He completed his undergraduate studies in architecture at the University of Virginia where he also received his Master of Architecture graduating with honors as recipient of the AIA Medal. He taught graduate and undergraduate design at the University of Houston, Catholic University, and Marymount University. Douglas was a member of the Arlington County Historical Affairs and Landmark Review Board, and served an advisor on the Board of the Historic Rosewell Foundation in Gloucester, Virginia. He currently serves as a Trustee on the Board of the Foundation for the Preservation of Historic Georgetown, a not-for-profit dedicated to preserving and protecting the historic district of Georgetown, a National Register district.