WELS builds sustainably in Falun, Sweden, with MagiCAD for BricsCAD as a foundation

In just over two years, WELS has become an established technical consultancy in Sweden with around 50 employees, and offices from Luleå in the north to Västerås in the south. The company’s operations cover HVAC, electrical, and building automation systems design, and structural engineering and they aimed to establish a modern and efficient design environment from the beginning.  

One example is Skanska’s SÄBO Haraldsbo project in Falun, Sweden, where WELS is responsible for HVAC design on behalf of Bravida Sverige AB. Skanska’s high requirements for sustainability, quality, and long-term operational reliability drive the project. This sets the framework for a design environment where digital precision and robust decision-making data are essential. 

The project covers approximately 6,600 square meters and will include 80 residential units and shared spaces. The building is designed with a wooden façade and a strong focus on sustainability. It will be LEED Gold certified and achieve Energy Class B. This is supported by energy-efficient installations and solar panels. Construction began in 2025, and the completion is scheduled for autumn 2027. 

– The requirements today are completely different compared to before with higher demands around environmental impact, energy consumption, and various certifications. In many projects, you are driven by the need to meet these requirements, which means that we also need to improve and adapt, says Per Skagerstam, HVAC designer at WELS. 

To meet these requirements, you need accurate calculations, correct product selection, and structured BIM information that are integrated directly into the design process.

An all-in-one tool for modern projects 

WELS chose BricsCAD as their design platform when the company was founded. Instead of traditional CAD alternatives, the company opted for a platform that they felt was flexible, cost-effective, and future-proof.

– We started with BricsCAD from the beginning. It has been our platform all along. 

With MagiCAD for BricsCAD, WELS gained a complete MEP design solution within a familiar CAD interface. 

– The interface is very similar to AutoCAD, so there was no major transition. It was easy to get started.

In projects like SÄBO Haraldsbo, this combination functions as an efficient all-in-one tool. BricsCAD provides a stable DWG environment and efficient drawing management, while MagiCAD adds MEP intelligence with integrated calculations, product data, and BIM structures. 

According to Per, working in a modern BIM environment is in line with current requirements and a natural shift from more traditional CAD setups where the information is not as integrated.

Accurate BIM objects are critical for sustainability requirements 

In projects with LEED certification and Energy Class B targets, access to accurate and up-to-date product information is essential. Here, MagiCAD Cloud plays a central role. 

– When selecting BIM objects via the MagiCAD database, you have access to products from many manufacturers. The more there are, the better it is for us.

Working directly with manufacturer-specific objects with accurate technical data embedded in the model cuts down the need for external applications and manual checks. 

– It makes it easier when the information is already integrated into the software. This saves us from relying too much on external tools. This type of data-driven design also meets Skanska’s requirements for quality, energy efficiency, and documented climate performance.

At the forefront of a changing industry 

The industry is rapidly moving toward stricter requirements for energy efficiency, environmental impact, and structured BIM information. For WELS, it is clear that design tools must evolve at the same pace. 

– It feels like MagiCAD is at the forefront. It integrates today’s requirements and continues to expand the available information so that users can retrieve as much as possible directly within the software.

With MagiCAD for BricsCAD, WELS has a solid foundation that meets today’s sustainability requirements while remaining ready for the industry’s growing demands. This also aligns with Skanska’s long-term commitment to climate-smart construction and the development of future healthcare and residential care facilities. 

Read more about MagiCAD for BricsCAD.