Setting up a PPE in Switzerland: why are architect's plans essential?
In Switzerland, the creation of a PPE often represents much more than simply the legal division of a building. In many existing buildings, this stage is the first real technical documentation work to be carried out, sometimes for several decades.
Between successive renovations, interior alterations, extensions or technical modifications, the original plans often no longer correspond exactly to the reality of the building. Some parts have evolved over time without being properly documented, while other spaces may never have been accurately drawn.
The creation of a PPE then becomes an ideal opportunity to update all the building's documentation and create a reliable basis for future years.
Thanks to 3D laser surveying and modern BIM modelling tools, it is now possible to produce extremely accurate, coherent architectural plans that can be reused well beyond the mere creation of the PPE.
Example of an architect's plan produced after a 3D laser survey as part of the creation of a condominium in Switzerland. The various residential lots are shown with their surface areas in order to prepare the distribution of the co-ownership units and the technical documentation for the existing building in the canton of Bern.
⏱️Résumé in 20 seconds
Setting up a condominium in Switzerland requires precise plans of the existing building. Depending on the needs of the project, it is possible to produce either 2D plans intended solely for the PPE, or complete documentation including architectural plans, sections, façades and a BIM model. This basis can then be used for energy renovations, conversions or technical management of the building.
Creating a PPE: accurately documenting the existing building
In practice, the creation of a PPE quickly raises very specific questions. Where do the common areas begin? What are the exact boundaries of the lots? How should cellars, utility rooms, attics and accesses be represented? Do the surface areas really correspond to what exists?
In the case of older buildings or those that have been converted several times, it is often difficult to answer these questions precisely on the basis of historical plans alone.
That's why more and more PPE projects today start with a 3D laser survey of the existing building.
This technology accurately captures volumes, levels, façades and technical spaces to produce a faithful representation of the building as it actually exists at the time of the survey.
The 3D scanner records several million points and generates an extremely detailed point cloud, which is then used as the basis for creating the architect's plans and the digital mock-up of the building.
Unlike traditional measurements, this method also preserves a complete digital archive of the building, which can be reused many years later without having to return to the site.
Calculating co-ownership thousandths: an essential step in setting up a PPE
As well as creating the plans and documentation for the building, setting up a PPE also involves dividing the co-ownership thousandths between the various lots.
This is a particularly important stage, as it defines each co-owner's share of the building and influences the allocation of common charges and voting rights within the PPE.
Thanks to the 3D laser survey and the surface areas calculated directly from the existing building plans, we are able to draw up preparatory tables for the distribution of thousandths according to the criteria defined for the project.
Depending on requirements, this breakdown may take into account different elements such as floor space, balconies, terraces, cellars, annexes or specific weighting coefficients.
The calculation of thousandths is carried out in collaboration with the developer and is subject to final approval by the notary responsible for setting up the PPE.
Simple PPE plans or full building documentation
Not all EPP projects have the same objectives.
In some cases, owners only want to have the plans required for the legal constitution of the PPE. In these cases, simplified 2D plans can be produced to clearly define the lots, common areas and usable floor space of the building.
But in many projects, the creation of a PPE is also an opportunity to create much more comprehensive documentation for the property.
Instead of just producing division plans, it is now possible to produce a full set of architectural plans including floor plans, sections, facades, roof plans and a BIM model of the existing building.
This approach creates a coherent technical base that will be used for many years to come, providing a useful basis for future renovations.
A useful database of plans for future renovations
One of the great advantages of a full 3D survey is that the data produced for the PPE can then be reused in many other projects.
Very often, once a PPE has been set up, the co-owners undertake energy renovation work, interior conversions, façade renovations or technical upgrades.
When the building already has reliable plans and a coherent digital model, these projects become much simpler to prepare.
Architects, engineers and technical contractors can then work on a precise existing base without having to redo the entire building survey.
The cross-sections provide a clear understanding of levels and heights, the façades precisely document the external envelope, and the BIM model facilitates coordination between the various technical stakeholders.
In some projects, this documentation even becomes a genuine building asset management tool.
📌 See also: Property management services, Discover how 3D surveys, architectural plans and BIM models can be used to monitor the technical progress and evolution of existing buildings.
Case in point: a documented PPE in the canton of Berne
As part of the project presented in this article, we carried out a 3D laser survey and drew up the plans for a building in the canton of Bern with a view to its conversion into a condominium.
The project was not just about producing division plans. The owner also wanted to have complete technical documentation of the building in order to anticipate future renovations and maintain a durable digital base of the existing building.
The 3D survey made it possible to produce floor plans, lot surfaces, sections and general building documentation from a single, coherent digital database.
Today, this approach offers owners much more than just a PPE file. It provides a genuine basis for future technical developments in the building.
Why 3D surveying and BIM are changing the way PPE plans are created
For a long time, plans for a condominium were often drawn up solely to meet an immediate need. Once the deeds had been drawn up, these documents rarely became useful for the life of the building.
Today, the logic is gradually changing.
With the challenges of energy renovation, conversion of existing buildings and technical management of buildings, accurate documentation is becoming a real long-term investment.
3D laser surveying and BIM modelling now make it possible to produce plans that are much more consistent, accurate and reusable than traditional methods.
This makes the creation of a PPE an ideal opportunity to create a genuine digital database of existing buildings.
Signing a PEP in Switzerland
Setting up a PPE in Switzerland is often much more than just an administrative step. It's also the ideal time to document an existing building in detail and create a lasting technical foundation for future years.
Depending on the needs of the project, it is possible to produce either 2D plans intended solely for the PPE, or a complete set of architectural plans with sections, façades and a BIM model.
At 3D Scan Bat, we carry out 3D laser surveys and PPE plans throughout French- and German-speaking Switzerland, for small residential buildings as well as much more complex property complexes.
