The Doane College Recreation and Athletics Complex project involved siting a new 30,000 square foot facility on the college's campus. Key aspects of the design included providing adequate vehicular access and parking for over 75 vehicles while addressing existing site constraints such as steep slopes and a wooded riparian area. Construction documents were created that included site plans, grading plans, planting plans, irrigation plans, lighting plans, and construction details. Calculations were also performed to estimate earthwork quantities using both the contour area and average end area methods.

1. CHARLES M McDOWELL
L a n d s c a p e A r c h i t e c t u r e P o r t f o l i o

2. DESIGN “There is a love of wild nature in everybody, an ancient mother-love showing itself whether
recognized or no, and however covered by cares and duties.” - John Muir
PHILOSOPHY In every person there is an appreciation and respect for the natural environment. This comes from a primitive relationship with the
environment that some may have forgotten, ignored, or never experienced, but it is still rooted deep within us. Through design, it is
possible to provide an environment in which people can reconnect to that basic relationship with nature. Each project has a unique
opportunity to reveal and expose the local environmental and cultural conditions to the users. In this way people can reconnect with
nature through their own personal experience and learn to appreciate and respect the natural environment in their own way.

3. pen & ink sketches
hand renderings
watershed plan
colorado lights
rainier t.o.d. competition
sand turn overlook
doane college r
.a.c.
brush creek eco-design
Every project throughout this portfolio has one thing in common, they all reveal and expose the local environmental conditions to the
users. The ability to connect people to their environment is addressed at multiple scales in different ways. Each project responds to the
design philosophy uniquely to create a sense of place specific to each project.
An extended version of the portfolio can be accessed at: http://www.wix.com/charlesmmcdowell/landscapearchitect

4. course: Study Abroad - Orvieto, Italy - Spring 2010
Internship - Bighorn National Forest - Summer 2010
media: Pen & Ink
PEN & INK
SKETCHES umbria - tuscany, italy
sheridan, wyoming

6. maker and colored pencil
course: Graphic Design & Visual Thinking - Fall 2007
Planting Design - Fall 2008
Mixed Use Design - Fall 2009
media: Pen & Ink, Marker, Colored Pencil, Watercolor
HAND
RENDERINGS dallas, texas
kanas city, missouri
maker and colored pencil

7. maker and colored pencil watercolor
watercolor watercolor

8. Manhattan, Kansas will grow by over twenty thousand people in
the next ten years due to the relocation of the National Bio and
Agro-Defense Facility and the initiation of the Base Realignment
and Closure which will effect the military base at Fort Riley.
Currently Manhattan’s community plan and vision will not handle
this increase in population effectively. The current political
boundaries are not consistent with watershed boundaries.
Existing zoning and subdivision boundaries cross watersheds,
making it difficult to effectively manage water resources. There
is little evidence of environmental stewardship in the community,
illustrated by the inadequate protection of agricultural and open
space areas. There is an extensive park and trail network within
the existing city but there is a lack of connectivity. community stream cleaning and trail construction
The solution to the design problem is a framework for planning
by watershed which highlights the concepts of preserving
natural and cultural resources, including the prairie ecosystem
and agricultural lands, while promoting stewardship through
community education. Through stream setbacks, and land
use proposals a set of typologies have been created to set
the framework for new development within the watersheds of
Manhattan, Kansas.
The design team consisted of three landscape architecture
graduate students.
environmental education at wetlands
course: MKS Futures - Summer 2009
media: ArcGIS, AutoCAD, Adobe Illustrator & Photoshop
WATERSHED
PLAN
manhattan, kansas
elementary education at neighborhood greenway

9. !
!
!
! !
!
!
schools and parks agricultural lands flood prone areas
proposed land use plan N
big blue river parkland
The dilemmas that were addressed in the comprehensive buffer type 1 kansas state university
watershed plan focused around existing conditions which buffer type 2 existing schools, food markets
included: schools and parks, highly productive agricultural lands, buffer type 3 existing trails
and flood prone areas. The proposed land use plan maximizes
conservation land city proposed trails
the amount of developable land, not within flood prone areas,
while increasing agricultural opportunities and creating new agricultural land proposed trails
connections between schools, parks, and open spaces. urban land existing city of manhattan

