Overhalla Hus, founded in 1971, is a prominent player in timber and residential construction. Based in Overhalla, they combine Norwegian craft with industrial efficiency, positioning themselves as a leading supplier of prefabricated buildings. Their strength lies in uniting traditional Norwegian building craft with modern production methods.
Switching to ArchiFrame
About two years ago, Overhalla Hus made a significant change by replacing its previous BIM software with ArchiFrame. This transition was led by Svenn Harald Hovd, together with his technical team and engineer Masab Annaqeeb. Masab worked closely with the ArchiFrame developers to create custom templates that fit Overhalla's needs perfectly.
Why did they choose ArchiFrame? The main reason was efficiency. Previously, it could take several months to rework and check drawings in order to adapt architectural designs to production models. Now, with ArchiFrame, this process is reduced to a few weeks. Masab describes the process like this: "We receive the model from the architect, and our technical drawing team makes sure the designs match the factory's operations. Using ArchiFrame, we make manual adjustments, which results in accurate cut lists and WUP files that are sent directly to the CNC machine."
An Overhalla Hus building project. © Overhalla Hus
The move to ArchiFrame also meant harmonising with the rest of the Norwegian construction industry. "It is a great advantage to use software that is so widely accepted in Norway. ArchiFrame is increasingly becoming an industry standard," says Masab.
The benefits of using ArchiFrame are many. The software is cost-effective and comes with a wide range of features. For Overhalla, the adjustable templates and the ability to harmonise with internal processes were a smart solution. This has given them a much faster process for producing element drawings. ArchiFrame's ability to handle models from other software is also highly valued.
"It is a great advantage to use software that is so widely accepted in Norway. ArchiFrame is increasingly becoming an industry standard." sais Masab Annaqeeb from Overhalla Hus.
Connectivity, IFC, and support
"ArchiFrame helps us with connectivity and communication. The ability to import IFC models means that we can use original designs from architects and contractors as the basis for our models, something the previous software could not handle as well," Masab explains.
The collaboration with the ArchiFrame team has been decisive for Masab's success as an ArchiFrame user. "Their support is invaluable. We have continuous meetings to improve workflows and refine edits. Their availability has been a very positive experience," he notes.
Overall, ArchiFrame has made it possible for Overhalla to expand its commercial operations and create growth opportunities for the company. Key features include connectivity, import of IFC models, and the new frame-editing function.
With ArchiFrame, Overhalla Hus has not only improved efficiency but also strengthened its position as a pioneer in prefabricated construction in Norway. This partnership between technology and traditional craft continues to drive the company forward, toward new heights in the construction industry.
Read another customer reference: From old to new system at Øster Hus.
