“Architecture gives character and life to a community. It’s the foundation of a city, the flavor and the essence.”
Naveen was born in Mumbai, on the west coast of India. His family immigrated to San Diego when he was 12 years old. En-route, Naveen and his family lived in Antwerp, Belgium and Houston, Texas for about two years each. During that period, Naveen was sent to boarding school in Ajmer, India at the young ages of 7-9, where he lived without his parents for 6 months at a time. This exposure to a variety of cultures has shaped him into the person he is. He found architecture at San Diego Mesa College, inspired by the art of bringing something to life from nothing. He went on to attend NewSchool of Architecture and Design, graduating Valedictorian in 1992. He is a registered and licensed California Architect.
Platt/Whitelaw Architects
Naveen joined Platt/Whitelaw in 1985 as an intern under mentorship of Lee Platt, and later Alison Whitelaw. While going to school, he worked his way up through every role in the firm which allowed him to understand Architecture from the ground up. He has an in-depth, foundational knowledge of building design that few do. Naveen was made Principal in 2010 and now owns and leads the firm along with his business partner, Sandra Gramley.
Naveen’s successful architectural career has spanned 30+ years. He is an award-winning architect who has extensive experience in government and public-sector projects. He is Chair of the Clairemont Community Planning Group (CCPG) and is focused on helping to improve his home community of Clairemont. Naveen has spent years mentoring young architects through the ACE Mentor program. He was honored in San Diego Metro as one of San Diego County’s 2019 Men of Influence.
He has served as Prime Architect for Platt/Whitelaw, as well as consulting architect for a variety of engineering primes. Naveen’s attention to fine detail and his comprehensive experience with Public Facilities has created a demand for his specific knowledge and skill set.
He has dedicated his career to sustainable design, and training the next generation of ambitious architectural leaders. He is deeply committed to making Platt/Whitelaw an outstanding architectural firm devoted to client service and sustainability.
Outside of work
In his free time, he loves soccer, working on his cars, jeeping, camping, dogs, and keeping busy outdoors.