10. trail
trail
stream type 2
kansas state university stream stream kansas state university
agriculture land
i l l d buffer buffer agriculture land
i l l d
100 ft. setback 100 ft. setback
• wildlife corridor • native prairie grasses
• trails • woodlands
• healthy ecosystem • wetlands
stream types
stream type 1
stream type 2
stream type 3
trail
trail
kansas state university
city of manhattan stream type 3
residential stream stream residential
Stream types were defined by the existing conditions of the development buffer buffer development
stream and by the size of the stream; type 1 being the largest and • native vegetation 50 ft. setback 50 ft. setback • stormwater retrofits
• stormwater best • wildlife corridor • native prairie grasses • transitional buffer areas
type 3 being the smallest. From the defined stream types, stream management practices • trails • woodlands • pedestrian connectivity
typologies were developed to serve as an example of how land • low impact development • healthy ecosystem • wetlands • runoff managed in watershed
uses could be implemented. The main result of setting stream
typologies was the implementation of a 300 ft. riparian buffer for
type 1 streams , a 100 ft. buffer for type 2 streams, and a 50 ft.
buffer for type 3 streams.
500 year floodplain
bmp
bmp
100 year floodplain
trail
trail
trail
trail
trail
natural outdoor classroom community community
area and green space agriculture green space
riverfront stream stream wetlands commercial residential
park buffer buffer • stormwater management produce agriculture development
• community events • passive recreation 300 ft. setback stream type 1 300 ft. setback • stormwater treatment • highly fertile soil • native vegetation • stormwater retrofits
• community celebrations • active recreation • wildlife corridor • native prairie grasses • restored ecosystem • vegetable and fruit • stormwater best • transitional buffer areas
• community center • community involvement • trails • woodlands production management practices • pedestrian connectivity
• agriculture education • environmental education • healthy ecosystem • wetlands • local employment • low impact development • runoff managed in watershed

11. output buffer natural
food sources
output buffer agriculture
education
output buffer urbanization
buffer function
wildlife corridors
runoff
sediment
fertilizer
chemicals
trails
One strategic move to improve water quality within the watershed
was to implement stream buffers on existing streams. As the
stream buffers are implemented on different types of land uses,
the buffers will function to filter out different types of pollutants.

12. Colorado Lights is an outdoor mall located within a mixed-use
development at 9th Ave. and Colorado Blvd. in downtown
Denver, Colorado. This development encompasses
approximately twelve blocks formerly the site of the University of
Colorado Health Sciences Center.
The project was broken into two phases, the first being to
determine site potential by designing a mixed-use development
while retaining existing historical or iconic buildings for adaptive
reuse. The second phase of the project was to look at a specific
site within the redevelopment to design in more detail.
Colorado Lights is a linear outdoor mall surrounded by mixed- concept sketch
use retail and residential units. The focal point of the space is a
low wall that undulates both horizontally and vertically. The wall is
lit from within with LED lights that can be programed to change
the lighting scheme throughout the night. Running directly along
side the wall is a bioswale which collects all the water that runs off
of the plaza. Water is also taken from the surrounding buildings
and channelled across the walkways through grates into the
bioswale. The vibrancy and activity of Colorado Lights makes it a
unique place within downtown Denver and creates a new sense
of place for the entire development.
wall and bioswale perspective sketch
course: Denver Metropolitan Studio - Spring 2009
media: Colored Pencil, Google Sketchup, AutoCAD,
Adobe Illustrator & Photoshop
COLORADO
LIGHTS denver, colorado
wall and bioswale section sketch

13. LED wall concept sketches
view of outdoor dining area

14. master plan N
longitudinal section

15. LED wall perspective
detail section materials cross section

16. The challenge for the 2011 Urban Land Institute/Gerald D.
Hines Student Urban Design Competition was to redevelop the
33.5 acre site as a transit oriented development that is focused
on improving multi-modal transportation, carbon neutrality,
stormwater management, cultural identity, and creating a
profitable market.
The interdisciplinary team was comprised of three landscape
architecture graduate students, one architecture graduate
student, and a business graduate student who’s emphasis was
in real estate. The Competition Stage was a two week period
where the team focused on a conceptual strategy to address
the project needs while creating a unique urban environment node concept development sketch
focused around the Mount Baker Transit Station on Rainier
Boulevard.
The concept for the Rainier Transit Oriented Development
was based on the local and regional juxtaposition between
the city, the land, and the water. Through research, our team
discovered that, in the pre-developed history of the site, a large
stream draining the valley, existed and was eventually piped
into an underground drainage network. The design proposal
reconstructs and exposes the idea of the stream that flows
through the site. Although the proposal does not daylight the
underground stream, the proposal collects all on-site stormwater
in a corridor which symbolizes the historical stream.
stream corridor concept development sketch
course: Urban Land Institute/Gerald D. Hines
Student Urban Design Competition - Spring 2011
media: Marker, ArcGIS, Google Sketchup, AutoCAD,
Adobe Illustrator & Photoshop
RAINIER T
.O.D.
COMPETITION seattle, washington
walking and biking distances from light rail stations

