Project Setup
A new project begins with a simple upload flow, turning floor plans and core metadata into a shared reference point for the rest of the documentation process.
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Always in Sight
A Node-RED-based web application for real-time construction site documentation — linking floor plan uploads, on-site resource logging, 3D scanning, and VR review in one interface.
Construction TechWeb ApplicationNode-REDDigital Documentation3D ScanningVR Prototype
Construction rework is one of the most costly problems in the industry — often caused by poor information flow, undocumented changes, and no single source of truth between site and office. This project prototypes a lightweight web tool to close that gap: a browser-accessible interface where project participants can upload floor plans, log resources and defects directly on-plan, trigger on-site 3D scans, and review captured spaces in VR — all from a mobile or desktop device.
- The project addresses construction rework caused by information asymmetry between design teams and site workers.
- It proposes a low-code, device-agnostic documentation platform that connects plan management, resource tracking, and spatial capture in one flow.
- Designed and built the web application interface using Node-RED.
- Developed the project upload and display flows, linking floor plan data to site resources.
- Integrated the 3D scanning workflow (RTAB-Map) and VR viewing pipeline (Oculus) as launchable modules from within the app.
- Conducted market research on competing tools including PlanRadar, Scaled Robotics, HoloBuilder, and Multivista.
- Research: Analysed rework causes and mapped existing commercial tools to identify gaps in mobile-first, low-cost documentation.
- Architecture: Designed the Node-RED flow connecting frontend dashboard, database, and external hardware modules.
- Prototype: Built core screens — project upload, floor plan display, resource logging, and links to scan and VR apps.
- Demo: Validated the full flow from floor plan upload through 3D scan capture to VR model viewing.
- Demonstrated a viable low-code pipeline for construction documentation accessible on mobile without specialist hardware.
- Connected physical site capture (3D scan) and spatial review (VR) to a single lightweight web interface.
- Identified real-time sync and plan-anchored defect logging as the highest-value features missing from mid-market tools.
- Node-RED
- RTAB-Map (RGB-D SLAM for 3D scanning)
- Oculus (VR model viewing)
- MQTT
Year
2021-2022
Group
Tools
Role
UX Researcher & Prototype Developer
Duration
1 Semester
Team
Group Project (Chen, Ding, Zhao)
Deliverable
Web Application Prototype & Demo
Tools
Node-RED, RTAB-Map, Oculus, MQTT
Tags
Construction TechWeb ApplicationNode-REDDigital Documentation3D ScanningVR Prototype
Story Band
Project View
Each project is presented as a clear, navigable workspace where plans, records, and review tools stay connected instead of fragmenting across separate systems.
Plan-Anchored Records
Construction records can be uploaded inside a project and placed directly on plan locations, improving traceability between site activity and spatial context.
Record Review
Uploaded records remain easy to inspect after submission, so project teams can review progress and issues without losing the thread of where each item belongs.
3D Scan Context
Captured scan models can be placed back into the project flow, linking physical site conditions to the same plan-based documentation environment.
VR Review Handoff
The workflow extends into headset-based viewing, allowing teams to jump from documented records to immersive review of the scanned space without breaking continuity.