Structures: the value of being there from the very beginning

DVS is the department of DVArea dedicated to civil structures, using advanced tools for modelling, data analysis, and parametric optimisation. With Paolo Adda, engineer, Partner at DVArea and Director of DVS, we explored the role of structural design: from the importance of integrating it from the outset to the tools that are reshaping the design process.

Paolo, can you tell us about yourself and your professional journey before joining DVArea?

Originally from Veneto and now based in Milan, I have been commuting between Brescia and Milan for almost two years. I began my career as a structural engineer in 2013 at a firm in Vicenza that primarily focused on infrastructure projects. I progressed within the company until, at the end of 2015, I was offered the opportunity to move to Brazil to oversee the opening of a new office in Rio de Janeiro, serving the South American market. In 2018, after completing my experience in Brazil with the design of the Alça de ligação in Rio de Janeiro, I joined a structural design firm in Milan, moving from the infrastructure sector to civil design and engaging directly with integrated design. In 2024, I received the call from DVArea.

After years of experience abroad in international contexts, what convinced you that our group was the right setting for the next step in your career?

From the very first interviews, I was struck by the energy and drive of the people at DVArea. It is not every day that you meet six architects bold enough to invest in an engineering department. Furthermore, I am convinced that a multidisciplinary group like this is the ideal environment to develop truly integrated design, which is exactly what today’s market requires.

More than a year after joining, where have your expectations been met, and where have you encountered unexpected challenges or areas for improvement?

I have been impressed by the sense of trust I feel and by the group’s continuous evolution. I am also very satisfied with the DVS team – both those who were already there and have stayed, and those who have joined over these almost two years and work every day to contribute to the group’s growth. The challenge lies in finding the right people to bring into the team and ensuring that a young department like ours can keep pace with a group that has been in the market for more than ten years.

How did you structure the structural department team, and according to what criteria did you choose to organise skills and expertise?  

The team’s structure must start from the individual qualities of each DVS member. In a world increasingly focused on digitalisation and process automation, it is important not to forget that an engineer’s work is still a craft, grounded in passion and in the quality of each team member’s contribution. During the selection phase, we look for professionals who are eager to challenge themselves within a young company, established within a strong group that allows us to take on high-level projects while also enabling younger professionals to make a meaningful contribution to the company.  

What is the concrete contribution of the structural department within the integrated design process? At what stage do you get involved, and how do you collaborate with the other disciplines?

The main advantage of integrated design is having all disciplines involved from the earliest stages of the project, even for something as simple as exchanging ideas over a coffee. Being involved from the very beginning and guiding decisions towards the most technically and economically sustainable solutions is a key advantage that DVArea’s clients both expect and appreciate.

Can you give us a concrete example of a project in which the integration between structures and other disciplines truly made a difference in the final outcome?

What really makes a difference are projects that are completed without major disruptions or difficulties and that respect the initial cost estimates. For example, we recently delivered the executive design for the new barracks in Livigno, staying within budget. Another example is a hotel in Lecco, where we developed the final design in line with the client’s requirements, despite the complexity of working on an existing building. There are many more examples, and I am confident there will be many more in the future.

Innovation is a core principle of DVArea. How does DVS translate this concept into everyday practice?

The structural design process, although it may not always be apparent to an external observer, is particularly complex and demanding, especially in projects that undergo changes during the various phases. Innovation should provide engineers with tools to automate the more repetitive parts of the design process, making it faster and more efficient. At the same time, it is essential to have control tools that enable a growing company to maintain consistent quality checks.

What innovative tools, technologies, or methodologies are you adopting or experimenting with to enhance the quality of your design work?

Talking about BIM is no longer innovative. We are developing, with our internal team, plug-ins for the software we regularly use in design. These will allow greater interoperability between the BIM environment and the FEM analysis world and, at the same time, enable us to monitor structural construction costs from the earliest stages of design.

Based on your experience, what are the most significant challenges that structural design will face in the coming years, and how are you preparing for them?

The main challenge will be to consistently ensure quality and attention to detail in design while increasing the number of projects each year. One of our department’s goals is to establish ourselves as a recognised player in structural design not only in the Italian market, but also by expanding into international markets.