GB2605431A

GB2605431A - System and Method for Design and Installation of Building Elements

Info

Publication number: GB2605431A
Application number: GB2104626.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Zenon Delimata Rafal; Heath-Matossian Hagop
Original assignee: Bow Tie Construction Ltd
Current assignee: Bow Tie Construction Ltd
Priority date: 2021-03-31
Filing date: 2021-03-31
Publication date: 2022-10-05
Anticipated expiration: 2041-03-31
Also published as: GB2605431B; GB202104626D0

Abstract

The system 1000 comprises one or more guide members 100, 200 mountable, in use, to one or more walls 11, 11’ of a building in a predefined position and orientation. The system also comprises one or more encoded targets 300 mountable to each guide member that are detectable by laser scanner. Each encoded target comprises a machine readable optical label that contains information about the offsite manufactured building elements and/or the building at the location of the respective encoded target. The information may include one or more of a type, size, material and position of the offsite manufactured building elements to be installed and/or a type, size and location of an existing building feature and/or service. Also disclosed is a wall mounting assembly for mounting a longitudinally extending guide member to a wall of a building in a predefined position and orientation, comprising a wall bracket for attaching to a wall and an adjustment means configured to fix and adjust in situ the positions and orientation of the longitudinally extending guide member relative to the wall.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DESIGN AND INSTALLATION OF BUILDING

ELEMENTS

Technical Field

This invention relates generally to a system and method for design and installation of one or more offsite manufactured building elements, particularly, but not exclusively, based on information obtained from building scans.

Background to the Invention

Modern methods of construction (IMMC) refers to the development of techniques to increase speed and efficiency of construction of buildings by using off-site manufactured building elements such as windows, doors, wall panels that can benefit from controlled production processes. Off-site manufactured building elements are used in the construction of new building and existing buildings, e.g. retrofitting wall insulation panels on the exterior of a building. A typical process consists of a measurement and design phase, a manufacture phase, and an installation phase. In the measurement phase, various measurements of the building are taken to determine the dimensions and other requirements of the off-site manufactured building elements, and design specifications of the building elements are then drawn up based on the measurements. The building elements are then manufactured offsite based on the design specifications, transported to the building site and finally installed.

Traditionally, a surveyor would go to the site and take basic measurements manually.

In recent years, the use of laser scanners has rapidly become accepted as an essential tool for gathering accurate measurement data at the measurement phase. State of the art laser scanners are capable of acquiring a large number of accurate range measurements per second at distances of up to a few hundred meters. A laser scan of a building generates a dense point cloud of data points in a three dimensional coordinate system which captures the geometry of the building exterior. Modelling software can then be used to process the scan data and generate two or three dimensional computer-aided design (CAD) models of the building, for use in the design phase.

However, aside from the technological advanced and obvious benefits of MMC, use of laser scanning and off-site manufactured building elements can introduce various problems that manifest at the design and installation phase. In one example, laser scanning produces a vast amount of high resolution scan data which in many applications is overkill for the task and difficult and time consuming to process. The scan data will often cover the building and also the surroundings (e.g. trees, cars, birds, washing, people etc.), introducing noise and data of no interest that must be removed or filtered out before a CAD model can be generated. This can take several days. As such, on the one hand, while traditional measurement methods do not produce enough data, laser scanning produces too much data. Further, because laser scanners are mounted on the ground, building features such as exterior window and/or door reveals above ground level can be partially obscured, e.g. by balconies and sill, preventing the scan from acquiring all the necessary data. In these circumstances, certain manual measurements are still required, and are time consuming. In another IS example, the off-site manufactured building elements may not always fit when it comes to installation, because the generated CAD models are not always accurate. This means modifications arc needed to be made on-site which can be time consuming and may also degrade the building element and it performance below the specification values.

As such, there is often a disconnect between offsite manufacture and on-site installation. There is therefore a need for more accurate, reliable, and efficient systems and methods for design and installation of offsite manufactured building elements that addresses at least some of these problems.

Aspects and embodiments of the present invention have been devised with the foregoing in mind.

Summary of the Invention

According a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a structural/building reference system for design and installation of one or more offsite manufactured building elements. The term "building element" is intended to include various products and/or assemblies used to construct a building, including, but not limited to one or more of: a wall panel, insulation panel, window, guttering, a door, and/or any object/structure to be attached to the building. The system may comprise one or more guide members mountable, in use, to one or more walls of a building in a predefined position and orientation. The system may further comprise one or more encoded targets mountable to each guide member. The or each encoded target may be detectable by building scanner such as a laser scanner. The or each encoded target may comprise a machine-readable optical label that contains information about the offsite manufactured building element(s) and/or the building at the location of the respective encoded target. The encoded target may be or comprise a quick response (QR) code The system advantageously encodes a building with information detectable during the scanning phase of design and installation. The encoded targets allow discrete points on the building to be tagged with any information about the required building element(s) and/or the building itself to greatly enrich the scan data. The information or code detected/read by the scanner indicates to the scanner what is being scanned and this can be used to code output drawings. The resulting enhanced scan data can be used to provide various outputs such as schedules, drawings, and specifications for the building elements, containing task specific information for different sub-contractors. Once a scan is completed, the encoded target points can be extracted to create the outline of the building with any additional information read from the targets. The exported scan file generated from the encoded targets has significantly less data points than the original scan file and so also much less noise, reducing the time to process. Using the claimed system, the offsite manufactured building elements are effectively designed to fit the guide members rather than the building. This reduces the inaccuracies of installation. In this way, the system can greatly improve the reliability, efficiency and accuracy of the design and installation of offsite manufactured building elements.

The encoded targets can also be read using a mobile device such as a smart phone, e.g. of a site engineer or installer, during installation to confirm the target location on the plans, any installation information and/or its relation to the gridlines. The system, particularly, the encoded targets, can be used for design and installation of any building assembly in any location. It is of particularly advantageous where high value large items are being manufactured off-site to fit existing buildings for which there may be no three dimensional (3D) models Even if there are 3D models, using this system will increase accuracy.

The information may include one or more of: a type, size, material, and position of the offsite manufactured building clement(s) to be installed; and/or a type, size and location of an existing building feature and/or service In an embodiment, the guide members may be omitted and the encoded targets be mountable directly to the building or any object/structure to be scanned to convey further information to the scanner beyond the mere geometry of the building/object/structure, for any purpose. For example, in a factory setting, if a large piece of machinery is being replaced, encoded targets can be placed on the existing connection points when scanning to ensure the new machinery can be designed to be exactly the same dimensions as the old one. I5

In use, the one or more guide members may at least partially define a periphery of an area in which the offsite manufactured building element(s) is to be installed.

The system advantageously provides a physical marker for the extremities or periphery of an area in which one or more offsite manufactured building dements (such as windows, doors, and/or insulation panels) are to be installed. This can be used to demarcate contractual responsibilities for the building construction.

The one or more guide members may comprise at least one longitudinally extending guide member configured, in use, to extend at least partially along a wall of the building in a predefined position and orientation The longitudinally extending guide member may have a length on the order of meters Multiple longitudinally extending guide members may be connected end to end to extend, where necessary, along a given length of wall and/or around a corner of a building, e.g. along or around multiple or all exterior walls of the building. The one or more guide members may comprise a first and a second longitudinally extending guide member connectable to each other end to end and configured, when connected, to extend around a corner of a building along adjoining walls.

