The Palast der Republik (image), the former East Germany parliament, has sat dormant for years, since the fall of the Berlin wall and the reunification of Germany. As described in the excellent geospatial blog GeoVisualization, the building was recently laser scanned as prelude to being dismantled.
I have cited several reasons for using laser scanning in AEC over the years, but scanning as a final record before demolition never occurred to me. Makes good sense.
UPDATE, April 27, 2006: Jeff Thurston of GeoVisualization has written to tell me there is now a large banner hanging on the Palast der Republik:
They have now erected a sign that says 'dismantling' and not 'demolishing' . The story here is indicative of East-West sensitivities still. That building was the East German parliament, after all. They don't want to cause a stir and appear like they are destroying or demeaning the East.
--RSN