Location: Croatia
Design team: Corridor Project
Software solution used: Plateia and Autosign by CGS Labs, Revit by Autodesk
When designers are faced with challenging terrain—whether integrating a parking lot into uneven ground or designing a road through steep inclines—the value of smart digital tools quickly becomes apparent. Dino Stanić, an experienced designer, demonstrated in two recent projects how effectively the grading functionality in Plateia can be used to solve complex challenges already in the early stages of planning.
The grading tool in Plateia allows users to define parameters such as length, slope, height difference, or a combination thereof, which enables precise yet highly flexible modeling of support structures or terrain adjustments. This adaptability proved essential in both cases—whether for designing retaining walls for a parking lot or for optimizing the road alignment through hilly terrain.
Efficient Placement of Retaining Walls in Complex Terrain
At first glance, the project for a parking lot with 135 spaces (including designated spaces for people with disabilities and electric vehicle charging stations) seemed straightforward. But the real challenge only became evident when considering the undulating terrain, where retaining walls needed to be carefully dimensioned and positioned to meet the terrain’s requirements.
Image: The layout of the new parking lot in the town of Crikvenica in Croatia.
Dino Stanić, a young but highly promising designer, first defined the 3D road edges to establish the outer boundary of the parking lot, and then used the grading tool in Plateia.
“In the grading tool, I set the parameters for the retaining wall—slope, height difference, and length—and saved them as a template, which I then simply reused,” explains Dino Stanić.
Image: Cross-section of the parking lot.
This allowed him to quickly create repeating wall segments that automatically adjusted to the terrain based on predefined rules. Instead of modeling each section manually, he was able to achieve a consistent and accurate result with just a few clicks—visually aligned with the terrain requirements and project documentation.
Grading enabled the automation of an otherwise time-consuming task, freeing up time for quantity checks and the precise development of the 3D model, which clearly displayed retaining walls, green areas, and terrain variations. Based on the 3D polylines, he created a digital terrain model combined with the existing topography, allowing for quick comparison of excavation and embankment volumes.
“Using the grading tool in Plateia, I saved four full working days,” says Dino Stanić, founder of Corridor Project, confirming just how significant an impact smart tools can have on the speed and quality of design work
Dino Stanić, founder of Corridor Project
In addition, he used the Autosign software to create road markings. Autosign includes a localized library of traffic signs and road markings for Croatia and offers advanced functionality that automatically projects 2D elements—such as signs and markings—onto the surface, generating them as 3D models.
The result was an exceptionally accurate 3D model of the parking lot, complete with road markings and retaining walls. The entire model was then easily transferred to Revit, where he created visualizations that clearly illustrate the overall design, the layout of structural elements, and the connection to the surrounding terrain. Such a final output significantly simplifies project presentation to other stakeholders.
Image: Visualization of the parking lot, which was created in the Revit program.
Grading as a Tool for Fast Decision-Making in Hilly Terrain
The second example of grading use relates to the design of a road through a steep incline, where it is crucial to quickly identify critical terrain points. With the help of grading, Dino was able to immediately see—already in the initial concept phase—where major cuts or fills would be required, and accordingly adjusted the alignment.
“Using the grading tool in Plateia, I saved four full working days,” he says. With just a few clicks, he was able to raise the road profile in one section to avoid a large embankment, and clearly present to the investor that in another area, due to the height difference, a retaining wall would be necessary. These types of adjustments are fast, transparent, and highly effective for communication with clients when using grading.
Thus, grading enables quick iteration of solutions, precise presentation of different design scenarios to the investor, and a more professional approach already in the early stages of the project.
Image: View of a road section with a very steep gradient.
Conclusion: Designing Infrastructure That Evolves with the City
Both examples clearly demonstrate how essential modern digital tools are in infrastructure design. The grading functionality in Plateia is not just a tool for shaping slopes—it is a smart decision-making tool that enables faster, more transparent, and more professional planning, whether for retaining walls or for designing challenging road alignments. Dino Stanić, with his approach, proves that innovative use of such tools in the early stages of a project can lead to high-quality and efficient outcomes, which are reflected both in execution and in communication with clients.
About Dino Stanić
Dino Stanić is an experienced civil engineer and the founder of Corridor Project, a company specializing in transport infrastructure design. Over the past seven years, Dino has worked on a range of projects, including roundabouts, new road designs, reconstructions, and cycling paths, both in Europe and internationally, with notable assignments in Papua New Guinea and Australia.
In addition to his professional achievements, Dino is also the author of a published article in the field of transport engineering. His paper, titled Analysis and Design of Cycling Infrastructure, explores innovative approaches to cycling infrastructure design and highlights his ability to tackle complex engineering challenges.
Dino’s academic journey began in Rijeka, Croatia, where he graduated in civil engineering, later advancing his expertise during an Erasmus exchange in Maribor, Slovenia. There, he developed a strong connection to Slovenian standards and methodologies, which continue to inform his work. During his studies in Maribor, he also became familiar with Plateia, a software he now uses extensively in his designs. In addition to designing infrastructure projects, he also provides professional supervision. His commitment to excellence and adaptability to diverse regulations make him a trusted expert in the field of infrastructure design.