White Arkitekter Stockholm news 2026, Swedish architectural office, Scandinavia building design studio

24 March 2026

White Arkitekter’s board appoints Oskar Norelius as CEO

White Arkitekter, one of the Nordics’ leading architecture practices, has appointed architect Oskar Norelius as CEO. Norelius will assume the role following the company’s annual general meeting on 7 May. The appointment comes as projects in the built environment are becoming increasingly complex – shaped by climate targets, tighter resource constraints and new expectations on how buildings are designed, delivered and stand the test of time.

Architect Oskar Norelius, White Arkitekter CEO:

Oskar Norelius is an architect, partner and currently Managing Director of White’s Stockholm studio. He has led internationally recognised projects, including the Sara Cultural Centre, where he was one of the lead architects, and Stockholm Wood City. These are two of the most ambitious timber developments globally, noted for their architectural quality and material innovation. His work has received multiple international awards, including the WAF Awards and 40 under 40 Europe, and is widely recognised for advancing large-scale architecture and low-carbon design. Throughout his career, he has combined a strong architectural vision with a collaborative and values-driven approach.

– Projects today involve more parameters, more stakeholders and higher expectations. Ensuring these are aligned requires leadership with a deep understanding of how architecture, technology, economy and sustainability come together in practice – something Oskar is well-versed in. He is exceptionally well positioned to lead White Arkitekter into its next phase. He brings a strong architectural voice, a deep understanding of our culture and values, and the ability to lead with both clarity and trust in a time of change, said Chair of the Board Niklas Flyborg.

Founded in Gothenburg in 1951, White Arkitekter has grown into one of Scandinavia’s leading architectural practices with over 500 employees, studios across Northern Europe and projects spanning multiple continents. The employee-owned practice is known for its holistic and collaborative approach, and for consistently combining design excellence with social and environmental responsibility. Its work is shaped by a human-centered and research-driven approach, where design decisions are grounded in both evidence and lived experience. This includes a strong focus on social equity, collective well-being and the long-term impact of the built environment – recognising architecture a driver of change. This has led to recent commissions in Canada, the US and the Netherlands, further strengthening White’s international portfolio. These projects span large-scale timber developments, public spaces and healthcare environments, where architectural quality is closely linked to climate performance and long-term value.

For Norelius, the role is as much about people and culture as it is about direction and leadership.

– The boundaries between disciplines are becoming less defined, as decisions about materials, climate and urban development increasingly overlap. At the same time, architecture is ultimately about people – how we live, work and come together. Our task is not only to respond to the challenges we face, but to do so in a way that creates places that people cherish and want to be part of over time. That requires both knowledge and courage, and a strong sense of responsibility for what we leave behind. I see this role as an opportunity to build on White’s strong culture, values and collaborative spirit, and to continue developing an architecture that is both ambitious and deeply grounded in human needs, said Oskar Norelius.

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Previously on e-architect:

Stockholm Architecture Practice, Sweden Design Office News:

White Arkitekter News

9 Nov 2021

Can Architecture Fix This?

‘Can Architecture Fix This?’ is a new podcast from White Arkitekter in Oslo. Join host Rebekah Schaberg and producer  Ingjerd Sandven Kleivan for discussions and interviews with experts in the fields of design to see if we can answer the question: Can Architecture Fix This? – whatever this may be!

Rebekah Schaberg and Ingjerd Sandven Kleivan, White Arkitekter:

What is it like to walk through flooded streets twice a day? What do you do when the permafrost beneath your house begins to melt? Natural disasters will grow in number and intensity in the coming decades on account of climate change already under way. During the summer of 2021 several regions all over the world were hit hard by the worst floods in hundreds of years, causing casualties, landslides and completely devastating communities. Can architecture fix this?

– In the podcast, we’ve invited expert guests to tell stories about real projects from around the world. We discuss whether and how architecture can actually fix some of the challenges that we are facing today, says host Rebekah Schaberg.

The first season is focusing on ‘blue architecture’. Why blue? Water is part of White Arkitekter’s Oslo Studio’s approach to sustainability. The studio has a special interest in projects where water is a central challenge and potentially a huge asset.

– Designing with water in mind gives the opportunity to explore technical solutions to today’s challenges posed by climate change, says Sofie Bentzen, Office Director at White Arkitekter’s Oslo studio.

You can subscribe and listen to “Can Archtiecture Fix This?” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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Latest Buildings by White Arkitekter, chronological:

28 Sep 2021
Sara Cultural Centre, Skellefteå, Sweden

photograph © White Arkitekter
Sara Cultural Centre Skellefteå
A new cultural centre in Skellefteå by White Arkitekter has now opened its doors to the public. Sara Cultural Centre delivers a state-of-the-art cultural venue and hotel that positively contributes to the local community while at the same time being an international showcase for sustainable design and construction.

22 Sep 2021
White ReCapture wins BA Tech Awards

After a live pitch to the jury and physical and digital participants at Business Arena Stockholm today, White ReCapture was named the winner of the BA Tech Awards, in the category of Most Innovative Real Estate Operator.

The BA Tech Awards celebrates innovation and new services that can contribute to making the real estate industry more efficient and attractive, but also address the major challenge of reducing the industry’s climate impact. Receiving this award is proof that White Arkitekter as an architectural practice has expanded its role from being a user of new technology to driving its development.