17. 10 y
0 75 150 300 450 600
ArtSpace Collaboration Sustainable building typology Art space boardwalk
creating housing opportunities including balconies and setbacks for main art space contianing studios,
for artists in the Seattle region shading, daylighting, and ventilation galleries, and exhibit spaces Photovoltaic panels
while considering solar orientation provides renewable energy to
powers electric charging station
Greenroofs Rainier Boulevard Building atrium Rooftop garden in carpark
vegetated roofs increase biodiversity, a green corridor connecting to downtown provides natural ventilation provides produce to in-
infiltrate water, and reduce the heat Seattle, creating a pedestrian environment that and sunlight
supports multi-modal transportation building grocery store
island effect
Bioswale
collects stormwater runoff
filtering and infiltrating water
Site Section Linear greenway Stormwater planter Stormwater cisterns
Geo-exchange thermal systems collect stormwater runoff buildings Urban stream corridor Structured parking
site section
text structured network that collects increasing biodiversity, collect on-site stormwater
uses ground source temperature to for greywater use
stormwater runoff filtering and supporting residential and retail needs
0 25 50 100 150 200 efficiently heat and cool structures runoff, filtering and infiltrating water, sequestering
infiltrating water carbon, and providing and urban aesthetic
7 6
7 3
5 9 4 1
view of restored stream corridor 7
2
8
8 1 mt. baker light rail station 5 stormwater stream corridor
2 elevated office campus - 6 rooftop agriculture plot
ground level bus transfer station 7 residential tower
3 iconic pedestrian bridge 8 residential node
proposed major bicycle route connections master plan N 4 north rainier square 9 art studios and boardwalk

18. The Sand Turn Scenic Overlook is the proposed location of
the Highway 14 Forest Portal for the northeast entry of Bighorn
National Forest in Wyoming. The proposal includes a pedestrian
oriented overlook with interpretive signage, a trail head for a
proposed short loop trail, as well as the siting of a new toilette
facility.
The pedestrian overlook responds to the lines and geographic
formations of the surrounding mountain landscape. Users can
view informational signage as they drive up, from their cars, or
they can walk to the viewing area where they have a better view
and can read more information about the Powder River Basin
and surrounding context. The overlook has three viewing areas view to the east
that can be directly accessed from the parking area. These areas
support elevated viewing and allow for access to a short trail. The
viewing area located at the bottom of the ramp and stairs has
signage integrated into the barrier walls and allows users to move
closer to the edge of the site for unobstructed views.
view to the south
course: Internship - Bighorn National Forest - Summer 2010
media: ArcGIS, Google Sketchup, Pen & Ink
SAND TURN
OVERLOOK bighorn national forest, wyoming
view of guardrail barrier

19. context diagram
detail plan N aerial perspective

20. Doane College, located in Crete, Nebraska, was the client for
which a set of construction documents was prepared. The
project was to site a new Recreation and Athletics Complex as
well as complete site design. This was followed by a series of
construction documents. The challenge of the project was siting
a large facility on a fairly small lot while providing adequate site
circulation and vehicular access. Existing site features that had to
be addressed were steep slopes near the proposed entry drive
and a wooded riparian area owned and maintained by the Army
Corps of Engineers.
The general program included: siting a facility which had a
building footprint of approximately 30,000 sq. ft., an entry plaza, watershed calculations
a parking lot accommodating 75+ vehicles, a trash pickup area,
a visitor’s drop-off point, adequate space for bus parking, an
outdoor open air structure, planting, lighting, and irrigation.
The project went through many stages from site design
to detailing. The process of the Doane College R.A.C.
included: Proposal of Professional Services, Survey of Existing
Conditions/ Site Analysis, General Development/ Site Design,
Site Grading, Earthwork Estimation - Contour Area Method,
Earthwork Estimation - Average End Area Method, Layout and
Dimensioning, Irrigation, Lighting, and Construction Details.
planting plan
course: Land Construction I & II - Fall 2008 - Spring 2009
media: AutoCAD Civil 3D, Land F/X, Microsoft Excel
DOANE
COLLEGE R.A.C. crete, nebraska
construction details

