Designing Steel Structures Online – How Collaboration with a Design Office Works Remotely

Date of last update: 10.10.2025

Collaboration with a structural design office no longer requires in-person meetings or the physical exchange of documents. Modern BIM tools and communication platforms enable the complete delivery of a steel structure design remotely—from concept to workshop documentation. For over 15 years, METIB has been delivering projects for clients in Poland, the United Kingdom, Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands, handling the entire design process online. This model works across various project types—from industrial halls to residential building structures.

Key information: Online steel structure design is based on BIM technology, which enables shared 3D models and consultations via video conferences. The entire process—from providing design assumptions, through staged consultations, to the delivery of complete digital documentation—takes place remotely, without the need to visit the design office. The documentation includes the executive design, BIM models, structural calculations, material take-offs, and workshop drawings for steel fabricators.

Table of contents:

1. How the Online Design Process Works in Practice
2. BIM Technology as the Foundation of Remote Collaboration
3. Key Tools for Communication and Data Exchange
4. Legal and Technical Security of Remote Collaboration
5. Advantages and Challenges of Online Structural Design
6. Summary
7. Frequently Asked Questions About Online Structural Design

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How the Online Design Process Works in Practice

The first step is providing the design assumptions, which may take various forms—an architectural design in DWG or PDF, a conceptual sketch, visualisations, or a functional description of the facility. The design office organizes a kick-off video conference to discuss the details of structural requirements, loads, design codes, and documentation expectations. This meeting clarifies any questions and defines the scope of work.

Based on the collected information, a conceptual BIM model of the structure is developed. This is a three-dimensional representation of the steel structure with preliminary profile selection, the structural layout, and the arrangement of load-bearing elements. The model is shared with the client via cloud platforms or in open formats for review. The investor can view the structure from any angle, verify dimensions, and provide comments before moving on to the next stage.

Design consultations are held regularly via video conferences using tools such as MS Teams, Zoom, or Google Meet. During these meetings, the designer presents progress, discusses structural solutions, and collects the investor’s feedback. All agreements are documented in writing, ensuring process transparency and eliminating the risk of misunderstandings. Email communication is used to exchange working documents and formal approvals.The final outcome is a complete project documentation package in digital form: executive drawings in PDF, the BIM model in IFC and native formats (Tekla, Revit), structural calculations, material take-offs, and workshop documentation containing fabrication details for steel manufacturers. All files are delivered via secure file-sharing platforms.

BIM Technology as the Foundation of Remote Collaboration

Building Information Modeling is much more than a 3D visualisation of the structure. In online design, BIM becomes a shared project database accessible to all stakeholders—the structural designer, architect, investor, and contractor. Any change to the model automatically updates all related views, sections, and schedules, eliminating issues with outdated documentation.

For the investor, this means full transparency of the design process. The model can be viewed at any time to check the placement of structural elements, analyse connection details, and track progress. BIM technology also enables automatic clash detection—the system scans the model and highlights locations where the steel structure interferes with other building elements or services.

METIB uses advanced software dedicated to BIM-based design—Tekla Structures for steel structures and Revit and Allplan for reinforced concrete. Structural calculations are performed with tools such as Robot Structural Analysis Professional, RM-Win, or Dlubal. Detailed analysis of steel connections is carried out in IDEA StatiCa, with supplementary calculations in Tekla Tedds.For clients who do not have specialist software, BIM models can be shared via web-based viewers that run in any standard browser. There are also free tools for viewing IFC files, allowing users to navigate the structural model freely.

Key Tools for Communication and Data Exchange

Effective online collaboration requires the right technology. BIM model-sharing platforms such as Autodesk BIM 360, Trimble Connect, and similar cloud solutions allow not only model viewing but also commenting directly on structural elements, marking issues, and tracking the status of submitted remarks.

Video conferences with screen-sharing enable real-time project presentations. During meetings, the designer can display the structural model, change perspectives, highlight specific elements, and discuss the adopted structural solutions in detail. The quality of modern communication tools allows for smooth collaboration even on complex structural projects.

Secure cloud platforms with a clear folder structure are used for document exchange, ensuring project transparency. Each file is labelled according to an agreed naming convention that includes the date and version, eliminating the risk of working on outdated documents.Email communication remains the main channel for formal arrangements, delivery of final documentation, and confirmation of design decisions. Design offices typically assign a dedicated project lead with direct email and phone contact, ensuring continuity of communication.

Legal and Technical Security of Remote Collaboration

Professional design offices implement technical safeguards that include encrypted connections, two-factor authentication, and regular backups of project data. File-sharing platforms provide access logging and audit trails, ensuring control over the distribution of design documentation.

