Platt/Whitelaw Architects Leadership Series: Peter Soutowood – Leadership, Kindness and the Future of Design

As part of our leadership series of profile articles, read on to learn more about Principal Peter Soutowood, AIA and his leadership style, and about Platt/Whitelaw Architects’ design philosophy and culture.

Platt/Whitelaw Architects Principal Peter Soutowood, AIA, just couldn’t stay away.

Peter worked at our firm for several years before leaving to open and operate a Scottish brewpub in La Mesa and practice architecture on his own. When he decided to return to practicing at a firm, kindness was what drew him back to Platt/Whitelaw.

“Kindness and respect are baked into the culture of Platt/Whitelaw going back decades, and it’s what’s most important to me to maintain now that I’m a principal of this firm,” he said. “Increasingly, popular culture celebrates brash and rude interactions. We want to be different. PWA has always felt like a healthy place and that’s not something you can fake or force.”

A Lot to Love about Leadership

One year into his role as a firm principal, Peter particularly enjoys managing people and better understanding our firm’s resources.

“I get to interact on a lot of different levels and with a lot of different projects,” he said.

He also loves working with the leadership team. He has a long tenure working with Senior Principal Naveen Waney, AIA and Principal Thomas Brothers, AIA, so, “We communicate really well, we all have a good sense of humor, and it’s easy to work things out,” he said.

Associates Dave Madigan and Yolanda Velazco round out our leadership team and each bring their own special sauce for distinguishing our firm now — and well into the future.

Anticipating the Future of Architecture

Peter believes that managing technology is an important part of the firm’s evolution, and he’s using one particular question as a guiding light: How do we leverage artificial intelligence (AI) and other advanced technologies in a way that preserves our values as a firm?

“Technology-driven evolution and expansion has happened faster in the last six or seven years for our firm and for our profession and will continue to do so,” he said.

While the future is now, so is the past. Peter is working with the American Institute of Architects San Diego Chapter to organize a historical architecture component for the national AIA conference that will take place in San Diego next year. Spoiler alert: It might include an overview of the Balboa Park Botanical Building restoration we completed with a very talented team.

Designing for Vibrant, Inclusive Communities

For Peter, another standout Platt/Whitelaw project, and his favorite to design so far, is the Child Development Center at San Diego Unified School District’s Morse High School.

“I had to consider three different users for this space: High school kids learning about childcare, toddlers and infants, and teachers,” he said.

Looking again to the future, Peter says a project that he would love to design is a next-generation homeless shelter. Our firm has had the chance to work on some transformative local shelters and crisis centers, but Peter believes there’s more to do in this field.

“As a profession, we can do better, and given the right latitude to be creative, I’d like to take a shot at that,” he said.

In fact, Peter’s inspiration to become an architect was a gift from his brother — a book called A Pattern Language, which focuses on human-centric design and how the approach can improve our experience with our built (and natural) environment and make us feel better.

Even during his time as a restaurant owner, Peter was trying to improve our community. He served three years as design review board chair for the City of La Mesa and three-and-a-half years as chair of the La Mesa Village Association. Previously, he served as chair of the Alumni Mentorship Committee for NewSchool of Architecture & Design and as both a board member and president of its Alumni Advisory Board.

Fun Facts About Peter

To better acquaint you with Peter, we devised a rapid-fire Q&A session. We hope you enjoy the results:

Q: Coffee or tea?

A: Coffee, but chai is a close second.

Q: Vacation spot: Tropical or mountains?

A: Mountains! I actually live in Idyllwild now with my partner, Sarah, and my daughter and son. I work remote two days a week. I really like the landscape and the quiet. I feel like Idyllwild is the closest you can get to be a completely different environment when you’re coming from San Diego. I grew up in a wooded area on the East Coast, so it feels familiar.

Q: As a former Scottish pub owner, what’s your whiskey recommendation?

A: I would have to interview the drinker first. Whiskey is as individual a taste as the range of coffees or teas. We had whiskey flights at my restaurant so that people could discover their favorites.

Q: Since Platt/Whitelaw is in Old Town, what’s your favorite Old Town restaurant?

A: That would be Flor and Seed Coffee Roasters on Harney Street.

Q: Favorite place to visit in San Diego?

A: The park at the top of Mount Helix. It has amazing views and isn’t usually crowded.

Q: Favorite piece of architecture in San Diego that Platt/Whitelaw DIDN’T design?

A: The Marston House at Balboa Park. It’s San Diego’s own version of the Gamble House in Pasadena.

Q: What’s one talent you have other than architecture?

A: I make my own colognes and perfumes. I’ve enjoyed playing with scents and ingredients and now have an extensive library built up to construct new scents.

Q: What’s your best piece of advice for someone considering a career in architecture?

A: You have to know how to be a conductor. You don’t have to play every instrument, but you must understand and respect them.

Now do you understand why we’re in great hands with Peter as part of Platt/Whitelaw’s leadership team … and why he just can’t get enough of us?