From Point Cloud to Project: Drone Sensing for Architectural & Landscape Design
Friday, 21 November 2025 — 9:30–12:00
The Department of Architecture and Built Environment is pleased to offer a hands-on technical workshop introducing students to drone-based spatial data capture and 3D point-cloud modelling. The session is led by Timothy Chambers, with studio support from Dr Yucong Zhang and Dr Andrea Palmioli.
This workshop offers students a rare opportunity to observe and participate in the full workflow of drone sensing—from flight preparation to the production of georeferenced digital models used in architectural and territorial design.
Workshop Focus
The workshop demonstrates how contemporary design workflows integrate photogrammetry, geospatial accuracy, and evidence-based modelling. Students will learn how point clouds serve as analytical tools for reading landscapes, infrastructures, and built environments.
Participants will be introduced to:
· Drone flight workflow: understanding flight patterns, image overlap, and safe data capture
· Photogrammetric processing: generating point clouds and textured meshes
· Georeferencing and measurement: evaluating spatial accuracy, checking distances, and reading scale
· Segmentation and interpretation: identifying ground, vegetation, water, and built forms
· Design translation: producing orthophotos, sections, massing studies, and early design artefacts
· 3D printing preparation: exporting processed models for rapid prototyping
Session Structure
The workshop is organised into three parts:
- Indoor briefing (PMB206)
Introduction to the workflow, examples of previous models, and key questions.
- Outdoor drone demonstration
Live drone flight, image acquisition, and site measurement exercise.
- Indoor processing session
Uploading images, generating a point cloud, refining the model, and exploring export options.
Why Join
This workshop is designed for students interested in:
· environmental and territorial analysis
· digital modelling
· landscape and urban-scale design
· evidence-based and data-driven approaches
· integrating drone sensing into studio projects
No prior technical experience is required.
All equipment will be provided.
Registration
To participate, email Dr Andrea Palmioli by Thursday, 20 November to be added to the attendance list.
Places are limited and allocated on a first-come basis.