From a legal standpoint, online collaboration does not differ from traditional cooperation. The design contract includes standard elements: scope of services, schedule, remuneration, and the designer’s liability. It can be signed electronically using a qualified digital signature or traditionally—printed, signed, and scanned. The steel structure design is signed by a structural engineer holding the appropriate professional licence, whose seal and signature appear on the documentation.

Author’s supervision can also be performed remotely—the designer receives photographic documentation from the site, participates in coordination meetings via video conference, and issues opinions based on the submitted materials. For more complex projects, selected on-site visits are organized at key stages of the build.For projects delivered outside Poland, METIB adapts the documentation to the design standards of the investment country—Eurocodes for EU countries, BS EN for the United Kingdom, and DIN for Germany. Extensive international experience enables smooth work across different design standards.

Advantages and Challenges of Online Structural Design

The main advantage is access to specialists regardless of geographical location. Investors can select a design office with the right competencies and experience without geographical constraints. For international projects, this means the ability to work with a firm familiar with the target country’s codes and construction practices.

Organisational flexibility is another benefit—consultations can be scheduled at convenient times, aligned with the investor’s timetable. Email communication allows for well-considered responses and written records of all arrangements, increasing the transparency of the design process.

A potential challenge is the need to become familiar with model viewers for clients who have not previously used BIM technology. However, most platforms have intuitive interfaces, and design offices typically provide an introduction to the basic functions of model viewers.The absence of face-to-face contact may initially make trust-building more difficult. That is why references, a portfolio of completed projects, and transparent communication at every stage are crucial. A professional design office should willingly present past work and provide references from previous clients.

Summary

Online steel structure design is a mature form of collaboration used by design offices across Europe. BIM technology, cloud platforms, and video-conferencing tools ensure a professional level of project delivery comparable to traditional cooperation.Since its founding in 2008, METIB has been delivering steel and reinforced concrete designs remotely for clients in Poland and across Europe. A team of over 30 specialists uses advanced BIM software to produce precise design documentation compliant with the regulatory requirements of different countries. We provide comprehensive consulting support at every project stage—from concept to workshop documentation. Get in touch to learn more.

Frequently Asked Questions About Online Structural Design

How long does online steel structure design take?

The schedule depends on the size and complexity of the facility. Simple steel structures can be completed within a few weeks, while more complex industrial facilities or multi-storey structures require more time. The timeline is agreed individually, considering the project scope, consultation stages, and any revisions resulting from investor feedback.

Can I review the design before final handover?

Yes. BIM technology allows the structural model to be shared after each design phase. After the concept stage, the investor receives access to the 3D model; the same applies after the executive design. Comments can be submitted continuously—the earlier they are made, the easier it is to implement changes. Final documentation is delivered after client approval.

What documentation formats will I receive upon project completion?

The standard package includes executive drawings in PDF, the BIM model in the universal IFC format and in the native authoring format (Tekla Structures, Revit, or Allplan), structural calculations in PDF, material take-offs in Excel, and workshop documentation for the steel fabricator. It is also possible to deliver DWG files for further editing and specialist formats for CAM software.

Does the design office need a physical presence in the country of the investment?

No, provided the designer holds the appropriate professional licences and is familiar with the design standards applicable in that country. METIB has experience working to different standards—Eurocodes used in Poland and EU countries, BS EN applicable in the UK, and DIN in Germany. The design documentation is prepared in accordance with the requirements of the country where the investment is executed.

How can I verify a design office’s competence when working online?

Review the office’s experience with similar projects—completed project portfolios and client references. Check the software and technologies used—professional offices use advanced BIM tools. The engineers’ professional licences and familiarity with the investment country’s standards are equally important. It is also worth asking about the typical project delivery process and the office’s communication methods.

What if changes are needed during the project?

Changes are a natural part of the design process. Minor modifications resulting from clarified assumptions usually have little impact on the schedule and cost. Major conceptual changes may require additional time and a supplemental fee. In BIM, implementing changes is efficient—editing parameters in the model automatically updates all related views and schedules, shortening the time needed for revisions.Is collaboration with my architect possible?
Yes—interdisciplinary collaboration is standard in BIM-based design. The steel structure model can be provided to the architect in IFC format for coordination with the architectural model. Joint video conferences involving the structural designer, architect, and (where applicable) building services engineers can be held to resolve details and verify cross-discipline coordination. Exchanging BIM models between design teams enables clash detection and optimal alignment of structural solutions.