Alexandra Hagen, the outgoing CEO of White Arkitekter, one of Scandinavia's largest architecture firms, is preparing to step down in 2026. After nearly eight years leading the firm, Hagen reflects on a career marked by challenging perceptions, advocating for gender equality, and championing sustainable design principles.
Hagen initially joined White Arkitekter in 2001 as a junior architect, intending to stay only a couple of years. She ultimately remained for a quarter-century, navigating various leadership roles and leaving a significant impact on the firm and the broader architectural landscape.
Key Takeaways
- Alexandra Hagen, CEO of White Arkitekter, will step down in 2026 after 25 years with the firm.
- She overcame early career skepticism as a young woman in a male-dominated field.
- Hagen has been a strong advocate for gender equality, promoting equal parental leave in Sweden.
- Her passion for architecture stems from combining humanities and sciences, inspired by the Pantheon.
- White Arkitekter, under Hagen's leadership, aims for all designs to be carbon neutral by 2030.
- She emphasizes teamwork and knowledge sharing over individual 'star architect' recognition.
Overcoming Early Career Perceptions
Hagen experienced significant skepticism early in her career, particularly as a young woman navigating a field dominated by older men. She recalled interactions in her early 30s when she headed the international division.
"In my early 30s, I was head of our international division, and I would meet people who were 20 years older than me, mostly men, and they expected nothing from me," Hagen stated. "They were like, 'Oh, who's this young blonde, she can't know very much.'"
Rather than being discouraged, Hagen learned to leverage these misconceptions to her advantage. She realized that being the only woman in the room made her memorable. This understanding helped her grow confidence and use her unique position to deliver unexpected results.
Interesting Fact
Alexandra Hagen joined White Arkitekter in 2001, initially planning to stay for only one or two years to gain experience before opening her own studio. She ended up staying for 25 years, eventually becoming CEO.Championing Gender Equality
Throughout her career, Hagen has been a vocal proponent of gender equality, especially within the architecture profession. She believes Sweden has made significant progress in this area, noting that the gender balance in architecture is now approximately 50-50.
Interestingly, Hagen observed that in Sweden, female architects are currently paid more than their male counterparts. This shift reflects broader societal changes and specific initiatives within firms like White Arkitekter.
Supporting Parental Leave for Men
A key focus for Hagen has been encouraging male architects to take parental leave. She sees this as crucial for creating a truly equitable workplace. When men share family responsibilities, it reduces the perceived risk or stigma associated with hiring women who may want to start families.
"It's really about supporting the men in being good fathers, and if they take equal responsibility for their families, then there's no difference," Hagen explained. "When the men start to have more parental leave, the women take less, so it becomes more equal. So it's not only about helping women, it's also about supporting men."
This approach highlights White Arkitekter's commitment to creating an environment where all employees can thrive, regardless of gender or family status.
The Path to Architecture
Hagen's journey into architecture was shaped by her grandparents, who exposed her to both the humanities and sciences. Her paternal grandparents fostered her love for opera, literature, and art, while her maternal grandparents, who were mathematicians and physicists, introduced her to the world of science.
She struggled to choose between these two passions until a teenage trip to Rome. A guided tour of the Pantheon proved to be a pivotal moment. The guide spoke about the building's spiritual significance and its technical mastery, revealing a perfect blend of art and science.
"Then I thought, this is the perfect combination of science and art, and therefore this would be my world," Hagen recalled.
This realization set her on a path to study architecture, a field she describes as a "tool to make life better for people."
Firm Background
White Arkitekter, founded in 1951 by Sidney White in Gothenburg, is one of Scandinavia's largest architecture practices, employing over 900 people. The firm has received numerous awards and is known for projects such as the Sara Kulturhus Centre and its involvement in the relocation of Kiruna.A Commitment to Sustainability
A core belief driving Hagen's work and White Arkitekter's philosophy is the need for architecture to respect the natural environment. This ethos has been central to the firm since the 1990s and heavily influenced Hagen's decision to remain with the practice.
She believes that humanity must understand its place within the natural world and its dependence on nature for survival. Hagen finds inspiration in the forest, viewing nature as the "greatest designer of all."
Carbon Neutrality by 2030
Under Hagen's leadership, White Arkitekter has made an ambitious pledge: every building it designs will be carbon neutral by 2030. This commitment involves minimizing CO2 emissions from materials and energy throughout a building's lifecycle and balancing any remaining emissions with climate-positive initiatives.
The firm monitors its progress constantly, acknowledging both successes and challenges. Discussions with hesitant clients, aligning with legislation, and meeting budget constraints are common hurdles. However, Hagen emphasizes a proactive approach.
"There are always obstacles, you know, but the trick is not to point the finger at someone else. The trick is to focus on what we can do and where we can make a difference," she asserted.
Projects like the mass-timber Sara Kulturhus Centre and the sustainable model city of Kiruna demonstrate this commitment in practice.
- Sara Kulturhus Centre: A prominent example of mass-timber construction, designed to shift perspectives on wood in architecture.
- Kiruna Relocation: A large-scale urban planning project developed with sustainability as a core principle.
The Power of Teamwork
Hagen firmly rejects the concept of a "star architect" and emphasizes the collective effort required to create great architecture. She believes that a great building or city is never the product of one individual.
"A great building or a great city is never designed by one person. It's all about the team. To create great architecture, we need to have a good team," Hagen stressed.
She also highlighted the importance of persistence in architecture, noting that large projects can take 10 to 15 years to complete. This long-term vision requires a dedicated and collaborative team.
Knowledge Sharing
White Arkitekter, being employee-owned, reinvests profits into research and development. This allows the firm to share its learnings and methods with other architecture practices, fostering industry-wide progress towards sustainability and ethical design.Hagen has been praised for expanding White Arkitekter's international presence, including opening a studio in Stuttgart and strengthening its UK operations. She also successfully guided the practice through the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic. As she prepares for her next chapter, her legacy at White Arkitekter remains one of innovation, equality, and a deep commitment to sustainable design.