In the Dog House

“Mies van der Rohe once said, ‘I don’t want to be interesting. I want to be good,’” shares Alejandro Pijuan, who works as an associate senior designer at LA-based architecture firm Johnson Fain. While he says his job allows him to expand knowledge of his craft, he desired an outlet where he could experiment with a different perspective on design.

He joined forces with his wife, Sara, who also has an architecture background, to form Pijuan Design Workshop (PDW). Their primary client? Dog owners.

“From accessible green roofs to partially covered sun decks to peekaboo windows and artificial turf, we design and integrate as much as we can.”

“We aspire to make exceptional design more accessible for the typical family,” he says of his stylish shelters. “Our custom doghouse becomes a platform for individuals to bring this into their office, home or backyard.”

All of PDW’s doghouses are fully customizable, depending on the needs of the pet or owner—including size, functionality and style. “Once this is established, we work with a multitude of different amenities in what a dog might enjoy on a daily basis,” says Alejandro. “From accessible green roofs to partially covered sun decks to peekaboo windows and artificial turf, we design and integrate as much as we can.”

And new styles are in the making. “These will be designed for the urbanite,” he adds, “the individual who lives in a loft, townhome or flat in which they do not have access to a backyard or any type of personal outdoor space. These individuals might have a small or medium-sized dog who deserves their own hideaway … their own home.”

Alejandro and Sara also can combine a doghouse build with a furniture piece, like an end table or side table for space management. And, according to Alejandro, all PDW products are tested “in the market.”

“We have a 7-year-old Siberian Husky named Adilynn. She is a firm supporter of PDW … and cheese.”