A clear example of its potential is the construction of a helical concrete staircase at a construction site in Cologne. Its fluid and continuous form, with its high geometric complexity, demanded precise control from design to execution. It all began with a three-dimensional model that defined every parameter: the radius, the tread and riser of each step, the support points, and the integration with the upper floor slab.
Thanks to the BIM environment, it was possible to virtually coordinate all the disciplines involved—structure, installations, carpentry, and finishes—avoiding interference and optimizing material use. The preliminary simulation also allowed for planning the formwork sequence, component layout, and concrete pouring with millimeter precision.
Once the digital model was validated, the execution plans and three-dimensional templates were generated to guide the work on site. Each step was previously checked in the virtual environment, which reduced time, minimized errors, and ensured that the final form exactly matched the original design.
The result is a sculptural piece, executed with a precision only possible when technology and construction are conceived as parts of the same process. This staircase demonstrates how virtual pre-construction using BIM not only allows for the control of formal complexity but also transforms the way architecture moves from digital model to built material.