In an industry where efficiency and digitalisation are essential, Willa Nordic has taken an important step in refining its workflows. The transition to Archicad and ArchiFrame was a carefully planned and structured journey characterised by close collaboration, patience, and a realistic approach to ensure a smooth implementation.
From evaluation to decision
It all began with a reflection on their existing CAD software. As a company with a multi-disciplinary team of architects, engineers, and technicians, Willa Nordic asked: “Are we using the right tool to collaborate effectively?” The old software felt outdated, and it became clear it was time to explore alternatives.
Kristoffer Olofsgård, Head of Design at Willa Nordic, explains that they needed a tool that could support the company goal of staying at the forefront of development.
“It was a natural evolution for us: we needed to find something better that could help us work more efficiently,” he says. After a thorough evaluation of several alternatives, including Vertex and Revit, Willa Nordic chose Archicad with ArchiFrame.
Kristoffer and his team proceeded methodically. For more than a year, they conducted several tests and meetings with the suppliers, and eventually it became clear that Archicad was the solution they needed.
“We knew that there are always pros and cons with different tools, but we felt that Archicad was the best choice for us,” Kristoffer says. The whole team, from architects to engineers, was involved in the decision-making process.
The implementation: a process, not a race
Switching to a new system wasn’t just about swapping software, it also involved a cultural and procedural change at the company. Willa Nordic identified key individuals to lead the transition: two team members, Daniel Gustavsson and Richard Elg, took the lead in understanding how to adapt and further develop Archicad + ArchiFrame workflows to suit the company’s needs.
They combined this with thorough training for the entire team. As one of the architects puts it: “You grow with the program all the time.” The adoption was gradual and mindful. Today, all architects at Willa Nordic use Archicad and ArchiFrame, and this shared use has strengthened both collaboration and the workplace culture.
Benefits: efficiency, collaboration, and improved communication
Better visualisation & client communication
Archicad + ArchiFrame has been a “game changer”, especially when it comes to visualisation and communication. It’s now much easier to show clients what their future home will look like, thanks to interactive 3D models. As one architect explains: many clients don’t understand traditional drawings, but with the new tools she can “guide them through the model,” showing perspectives, volumes, and spatial feeling.
The ability to rotate and change perspectives, to show sightlines from the kitchen towards the living room, has been particularly valuable. It lets clients almost “see their dream come to life.”
Faster workflow with higher quality outcomes
Design processes have sped up, while quality has improved. Early in the transition the difference wasn’t huge, but now sketches and material proposals come out significantly earlier than before. Willa Nordic can now create a more accurate and realistic sense of the finished house earlier on in the process, which is crucial for managing client expectations.
Flexibility & customisation
Using Archicad + ArchiFrame, Willa Nordic can integrate customer ideas and inspiration directly into the design. Instead of relying on static drawings, designers can now integrate customer moodboards and references directly into the model, enabling a more detailed and personalised design process.
The entire process has become more dynamic and flexible: from black-and-white technical drawings to interactive 3D visualisations and even videos and renderings. This all helps meet today’s high demands for quality, clarity, and personalisation.
A transformation of working culture, not just a software change
The switch to Archicad and ArchiFrame did more than just improve tools: it changed how Willa Nordic works. It turned what was once a fragmented process into a unified, cohesive workflow from early sketch to final visualisations. What used to be 2D drawings have become interactive 3D models; what was once just technical planning has become storytelling: realising clients’ dreams, not just building houses.
With the new tools, Willa Nordic can not only meet customer expectations, but exceed them, creating homes that already feel real and personal from the first presentation. “Today, we are much better at showing customers what they really want,” says Angelica, Willa Nordic architect. “It’s not just about a house, it’s about selling a home. And now we can do that in a much more visual and detailed way than before.”