Orlando, Fla. — RLF has promoted Brian White, AIA, to Design Practice Leader, a firmwide leadership role that will guide the strategic evolution of design across the employee-owned integrated architecture, engineering, and interiors firm. The promotion reflects RLF's continued investment in design excellence, interdisciplinary collaboration, and emerging technologies that enhance client engagement and project outcomes.
Brian brings 24 years of experience in architecture, planning, and design leadership, including the last decade at RLF, where he has helped redefine how clients and project teams engage in the design process. Through a combination of visual storytelling, immersive technology, and human-centered design thinking, he has championed new approaches that make complex ideas more accessible, collaborative, and actionable.
In his new role, Brian will lead initiatives focused on strengthening design culture, mentoring the next generation of design professionals, advancing interdisciplinary collaboration, and integrating emerging technologies into practice. He will also oversee the continued evolution of design standards, processes, and innovation strategies across RLF's healthcare, federal, education, civic, and commercial market sectors.
"What excites me most about the future of design at RLF is the opportunity to move beyond design as a single moment or final visual outcome and instead create a culture where design thinking influences every stage of a project's journey," said White. "The future of design is about creating the conditions where the best ideas can emerge through collaboration."
Throughout his career at RLF, Brian has been a driving force behind the firm's exploration of immersive visualization and collaborative design technologies. He is the creator of RLF Perspective, an innovative co-creation process that leverages virtual reality and interactive visualization to help clients, stakeholders, and project teams evaluate and refine design solutions before construction begins. The approach enables earlier decision-making, greater alignment among stakeholders, and a deeper understanding of project goals and outcomes.
"The real promise of technology is not to replace the human side of design, but to strengthen it," White said. "When used well, technology helps people communicate more clearly, understand possibilities sooner, and transform complexity into clarity."
As Design Practice Leader, White will work across disciplines and markets to strengthen how ideas are generated, tested, communicated, and delivered. His leadership will support RLF's continued focus on design excellence, technical integration, client engagement, and creating environments that positively impact the people and communities they serve.
"Brian represents a new generation of design leadership that seamlessly connects creativity, technology, and collaboration," said Scott Fote, President and CEO of RLF. "He has played a pivotal role in shaping how we think about design, how we engage our clients, and how we prepare our practice for the future. His vision and leadership will help guide RLF's next era of innovation."
Brian holds both a Master of Architecture and Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Savannah College of Art and Design. He is a licensed architect and NCARB-certified professional.
Founded in 1935, RLF is an employee-owned integrated planning, architecture, engineering, interiors, and branded environments firm headquartered in Orlando, Florida. For more than 90 years, the firm has partnered with clients to create environments that inspire, connect, and support the human experience.