The first and second longitudinally extending guide members may be configured to connect to each other directly at respective longitudinal ends thereof The first and second longitudinally extending guide members may be configured to connect to each other indirectly using a connector bracket. The first and second longitudinally extending guide members may be configured to connect, at a respective longitudinal end thereof, to a corner bracket. The connector or corner bracket may be configured to provide an angled connection between the first and second guide members, e.g. to match the corner of the building. The corner bracket may be configured to extend at least partially around a corner of the building and/or along a length of each adjoining wall. Where the corner is a right-angled corner, the corner bracket may be substantially L-shaped.

The system may comprise a plurality of longitudinally extending guide members configured, in use, to extend at least partially around the walls of the building in the predefined position and orientation.

Each longitudinally extending guide member may comprise a surface extending, in use, away from the wall of the building on which to rest a building element(s) during installation of the building element(s). Optionally or preferably, each longitudinally extending guide member may have a substantially L-shaped transverse cross-section.

The L-shaped cross-section may be formed by first and second substantially perpendicular sides or portions. The first side may face, in use, the wall and the second side may extend, in use, away from the wall At least some of the longitudinally extending guide members may be configured, in use, to extend in a substantially horizontal or vertical direction along a wall of the building. At least some of the longitudinally extending guide members may be substantially straight or curved, or comprise a straight section and a curved section The system may comprise a plurality of wall mounting assemblies configured to mount the at least one longitudinally extending guide member to a wall of the building in a predefined position and orientation. Each wall mounting assembly may be configured to adjust the position and orientation of a respective guide member. Each wall mounting assembly may comprise a wall bracket for attaching to a wall and an adjustment means configured to fix and adjust, in situ, the position and orientation of a respective longitudinally extending guide member relative to the wall.

The adjustment means may be configured to move the respective longitudinally extending guide member relative to the wall with two or more degrees of freedom.

Optionally or preferably, the two or more degrees of freedom include towards and away from the wall bracket and tilt with respect to the wall bracket.

The adjustment means may comprises a first threaded shaft that projects outwards from, and is freely rotatable about its shaft axis with respect to the wall bracket. The first threaded shaft may be configured to engage, at or near its distal end, a threaded first hole in the respective longitudinally extending guide member.

The distal end of the first threaded shaft may comprise a shaped head for engaging a device to rotate the first threaded shaft. The shaped head may be or comprises a male or female hexagonal head. The shaped head may have a diameter less than the diameter of the thread of the first threaded shaft. Alternatively, the shaped head may be or comprises a male or female square or star-shaped head, or a slotted or crosshead. The first threaded shaft may further comprise a head at a proximal end with a diameter greater than the diameter of the thread of the first threaded shaft. The first threaded shaft may be configured to extend through a recessed hole in the wall bracket. The recess may be in a wall-facing side of the wall bracket. The head at the proximal end may be configured to engage the recessed hole to prevent the first threaded shaft passing through the recessed hole and permit rotation of the first threaded shaft.

The first threaded shaft may comprise an unthreaded portion adjacent the distal end. The unthreaded portion may extend from the distal end for a portion of the length of the first threaded shaft. The unthreaded portion may extend for about 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60% or 70% of the length of the shaft.

The adjustment means may further comprise a second threaded shaft that projects outwards from the wall bracket. The second threaded hole may be insertable through a second hole in the respective longitudinally extending guide member, and may be configured to receive a nut for engaging the second threaded shaft and the respective longitudinally extending guide member. The first and second holes may be offset in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the respective longitudinally extending guide member.

The first threaded shaft may further comprise a head at a proximal end with a diameter greater than the diameter of the thread of the first threaded shaft. The first threaded shaft may be configured to extend through a recessed hole in the wall bracket. The recess may be in a wall-facing side of the wall bracket. The head at the proximal end may be configured to engage the recessed hole to prevent the first threaded shaft passing through the recessed hole.

The second threaded shaft may also be rotatable with respect to the wall bracket. in this case, the distal end of the second threaded shaft may also comprise a shaped head for engaging a driving device, as described for the first threaded shaft. Further, in this case, the second hole in the guide member may also be threaded, so as to threadely engage the second threaded shaft.

Each wall mounting assembly may be configured to provide a thermal break between the wall and the respective longitudinally extending guide member. The wall bracket may be formed of or comprise a substantially thermally insulating material.

Alternatively or additionally, each wall mounting assembly may further comprise a layer of thermally insulating material positioned between the wall bracket and the respective longitudinally extending guide member.

Where the building element is or comprises a window or a door, the one or more guide members may comprise at least one corner guide member configured to be mounted or attached to an upper corner of a window or door reveal.

The at least one corner guide member may comprise a reference point for measuring a distance to the bottom of the window or door reveal.

The at least one corner guide member may be configured to fit over an edge of the reveal and conform to the profile of the corner of the reveal. The at least one corner guide member may be comprise a substantially L-shaped transverse cross-section configured to fit over an edge of a reveal.

The reference point may be or comprise a magnetic material or a magnet for releasably securing a magnetic end of a measuring device during a measurement, such as a tape measure.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a wall mounting assembly for mounting a longitudinally extending guide member to a wall of a building in a predefined position and orientation. The longitudinally extending guide member may be the longitudinally extending guide member of the system of the first aspect. The wall mounting assembly may have the same features as the wall mounting assembly described in the first aspect. The wall mounting assembly may be configured to adjust the position and orientation of the longitudinally extending guide member, in situ. The wall mounting assembly may comprise a wall bracket for attaching to a wall. The wall mounting assembly may further comprise an adjustment means configured to fix and adjust, in situ, the position and orientation of the longitudinally extending guide member relative to the wall.

The adjustment means may be configured to move the longitudinally extending guide member relative to the wall with two or more degrees of freedom. Optionally or preferably, the two or more degrees of freedom include towards and away from the wall bracket and tilt with respect to the wall bracket.

The adjustment means may comprises a first threaded shaft that projects outwards from, and is freely rotatable about its shaft axis with respect to the wall bracket. The first threaded shaft may be configured to engage, at or near its distal end, a threaded first hole in the longitudinally extending guide member.

The distal end of the first threaded shaft may comprise a shaped head for engaging a device to rotate the first threaded shaft. The shaped head may be or comprises a male or female hexagonal head. The shaped head may have a diameter less than the diameter of the thread of the first threaded shaft. Alternatively, the shaped head may be or comprises a male or female square or star-shaped head, or a slotted or crosshead. The first threaded shaft may further comprise a head at a proximal end with a diameter greater than the diameter of the thread of the first threaded shaft. The first threaded shaft may be configured to extend through a recessed hole in the wall bracket. The recess may be in a wall-facing side of the wall bracket. The head at the proximal end may be configured to engage the recessed hole to prevent the first threaded shaft passing through the recessed hole and permit rotation of the first threaded shaft The first threaded shaft may comprise an unthreaded portion adjacent the distal end. The unthreaded portion may extend from the distal end for a portion of the length of the first threaded shaft. The unthreaded portion may extend for about 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60% or 70% of the length of the shaft.

The adjustment means may further comprise a second threaded shaft that projects outwards from the wall bracket. The second threaded hole may be insertable through a second hole in the respective longitudinally extending guide member, and may be configured to receive a nut for engaging the second threaded shaft and the respective IS longitudinally extending guide member. The first and second threaded shafts may be offset in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the wall bracket. The longitudinal axis of the wall bracket may be substantially aligned with or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the longitudinally extending guide member. The first and second holes may be offset in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the longitudinally extending guide member.

The second threaded shaft may also be rotatable with respect to the wall bracket. In this case the second hole in the guide member may also be threaded. In this case, the distal end of the second threaded shaft may also comprise a shaped head for engaging a driving device, as described for the first threaded shaft.

