The Challenge

The main issue was the asymmetric shape of the opening. Even though earlier design drawings suggested it would be square in plan, it turned out it wasn’t, and hence, it caused some problems fitting in the stairs. Another thing that added some complexity—the fabricator had no high-tech survey equipment with him. Therefore, the field measurements were based only on the tape measure. In such conditions, measuring minor angle variations is a challenge.

Our Expertise:

We developed detailed “Field Request” drawings that showed specifically what needed to be measured in the field so the crew would not waste time taking too many measurements. We provided detailed instructions to ensure they could gather all the necessary information in a single site visit, avoiding the need for multiple trips.

Without point clouds or professional surveys, we had to depend on some quite precise planning combined with practical techniques in the field. The task was to minimize field visits and still obtain information about what was there to develop a staircase that would fit perfectly.

The Result:

Despite the hurdles, the staircase went together like a charm, fitting into its irregular opening without any issues. The process reinforced that good communication between detailing and field teams is imperative, while it also showed how good planning can keep even the most unpredictable conditions under control.