"If you plan precisely, you have no surprises."

Before Xella, you worked as a site manager for a solid house manufacturer. Why did you switch from the construction site to the desk?  

The day-to-day work of a site manager demands a lot from you. I was responsible for several projects throughout Germany. This meant that commuting was part of my everyday life - and I simply missed the structured planning at my desk. While looking for a new challenge, I came across the position at Xella. To be honest: I didn't even know that Xella did BIM. Naturally, my interest was piqued. I've been with the company since February 2023, and I have to say: Xella actually does quite a lot of “BIM”. 

Do BIM and you fit together? 

Absolutely. I realized my strengths early on. Even as a child, I preferred to sit at the table and draw on graph paper while my father and grandfather built furniture, stoves etc. together in the workshop. After a short stint in the army - it was too chaotic for me - I decided to train as a draughtsman. That was the perfect fit for me. I then pursued further training as a construction technician, design engineer, and finally as a BIM coordinator. 

What fascinates you about digital construction?  

If you plan precisely, you have no surprises. This principle is crucial to completing projects efficiently and successfully. Accuracy and precision in planning are essential to save costs and keep to schedules. In the future, I am convinced that we will not be able to do without it. 
At Xella, I have the opportunity to play an active role in shaping this future. Roughly speaking, my work is divided into 70% BIM coordination and 30% development and pilot projects. For example, we are currently working with Simone Wunsch's sales team in Leipzig to better illustrate the cost savings of digital construction during the quotation phase. The customer must be able to recognize this major benefit right from the quotation stage. 

You are also part of the project team that is currently working on a major project in the south of Düsseldorf. The Paulshöfe. 

Yes, our client, residential project developer Bonava, is building a new residential area in the south of Düsseldorf in the immediate vicinity of the Rhine and Benrath Palace. Around 550 new apartments are being built on the site, around 50% of which will be publicly subsidized and around 5% in the affordable price segment. The Paulshöfe are due to be completed by 2028, with five inner courtyards. This will include a boules court, playgrounds and an urban gardening concept. 

How does digital planning contribute to this project?  

The digital planning methods using BIM have contributed significantly to the efficiency of the project. Bonava adopted digital planning and collaboration with Xella Germany at an early stage, which has accelerated processes by 60% because checks and approvals are completely digital and based on sets of rules. We are using pre-cut large formats made from Silka XL Plus, which has significantly reduced the man hours required. 

What is your specific contribution to this project?

Construction sites 1 and 2 of a total of 5 are now complete, and work on site 3 will continue soon. During the construction phase, we meet digitally with the site management every two weeks to discuss the planning. I prepare the 3D model internally for elementization by our draftsmen, which involves translating the model into individual "bricks." I then review the elementized model before the meeting with the construction management. Together with the site manager, we visually check and discuss the model again. Any open questions are clarified, and any change requests (like interlocking walls) are recorded and handed over to the draftsmen.  
We use PlanXchange, a web-based platform that enables the exchange of plans and models and keeps everyone involved in the project updated on the current status. 
This significantly streamlines coordination and speeds up processes. 

What do you do to balance your job? 

My family and sports. I like to go to the gym often and ride my bike. As I live in Frankfurt am Main, this is more convenient than being stuck in traffic jams or using the often overcrowded public transport system. Exercise is a must for me as a contrast to my desk job.