Expanding Our Team with Another Dynamic Designer
Getting to Know Arjun Urbonas
From his high school to college years and into his professional career, we had the good fortune to mentor, train, and ultimately snag Arjun Urbonas.
Fresh out of graduating early from high school (where he played rugby … just like one of our firm legends, Sandra Gramley!), Arjun interned at our firm. Midway through his degree program at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, he returned to us for a summer. After working professionally in San Luis Obispo for two years, he made the very wise decision to return home to San Diego and Platt/Whitelaw!
Now, Arjun is a CAD technician, helping draft and review design and construction documents, while working toward his architecture license. He also provides general support to our project managers and has a voracious appetite to learn about all facets of our projects.
“I’m most passionate about working on projects that help people,” he said.
Sounds to us like he chose the right firm. Our architecture work with emergency, mental health, shelter, educational, and community service providers is right up his alley.
Another dream project for Arjun? A historic renovation project, he says.
“Brushing the dust off of something someone else created at a different time fascinates me,” he said. “I like the idea of reconciling how we used to use the building then and how we do now.”
While he was disappointed to miss working on the Balboa Park Botanical Building restoration and reconstruction we just completed, Arjun is enthused about several other historical restoration architecture projects that Platt/Whitelaw has in the pipeline.
Arjun is also dedicated to earning his architectural license. His 2025 New Year’s resolution is to prepare for his Architect Registration Examination (ARE) exams to advance his dream career.
Arjun credits his wonderful family for his inspiration to become an architect.
“My family always supported my interest in Lego design, music, and arts,” he said. “They’ve all done really incredible things. I’m the youngest, so I’m last on the list to make a big splash.”
We hope Platt/Whitelaw Architects is the place for Arjun to do so, and he’s enthusiastic that it will be.
“Working here is literally my dream job,” he said. “Everyone is super supportive, and I feel like I’m surrounded by geniuses and artists. I really admire the wide range of projects we have and how thoughtfully our team executes them. I have a lot of pride in the people and the work here.”
(See why we like this guy so much!?)
Not surprisingly, Arjun uses his free time to pursue even more creative endeavors. He’s an avid chef and plays a range of musical instruments. He’s also grateful to spend time with his girlfriend, without whom, he says, “I wouldn’t be who I am today.”