Each wall mounting assembly may be configured to provide a thermal break between the wall and the respective longitudinally extending guide member. The wall bracket may be formed of or comprise a substantially thermally insulating material. Alternatively or additionally, each wall mounting assembly may further comprise a layer of thermally insulating material positioned between the wall bracket and the respective longitudinally extending guide member.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of designing and installing one or more offsite manufactured building elements. The method may comprise installing the structural/building reference system of the first aspect onto a building. The method may further comprise scanning the building with a building survey scanner or laser scanner to detect and read the information contained in the encoded target(s) (on each guide member). The method may further comprise designing the one or more building elements based on the information read from the encoded targets. The method may further comprise installing the one or more building elements on the building. I5

The step of installing the structural/building reference system may comprise: mounting the one or more guide members to the building in a predefined position and orientation; and attaching one or more encoded targets to the one or more guide members in respective predefined positions.

Where the one or more guide members comprise a corner guide member, the step of mounting the one or more guide members to the building may comprise mounting a corner guide member to an upper corner of a window or door reveal, optionally or preferably, using an adhesive or one or more fixings. The method may further comprise recording a distance measured from a reference point of the corner guide member to the bottom of the reveal. Optionally or preferably, the measurement is recorded on the corner guide member.

Where the one or more guide members comprise one or more longitudinally extending guide members, the step of mounting the one or more guide members to the building may comprise: mounting a longitudinally extending guide member to wall of the building using a one or more or a plurality of wall mounting assemblies; and adjusting the position and orientation of the longitudinally extending guide member using the adjustment means of the or each wall mounting assembly.

The step of installing the one or more offsite manufactured building dements may comprise using the longitudinally extending guide member as a peripheral edge of an area in which the building element(s) is(are) to be installed, optional or preferably, using a surface of the longitudinally extending guide member extending away from the wall of the building to rest or support the building element(s) during installation.

The step of designing the one or more building elements based on the information read from the encoded targets may comprise extracting building element specific information from the information and/or generating model of the building based at least in part on the information read from the encoded targets.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of installing the building reference system of the first aspect onto a building. The method may comprise mounting the one or more guide members to one or more walls of a building IS in a predefined position and orientation. The method may comprise mounting, attaching or affixing one or more encoded targets to the one or more guide members in respective predefined positions.

Where the one or more guide members comprise a corner guide member, the step of mounting the one or more guide members to the building may comprise mounting a corner guide member to an upper corner of a window or door reveal, optionally or preferably, using an adhesive or one or more fixings.

Where the one or more guide members comprise one or more longitudinally extending guide members, the step of mounting the one or more guide members to the building may comprise: mounting a first longitudinally extending guide member to a wall of the building using one or more wall mounting assemblies; and optionally adjusting the position and orientation of the first longitudinally extending guide member using the adjustment means of the one or more wall mounting assemblies.

The step of mounting the one or more guide members to the building may further comprise mounting a second longitudinally extending guide member to a wall or adjoining wall of the building using one or more further wall mounting assemblies, and optionally connecting the first and second longitudinally extending guide members end to end using a connector bracket or corner bracket such that the first and second longitudinally extending guide members extend along a length of a wall or around a corner of the building along adjoining walls. Mounting the second longitudinally extending guide member may optionally further comprise adjusting the position and orientation of the second longitudinally extending guide member using the adjustment means of the one or more further wall mounting assemblies.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided a structural reference system for an object or structure to be laser scanned. The object or structure may be or comprise a building. The system may comprise one or more encoded targets mountable to a structure or object to be laser scanned. The or each encoded target may be detectable by a laser scanner. The or each encoded target may comprise a machine-readable optical label that contains information about the object/structure, or a component to be installed on the object/structure, at the location of the respective encoded target. The encoded target may be or comprise a quick response (QR) code.

The information may be used for design and installation of one or more offsite manufactured components or building elements, as described in the first aspect Features which are described in the context of separate aspects and embodiments of the invention may be used together and/or be interchangeable. Similarly, where features are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, these may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination. Features described in connection with the device may have corresponding features definable with respect to the method(s), and vice versa, and these embodiments are specifically envisaged.

Brief Description of Drawings

In order that the invention can be well understood, embodiments will now be discussed by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a building reference system according to an embodiment of the invention, Figure 2 shows an example encoded target for the system of figure 1; Figure 3 shows an example target mount for mounting the encoded target to a guide member of the system of figure 1; Figures 4(a) to 4(c) show, respectively, perspective, side and front-on views of a longitudinally extending guide member according to an embodiment; Figures 5(a) to 5(c) show, respectively, perspective, side and explodes views of a wall mounting assembly for the longitudinally extending guide member of figures 4(a)-4(c), Figures 6(a) and 6(b) show, respectively, a perspective view and cross-section of a wall bracket of the wall mounting assembly of figures 5(a)-5(c), Figures 7(a) to 7(c) show, respectively, example first and second threaded shafts and wall fixings for the wall mounting assembly of figures 5(a)-5(c), Figures 8(a) and 8(b) show, respectively, a perspective view and cross-section of a layer of thermally insulating material of the wall mounting assembly of figures 5(a)-5 (c); Figures 9(a) and 9(b) show, respectively, a perspective view and cross-section of a corner bracket for connecting longitudinally extending guide members; Figure 10 shows an example method of installing one or more longitudinally extending guide members; Figures 11(a) to 11(j) illustrate various steps of the installation method of figure 10; Figures 12(a) to 12(c) show, respectively, a perspective view, plan view and cross-section of a corner guide mountable to a window or door reveal; Figure 13 shows a schematic illustration of the corner guides mounted to a reveal; and Figure 14 shows an example method of design and installation of one or more offsite manufactured building elements.

It should be noted that the figures are diagrammatic and may not be drawn to scale.

Relative dimensions and proportions of parts of these figures may have been shown exaggerated or reduced in size, for the sake of clarity and convenience in the drawings. The same reference signs are generally used to refer to corresponding or similar features in modified and/or different embodiments.

Detailed Description

Figure I shows a schematic diagram of a building reference system 1000 installed on a building 10, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The system 1000 provides a physical marker for the extremities or periphery of an area in which one or more offsite manufactured building elements (such as windows, doors, and/or insulation panels) are to be installed, and encodes the building 10 with information detectable during the scanning phase of design and installation. The system 1000 allows discrete points on the building 10 to be tagged with information about the required building element(s) and/or the building 10 itself to greatly enrich the scan data. The resulting enhanced scan data can be used to provide various outputs such as schedules, drawings, and specifications for the building elements, containing task specific information for different sub-contractors. In this way, the system 1000 can greatly improve the efficiency and accuracy of the design and installation of offsite manufactured building elements.

The system 1000 comprises a plurality of guide members 100, 200 mountable to one or more walls II, 11' of the building 10 in a predefined position and orientation, and one or more encoded target 300 mountable to each guide member 100, 200. The encoded targets 300 are detectable by a building scanner, e.g. a laser scanner or photogrammetric scanner used during the scanning phase of design and installation (e.g. a Leica TS16 total station, Trimble M3 total station, or Faro focus 70), and comprise a machine-readable optical label that contains information about the offsite manufactured building element(s) and/or the building at the location of the respective encoded target. The information can include, but is not limited to, one or more of: a type, size, material, and position of the building element(s) to be installed, and/or a type, size and location of an existing building feature and/or service/utility. For example, an encoded target may comprise information such as the boundaries and type of wall insulation panelling, locations and sizes of windows and doors locations of electrical cables, water pipes, conduits etc. The information encoded may be any suitable form and may, for example be in the form of a building information model (BIM) descriptor or metadata that can be recognised by the scanner or standard BIM software used to process the scan data. For example, the information encoded in the targets 300 can be held in a database within the scanner or accessible by the BIM software so that when the scanner or BIM software detects a target 300 it can know straight away what it is looking at.

