Every Dog Has Its Day

GTM|Architects’ ongoing relationship with District Dogs, the full-service pet care company, continues with the opening of their newest location–the first retail space to open at Amazon’s highly anticipated HQ2 campus in Arlington. At nearly 6000 square feet, this location is the largest for the company and their first two-story facility, offering spaces to accommodate daycare, boarding, professional dog training, playrooms, a canine spa and private events space.

The grand entry welcomes patrons with a custom-designed bent metal stair, structurally engineered with all supports hidden inside the wall to appear floating. The unique addition of the company’s bold logo mounted above the main staircase draws the eyes upwards. A custom peg board was designed in the retail area to allow endless flexibility for product display, along with an integrated seating bench, while acoustical circular panels mounted above the reception desk anchor the entire entry space and help with sound attenuation.

In the spa and grooming area, a bright yellow, vertical tile backsplash adds flair alongside a playful and sophisticated wall covering that features multiple silhouetted dogs. An illuminated paw print in the ceiling of the training area provides a striking and fun focal point. Custom art installations by DC artist Kelly Towles add to the state-of-the-art facility’s upscale, urban aesthetic.

Consistent with our design concepts for District Dogs Navy Yard and District Dogs Shaw, amongst others, the brand’s signature yellow color palette is utilized, contrasted with black and warmed by wood tones throughout, with a more saturated yellow used at National Landing to distinguish this location from the others.