Platt Whitelaw Architects

08/27/2025

Celebrating Julijana Petrovic! Friday marked Julijana’s last day with us, and while we’re sad to see her go, our hearts are happy knowing she’s heading back to be with her family. 😊

We gathered to honor all the creativity, dedication, and positivity she has contributed to our team. Julijana, thank you for leaving such a lasting mark—you’ll always be part of our story. Wishing you endless success and joy on this next chapter! Special thank you to Gloria Nonaka-Rubio who put together the beautiful charcuterie board.

08/15/2025

Leadership with Kindness at the Core.

For PWA Principal Peter Soutowood, AIA, kindness and respect aren’t just values — they’re the foundation for great design and a healthy workplace. 💡✨Read how Peter is shaping the future of architecture while honoring what makes our firm special: collaboration, respect and a commitment to vibrant, inclusive communities:
🔗 https://plattwhitelaw.com/platt-whitelaw-architects-leadership-series-peter-soutowood/
Peter Soutowood

Discover how Platt/Whitelaw’s Peter Soutowood, AIA, leads with kindness, considers AI in architecture, and designs for vibrant, inclusive communities.

08/13/2025

Progress update at Mira Mesa Community Park! More of the two pools have been built, glazing is being installed in buildings, the crew is painting the exteriors of the buildings, they are framing interior walls and ceilings and installing gypsum board. The “all wheels” plaza is further along. We love to see the amazing progress! Thank you to PCL Construction Services, Inc., (General Contractor), and Richard Brady & Associates (Construction Management), and the City of San Diego.

08/07/2025

We are so proud to have been part of this iconic restoration!

07/23/2025

Big News at Platt/Whitelaw Architects!

We’re thrilled to announce that Yolanda Velazco has been promoted to Associate! 🎉 For nearly a decade, Yolanda has brought talent, dedication, and leadership to our team—from managing complex projects like the Botanical Building restoration in Balboa Park to mentoring the next generation of architects as a professor at Southwestern College.

As our first Mexican American leader, Yolanda continues Platt/Whitelaw’s legacy of inclusive leadership and design excellence.

Join us in celebrating this well-earned milestone and read more about Yolanda’s inspiring journey ➡️ https://plattwhitelaw.com/platt-whitelaw-architects-promotes-yolanda-velazco-to-associate-a-new-chapter-in-leadership-and-design-excellence/

Discover how Yolanda Velazco’s promotion to Associate at Platt/Whitelaw Architects marks a new chapter in leadership, diversity, and design excellence—highlighting her award-winning projects, teaching role, and inspiring career journey.

07/22/2025

Today's Construction Update at Mira Mesa Community Park! Things are moving quickly on-site. At the aquatic complex, interior framing, painting, and pool plumbing are underway, with the small pool passing DEHQ inspection. Hardscape, fencing, and concrete work are progressing around the site, including retaining walls and the All Wheels Plaza. Roofing and shotcrete are complete, and utility relocation is in full swing. We're also closely coordinating with SDG&E, AT&T, and the Epicentre project next door. More progress to come!

07/22/2025

Last month, Platt/Whitelaw staff recently went on a site visit to the Mira Mesa Community Park. When completed, the park will include Interior renovations to the recreation center, new pool, aquatic and equipment buildings, site enhancements and new basketball courts. Estimated completion date: Summer 2026. Great work Team! Thank you to the City of San Diego for the opportunity. Thank you to PCL Construction Services, Inc., (General Contractor), and Richard Brady & Associates (Construction Management).

07/11/2025

As climate change reshapes our world, the need for sustainable water infrastructure has never been more urgent.

At Platt/Whitelaw Architects, we specialize in designing innovative, resilient, and visually integrated water and wastewater facilities—supporting drought resilience, water reclamation, and advanced treatment solutions that reduce reliance on dwindling natural sources.

From pure water facilities to pump stations and treatment plants, our work combines technical excellence with community-centered design. By collaborating closely with engineers and municipalities, we create spaces that are both highly functional and respectful of the local context.

As Senior Principal Naveen Waney, AIA, says: “We take pride in working on something so vital for a local community and knowing we contribute an important part of it.”

📖 Read the full story: Water Works: Architecture’s Role in Resilient Water Supply Systems - https://plattwhitelaw.com/water-works-architectures-role-in-resilient-water-supply-systems/

A quick overview of this read: Platt/Whitelaw Architects specialize in designing sustainable water infrastructure, including advanced water treatment and reclamation facilities that support drought resilience and reduce dependency on natural water sources. Seamlessly integrating architecture with en...

07/04/2025

Happy Independence Day!

Photo by jatocreate at Pixabay.

07/03/2025

Look who appeared in the The Daily Transcript this week! The Transcript selected our fearless leader Naveen Waney to profile as part of its Industry Insiders series. Naveen shared that he lived for two years in a boarding school during his international upbringing and that he won the Lumberman’s competition, which then led to a scholarship to NewSchool of Architecture & Design. The rest is history! The article also discusses our work on the Balboa Park Botanical Building and the Hindu temple design that Naveen is leading. Thank you to Managing Editor Doug Sherwin. Subscribers can check out the full article… https://www.sdtranscript.com/subscriber/sdtstory.cfm?sdtid=1033406

06/17/2025

So excited to see Nan Sterman, horticulturalist extraordinaire, featured in the The San Diego Union-Tribune for her work with the Botanical Building! It was very rewarding to work with her on the design-build team. Thanks to reporter Caron Golden for mentioning Platt/Whitelaw Architects, too. It’s bittersweet to finish this incredible project, so we relish any opportunity to read about the impact the renovated Botanical Building now has and will continue to have on its visitors. Read more about how Nan chose the plants and designed the garden: https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/06/14/botanical-rebirth-in-balboa-park/

Local horticulturist Nan Sterman explains what went into choosing the plants and her garden design in Balboa Park’s rebuilt Botanical Building

06/13/2025

Thank you to Phillip Molnar The San Diego Union-Tribune for showcasing this year’s AIA San Diego Design Awards winners. We’re so proud to have worked on Balboa Park’s Botanical Building restoration. Read the full article here: https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/06/13/is-this-san-diegos-best-architecture-check-out-the-award-winners/
Congrats to all the Design Awards winners!

It takes a village, so we’re calling out the rest of the superstar Botanical Building team: Thank you to the City of San Diego (Edgar Lozano, P.E., M.S.), EC Constructors, Inc. and our whole team! Architect of Record Sandy Gramley, Yolanda Velazco & Samantha Saltzman (at PWA); Vicki Estrada and Michael Spohr of Estrada Land Planning; Architect Milford Wayne Donaldson FAIA; Pedro Arias of Michael Baker International Inc.; Anthony B Court of AB Court & Associates; Peter Maloney of Degenkolb Engineers; Gary Kraut, Chris Aramburo and Guillermo Alvarez at Turpin & Rattan Engineering, Inc.; Nan Sterman of Waterwise Gardener; and Jim Madden of Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. Thank you to Roesling Nakamura Terada Architects, Inc. and Spurlock Landscape Architects for bridging documents. Botanical Building Photo by Pablo Mason Photography AIAP
Balboa Park

AIA San Diego gave awards to projects in Balboa Park, downtown San Diego and at MiraCosta College.