Figure 2 shows example of an encoded target 300 comprising a quick response (QR) code. in this example, the target 300 contains a central marker 310 for registering the location of the target 300 by a scanner (in this case a crosshair), and a plurality of machine readable indicia 320 for encoding information about the location of target 300. A laser scanner can be programmed to scan the centre of each target 300 and take measurements from that point. The information or code detected/read by the scanner indicates to the scanner what is being scanned and this can be used to code output drawings The targets 300 can be mounted to the guide members 100, 200 before or after their installation in a variety of different ways, either directly (e.g. using an adhesive) or indirectly using a target mount 350. Additionally or alternatively, targets 300 can be mounted directly to the building. Figure 3 shows an example L-shaped target mount 350 for mounting the target 300 to a guide member 100, 200. The target 300 can be adhered, deposited, transferred or otherwise attached to the target mount 350.

Alternatively, the encoded target 300 can be integrally formed with or on the target mount 350, e.g. by etching or engraving.

In a specific example application of the encoded targets 300, an engineer arrives on-site with the encoded targets 300 and a laser scanner. The encoded targets 300 coded as "scan perimeter" are temporarily mounted at positions on-site that define the area which you arc interested in scanning. This defines the boundary of the scan, saving you time on the scan and later in processing. Further encoded targets 300 containing information about the required building elements and/or the building are mounted to the guide members and optionally other locations on the building 10. Any information can be encoded in the targets, for example, "incoming electrical cable". Next, the scanner scans the predefined area. The scanner may start by taking photos spanning 360 degrees, recognizes the encoded targets 300 and scans their precise positions. it also scans the rest of the building 10 as normal. The encoded targets 300 also help to align the scans taken from different locations.

The scan generates a point cloud of data points for each scanned location on the building 10 and surroundings. Once the scan is completed, the encoded target 300 points can be extracted to create the outline of the building 10, e.g. with the incoming electrical supply. The exported scan file generated from the encoded targets 300 has significantly less data points than the original scan file and so also much less noise, reducing the time to process. The encoded targets 300 can stay on-site for a few months or a year or any length of time, allowing additional scans or measurements to be made, which can then related to the previous scan(s).

The encoded targets 300 can also be used by an engineer when the contractor is starting on site. For example, the encoded targets 300 can contain information that can be read using a mobile device such as a smart phone, confirming the target location on the plans, any installation information and/or its relation to the gridlines. The encoded targets 300 can also be used to create site gridlines for future references.

With reference to figure I, the system 1000 comprises a plurality of longitudinally extending guide members 100 that extend at least partially along a wall I I, I I' in the predefined position and orientation. The longitudinally extending guide members 100 are connectable to each other at their respective longitudinal ends 100e and are configurable to extend along any desired length of wall 11, and/or around a corner of the building 10 along adjoining walls 11, 11', as shown. In the example shown, the guide members 100 arc oriented/aligned substantially horizontally. This arrangement is suitable for design and installation of building elements such as wall insulation panels (not shown) that are generally square or rectangular in shape. In the illustrated example, the system 1000 comprises an upper 100U and lower 100L set of longitudinally extending guide members 100 defining the periphery of the area in which building elements such as insulation panels are to be installed. The longitudinally extending guide members 100 not only define a periphery of an area for installation of building dements, but also demarcate contractual responsibilities for the building construction, effectively dividing the building 10 up into different sections in which different work is to be carried by different teams For example, everything below the lower set 100E of guide members 100 may be within the groundworks contract, everything between the lower 100L and upper 100U sets of guide members 100 may be within the insulation contract, and everything above the upper set 100U of guide members 100 may be within the roofing contract. This removes any doubt over the contractual responsibilities or possible physical overlap building elements in the different sections.

As such, once installed on the building 10, any ground works below the lower set of guide members 100 can begin immediately and/or independently of the work above. All offsite construction work for a roof, walls, and ground works no longer need to occur in sequence. E.g. a roof can be installed on one part of the building 10 while panels are being installed on another. This considerably cuts time on site and the risk of delay, because it is no longer required that one building element or assembly be complete in order to take measurements to ensure components for the next stage will fit.

It will be appreciated that, although two sets of horizontal guide members 100 are shown in figure 1, this is not essential. For example, guide members 100 may additionally or instead be aligned vertically, or inclined at an angle, where needed, and in other example may include only a single set or additional sets, depending on the specific building design (not shown). Further, the longitudinally extending guide members 100 can be substantially straight, as shown, or curved, depending on the design of the building.

Figures 4(a)-4(c) show an embodiment of a longitudinally extending guide member 100. The guide member 100 comprises a substantially straight beam with an L-shaped cross-section formed by first and second perpendicular sides 110, 120, as shown. A first side 110 is configured, in use, to face a wall I I, 1 of the building 10, and the second side 120 is configured, in use, to extend away from the wall 11, 11' and provide a surface 120s on which to rest or abut a building element such as an insulation panel during installation. Being able to rest/abut the building element(s) on/against the surface 120s ensures that installation proceeds as designed (based on the scan data) with the smallest possible tolerance. One or more holes 121 are provided in the second side 120 at each longitudinal end 100e for connecting to another guide member 100, e.g. using fixings. First and second holes 111, 112 are provided in the first side 110 for mounting the guide member 100 to the wall II, 11', as described below.

Figures 5(a) to 5(c) show a wall mounting assembly 400 for mounting the guide member 100 to the wall 11, I I'. The wall mounting assembly 400 comprises a wall bracket 410 attachable to a wall 11 and an adjustment means 430 coupled to the wall bracket and configured to fix and adjust, in situ, the position and orientation of the longitudinally extending guide member 100 relative to the wall 11 The wall bracket 410 is attached to the wall using wall fixings 433 (see figure 7(c)).

The adjustment means 430 allows the position and orientation of the guide member 100 to be fine-tuned once it is mounted to the wall 11. The adjustment means 430 is configured to move the guide member 100 relative to the wall 11 or wall bracket 410 with two or more degrees of freedom, including towards and away from the wall I I wall bracket 410 and tilt with respect to the wall 11 or wall bracket 410. This allows for correction of any slope in the wall 11 and/or variation in wall thickness along the length of the wall 11 where the guide member 100 is mounted. This allows such variations to be accounted for in the design phase, rather than at the installation phase where on-site alternations to the building element(s) may otherwise be required.

The adjustment means 430 comprises first and second threaded shafts 431, 432 that project outwards from the wall bracket 410, and are offset in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the respective longitudinally extending guide member 100 (so as to provide tilt adjustment, see below). The first and second threaded shafts 431, 432 are freely rotatable about their respective shaft axis with respect to the wall bracket 410 (see below). The first hole 111 in the first side 110 of the guide member 100 is threaded, and the first threaded shaft 431 and is configured to engage the threaded first hole III in the first side 110 of the guide member 100.

