The application of technology to exterior restoration is years—if not decades—behind the potential of the leading edge. One example: two mechanics on a swing scaffold still individually operating separate, unsynchronized motors while trying to keep the scaffold level as they move from floor to floor.

Arthur C. Clarke’s observation* inspires our campaign to push the envelope of restoration technology. Throughout our 40-year history, we’ve harnessed leading-edge (or even bleeding-edge) technologies to facilitate the accuracy of our investigations and the quality of the Contract Documents (CD’s) we produce.

And now, the pace is accelerating to the point where Clarke’s observations will finally hold true for our practice. Thanks to technology, we’ll finally be able to “bring the building back to the office” for analysis.

The convergence of autonomous UAV’s (drones) and tools like AI are aligning with the aspirations of our practice. We’re also embracing reality capture, high-definition and infrared photography, and software that allows seamless integration of these tools.

As for AI, our communications manager is still skeptical of its ability to write like a human. Maybe someday…

*Arthur C. Clarke (1917-2008) was an influential science fiction author, best known for the novel and screenplay, 2001: A Space Odyssey. He first proffered this “law” in a 1968 letter to Science magazine.