Designing Civic Wellness Care: Spaces for Dignity, Safety and Healing
Overview: Civic wellness care facilities play a critical role in supporting vulnerable populations, and thoughtful architecture can help advance their mission. Explore how designing for dignity, safety, serenity and durability creates environments that promote healing, stability and equitable access to care. Mission-driven architecture combines the art of de
Sacred Space Architecture
Designing Spiritual, Functional and Community-Centered Places of Worship In summary: This article explores how thoughtful architectural design balances technical performance and emotional resonance to create meaningful sacred spaces tailored to each congregation’s beliefs, rituals and community needs. Through real-world examples, it highlights how collabor
Associate Architect Dave Madigan on Community Projects, Sustainable Design and His 14-Year Journey at Platt/Whitelaw Architects
Article Summary: Registered architect Dave Madigan reflects on his 14-year journey with Platt/Whitelaw Architects, sharing why he returned to the firm, how its commitment to sustainable, community-focused design has evolved and what he values most about its collaborative culture. From municipal and water infrastructure projects to historic renovations and th
Empowering Vulnerable People Through Compassionate Design
Platt/Whitelaw Architects Designs Behavioral Health Facility in San Diego’s East County A sneak peak at this article: Platt/Whitelaw Architects designed the East Region Crisis Stabilization Unit in El Cajon, a 13,845-square-foot, Zero-Net-Energy and LEED Gold-certified behavioral health facility created to support San Diego County’s most vulnerable popul
From Intern to Senior Principal: Naveen Waney Reflects on 40 Years at Platt/Whitelaw Architects
In Platt/Whitelaw Architects’ 70th anniversary year, it’s notable that one team member has worked at the firm for more than half its lifetime! Naveen Waney joined our firm in 1985 and worked his way up from intern (gopher) to owner and senior principal. As part of our principal profile series, we sat down with Naveen […]
Platt/Whitelaw Architects Marks 70 Years of Designing Important Community Spaces
Article summary: Platt/Whitelaw Architects celebrates 70 years of community-focused design excellence, highlighting a diverse portfolio that spans schools, temples, hotels, infrastructure and more. Rooted in collaboration, lifelong learning and a deeply committed, diverse team, the firm honors its legacy while looking ahead to the next seven decades of impac
Platt/Whitelaw Architects Welcomes Michelle MacDonnell as Architectural Project Manager
Meet Michelle MacDonnell, a registered architect and our new Architectural Project Manager. A Twofer Oh, and meet Pandora, too. As a bonus for hiring Michelle, we gained an office mascot. Pandora, a 14-year-old black labrador retriever, sits quietly at Michelle’s feet as she works. “I started bringing Pandora to work with me in Salt Lake […]
How Principal Thomas Brothers Shapes Community-Focused Architecture at Platt/Whitelaw
Architecture for the People Article Summary: Thomas Brothers, AIA is a year-and-a-half into his role as a Principal at Platt/Whitelaw Architects. It’s a drop in the bucket compared to his 23 years of employment at our firm. As our leadership series of profile articles continues, read on to find out what motivates Thomas’ loyalty to […]
Designing a Temple on a Cow-Shaped Parcel
Platt/Whitelaw Architects Brings Vedic Principles to Life in the Design of an ISKCON Temple on a “Cow-Shaped” Site in Escondido, California Article Summary: After an extensive search, a Hindu / Vaisnava monk found an auspicious “cow-shaped” parcel of land in Escondido, California, to serve as the future home of an ISKCON temple. Designed by Platt/Whi
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 common, especially in Southern California, schools need functi
Restoring History: Balboa Park’s San Diego Air & Space Museum Building Begins Renovation
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 the construction bid phase. About the […]
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