Building Inspection and Valuation: A Reincarnate Innovation

In the construction industry, innovation is key to addressing some of the sector’s most pressing challenges. In a collaborative effort to transform construction and demolition (C&D) practices, Reincarnate is developing ten groundbreaking innovations to pave the way toward a more sustainable construction industry. As part of this initiative, the Innovation Series highlights the work of researchers and developers behind these pioneering solutions.

In this episode, we feature the work of Samaneh Rezvani, Senior Researcher at DEMO Consultants, on Building Inspection and Valuation – a novel approach that enhances building assessment through digitalization and semi-automation, improving efficiency and accuracy in evaluating the circularity potential of construction materials and components.

Watch Samaneh Rezvani’s video on Building Inspection and Valuation: A Reincarnate Innovation

Brief description of the innovation and its role in the reincarnate project

This innovation focuses on advancing building inspection and valuation through digitalization and semi-automation. It streamlines the assessment process by integrating innovative technologies to evaluate the circularity potential of construction materials and components. This enhances efficiency and accuracy while supporting the building practices of pilot projects within the Reincarnate framework.

Specific challenges in construction and demolition (c&d) that the innovation aims to solve

Currently, there is a lack of practical tools for circularity assessment. Existing practices are either highly data-intensive, requiring extensive input, or rely on manual processes and paper-based workflows, which are inefficient and time-consuming. This innovation addresses these inefficiencies by providing a structured, digital approach to assessment.

What inspired the development of the innovation, and how it evolved

The idea for this innovation originated from the need for more practical and efficient approaches to pre-demolition or pre-renovation inspections. The goal was to shift from manual methods to a digital inspection approach that utilizes 3D scans and integrates them with BIM-based systems. This enables automated data extraction, annotations, and tracking of material and component properties, making the inspection process more structured and reliable.

The stage of development of the innovation and next steps

Our innovation is currently at the prototype stage. We have developed a system that synchronizes a 3D scan of a building with a BIM model, enabling seamless data communication and a more integrated inspection process. A key feature of this system is an interactive 3D annotation mechanism, which allows inspectors to tag and annotate building components using a structured template. This facilitates the assessment of components based on their condition, assembly features, and other technical characteristics.

In the next phase, we aim to enhance our system by automating quantity take-off through BIM and 3D scan integration. This will allow the extraction of geometry-specific data—such as volume, dimensions, and quantities—directly from the BIM model. Additionally, we are developing a dashboard that will generate detailed inspection reports with clear, visual data representations.

Currently, we are conducting tests in a pilot project in Paris, where we are developing an inspection template based on the specific needs of inspectors. Their feedback will help us refine and improve the framework to ensure its effectiveness and usability in real-world applications.

A step toward sustainable construction

The CPIM innovation represents a significant step in the Reincarnate project’s mission to advance sustainability in the construction industry. By improving the digitalization and efficiency of building inspections, this innovation helps minimize waste, reduce environmental impact, and support the transition toward a circular economy.