Rising climate targets, increasing demands for resource efficiency, the ongoing need for climate adaptation and an uncertain geopolitical landscape are all influencing the development of the construction and property sectors. For us, this has meant a continued focus on projects where climate, resources, design quality and social values are addressed as an integrated whole.
Architecture for a sustainable life – annual and sustainability report 2025
Despite a challenging year, 2025 brought international growth and a record number of award-winning projects. In this year’s Annual and Sustainability Report, we reflect on a year in which sustainability continued to play a central role – both in our practice and in shaping the built environment. The report highlights our work with reuse, transformation, climate optimisation, nature-based solutions and regenerative architecture.
Despite the industry continuing to face significant challenges related to climate, economic conditions and an uncertain global landscape, we have continued to create architecture of the highest quality. Our work has received more awards than ever before, demonstrating that new conditions do not have to limit architectural expression. On the contrary, they can inspire a new kind of architecture – one in which sustainability, innovation and quality interact in new and meaningful ways.
Oskar Norelius, CEO, White Arkitekter
During 2025, the number of projects with ambitious targets for reduced climate impact increased. At the same time, we continued our efforts to reduce emissions from our own operations. Through an ongoing focus on rail travel and sustainable procurement, emissions remained at a low level – 76 per cent lower than in 2018.
Reuse and transformation continued to be central themes throughout the year, with 62 per cent of our commissions involving some form of reuse. Climate adaptation and nature-based solutions also took on a more prominent role in several urban planning and landscape projects, focusing on managing climate risks, strengthening biodiversity and creating more resilient urban environments. During the year, 87 per cent of our urban planning and landscape commissions included a focus on climate adaptation.
Reducing the impact of construction is not enough. To achieve sustainable development, we also need to help strengthen and restore resources, ecosystems and social values over time. That is the essence of our vision for regenerative and climate-neutral architecture.
Anna Graaf, Sustainability Director, White Arkitekter
Today, many companies and cities are placing higher demands on climate performance and circular solutions in new developments. In Gothenburg, the new Arena Quarter is being developed with the ambition of reducing climate impact by 70 per cent, while applying a circular perspective across the entire district. Sonyas in Gothenburg is another example of a project with ambitious climate targets, focusing on climate optimisation and shared use. In the housing and urban development project The Erven in the Netherlands, regenerative architecture is at the heart of the design approach.
Projects inaugurated during the year included Skåne University Hospital Campus – Healthcare Buildings, Södermalmstorg at Slussen and Haus Hynsperg in Liederbach – our first completed project in Germany. At the same time, planning permission was granted for Central Hospital in Karlstad, where the new outpatient building will become Sweden’s first permanent healthcare building with a timber frame structure.
Despite challenging market conditions, our international operations continued to grow. Total order intake also increased compared with 2024, and the year marked a record number of awards – reflecting both the architectural quality of our work and our strengthened international position.
This year, White Arkitekter celebrates 75 years. We continue our work towards expressive, regenerative and climate-neutral architecture that creates long-term value for both people and ecosystems.
Read the full Annual and Sustainability Report 2025 here.
