where old-school craftsmanship meets new-school precision.

Could your historic building in Boston use an inspection? Talk to a mason who understands both the past and the future of masonry and can advise you on a course of action. While JMS Masonry & Restoration doesn’t offer digital twin creation, we can work from them!

Our goal is to help your building withstand the elements - and ideally, reduce the need for a digital scan in the first place.

Having a scan is great, but taking practical steps like repointing, repairing foundations, and sealing cracks before Boston’s freeze-thaw cycles hit is the first line of defense. During an inspection, we might recommend repointing small cracks before they spread, addressing water damage, or investigating signs of foundation movement.

JMS Masonry & Restoration works with property managers, preservationists, and homeowners across Greater Boston to protect and restore historic buildings.