The second threaded shaft 432 is configured to pass through the second hole 112 in the first side 110 of the guide member 100 and receive a nut 432n1. When the wall bracket 410 is secured to a wall 11 (using the wall fixings 433), the guide member 100 is secured to the wall mounting assembly 400 by aligning the first and second threaded shafts 431, 432 with the first and second holes 111, 112 of the guide member 100, and rotating the first threaded shaft 431 to engage the threaded first hole 111 of the guide member 100 and move the guide member 100 along the first threaded shaft 431 to the desired position. Tilt adjustment is achieved by independent rotation of the first threaded shaft 432 and/or the second threaded shaft 432 relative to the nut 432n1.

Depending on the required position and orientation of the guide member 100, a spacer or packer (not shown) can optionally be positioned behind the edge 110E of first side 110 of the guide member 100 nearest the second hole 112 to take up any space and allow the nut 432n1 to be tightened against the guide member 100 and fix its positon. Optionally, a further nut 431n can then be threaded onto the first threaded shaft 431 to engage the guide member 100 and fix its position relative to the wall bracket 410. The process of mounting and adjusting the guide member 100 is described in more detail below with reference to figures 10 to 11(j).

Figures 6(a) and 6(b) illustrate an example wall bracket 410 in more detail. Figure 6(b) shows a section taken along line AB in figure 6(a). The wall bracket 410 comprises at least two, four in this example. recessed holes 415 for receiving wall fixings 433 to attach the wall bracket 410 to a wall 11. Figure 7(c) shows an example of a suitable wall fixing 433 in the form of a standard bolt with a hex head 433h-1. At least two of the holes 415 are slots or slotted holes, as shown, to enable the position and orientation of the wall bracket 410 to be adjusted with respect to the wall 11.

The wall bracket 410 further comprises first and second holes 411, 412 for receiving the first and second threaded shafts 431, 432 of the adjustment means 430. The first and second holes 411, 412 are recessed on the back or wall-facing side 410b of the wall bracket 410 to receive a head 431h-1, 432h-1 of the first and second threaded shafts 431, 432. In this way, the first and second threaded shafts 431, 432 are inserted into the respective first and second holes 411, 412 from the back side 410b of the wall bracket 410 before the wall bracket 410 is attached to the wall 11. are retained in the outward projecting position by the recess and can rotate about their shaft axes.

Figures 7(a) and 7(b) show an example of the first and second threaded shaft 431, 432 of the adjustment means 430. As shown, in addition to having a conventional head 431h-1, 432h-1 at a proximal end as shown, the distal ends 431e, 432e of the first and second threaded shafts 431, 432 comprise a male hexagonal head or profile 431h-2, 432h-2 for engaging a device (such as a socket wrench or impact socket driver) to rotate the threaded shaft 431, 432. The male hex heads 431h-2, 432h-2 have a diameter less than the diameter of the thread to allow the first and second threaded shafts 431, 432 to threadedly engage the threaded first hole III and nut 4320 in a conventional manner. The shaped heads 431h-2, 432h-2 allow the first and second shafts 431, 432 to be easily rotated (e.g. using a power tool), and speeds up the installation process, as described in more detail below.

A portion 431u of the length of the first threaded shaft 431 extending from the distal end 431e can optionally be unthreaded, as shown in figure 7(a), to allow the first threaded shaft 431 to pass through the threaded first hole 111 up to the beginning of the threaded portion 431t. This allows the guide member 100 to slide onto first and second threaded shafts 431, 432 and thus be supported by the wall mounting assembly 400 before engaging the first threaded shaft 431 with the threaded first hole 111, simplifying installation by a single person.

In an embodiment, the first and second threaded shafts 431, 432 are convention& 1\110 bolt fixings with male hexagonal heads 431h-1, 432h-I and modified distal ends 431e, 432e that form 7mm male hexagonal heads 431-h2, 431h-2, as shown.

It will be appreciated that although hexagonal shaped heads are widely used for fixings in the art and are convenient for applying torque using standard tools, a hexagonal shape is not essential. Alternative shapes can be used, e.g. triangular, square, and star-shaped. Further, although male shaped beads 431-h2, 431h-2 are illustrated in figures 7(a) and 7(b), they may instead be female, e.g. a female hexagonal (other shaped) head, or circular slotted or circular cross-head. In addition, the second threaded shaft 432 need not be rotatable with respect to the wall bracket 410. In this case, a shaped distal end 432d is not necessary. There are various ways to prevent rotation of the second threaded shaft 432. For example, the recess 412r of the second hole 412 can have a shape to match the shape of the head 432h-I of the second IS threaded shaft 432, or a nut 432n2 can be threaded onto the second threaded shaft 432 to engage the front side of the wall bracket 410 and thereby prevent rotation.

The guide member 100 is preferably formed of a metal material, such as aluminium, to provide structural rigidity. However, such materials typically have a high thermal conductivity. As such, the wall mounting assembly 400 is configured to provide a thermal break between the wall 11 and the guide member 100 to prevent thermal bridging and reduce heat transfer from the building 10. In an embodiment, the wall bracket 410 is formed of or comprises a thermally insulating, and preferably fire retardant, material. In this case, the wall bracket 410 serves as a primary thermal break.

The wall mounting assembly 400 can optionally further include an additional layer of thermally insulating, and preferably fire retardant, material 420 positioned between the wall bracket 410 and the guide member 100, as shown in figures 5(b) and 5(c).

The layer 420 provides a secondary thermal break, and may also serve to add depth to the wall bracket 410. Figures 8(a) and 8(b) illustrate an example layer 420 in more detail. Figure 8(b) shows a section taken along line AB in figure 8(a). The layer 420 comprises first and second hole 421, 422 for receiving the first and second threaded shafts 431, 432 of the adjustment means 430.

Various suitable thermal break materials are known in the art and are commercially available. Examples include those manufactured by FarratTM (c.g., FarratTM TBL high performance structural thermal break material), and Annatherm" (e.g. Armathermum FRR or 500 structural thermal break materials). It will be appreciated that, in practice, load bearing structural thermal breaks would be specified by a structural engineer to carry a certain load In an alternative embodiment, the wall bracket 410 can be formed of a thermally conductive material such as a metal (e.g. aluminium or steel) and the layer of thermally insulating material 420 provides the primary (or sole) thermal break.

Figures 9(a) and 9(b) illustrate an example corner bracket 500 for connecting two guide members 100 and allowing the guide members 100 to continue around a corner of a building 10 along adjoining walls 11, 11'. Figure 9(b) shows a section taken along line AB in figure 9(a). The corner bracket 500 comprises an angled beam with an L-shaped cross-section formed by first and second substantially perpendicular sides 510, 520 that extend around the corner of a building along adjoining walls 11', 11'. The cross-section of the corner bracket 500 is configured to substantially match that of the connecting guide members 100. The first side 110 is configured, in use, to face the walls I I, I I' of the building 10 and the second side 120 is configured, in use, to extend away from the wall 11, 11' and, similar to the guide member 100, provide a surface 520s on which to rest or abut a building element such as an insulation panel during installation. The second side 520 comprises a tab or connector plate 520t at each longitudinal end 520e with holes 521a configured to overlap and align with the corresponding holes 121 at the longitudinal end 100e of the guide member 100 for connecting the guide member 100 to the corner bracket 500 using fixings such as bolts. For example, where the holes 121, 521 are unthreaded, the guide members 100 can be secured to the corner bracket 500 using conventional nuts and bolts. Alternatively, the holes 121, 521 in either the guide member 100 or the corner bracket 500 can be threaded to allow the use of just bolts (no nuts) to simplify installation. In the illustrated embodiment, the tabs 520t are attached to the corner bracket 500 using fixings via addition& holes 521b provided in tab 520t and holes 522 the second side 520 of the corner bracket 500. Alternatively, the tabs 520t may be attached via welding, or integrally formed with the second side 520 of the corner bracket 500.