21. Section 2+51.75
Sub Cut Area(s) sq.ft. Sub Fill Area(s) sq.ft. K (Cut in Fill Area)
C1 318.53 F1 360.83 K1 14.06
C2 3324.85 F2 173.80 K2 0.00
C3
Section
1535.38
2+51.75
F3 0.00 K3 0.00
TotalSub Cut Area(s)Area
Sub Cut sq.ft. Sub Fill Area(s) sq.ft. Total Sub Fill Area
K (Cut in Fill Area) Total K Area
= C2
C1
C1..C10
318.53 F1 5178.76
360.83 K1
= F1..F10
14.06 534.63 = K1..K10
14.06
3324.85 F2 173.80 K2 0.00
C3 1535.38 F3 0.00 K3 0.00
Total Sub Cut Area for K
Adjusted Total Sub Fill Area Total K Area
5178.76 534.63 14.06
= C1..C10
Total SubK Cut Area
Adjusted for
= F1..F10
5192.82 = K1..K10
Total Sub Cut Area 5192.82
=( C1..C10)+( K1..K10)
=( C1..C10)+( K1..K10)
Section Vertical Exaggeration 10.00 Section Vertical Exaggeration 10.00
Section VerticalArea
Corrected Sub Cut Exaggeration
sq.ft. 519.28
Corrected Sub Fill Area
sq.ft.
10.00 Section Vertical Exaggeration
53.46
10.00
=Total Cut / Vert.Exag. =Total Cut / Vert.Exag.
Corrected Sub Cut Area Corrected Sub Fill Area
sq.ft. 519.28 sq.ft. 53.46
=Total Cut / Vert.Exag. =Total Cut / Vert.Exag.
Corrected Sub Cut Average SubSub Cut Area for
Cut Volume Distance sq.ft.Cut AreaSub Cut VolumeVolume Sub Cut Volume
Corrected Sub Cut
Average Sub Distance Sub Cut Sub Cut Volume
Sub Cut Volume for Sections
Areas Between cu.ft. cu.yds.
Areas sq.ft. 2+51.75 Between
sq.ft.
519.28
= (Sta1+Sta2) / 2 Sections
cu.ft. =Avg Cut Area * Dist.
cu.yds.
=Cut Volume / 27
Sections sq.ft. = (Sta1+Sta2)2+90.60
/2 706.57
612.93
Sections Sub Fill Area
38.85 23812.17
=Avg Cut Area * Dist.
881.93
=Cut Volume / 27
Sub Fill Volume for Average
Corrected Sub Fill Distance Sub Fill Volume
Sub Fill Volume
2+51.75 519.28 Sections
Areas sq.ft. Between
cu.ft.
cu.yds.
612.93 2+51.75
sq.ft.
38.85
53.46
= (Sta1+Sta2) / 2
23812.171105.91
Sections
881.93
=Fill Volume / 27
2+90.60 706.57 2+90.60 3.47
28.47 38.85 40.96
Sub Fill Volume for Corrected Sub Fill Average Sub Fill Area Distance Sub Fill Volume
Sub Fill Volume
Areas sq.ft. Between cu.yds.
Sections cu.ft.
sq.ft. = (Sta1+Sta2) / 2 Sections =Fill Volume / 27
2+51.75 53.46
28.47 38.85 1105.91 40.96
2+90.60 3.47
layout and dimensioning plan N grading plan earthwork estimation

22. The Brush Creek Corridor was the focus of a study to assess
the impacts of urbanization on stream systems and to explore
what designers can do to mitigate those impacts. Through
research and precedent studies, the following four project goals
were determined for the Brush Creek Corridor: Improve local
environmental conditions through ecological design; Connect
the corridor for improved pedestrian use; Educate users to the
environmental benefits of ecological design; Reveal and interpret
ecological processes and phenomena through design. The
project process included a corridor study which was used to
determine the site for design exploration and the design of the
site addressing the project goals.
restored meander and vegetation
Proposed design solutions are represented by two different
alternatives, each responding to the same design concept but
envisioned in unique ways. Alternative 1 is a more costly solution
to the design problem and would involve a greater amount of
maintenance up front and over the long run. In Alternative 1, the
site is manipulated significantly to amplify the users experience.
Alternative 2 is less costly since the site is manipulated minimally
and much is done to utilize vegetational changes within the
existing context. Material and maintenance estimates were
provided as to compare and contrast the two design ideas.
The report, in its entirety can be viewed at:
http://krex.k-state.edu/dspace/handle/2097/8761
stormwater management demonstration site
course: Project Programming - Fall 2010
Master’s Project and Report - Spring 2011
media: ArcGIS, Google Sketchup, AutoCAD Civil 3D,
Adobe Illustrator & Photoshop
BRUSH CREEK
ECO-DESIGN kansas city, missouri
interactive water flow signage

