About

pod, noun: an enclosure organic to its surroundings

pod architecture + design (pod a+d) is an award-winning, interdisciplinary design firm based in North Carolina’s Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill “Triangle” region, with completed architectural and experiential design projects from coast to coast.

Founded by modernist architect/principal design Douglas V. Pierson, AIA, LEED AP, BD+C, and experiential graphics designer/principal design Youn Choi, pod a+d is a non-traditional practice uniquely qualified to offer clients “whole building” results derived from integrated design. From the conceptual design phase through construction and completion, members of pod a+d’s design team work in constant collaboration to integrate valued input from stakeholders with their innovative thinking and skills in various design disciplines, including high-performance architecture, interior and experiential design, identity/branding design, and signage and wayfinding systems. The result is “whole building” design that exceeds the scope of standard architectural practice.

Regardless of building type, size, and budget, pod a+d approaches each project with the same commitment to design excellence and environmental stewardship, attention to detail, and respect for their clients’ time and financial needs. Whether woven into the rich tapestry of an urban setting or perched lightly on hillsides and coastal settings to leave natural contexts as undisturbed as possible, pod a+d’s integrated design methodology not only completes projects successfully, but also produces unanticipated benefits for the firm’s clients.

pod architecture + design’s projects have received numerous honors and awards and have been featured in a host of publications and digital journals. Along with leading an active practice with his partner and wife, Youn Choi, Doug Pierson is also a Professor of Practice in the Architecture Department at N.C. State University’s College of Design. He serves the regional architectural community as a member of the AIA Triangle Board of Directors.

Douglas V. Pierson

AIA, LEED AP, BD+C

Co-founder, Architect & Design Principal, pod a+d

Professor of Practice, NC State School of Architecture

Board of Directors, AIA Triangle

Architect DOUGLAS V PIERSON, AIA, founded pod architecture + design in 2016 with his partner in work and life, Youn Choi. Together, they lead a hybrid, integrated design studio that provides services in Architecture, Interiors, Environmental and Experiential Graphics, Urban Design, and Master Planning – all within the same studio. They recently relocated their multi-faceted firm from Los Angeles to Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill metropolitan area of North Carolina.

Doug grew up in and around Washington, DC, first attending the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Va., then the Lettres program at the Université Paul Valéry in Montpelier, France, before earning his Masters in Architecture degree at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va.

Architecture: Doug spent the early years of his career working at several architecture firms in Europe and Australia before landing in the prestigious offices of Hodgetts & Fung Design Associates in Culver City, CA. His next move was to renowned architect Frank Gehry’s Los Angeles office, Gehry Partners LLP. For both firms, he helped develop modern, progressive urban and suburban master plans as well as academic, commercial, civic, cultural, and residential architectural projects.

Before launching pod a+d, Doug was a partner in the firm entitled form, environment, research (fer) studio L.L.P. in Inglewood, CA. For 10 years, Doug contributing to (fer)’s award-winning reputation as a major innovator in contemporary design. He has led the design teams for many award-winning, nationally recognized architectural projects including Connie & Ted's restaurant in West Hollywood, CA, and The Green Building, the first LEED Platinum building in downtown Louisville, KY.

As a partner at (fer) studio, Doug also worked with his former employer, Gehry Partners, on various residential projects including: An Artist’s House in Venice Beach, CA , a Conductor’s House in Santa Monica, CA, and an Art Collector’s House in Marina Del Rey, CA.

Through pod a+d, Doug has reinforced his exemplary skills at master planning and architecture through world-class projects, including most recently Rabbit Hole Distilling’s entire campus in historic downtown Louisville. Elements of his full-campus master plan are still under construction or design development. But the modern, one-of-a-kind distillery itself, which opened to much fanfare on “Debry Day,” is already garnering praise from local and national media and the bourbon industry. Kentucky Distillers Association president Eric Gregory called Doug’s distillery design “a modern monument to our historic industry.”

Art: While he was working in Europe, Doug served as designer and curator for numerous art exhibits. He has also designed and developed several international traveling art and design exhibits, including “The Work of Charles and Ray Eames,” “Pablo Picasso,” and “Howard Hodgkins Paintings.”

By participating in both architecture and art and experiencing first-hand the varied urban landscapes at home and abroad, Doug attained a level of innovative, multifaceted design that acknowledges international influences and fuses architecture, art, and culture.

pod a+d: Within his firm’s interdisciplinary practice, Doug focuses on one-of-a-kind, cost-effective, client-driven architectural designs and visionary master plans with a richness and depth that informs every project. As an architect practicing in the 21st century, he is also keenly adept at achieving “green,” sustainable architecture within every project and plan.

When he’s not working, Doug travels with Youn and their two children to remote corners of the globe to explore, discover, and learn.

Youn Choi

Co-founder, Design Principal, pod a+d

Interior and Experiential Design:

Identity and Branded Space

Exhibit and Retail

Signage and Wayfinding

Designer YOUN CHOI co-founded pod architecture + design in 2016 with her partner in work and life, architect Doug Pierson. As partners, they offer an array of design services and master planning skills including and beyond architecture.

A native of South Korea, Youn studied Environmental Design & Architecture at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) where she was a teaching assistant for model building, space planning, and interior design. She also worked as art director and set designer for various independent films through the UCLA Film Department. She received a Masters of Fine Arts degree in 1993 and expanded her expertise to include experiential graphics.

As an environmental/experiential designer, Youn orchestrates content, typography, color, imagery, form, and technology to produce environments that communicate -- that enrich and expand the quality of life for the end-users. To do this, she creates wayfinding systems, architectural graphics, signage and sign programs, exhibit design, retail design and branded spaces. Youn’s process includes careful consideration for budget, schedule, and quality control.

When she began her career, Youn worked with Disney Imagineering, the creative force behind Walt Disney Parks & Resorts. As creative concept and lead designer, she worked on retail, restaurant, and theater projects, including Tokyo Disney Sci-Fi City, Tokyo Disney Sea, and Disney’s California Adventure.

Before pod a+d, Youn designed projects through her own studio and as design director for Selbert Perkins Design in L.A., an international graphics design firm. She was instrumental in creating signage and wayfinding programs for such notable landmarks as the Dallas Cowboys Stadium, LAX Airport, and the Wilshire Grand Center. She also worked with Sussman-Preiza and Co. as creative concept and project designer for such high-profile projects as the MCA Orlando City Walk and Rockefeller Center.

At pod a+d, Youn collaborates with municipalities, public agencies, owners, developers, landscape architects, and the general public to create innovative and inspirational branded environments.

Youn is also a maker. She works with found objects to transform them into woven three-dimensional tapestries.

When she’s not working, Youn loves to travel with Doug and their two children to the remote edges of the globe to explore, discover and learn.