Meet the new director of White Arkitekter’s Stockholm office

As the new Office Director of White Arkitekter in Stockholm, Oskar Norelius sees his primary task as striking a balance between maintaining existing processes while driving change and development.

“As an interdisciplinary architecture firm, we have highly refined processes and routines in place. My initial focus will be on balancing the long-term perspective – one that necessitates continuous change – with preserving the solid foundation that our existing structures provide for partners and employees. I want to listen to the organisation, understand ongoing work, and ensure operational stability.”

He also highlights the industry’s challenges, noting that while the potential is immense, structural obstacles hinder progress. He underscores the importance of strengthening the architect’s role, which is essential for unlocking bottlenecks and enabling key projects in Stockholm to move forward.

“Another priority is to enhance our international perspective and create stronger synergy between White Arkitekter in Stockholm’s global and local projects. White has built a strong international brand. By further solidifying our position, we can not only expand our global presence but also make a greater impact at home.”

Leadership Through Inspiration and Engagement
With a deep passion for architecture, Oskar is driven by the desire to inspire and engage as a leader.

“The industry is undergoing significant changes, with increasing demands and shifting conditions. It’s easy to lose direction, but I see it as crucial to maintain confidence in what we do. We have a unique culture and incredibly talented employees. My role is to create space for both creativity and responsibility so that we can continue making a difference and advancing important issues together.”

For Oskar, strong leadership is not a solo endeavor but something that flourishes through collaboration.

“As a partner-driven organisation, we have immense strength in our collective expertise, our shared network, and our collaborative spirit. Real change happens together. With our partnership model as a foundation, my ambition is for White in Stockholm to remain a leading force – both locally and internationally – driving architecture and sustainability forward.”

How do you view the market today?
“We are seeing signs of increased activity and investment interest that weren’t present one or two years ago. At the same time, challenges related to capital availability, material costs, and end-user finances remain significant. The market is regaining momentum, and it’s now critical that we collaborate with the industry to ensure progress.”

Are there specific segments where White Stockholm can identify new opportunities or areas for development?
“We have strong architectural expertise, always placing people at the center while integrating a comprehensive scientific approach. Our holistic working method is a key strength that allows us to take on a more significant role in both the market and projects.”

As sustainability, circularity, and sound project economics become increasingly important, the necessity of integrating new requirements and regulations – including the taxonomy impacting the entire industry – grows.

The challenges of recent years have also accelerated the development of more efficient workflows, digitalisation, and reuse strategies.

“This enables us to approach projects differently than before. It’s a strength we will continue to build on. Since our founding in 1951, we have continuously challenged ourselves and our surroundings through practice-based research and development, making us adept at working within innovation processes and quickly implementing new knowledge and solutions. Integrating innovation into project planning is crucial to meeting the rapidly increasing demands of the transition.”

Creating long-term sustainable environments also requires planning for a changing climate. By integrating ecosystem services and enhancing biodiversity, White in Stockholm not only designs resilient and adaptive spaces but also creates habitats that extend beyond human needs.

“The integration of green and blue infrastructure must be an inherent part of both construction and urban development. With our interdisciplinary expertise, we are well-positioned to lead this development.”

Ambitious vision for 2030
White Arkitekter’s vision is for all projects to be aesthetically powerful, regenerative, and climate-neutral by 2030. Several of White in Stockholm’s current projects already align with this vision, including Stockholm Wood City in Sickla, Sara Kulturhus in Skellefteå, Ekoladan in Linköping, Gjutmästaren in Bromma, and Träklippan Henriksdal.

Oskar emphasizes the importance of setting 2030 as a goal, as it is approaching quickly. To achieve it, they follow a roadmap with annual targets, enabling them to progress faster than the industry standard. However, realising this vision requires collaboration across the entire sector.

“We strive to reach the highest possible standards today so that people will feel proud of and continue to use our buildings and environments even 100 years from now. While we have already made significant progress, achieving the full vision requires the entire industry to come together. We see more stakeholders now sharing our high ambitions, and when financial investments align with sustainable development, true progress becomes possible.”

Why has White Arkitekter chosen to expand internationally?
“Operating internationally is highly inspiring. Understanding and adapting to new places and contexts brings invaluable insights.”

There is also a strong demand for White’s sustainability expertise, particularly in timber construction, an area in which they are internationally recognised. White is invited to engage at the highest levels, and Oskar stresses the importance of remaining relevant in these forums, even from Stockholm.

Is there a project particularly close to your heart?
“One project I am very passionate about is Stockholm Wood City in Sickla – the world’s largest urban development project in wood, initiated and led by Atrium Ljungberg. Here, we are applying lessons from Sara Kulturhus on an entirely new scale, demonstrating how sustainable architecture can drive the climate transition while enhancing a location’s identity, attractiveness, and international impact.”

What do you hope White Arkitekter in Stockholm will be known for in ten years?
“In ten years, I hope White in Stockholm is recognised as the home of an internationally leading architecture firm that develops the future of sustainable urban planning and architectural culture worldwide. Our reputation is closely tied to the buildings and places we design. Many of the projects that will be completed in the next decade are already on the drawing board today, and I can confidently say that the future looks promising.”