Acting Head of the Department of Geodesy, Land Management and Cadastre Yana Volkova opening the meeting
On 12 February, the St Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering hosted a lecture titled "Digital quality assessment at Setl Group," dedicated to the use of laser scanning technologies in modern construction. The students were addressed by company representatives: Training and Development Manager Veronika Bogatova and Laser Scanning Group Head Nikita Lopatin.
The event brought together students from various years of study, allowing them to discuss the topic from various professional perspectives – from their first steps in the profession to entering the job market. Opening the meeting, guests emphasized that laser scanning technology was not yet widely used, but would become an integral part of the construction industry in the coming years.
From the origins of technology to a digital control system
Nikita Lopatin spoke about the company's laser scanning development. A graduate of the civil engineering program, he began his career with an unpaid internship during the introduction of the company's first laser scanner. Today, under his leadership, a fully-fledged digital construction quality control system has been established.
The speaker noted that the technology is based on the creation of a "point cloud"—an array of X, Y, Z coordinates that allows for the creation of an object's precise digital model. The method's origins date back to scientific and space exploration in the late 20th century, and today it is widely used in construction.
While structural geometry monitoring was previously performed selectively—by manually measuring individual points—laser scanning now allows for the recording of millions of points at every stage of construction. This provides an objective and detailed picture of the object's condition.
Digital control line
At Setl Group, the technology is integrated into the work procedures at all key stages: monolithic structures, masonry, facades, and finishing. After each stage, scanning is performed, the data is processed by specialists, and an analytical report is generated. This allows the company to identify deviations during ongoing construction, rather than belatedly.
Today, the company's arsenal includes eight terrestrial laser scanners. Data processing is performed using specialized software, and as part of its import substitution policy, efforts are underway to transition to domestic solutions. In-house plugins and integration tools for project documentation are being developed.
The speaker placed particular emphasis on the rationale for implementing the technology. He explained that data alone doesn't solve problems: what's important are established processes, regulations, and an understanding of how to use the information obtained to improve construction quality.
Opportunities for students
In the second part of the meeting, Veronika Bogatova discussed career opportunities at the company, including internships, practicums, and development paths for young professionals. Setl Group already employs SPbGASU students and graduates, and the digital technology sector offers new professional prospects.
The lecture generated lively interest. Students actively asked questions about the practical application of the technology, the requirements for specialists, and the prospects for digitalization in the industry.