“It feels fantastic to receive this award that celebrates innovation in this field and addresses the climate challenges. With White ReCapture we help property owners and developers to take the next step towards more sustainable and circular portfolios”, says Niklas Eriksson, Head of White ReCapture at White Arkitekter.

Digitalisation and innovation are crucial for the industry to reach its roadmap of climate neutrality in 2045 and not least for White Arkitekter as their vision is that all their architecture will be climate neutral or better already from 2030.

“This is a great recognition for the entrepreneurial team that developed the service from an idea to a fully developed service to implement in the market. It is fantastic that BA Tech Awards is highlighting this digi-physical innovation that is accelerating the transition to net zero”, says Petter Green, Director Digital Business at White Arkitekter.

1 Jul 2021
Oriel Building Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, England, UK
Design: Penoyre & Prasad ; White Arkitekter ; AECOM

image courtesy of architects office
Oriel Building Moorfields Eye Hospital Building

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White Arkitekter Architecture Archive

8 July 2019
Jönköping Bathhouse, Lake Vättern, Jönköping, southern Sweden

White Arkitekter © Jönköping Bathhouse
Jönköping Bathhouse Building in Sweden
Scandinavian practice White Arkitekter has won an architectural competition for Jönköping Bathhouse; an all-season bathhouse located on the shores of Lake Vättern, in the city of Jönköping in southern Sweden.

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28 Sep 2012
Southend Pier, Essex, England, UK

photograph : Luke Hayes
Southend Pier Cultural Centre
This building by White arkitekter and Sprunt is now complete. The new Cultural Centre is sited at the head of Southend Pier, the world’s longest pleasure pier. The sweeping geometric form and harmonising palette of materials of the building celebrates the topography of the windswept site integrating it into the scenic landscape.

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27 Jul 2011
New Karolinska Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
2011-

illustration : White Tengbom Team
New Karolinska Solna
NKS is  a 3.5 million square foot, multi-building facility in Solna, a suburb of Stockholm, Sweden. Owned by Stockholm County Council, the government entity responsible for providing healthcare and public transport to greater Stockholm, the $2.5 billion project is being built under a unique public-private-partnership (PPP) agreement. Skanska is acting as the project’s developer and contractor and is also responsible with it’s investment partner, Innisfree, for financing and facility management/maintenance for 25 years after completion.

7 Mar 2011
Stockholm Waterfront, Sweden
2011

photo : Wojtek Gurak
Stockholm Waterfront design comprises a congress hall with accommodation for 3000 delegates (and a banqueting hall to seat 2000 dinner guests), a four-star hotel with 414 rooms, half of which have an enchanting view of Riddarfjärden bay and Stockholm City Hall, and an office block with panoramic views over the water and city. Its architecture and interpretation has been White’s responsibility since 2005.

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Swedish Architectural Designs by this studio – Archive

Kosterhavet Visitor Centre, Sweden
2009-

image from architect
Kosterhavet Visitor Centre
An energy self-sufficient visitor centre located on an island protected for its unique archipelago and marine life in Sweden’s first Marine National Park. The visitor centre building consists of three buildings which seem to hover over the surface. The buildings consist of a timber construction, all covered with glass to make it possible for very close contact with the marine life.

Vävskedsgatan, residential Gothenburg, Sweden
Vävskedsgatan is no ordinary apartment block. It’s a challenge. We wanted to explore if we could build rental apartments, and became both building contractor and property owner in the process.

photo : Hendrik Zeitler

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Key Projects by White Arkitekter

Buildings by White arkitekter Sweden, alphabetical:

High Coast – visitor centre, Sweden
2007

photo : Johan Fowelin
A precise incision made into the bedrock – titled “geological surgery”.

Kastrup Sea Bath, Copenhagen, Denmark
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photo : Åke E:son Lindman
Award-winning open-air pool just south of Copenhagen that offers bathers deep water, shelter from the wind and sunshine. The visitors have access to 750 square metres of decking for relaxation and bathing.

Silo X, residential buildings, Gothenburg, Sweden
Invited competition 2008

photo : Johan Fowelin
Four cylinders with 1-2 apartments on every floor

White Architekter– own offices, North Hammarby Docks, Stockholm, Sweden
2007

More architectural projects by White Arkitekter online soon

Location: Östgötagatan 100, Box 4700, 11692 Stockholm, Sweden, northeast Europe.

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Swedish Architects Practice Information

Offices based in Stockholm, Göteborg and Malmö

Swedish Architects

White Arkitekter

Founded by Sidney White in 1951, White Arkitekter is Scandinavia’s leading architectural practice. We work with sustainable architecture, urban design, landscape, and interiors to create lasting value for current and future generations.

We are an employee-owned collective of about 700 employees with a presence in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, UK, Germany, Canada, and East Africa. As architects, we have a responsibility to take action against climate change and by 2030, we aim for all our projects will be climate neutral.

To that end, we have strengthened research and design skills that focus on timber technologies. Our Roadmap 2030 sets out White’s direction for how it will contribute to the transition required in society to achieve national and international climate goals, as well as our own. From relocating the Arctic city of Kiruna two miles east, to empowering women at Panzi Hospital, we put people, planet, and local economies at the forefront of design.

Website: https://whitearkitekter.com/se/

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Sweden Architectural Designs

Museum of World Culture Gothenburg

Swedish Architecture

Initial architecture images / information from this practice 12/190508

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