Platt Whitelaw Architects

11/18/2025

Designing Solutions: How do you solve an issue at a fire station on top of Mount Palomar—where there’s water supply issues, extreme weather, and critical safety demands? Principal Peter Soutowood didn’t just find a solution — he designed one that was resourceful, resilient, and safe. In this video, Peter breaks down the challenge at Fire Station 79 and the creative problem-solving that transformed a potential risk into a smart, life-saving design. Watch how innovation meets necessity.

11/11/2025

We honor you.

Image by EdenMoon from Pixabay.

11/05/2025

A project this beautiful takes the best effort from an outstanding team. Thank you to the National Trust for Historic Preservation for showcasing this inspiring building! Thanks to the Balboa Park Botanical Building restoration team: City of San Diego (Manuel Flores Meza, Edgar Lozano, P.E., M.S.), Forever Balboa Park, Jim Summers of EC Constructors, Inc., 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.; 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, Waterwise Gardener; and Jim Madden of Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates - WJE. Thank you to RNT Architects and Spurlock Landscape Architects for bridging documents. . Read the article below.

Nonprofit Forever Balboa Park led a $26 million restoration of the Botanical Building in San Diego, California, and the 15,000-square-foot structure reopened to the public in December 2024.

11/04/2025

Wow, this article just won a first-place award from the San Diego Press Club! Thanks, judges. I mean, who could resist this braggadocios line? “We’re confident to say we wear the architecture firm crown in Mission Bay thrones.” And now you want to click through, right?

Platt/Whitelaw Architects has designed eight public comfort stations in Mission Bay, providing durable, accessible restrooms for visitors. Learn about their impact on San Diego's iconic waterfront.

10/28/2025

Just a few of our recent Botanical building accolades. We are grateful to have been a part of this wonderful project. Our team was outstanding! Thanks to City of San Diego (Manuel Flores Meza, Edgar Lozano, P.E., M.S.), Forever Balboa Park, Jim Summers of EC Constructors, Inc., 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; 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, Waterwise Gardener; and Jim Madden of Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates - WJE. Thank you to RNT Architects and Spurlock Landscape Architects for bridging documents.

10/23/2025

Celebrating 40 Years of Dedication and Inspiration! We recently gathered at Stone Brewery to celebrate an incredible milestone — Naveen Waney's 40th work anniversary at Platt/Whitelaw! Current team members, along with a few familiar faces from years past, came together to honor four decades of creativity, craftsmanship, and commitment. Naveen’s unwavering dedication, meticulous attention to detail, and quiet leadership continue to inspire us all. Here’s to 40 years of excellence — and to the legacy still being built. A very special thank you to Stone Brewery at Liberty Station who did an outstanding job and made the event very special.

10/21/2025

Exciting progress is happening at Mira Mesa Community Park! Work continues across multiple areas of the recreation complex, including flooring and interior finishes within the existing recreation center, as well as tile work, lighting, and ceiling installations at the aquatic building. The all-wheels plaza, playground, and public art structure are underway, while landscape crews are prepping the soil and planting trees. Each part reflects the project goal of creating a dynamic, interconnected space for recreation, art, and community engagement. Thank you to PCL Construction Services, Inc., (General Contractor), and Richard Brady & Associates, Inc. (Construction Management), and City of San Diego. October 2025

10/20/2025

Balboa Park Botanical Building Restoration was awarded an Orchid for Historic Preservation! We’re honored to be recognized by San Diego Architectural Foundation. All thanks go to the whole superstar Botanical Building team: Deepest appreciation and Thanks go to City of San Diego (Edgar Lozano, P.E., M.S.), Forever Balboa Park, Jim Summers of EC Constructors, Inc., 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.; 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, Waterwise Gardener; and Jim Madden of Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates - WJE. Thank you to RNT Architects and Spurlock Landscape Architects for bridging documents. Congratulations all! Botanical Building Photo in slides by Pablo Mason Photography AIAP . Shown in group photos: Peter Maloney of Degenkolb, Naveen Waney, AIA, Sandy Gramley, Peter Soutowood, AIA, Yolanda Velazco, Randy Biegenzahn of Platt/Whitelaw, Edgar Lozano, P.E., M.S. of City of San Diego and Shawn Styles of CBS 8 (was the 2025 Host).

10/02/2025

Keeping students cool while they learn! With temperatures rising, shade shelters are more important than ever for schools. At Platt/Whitelaw Architects, we’re proud to have designed over 30 shade structures for districts like San Diego Unified School District and Sweetwater Union High School District. Whether it's for lunch areas, walkways, or play zones, our shelters offer essential relief and protection. Plus, some even help offset energy needs with solar panels! Read more on our https://plattwhitelaw.com/how-to-design-effective-shade-shelters-for-schools-balancing-light-and-shade/

What to expect from this read: Learn about designing effective shade shelters for schools with insights from Platt/Whitelaw Architects, who have managed over 53 shade structure projects at 26 schools across San Diego County, with 38 more structures in the works. As extreme heat events become more co...

09/25/2025

Big news! Two of our projects are nominated for the Orchids & Onions People’s Choice Awards!

• Balboa Park Botanical Building Restoration
• Sonny’s Pizza & Fine Food

We’re beyond honored to be recognized by San Diego Architectural Foundation — and now it’s your turn to have a say. Cast your vote and help us bring home the win!

Orchids & Onions / Orquídeas & Cebollas 2025 Nominations

09/24/2025

Restoring History in Balboa Park! We’re thrilled to share that our restoration design for the iconic San Diego Air & Space Museum building has moved to the construction bid phase.

From its origins as a Ford Motor Company exhibition hall in 1935 to its transformation into today’s museum, this landmark has a rich history — and we’re honored to help preserve it for future generations.

Discover the fascinating details behind this historic renovation (including original design surprises and hidden lighting plans) in our latest blog: https://plattwhitelaw.com/restoring-history-balboa-parks-san-diego-air-space-museum-building-begins-renovation/
City of San Diego

As community architects, we get to work on the coolest projects! On the heels of our architectural work on Balboa Park’s historical Botanical Building, we’re happy to announce that our restoration design for the historic San Diego Air & Space Museum building, also in Balboa Park, has moved to th...

09/23/2025

Design Forward Alliance nominated and selected the Botanical Building Project for the Signature Project Design Award for Historical Preservation. The Alliance presented the award during San Diego Design Week. We are so honored to have been a part of this exciting project! Photo left to right: Jim Summers of EC Constructors; Raul Diaz Architects; Sandra Gramley of Platt Whitelaw Architects; Nan Sterman of Waterwise Gardener; Jacqueline Higgins of Forever Balboa Park; and Eric Weiss of Design Forward Alliance. Congratulations team! Thank you City of San Diego and Forever Balboa Park.