Architect DOUGLAS V PIERSON, AIA, founded pod architecture + design in 2016 with his partner in work and life, Youn Choi. He leads the firm’s architectural studio now located in Carrboro, NC.  

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 and 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 academic, commercial, civic, cultural, and residential projects.

Before launching pod a+d, Doug was a partner in the Inglewood, CA., firm form, environment, research (fer) studio L.L.P. in Inglewood, CA., for 10 years, contributing to fer’s award-winning reputation as an major innovator in contemporary design. He has led design teams for many award-winning, nationally recognized architectural projects including Connie and 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 Gehry Partner’s 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.

Art: Early in his career, Doug served as designer and curator for numerous art exhibits while he was working overseas. 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 of home and abroad, Doug has been able to pursue a level of innovative, multi-faceted 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 with a richness and depth that informs every project. As an architect practicing in the 21st century, he is also keenly adept at creating sustainable architecture within every contemporary architecture project.

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