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.
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.