Figure 10 shows an example method 600 of mounting the longitudinally extending guide members 100 to the walls 11, 11' of a building 10. The steps are illustrated in figures 11(a) to 11(j).

In step 610, a wall mounting assembly 400 is attached or mounted to a wall 11, 11' of a building. This involves inserting the first and second threaded shafts 431, 432 through the corresponding first and second holes 411, 412 in the wall bracket 410 from the back side 4106 of the wall bracket 410 as shown in figure I 1(a), and securing the wall bracket 410 to the wall 11, 11' using the holes 415 and wall fixings 433 such that the first and second threaded shafts 431, 432 as shown in figure 11(b). This locks the first and second threaded shafts 431, 432 in position projecting outwards from the wall bracket 410, as shown in figure 11(c). The wall fixings 433 engage with anchor holes drilled into the wall 11 at the required locations (not shown). A nut 432n2 can optionally be threaded onto the second threaded shaft 432 before or after the wall IS bracket 410 is fixed to the wall 11, as shown in figure 11(b).

In step 620, the precise position and orientation of the wall bracket 410 is adjusted. The exemplary wall bracket 410 comprises four holes 415 for fixing to the wall 11, two of which are slotted (see above). At this stage, only the slotted holes 415 are used for fixing the wall bracket 410, allowing adjustment of the position and orientation of the wall bracket 410 on the wall 11, e.g. aligned to horizontal and/or to other wall brackets 410 on the wall 11. Precise alignment of wall brackets 410 can be achieved using a laser level device, as is known in the art. Alignment of the wall brackets 410 at this stage makes installation and alignment of the guide members 100 easier and faster in the proceeding steps, e.g. by allowing for any drift of the drill bit when drilling the anchor holes. Once the position and orientation of the wall bracket 410 is adjusted/levelled, it is secured in position by tightening the wall fixings 433.

In step 630, the laver of thermally insulating material 4210 is installed over the first and second threaded shafts 431, 432. This involves aligning first and second holes 421, 422 of the layer 420 with the first and second threaded shafts 431, 432 and moving the layer 420 toward the wall bracket 410, as shown in figure 11(d).

In step 640, the guide member 100 is installed onto the first and second threaded shafts 431, 432. This involves aligning the first and second holes 121, 122 of the guide member 100 with the first and second threaded shafts 431, 432 and moving the guide member 100 toward the wall bracket 410 to at least partially insert the first and second threaded shafts 431, 432 through the holes 111, 112. At this point, the guide member 100 is supported by the threaded shafts 431, 432 due to the unthreaded portion 431u of the first threaded shaft 431. The first threaded shaft 431 is the rotated to engage the threaded first hole 111 and move the guide member 100 along the first threaded shaft 431 towards the wall bracket 410, as shown in figure 11(e). This can be achieved using a socket wrench or impact driver. Steps 610-640 are performed for each wall mounting assembly 400, as shown.

In step 650, the position and orientation of the guide member 100 is adjusted. The separation of the guide member 100 from to the wall bracket 410 is adjusted by rotating the first threaded shaft 431, as shown in figure 11(f). Because the second hole 112 is unthreaded, a nut 432n1 is threaded over the second threaded shaft 432 to engage the guide member 100 and secure its position, as shown. A spacer or packer 450 can be inserted behind the edge 110E of the first side 110 of the guide member 100 nearest the second hole 112 (the lower edge in this example) to allow it to be secured in a position spaced apart from the wall bracket 410 or layer 420 using the nut 432n1. The tilt of the guide member 100 is adjusted by independent rotation of the first threaded shaft 43 I, and/or the nut 432n1 in combination with a packer or spacer 450, so as to change the angle of the first side 110 with respect to the wall bracket 410, as shown in figure I1(g). The nut 432n1 can be rotated using a wrench or spanner as shown. Optionally, once the position and orientation of the guide member 100 is adjusted, an additional nut 431n can be threaded onto the first threaded shaft 431 to engage the guide member 100 and prevent further rotation of it (not shown).

In step 660, any required corner brackets 500 can be installed to allow the guide members 100 to extend around a corner of a building 10 as shown in figure 11(h). This involves aligning the holes 521 in the tabs 520t of the corner bracket 500 with the holes 121 in the end 100e of the guide members 100 and securing them using fixing means, such as nuts and bolts as described above. The resulting connected guide members 100 are shown extending around a right-angled corner along adjoining walls 11, 11' in figure 11(i) At this point, the remaining wall fixings 433 can be inserted through the remaining holes 415 in the wall bracket 410 to engage anchor holes drilled into the wall 11 and secure/fix the wall mounting assembly 400 in place, as shown in figure 11(j). Alternatively, this may be performed earlier in the installation, e.g. at or after step 620.

The method 600 can be repeated for further sets of guide members 100L. 100U mounted at different positions and/or orientations on the building 10.

After the guide members 100 are installed as described above, encoded targets 300 can be mounted to the guide member 100 are predefined positions Although the longitudinally extending guide members 100 shown in figures are substantially straight, this is not essential. In other embodiments, one or more of the guide members 100 may be curved or comprise one or more curved sections (not shown). This may be required where the walls 11 of the building 10 are curved. In this case, the guide members 100 may still be aligned to horizontal or vertical, but follow the curvature of the building 10. Alternatively, depending in the design of the building 10, the area in which the building element(s) (e.g. insulation panels) are to be installed may have an arbitrarily shaped periphery, in which case the guide members can be curved and/or aligned at any arbitrary angle required by the design.

With reference again to figure I. where the building 100 has one or more exterior windows or doors 12 to be installed, the system 1000 can also include a plurality of corner guides 200 that are configured to fit on or to the upper corners of the window or door reveal R, as shown. A reveal R is formed by an aperture in the wall 11, 11' of a building 10 and is typically square or rectangular in shape (see figure 14).

Figures 12(a) to 12(c) illustrate an embodiment of a corner guide 200 configured to fit over a right-angled corner of a reveal R. The corner guide 200 has a substantially L-shaped cross-section formed by first and second substantially perpendicular sides 210, 220 that fit over the front or outer edge of the reveal R and extend around the upper corner of the reveal R. The first side 210 faces outwards and extends over the exterior (vertical) surface 1 le of the wall 11, and the second side 220 extends over the perpendicular surfaces 1 1r of the reveal R. as shown in figure 13(c). As such, the corner guide is shaped and configured to conform to the shape of the upper corner of the reveal, allowing rapid and easy installation.

The corner guide 200 can be mounted/attached to the upper corner of the reveal R using any suitable means. In an example use, the corner guide 200 is mounted in position using an adhesive, e.g. using a hot glue gun. Alternatively, the corner guide 200 can be mounted using fixings (not shown).

An encoded target 300 can be mounted to the corner guide 200 containing information about the particular window or door that can be read during the laser scanning phase of construction.

The corner guide 200 comprises a reference point 230 for measuring a distance to the bottom of the window or door reveal R. In an embodiment, the reference point 230 is or comprises a magnet for releasably securing a magnetic end of a measuring device such as tape measure, during a measurement. Alternatively, the reference point 230 may comprise a notch or projection for hooking the end of a tape measure into or over (not shown).

Laser scanners are typically mounted at ground level to scan a building. The line of sight to a window and door reveal is therefore often partially obscured by the presence of a balcony or a sill. in such cases, a ground level scanner can only measure the width of a reveal R. not its height, requiring manual measurements to be taken. Aside from conveying information to the scanner through the encoded targets 300, the corner guides 200 allow easy and rapid manual measurement of the window/door reveal vertical dimensions hl, h2 in cases where these cannot otherwise be measured by a laser scanner.

