At John F Hunt, we’re proud to be at the forefront of innovation in the demolition industry, constantly pushing boundaries to make our processes smarter, safer, and more sustainable. Our recent collaboration with Matterport highlights how far digital transformation can take us, particularly in our mission to lead by example in environmental responsibility.
As part of a new case study, we partnered with Matterport to demonstrate how digital twin technology is helping John F Hunt reduce risk, boost operational efficiency, and support our long-term sustainability and circular economy goals across various projects.
What Is a Digital Twin?
A digital twin is a detailed, three-dimensional model of a real-world structure created through advanced 3D scanning. John F Hunt can map entire buildings precisely without requiring repeated site visits. The result is a fully digital model that enables our teams, clients, and stakeholders to explore and understand a site remotely.
We’ve integrated this technology across John F Hunt’s workflows using Matterport’s platform. The digital twins we produce allow for clear visual communication, enhanced planning, and better decision-making while reducing the number of people required on-site.
Supporting Sustainability and Material Reuse
One of the most valuable aspects of digital twins for John F Hunt is their ability to support material recovery. Within these virtual models, our teams can tag specific assets such as structural steel, doors, glazing, lighting, and other fittings, linking them to QR codes for easy viewing online.
This has proven highly effective in identifying materials suitable for reuse. A great example is our London project at 30 Duke Street, St James’s, where we successfully reused structural steel across several floors of the redevelopment. This diverted waste from landfills and demonstrated the environmental and financial value of keeping materials in circulation. It’s a principle at the core of John F Hunt’s circular economy strategy.
By integrating Matterport’s technology into similar projects, John F Hunt can identify reusable elements earlier, track them digitally, and connect with potential buyers remotely. This approach accelerates the exchange process, reduces carbon emissions associated with travel, and improves traceability.
You can read more about our work on steel reuse at 30 Duke Street, St James’s, here.
Reducing Risk and Improving Efficiency
Digital twin technology also offers John F Hunt significant health and safety benefits. With fewer people needing to visit sites physically, we reduce risk exposure across our teams and collaborators. Site walkthroughs can now happen virtually, providing complete visibility from anywhere.
This is particularly valuable during early planning, allowing engineers, architects, and clients to remotely assess conditions, verify dimensions, and flag potential issues. This efficiency means smoother handovers, stronger collaboration, and better outcomes for us.
Insights from Our Team
The Matterport case study features valuable contributions from several of our in-house experts. Daniel Sweeney, John F Hunt’s Head of Sustainability, explains how digital twins help us catalogue materials more effectively and assess environmental impact with greater accuracy.
Giancarlo Fucci, our Head of Digital, demonstrates how the technology operates on-site and showcases its practical integration into John F Hunt’s workflows. Meanwhile, Geordie Daltrey, our Sustainability and Circular Economy Advisor, shares real-world examples of using digital twins to identify reusable materials and connect them with buyers. Together, their insights show how John F Hunt uses digital innovation to drive smarter, more sustainable demolition practices.
A Smarter Future
Our partnership with Matterport reflects John F Hunt’s broader commitment to innovation and sustainability. We see digital twins not just as a tool for demolition but as a foundation for a new way of working. One that prioritises reuse, collaboration, and reduced carbon impact.
As we explore digital solutions across our projects, we remain focused on finding innovative ways to deconstruct, redistribute, and rebuild purposefully. Digital twins are just one part of that journey, but they’re already reshaping how we work.
We at John F Hunt are proud to embrace digital technology to drive progress across every project.
Watch the full case study video here on YouTube here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOgDu66g1uc
For more information on the Digital Twin, click here: https://www.matterport.com/