BIM for complex sports facilities renovation: The New Salerno Sports Arena
06.05.2026
MagiCAD Group
Transforming an unfinished structure through an integrated BIM process
Taking over an unfinished project and structure and transforming it into a 7,000-seat multifunctional arena, eligible for Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) level events. This was the complex challenge the Trento-based engineering company, New Engineering S.r.l., faced for the new Salerno Sports Arena in Italy. The project included working in close collaboration with the other design partners, such as Sportium, Campagnuolo Progetti, SAG Architettura, and Vitruvius Engineering.
The project was developed within extremely tight timelines: 60 days for the detailed design and another 60 days for construction documents and final delivery. The complexity required coordination among five different design companies and the consolidation of 18 discipline-specific Revit models.
The New Engineering team, coordinated by Alessandro Laner, Head of Mechanical Systems, and Maurizio Carli, Head of Electrical Systems, handled the integrated design of all MEP systems, including the mechanical, electrical, special systems, and fire protection. New Engineering also handled the overall BIM coordination of the project, under the supervision of the then BIM Coordinator, architect Fabio Pasquarè.
Key challenges: High geometric density in constrained spaces and complex LOD E information
Managing high MEP system density in the existing technical spaces
The main MEP design challenge in the Salerno arena was the physical limits of the new sports complex layout. The large facility needed a lot of power, so the mechanical and electrical system networks had to be carefully designed to make the best use of space in shafts and corridors.
Adapting new systems to predefined and limited technical spaces resulted in extremely high network density. The main distribution corridors were already full just with mechanical systems. and the team’s challenge was to identify viable routes for electrical power systems and special systems while ensuring compliance with regulatory clearance distances in a highly congested spatial context.
“The available space was extremely limited. The central corridor was already practically full with mechanical systems […] Working in 2D under these conditions would have been impossible.”
MagiCAD solution: real-time clash detection and routing
To manage spatial congestion, the team leveraged MagiCAD’s built-in clash detection tools during the active modelling phase. This approach allowed electrical designers to instantly visualise geometric clashes between electrical components, ducts and pipes. Conflicts were resolved simultaneously during modelling using assisted routing features such as Quick Offset, eliminating the need to wait for periodic checks on federated models.
Reaching LOD E level of detail for thousands of objects
The project specifications required achieving the LOD E level of detail as specified in UNI 11337 for all BIM models. This requirement involved adding detailed information to each of the more than 7,000 modelled electrical objects, including brand, specific model, and technical characteristics. Managing such a large volume of data within tight deadlines was a significant challenge for the BIM design team.
MagiCAD solution: automated bulk parameter input
The compilation of LOD E and WBS (Work Breakdown Structure) data for 7,000 objects was automated using MagiCAD productivity tools.
Access to MagiCAD Cloud provided real, manufacturer-certified BIM objects. Additionally, advanced selection tools and filters enabled parameter assignment across entire groups of similar devices in just a few steps, drastically reducing data entry time.
“Smart tools like MagiCAD’s Selection Filter made a real difference. It allowed us to select specific areas and filter by Revit categories to assign LOD and WBS parameters. Imagine doing it one by one for 7,000 objects: we would have needed a week. Instead, we did it in a few hours.”
Integrated BIM workflow in Revit with MagiCAD
Electrical Design
New Engineering designed transformers, switchboards, protective devices, and conductors outside the Revit BIM environment, as the company typically uses specialised calculation software that doesn’t work with Revit and MagiCAD.
“Nevertheless, MagiCAD proved essential when modelling the thousands of components in the electrical and special systems. Features like smart placement on architectural host elements, automatic array distribution, and easy checks of installation heights for sockets and switches helped ensure accurate modelling and minimised placement errors.”
Even the modelling of electrical distribution elements, such as cable trays, was simplified through MagiCAD’s fast and automatic routing functions.
Integrated sizing and balancing of hydronic HVAC networks
For mechanical HVAC systems, the team used MagiCAD’s built-in calculation engines. This allowed pipe sizing and balancing directly within the BIM environment. The reliability of results was ensured by using MagiCAD Cloud products, such as balancing valves, with certified performance curves.
Integrated sizing and balancing of ventilation systems
The sizing and balancing of ventilation systems, which also faced challenges with limited space, were fully managed in MagiCAD.
Using real air terminals and dampers with embedded technical data enabled the team to simulate actual system behaviour, optimise pressure losses, and verify air velocities without leaving the Revit modelling environment.
Design and verification of fire protection systems
Fire protection networks, such as sprinklers, hydrants and hose reels, were also complex. New Engineering handled these entirely within the MagiCAD Sprinkler Designer module, avoiding the need for external tools. This enabled sizing and verification of complex systems, like loop networks, using standardised calculation methods such as the Hazen-Williams formula directly in the Revit model.
Standard-compliant 2D and 3D symbols for special systems
Using MagiCAD ensured the correct and regulation-approved graphical representation of the fire detection and emergency evacuation systems. The software automatically links each real 3D object in the model to its corresponding standardised 2D symbol. This enables automatic generation of compliant design drawings, ready for submission to fire authorities, eliminating manual 2D drafting work.
“MagiCAD’s ability to automatically associate the standardised 2D symbol with the 3D object makes it extremely easy to move from modelling to drawing production.”
Learnings and best practices
Pragmatic clash detection approach: Progressive model cleaning
Managing dense combined models in tight spaces cannot rely only on final coordination checks. Major geometric clashes can be resolved daily during discipline-specific modelling, even before model federation.
This “progressive cleaning” approach prevents critical conflicts from accumulating near delivery deadlines and ensures that the number of clashes remains manageable during final verification.
Strategic importance of a structured WBS for quantity take-off
In complex projects divided into multiple building sections with thousands of objects, defining a rigorous Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) and standardised naming conventions from the outset is a strategic necessity.
A solid data structure is the foundation for automating downstream processes such as quantity take-off for cost estimation, where the 3D model is transformed into a precise and queryable database.
Testimonial from New Engineering
“MagiCAD brings added value to our workflow because it simplifies and speeds up routine operations through smart tools and allows us to manage complex designs within a single environment, supporting our designers in delivering high-quality projects.”