23. corridor study improve vulnerability analysis ¯ 0 500 1,000 2,000
,0 0
000 3,000 4,000
0
Fe
eet
Feet
The goals of the corridor study were to determine a specific site,
or sites, that are suitable for design and development, and to
prioritize the selected sites based on a select set of factors to
determine an order for site exploration, design, and development.
The study specifically addresses the project goals of Improve,
Connect, and Educate. The corridor study is broken up into the
Improve vulnerability study, the Connect suitability study, and the
Educate suitability study.
The Improve vulnerability study is an inventory of the major
factors affecting environmental vulnerability: current project
status, in-stream conditions, degree of confinement, and flood
prone areas. connect suitability analysis ¯ 0 500 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000
Feet
The Connect suitability study is an inventory of the major factors
affecting connectivity of the corridor: pedestrian circulation, near-
stream conditions, adjacent and crossing roads, and population.
The Educate suitability study is an inventory of the major factors
affecting the ability to educate the users of the corridor: special
interest areas, green impact zone, schools, and population.
1
3
2
site selection educate suitability analysis ¯ 0 500 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000
Feet

24. stream alignment area of inundation vegetation zones
alternative one
1 parking area
2 rain garden
hig
b
b
b
b
bru
h
h
h
h
hwa
ce
3 bioswale
r. w
co
y 71
4 open green space
nc
a
atk
a
a
o
o
o
or
5 primary walkway
/
i s
ins
d
co
6 plaza
driv
u
u
u
ur
ive
10
t
e
e
7 constructed wetland
11 8 elevated outlook area
9 em 9 pedestrian bridge
9 anu
el c
lea
10 deck overlook
ver
II
II b
oule 11 wetlands
5 eva
rd 12 lowland area
8
7
6 9
12
woodland
woodland
8 1 3
ood and
4
2
nd
d
d
d
d
d
sw
swope parkwa
swope parkway
wo
3
kw
kwa
w
wa
In alternative one, the land was manipulated to create flowing
9
landforms which helped to expand the floodplain, and elevate
avenue
avenue
walkways above the site. Existing mowed turf on the site is
nue
replaced with native vegetation which relates to the availability of
moisture in the soils. Users can interact with signage and view
alternative one master plan N the ecosystems at different vantage points throughout the site.

25. nd up
plapes
rain garden u lo slo lan
bioswale
s pe d
s
bioswale
upland transitio
nal
vegetation interaction and education section brush creek
restored lowland vegetation and proposed walkway

26. stream alignment area of inundation vegetation zones
alternative two
1 parking area
2 rain garden
hig
b
b
b
b
bru
h
h
h
h
hwa
3 bioswale
ce
e
e r.
er
co
4 open green space
y
y
y
y 71
wat
nc
ak
5 vegetated filter strip
o
o
o
or
/
/
/
/
i s
ins
d
co
6 plaza
driv
ur
ive
t
9
7 constructed wetland
e
e
e
10 8 elevated outlook area
em
9 pedestrian bridge
anu
el c 10 wetlands
7 lea
e
ver
II b
I o 11 stormwater collection area off of bridge
ule
lev
6
ard 12 lowland area
8 11
1
12
2 4
3
woodland
woodland
9
5
dland
and
3
swo
swop parkwa
swo
swope parkway
w
wop kwa
kw
kwa
A much more liberal approach to the manipulation of landform is
taken in alternative two. This alternative is much less costly due
avenue
avenue
to the minimal earthwork movement involved. The project goals
en
are addressed primarily through the changes in vegetational
patterns. The vegetational areas flow through the site and replace
alternative two master plan N the mowed turf which currently exists on site.

27. turf land
upopes upland up
slo land
bioswale
sl pes constructed up
tra land
wetland nsi
tion
al
vegetation interaction and education section brush creek
restored meander and wetland vegetation