Case Study: Internal Roof Inspection of Dunstan Playhouse Using Elios 3
Background & Objectives
The Dunstan Playhouse, part of the Adelaide Festival Centre, is a heritage-listed theatre built in 1974. It features two audience tiers and a complex roof and stage canopy.
As part of a planned interior refurbishment in July 2025—including new seating, lighting, stage flooring, and fire-safety upgrades—a proactive roof condition assessment was carried out to avoid unexpected issues during renovation.
Objectives:
- Map internal roof structure for corrosion, water ingress, and structural weakness.
- Avoid costly scaffolding or work-at-height risks.
- Complete without interfering with other Festival Centre operations.
- Provide high-resolution visual data and a 3D LiDAR point cloud for precise defect localisation.
Technology: Flyability Elios 3
The Elios 3 is purpose-built for internal, confined-space 3D inspections, featuring:
- Rugged collision-tolerant cage for safe contact with surfaces.
- 16,000-lumen lighting for low-light environments.
- 4K imaging + high-resolution LiDAR for precise point-cloud creation and digital twin generation.
- Safe navigation within complex and restricted areas.
Deployment Plan
Pre-inspection Scoping
- Review building plans to understand roof trusses, HVAC ducts, catwalks, lighting rigs, fire sprinklers, and heritage finishes.
Safety & Compliance
- Coordinate with the Festival Centre maintenance team to lock out dust and ventilation systems during flights.
- Eliminate work-at-height hazards entirely by using Elios 3.
Flight Execution
- Crew: Pilot + Safety Observer (maintaining line of sight).
- Fly in a grid pattern across the internal roof space, pausing at areas of concern.
- Capture LiDAR scans and RGB imagery for detailed 3D mapping.
- Total Flight Time: 4–8 hours in a single day.
Results & Benefits
- Comprehensive Data: 3D map with <2 cm accuracy for defect localisation.
- Visual Evidence: Proof of water ingress, corrosion, and seal failure.
- No Downtime: Completed without scaffolding or risk to personnel.
- Time & Cost Savings: Completed in one day vs. weeks for traditional methods.
- Proactive Maintenance: Digital twins enable time-based comparison for future inspections.
Conclusion & Recommendations
Using Elios 3 for Dunstan Playhouse’s internal roof inspection provided a safe, efficient, and comprehensive solution aligned with the 2025–2026 refurbishment timeline.
Recommendations:
- Integrate point cloud and ortho-imagery into the project’s BIM model.
- Stage refurbishment works based on targeted repair needs.
- Schedule annual or bi-annual drone inspections for ongoing monitoring.
Comparison Table
Feature | Traditional Inspection | Elios 3 Drone Inspection |
Access | Scaffolding / Rope Access | Fully aerial, contact-caged drone |
Safety | High-risk work-at-height | Remote, confined-space safe |
Inspection Time | Weeks (setup + teardown) | 1–2 days |
Data Output | Manual notes + photos | 3D LiDAR point cloud + 4K visuals |
Cost & Downtime | High (labour, access limits) | Minimal site impact, no downtime |
Next Steps
- Engage a qualified Elios 3 drone inspection specialist.
- Schedule inspection flights before the July 2025 renovation.
- Review the final point-cloud model with structural engineers for targeted repairs