Figure 13 schematically shows a pair or corner guides 200 mounted to the upper corners of a reveal R. The reference point 230 is located as a predefined/known distance dO from the corner of the corner guide 200, i.e. the top of the reveal. The distances dl and d2 from the reference points 230 of each corner guide 200 to the bottom of the reveal R can then be measured, e.g. using a tape measure. Where the reference point 230 is a magnet, the distances are measured from the bottom of the magnet to the bottom of the reveal R. The total height h of each side of the reveal R is then determined from the sums of hl=d0+1:11 and h2=d0+d2. This measurement can be noted by the installer, e.g. on the corner guide 200 itself In an alternative embodiment, the reference point 230 is aligned with the corner of the corner guide 200 such that the heights are given simply by dl and d2.

Figure 14 shows a method 700 of designing and installing one or more offsite manufactured building elements. Step 710 comprises installing the structural/building reference system 1000 onto a building 10, as described above and in method 600. Step 720 comprises scanning the building with a building survey scanner or laser scanner to detect and read the information contained in the encoded targets 300 on each guide member 100, 200. Step 730 comprises designing the one or more building elements based on the information read from the encoded targets 300. Step 740 comprises installing the one or more building elements on the building 10.

At step 710 or 720, where corner guides 200 have been installed, distances dl, d2 are measured from the respective reference points 230 to the bottom of the reveal R and recorded, e.g. by writing on the corner guides 200 themselves.

At step 730, building element specific information is extracted from the information, and one or more outputs, such as a schedules or a model of the building tagged with information, can be generated based at least in part on the information read from the encoded targets 300.

At step 740, the longitudinally extending guide members 100 are used as a peripheral edge of the area in which the building element(s) is(are) to be installed. At the installation stage, the surface 120s of the longitudinally extending guide member 10 can be used to rest or support the building element(s).

By way of example only. an example practical application of the system 1000 is described below.

A building contractor is tasked with designing and installing a retrofit of an apartment building 10 with new windows and insulation panels. Initially, in step 710, the guide members 100, 200 are installed onto a building 10 in predefined positions and orientations. Next, encoded targets 300 are mounted onto the guide members 100_ 200 (alternatively, these can be mounted onto the guide members 100, 200 before the onto the guide members 100, 200 are installed). Targets 300 encoded with "1PE" are used on the longitudinally extending guide members 100 (panel guides) on the east elevation wall 11 of the building 10 to indicate that insulation panels with a depth of 150mm are to be installed. On the same east elevation wall 11 there are windows which will be replaced with top opening windows, and targets 300 encoded with "TWT" are used on the corner guide members 200 (window guides) for those windows to indicate top opening windows. On the adjoining south elevation wall 11' where the insulation panels with a depth of 200mm will be used, targets 300 encoded with "2PS" are used on the on the panel guides 100. Half the windows on the south elevation wall 11' are to be replaced with casement windows of the same size and the corresponding window guides 200 are encoded with "2WC". Further windows on the south elevation wall 11' are to be replaced with fixed windows and the corresponding window guides 200 are encoded with "3WF". Lastly there are several large casement windows on each wall II, 11 and the window guides 200 to these window openings are encoded with "2VVL".

Next, in step 720, the building 10 is scanned including the encoded targets 300 In step 730, when the scan is completed the resulting point cloud is decoded nto drawings. The panel guide target codes are used to automatically assign the correct panel guide design to the correct elevation and produce schedules showing area coverage per component The window guide target codes are used to produce window schedules with the correct size per opening and also the correct number of each type of window. This information is provided to the manufacturer to produce the building elements offsite. The whole process automates repetitive tasks.

The encoded targets 300 also facilitate the use of further computer based tools, such as handing thc design of the building clement. For example, the insulation panel design task can be handled by a generative / iterative software program, such as Grasshopper, based on the information extracted. E.g. such software will look at the elevation, the dimensions, the size of window openings and based on rules it will design a panel layout, or present several layouts for approval, If, for example, the site is difficult to access, a rule could be introduced to the software that no single panel is larger than Imx I m. The software may then produce designs to these requirements. A schedule can then be output containing all materials and all dimensions required for manufacture of the building elements offsite.

If during the installation phase a contractor is curious to know what building elements should go where, a contractor can scan the encoded target 300 using a mobile device or smart phone which will then provide the specification of the intended building element for that location.

Although in the above description, example building elements have focused on panels, door and window, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to use with such building dements, but is generally applicable to the design and installation of any object or structure that is attachable to a building. For example, where an extension to a building 10 is being manufactured off-site (e.g. from cross laminated timber), encoded targets 300 and guide members 100, 200 can be used to mark the places on the existing building 10 where connection points would be and to mark the extremities of the extension. This would ensure the off-site components are designed to the correct sizes and would fit exactly where they need to go.

From reading the present disclosure, other variations and modifications will be apparent to the skilled person. Such variations and modifications may involve equivalent and other features which are already known in the art, and which may be used instead of, or in addition to, features already described herein.

Although the appended claims are directed to particular combinations of features, it should be understood that the scope of the disclosure of the present invention also includes any novel feature or any novel combination of features disclosed herein either explicitly or implicitly or any generalisation thereof, whether or not it relates to the same invention as presently claimed in any claim and whether or not it mitigates any or all of the same technical problems as does the present invention Features which are described in the context of separate embodiments may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features which arc, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

