My First High-Rise Building Design for India

🏗️ Managing My First High-Rise Building Design for India — A Cross-Border Freelancing Milestone from Bhairahawa, Nepal

As a civil engineer with over 10 years of experience across Nepal and India, I have delivered diverse projects — from RCC houses in the Terai to commercial complexes in Gujarat’s urban centers. But one project remains a defining moment: my first high-rise structural design for India, handled primarily online from my small hometown Bhairahawa, Nepal, with two critical site visits during construction.

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✨ Project Background

In late 2019, I was approached by a former colleague based in Gujarat with a unique challenge — a G+10 residential apartment building that needed practical, code-compliant structural design.

The client was looking for an experienced engineer who could work cost-effectively, manage communication well, and deliver clear structural drawings despite being located remotely.

> “Gaurav, can you handle this from Nepal? You know the local IS codes, you’re practical — we trust you to make it buildable.”

Having the skills, licensed tools, and most importantly the commitment to stay connected with the real site conditions, I took it on.

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📐 Scope of Work

The scope included:

Complete structural analysis and design of foundations, columns, beams, slabs, and staircases, complying with IS 456:2000, IS 875, and IS 1893 for seismic design.

Detailed working drawings with clear bar shapes, mark-ups, and notes for site supervisors.

Bar Bending Schedules (BBS) for accurate estimation and cutting.

Weekly virtual meetings with the local architect, MEP consultants, and contractor.

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👷‍♂️ Two Site Visits for Practical Assurance

Even as a freelancer working remotely, I firmly believe that practical site exposure is irreplaceable.

So I planned two essential site visits during key phases: 1️⃣ After footing excavation and marking — to check soil strata, verify layout accuracy, and ensure safe foundation depths.

2️⃣ During the first slab casting — to inspect rebar placement, beam dimensions, and ductile detailing per IS 13920.

These visits helped catch minor site issues early, build trust with the local team, and confirm that the design was practical and buildable.

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⚙️ Key Technical Highlights

✅ Seismic Detailing:

The project site falls in Gujarat’s Zone III. I ensured drift limits, shear reinforcement, and lateral resistance complied with IS 1893:2016 and IS 13920 for ductile detailing.

✅ Foundation Optimization:

The geotechnical report indicated medium stiff clay at shallow depth. I used isolated footings for low axial loads and combined footings in areas with tight grid spacing and eccentricity.

✅ Clash Coordination:

Using CAD clash checks, I resolved potential conflicts between beam depths and MEP service ducts, saving future site revisions.

✅ Remote Documentation:

A robust cloud workflow with version control ensured every stakeholder had the latest approved drawings, reducing confusion and rework.

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🔑 Lessons Learned

✅ Practical site checks matter.

Even with advanced software, site realities can reveal things drawings can’t. Site visits during execution strengthened my design confidence.

✅ Cross-border codes are essential.

Alongside my daily NBC work, I maintained my knowledge of IS codes to ensure local approval and compliance.

✅ Clear communication is everything.

When you freelance across borders, your professionalism shows through your drawings, your calculations, and how you explain them.

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📈 Impact on My Career

Delivering this high-rise design successfully — by combining modern remote tools with site supervision — built my confidence as an independent structural consultant.

It proved that a civil engineer in a small town like Bhairahawa can deliver professional design services for clients abroad, without compromising quality or safety.

This experience inspired me to launch gauravn.com.np, where I now share real stories, technical insights, and practical tips for young civil engineers ready to step up their game.

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🏢 Advice to Aspiring Engineers

✅ Build genuine site experience first — it makes your design more realistic.

✅ Stay updated with national codes if you want to work internationally.

✅ Invest in licensed software and solid workflows — your tools are your identity.

✅ Whenever possible, visit the site — your practical insight is what sets you apart.

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✏️ Final Note

This high-rise project showed me one thing clearly:

> 🌍 An engineer’s potential is borderless when you combine sound technical knowledge with on-site practicality.

– Gaurav Nepal | Civil Engineer | gauravn.com.np

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🔗 For more stories, practical guides, and real-world lessons, keep following my blog.

Let’s build better — from Nepal, for anywhere.

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