For the sake of completeness it is also stated that the term "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, the term "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality, and any reference signs in the claims shall not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A building reference system for design and installation of one or more offsite manufactured building elements, comprising: one or more guide members mountable, in use, to one or more walls of a building in a predefined position and orientation; and one or more encoded targets mountable to each guide member that are detectable by laser scanner, wherein each encoded target comprises a machine-readable optical label that contains information about the offsite manufactured building element(s) and/or the building at the location of the respective encoded target.
Thc system of claim 1, wherein the information includes one or more of: a type, size, material, and position of the offsite manufactured building I5 element(s) to be installed; and/or a type, size and location of an existing building feature and/or service and, optionally or preferably, wherein the encoded target is or comprises a QR code.
3. The system of claim I or 2, wherein, in use, the one or more guide members at least partially define a periphery of an area in which the one or more offsite manufactured building elements are to be installed.
4. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the one or more guide members comprise at least one longitudinally extending guide member configured, in use, to extend at least partially along a wall of the building in the predefined position and orientation; and, optionally or preferably, comprising a plurality of longitudinally extending guide members configured, in use, to extend at least partially around the walls of the building in the predefined 30 orientation.
5. The system of claim 4, wherein the one or more guide members comprise a first and a second longitudinally extending guide members connectable to each other end to end, and configured, when connected, to extend around a corner of a building along adjoining walls.
Thc systcm of claim 5, wherein: the first and second longitudinally extending guide members are configured to connect to each other directly at a respective longitudinal end thereof; or the first and second longitudinally extending guide members are configured to connect, at a respective longitudinal end thereof, to a corner bracket; and optionally or preferably, wherein the corner bracket is configured to extend at least partially around a corner of the building and/or along a length of each adjoining wall.
7. The system of any of claims 4 to 6, wherein the or each longitudinally extending guide member comprises a surface extending, in use, away from the wall of the building on which to rest a building clement during installation; and, optionally or preferably, I5 wherein each longitudinally extending guide member has or comprises a substantially L-shaped cross-section.
8 The system of any of claims 4 to 7, wherein at least some of the longitudinally extending guide members are substantially straight or curved, and are configured, in use, to extend in a substantially horizontal direction along a wall of the building.
9. The system of any of claims 5 to /I, comprising a plurality of wall mounting assemblies configured to mount the at least one longitudinally extending guide member to a wall of the building in the predefined position and orientation.
10. The system of claim 9, wherein each wall mounting assembly comprises a wall bracket for attaching to a wall, and an adjustment means configured to fix and adjust, in situ, the position and orientation of a respective longitudinally extending guide member relative to the wall.
11. The system of claim 10, wherein the adjustment means is configured to move the respective longitudinally extending guide member relative to the wall with two or more degrees of freedom; and, optionally or preferably, wherein the two or more degrees of freedom include towards and away from the wall bracket and tilt with respect to the wall bracket.
12. The system of claim 13, wherein the adjustment means comprises a first threaded shaft that projects outwards from, and is freely rotatable about the shaft axis with respect to, the wall bracket to engage, at or near its distal end a threaded first hole in the respective longitudinally extending guide member.
13. The system of claim 12, wherein the distal end of the first threaded shaft comprises a shaped head for engaging a device to rotate the first threaded shaft and, optionally preferably, wherein the shaped head is or comprises a male or female hexagonal head, and further optionally or preferably, wherein the shaped head has a diameter less than the diameter of the thread.
14. The system of claim 12 or 13, wherein the adjustment means comprises a second threaded shaft that projects outwards from the wall bracket and is insertable through a second hole in the respective longitudinally extending guide member, and a nut for engaging the second threaded shaft and the respective longitudinally extending guide member, and wherein the first and second holes are offset in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the respective longitudinally extending guide member; and, optionally or preferably, wherein the second threaded shaft is rotatable with respect to the wall bracket, and the distal end of the second threaded shaft comprises a shaped head for engaging a driving device; and, further optionally preferably, wherein the shaped head has or comprises a hexagonal cross-section.
15. The system of any of claims 9 to 14, wherein each wall mounting assembly is configured to provide a thermal break between the wall and the respective longitudinally extending guide member; and, optionally or preferably, wherein the wall bracket is formed of or comprises a substantially thermally insulating material; and/or wherein each wall mounting assembly further comprises a thermally insulating material positioned between the wall bracket and the respective longitudinally extending guide member.
16. The system of any of claims 4 to 15. wherein the one or more offsite manufactured building elements comprise a wall panel, an insulation panel, or any object or structure attachable to a building.
17. The system of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the one or more offsite manufactured building elements comprise a window or a door, and the one or more guide members comprise at least one corner guide member configured to be mounted to an upper corner of a window or door reveal.
18. The system of claim 17, wherein the at least one corner guide member comprises a substantially L-shaped cross-section and a reference point for measuring a distance to the bottom of the window or door reveal.
19. The system of claim 18, wherein the reference point comprises a magnetic material for releasably securing a magnetic end of a measuring device during a measurement
20. A wall mounting assembly for mounting a longitudinally extending guide member to a wall of a building in a predefined position and orientation comprising: a wall bracket for attaching to a wall; and an adjustment means configured to fix and adjust, in situ, the position and orientation of the longitudinally extending guide member relative to the wall.
21. The wall mounting assembly of claim 20, wherein the adjustment means is configured to move the longitudinally extending guide member relative to the wall with two or more degrees of freedom; and, optionally or preferably, wherein the two or more degrees of freedom include towards and away from the wall bracket and tilt with respect to the wall bracket
22. The wall mounting assembly of claim 20 or 21, wherein the adjustment means comprises a first threaded shaft that projects outwards from, and is rotatable with respect to, the wall bracket for engaging a threaded first hole in the longitudinally extending guide member.
23. The wall mounting assembly of claim 22, wherein the distal end of the first threaded shaft comprises a shaped head for engaging a driving device; and, optionally preferably, wherein the shaped head has or comprises a hexagonal cross-section.
24. The wall mounting assembly of claim 22 or 23, wherein the adjustment means comprises a second threaded shaft that projects outwards from the wall bracket and is insertable through a second hole in the longitudinally extending guide member, and a nut for engaging the second threaded shaft and the longitudinally extending guide member, and wherein the first and second threaded shafts arc offset in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the wall bracket and, optionally or preferably, wherein the second threaded shaft is rotatable with respect to the wall bracket, and wherein the distal end of the second threaded shaft comprises a shaped head for IS engaging a driving device; and, further optionally preferably, wherein the shaped head has or comprises a hexagonal cross-section.
25. The wall mounting assembly of any of claims 20 to 24, wherein the wall bracket is formed of or comprises a substantially thermally insulating material; and/or wherein the wall mounting assembly further comprises a thermally insulating material positioned between the wall bracket and the respective longitudinally extending guide member.
26. A method of designing and installing one Or more offsite manufactured building elements, comprising: installing the structural/building reference system of any of claims 1 to 19 on a building; scanning the building with a building survey scanner to detect and read the information contained in the encoded targets; designing the one or more building elements based on the information read from the encoded targets; and installing the one or more building elements on the building.
27. The method of claim 26, wherein the step of installing the structural/building reference system comprises: mounting the one or more guide members to the building in a predefined position and orientation; and attaching one or more encoded targets to the one or more guide members in respective predefined positions.
28. The method of claim 27. wherein, where the one or more guide members comprise a corner guide member, the step of mounting the one or more guide members to the building comprises: mounting a corner guide member to an upper corner of a window or door reveal, optionally or preferably, using an adhesive; and the method further comprises: recording a distance measured from a reference point of the corner guide member to the bottom of the reveal, optionally or preferably, on the corner guide member. I529.
The method of clam 27 or 28, wherein, where the one or more guide members comprise one or more longitudinally extending guide members, the step of mounting the one or more guide members to the building comprises: mounting a longitudinally extending guide member to wall of the building using a plurality of wall mounting assemblies; and adjusting the position and orientation of the longitudinally extending guide member using the adjustment means of the one or more wall mounting assemblies.
30. The method of any of claims 26 to 29, wherein the step of installing the one or more offsite manufactured building elements comprises: using the longitudinally extending guide member as a peripheral edge of an area in which the building element is to be installed; and optional or preferably, using a surface of the longitudinally extending guide member extending away from the wall of the building to rest or support the building element during installation.
31. A method of installing the building reference system of any of' claims I to 19 on a building, comprising: mounting the one or more guide members to one or more walls of a building in a predefined position and orientation; and attaching one or more encoded targets to the one or more guide members in respective predefined positions.
32. The method of claim 31, wherein, where the one or more guide members comprise a corner guide member, the step of mounting the one or more guide members to the building comprises: mounting a corner guide member to an upper corner of a window or door reveal, optionally or preferably, using an adhesive
33. The method of claim 31 or 32, wherein, where the one or more guide members comprise one or more longitudinally extending guide members, the step of mounting the one or more guide members to the building comprises: mounting a first longitudinally extending guide member to a wall of the building using one or more wall mounting assemblies; and IS adjusting the position and orientation of the first longitudinally extending guide member using the adjustment means of the one or more wall mounting assemblies; and, optionally or preferably, mounting a second longitudinally extending guide member to an adjoining wall of the building using one or more further wall mounting assemblies; adjusting the position and orientation of the second longitudinally extending guide member using the adjustment means of the one or more further wall mounting assemblies; and, optionally or preferably, connecting the first and second longitudinally extending guide members using a corner bracket such that the first and second longitudinally extending guide members extend around a corner of the building.