Academic landscape architecture portfolio of Charles McDowell.

1. CHARLES MCDOWELL
CHARLES MCDOWELL
landscape architecture portfolio

2. design philosophy
“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
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.
An extended version of the portfolio can be accessed at:
http://www.wix.com/charlesmmcdowell/landscapearchitect

3. brush creek eco-park 1
mks watershed plan 2
north rainier t.o.d. 3
colorado lights 4
sand turn scenic overlook 5
construction drawings 6
hand graphics 7
photography 8

4. 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.
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
media: ArcGIS, Google Sketchup, AutoCAD Civil 3D,
Adobe Illustrator & Photoshop
brush creek eco-park
kansas city, missouri

5. REVEAL urban stream corridor 1
new ecologies for an

6. proj
IMPROVE local environmental
conditions through ecological
design
manage localized flooding to reduce flash flooding
increase stormwater infiltration
urban
improve water quality within brush creek
stream
EX
DEFINE
PL
OR
experiences beliefs
opportunities
challenges
objectives
ethics biases family
E
interests education
goals
CH
AR
dilemma
a
SE
RE
design process
september
project schedule description30 prece
intent st

7. j
ject goals
CONNECT the corridor for EDUCATE users to the REVEAL and interpret ecological
improved pedestrian use environmental benefits of processes and phenomena
ecological design through design
create a design language that can be implemented target selected user groups that could have a promote environmental stewardship subconsciously
throughout the corridor potential association with the project through experience
improve access to the corridor link up with existing environmental improvement explore new means for conveying environmental
goals and initiatives education
link the existing corridor projects
implement innovative strategies for environmental allow users to create their own relationship with the
education natural world in a designed setting
DEVELOP
refine concepts
explore solutions
PRODUCE
diagram
review
expand
CONCEPT
site exploration
conceptual design
presentation
document
case study
graphics
refine document design text
PRELIMINARY DEFEND
INVENTORY . ANALYSIS
analysis
exploration
program
corridor study
case study
goals site study
stream reach classification goals
key questions key questions
methodology methodology
site identification site potential
site program
REFINE APPLY
competition january 17 - 31 finalist stage febuary 21 - march 31
ULI COMPETITION
november
december
january
january
october
march
april
april
inventory final final final
edent analysis document 07/ 17 story document28 annotated 11 document 02 document11/ 25
tudies 11 program15 . review board 21 design outline text . defense

8. improve vulnerability analysis
¯ 0 500 1,000 2,000
,0 0
000 3,000 4,000
1 inch = 2500 feet
25
500
0
Feet
Feeet
corridor
corridor analysis
2
connect suitability analysis
¯ 0 500 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000
Feet
1 inch = 2500 feet
and s
ynthes
¯
is
0 500 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000
Feet
educate suitability analysis 1 inch = 2500 feet
historic stream alignment

9. study boundary
1
3
site selection
and prioritization
terrain analysis slope analysis viewshed analysis

10. alternative one
hig
bu
bru
bru
bru
bru
igh
igh
igh
hwa
h a
1 parking area
ce
e r.
e r.
e r.
e r.
2 rain garden
a
a
ay 7
r.
co
3 bioswale
on
on
w
w t
w t
w t
wat
nc
nc
4 open green space
1
1
1
1/
co
co
5 primary walkway
o
or
kins
i
in
in
6 plaza
d
d
d
d
co
7 constructed wetland
driv
8 elevated outlook area
ur
ur
ur
ur
r e
ri e
9 pedestrian bridge t 10
e
e
e
10 deck overlook
11 wetlands
12 lowland area
11
9 9
5
8
7
6 9
woodland
8 1 3
oodland
4
dland
dland
dland
dland
dland
dland
dland
dland
dl d
dla d
l d
l d
l d
l d
l d
l
2
sw p parkwa
swope parkway
3
9
avenue
aven

11. vegetation zones
em
anu
el c
lea
ver
II b
oul
eva
rd
12
area of flood inundation
proposed stream alignment

13. proposed
existing

14. 9
3
6
2
w
w od
wood
wood
wood
woodl nd
woodland
1
aven
aven e
avenue
t
t
t
t
ur
co
c
c
c
rd
or
or
or
nc
co
c
c
5
proposed stream alignment
area of flood inundation
vegetation zones

15. alternative two
h
h
h
h
hig
bru
r c
r c
r c
hw
hw
hw
hwa
h
ce
1 parking area
r.
2 rain garden
y7
y7
y7
y 71
w
w
w
wa
wat
3 bioswale
4 open green space
k
k
k s
kins
/
/
/
/
/
5 vegetated filter strip
6 plaza
d v
d v
d v
driv
7 constructed wetland
8 elevated outlook area
e
9 pedestrian bridge
10 wetlands
11 stormwater collection area off of bridge
10 12 lowland area
em
anu
el c
7 lea
ver
II b
oul
eva
rd
8 11
12
4
9
3
swop pa k a
swope parkway

16. rain garden
bioswale

17. d
lanes up
upop slo lan
sl pe d
s
bioswale
upland transit
ional
brush creek

18. watershed plan
manhattan, kansas
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.
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.
media: ArcGIS, AutoCAD, Adobe Illustrator & Photoshop

19. 2
I
MKS

20. food sources
stream classification
education
wildlife corridors
trails
land use

21. !
!
!
! !
!
!
schools and parks agricultural lands flood prone areas
big blue river parkland
buffer type 1 kansas state university
buffer type 2 existing schools, food markets
buffer type 3 existing trails
conservation land city proposed trails
agricultural land proposed trails
urban land existing city of manhattan
proposed
land use plan

22. trail
trail
stream type 3
residential stream stream residential
development buffer buffer development
• native vegetation 50 ft. setback 50 ft. setback • stormwater retrofits
• stormwater best • wildlife corridor • native prairie grasses • transitional buffer areas
management practices • trails • woodlands • pedestrian connectivity
• low impact development • healthy ecosystem • wetlands • runoff managed in watershed
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
500 year floodplain
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
park buffer buffer • stormwater management produce agriculture
• community events • passive recreation 300 ft. setback stream type 1 300 ft. setback • stormwater treatment • highly fertile soil
• community celebrations • active recreation • wildlife corridor • native prairie grasses • restored ecosystem • vegetable and fruit
• community center • community involvement • trails • woodlands production
• agriculture education • environmental education • healthy ecosystem • wetlands • local employment
land use typology sections

23. output buffer natural
function
output buffer parkland
buffer
output buffer agriculture
stream
output buffer urbanization
bmp
bmp
residential
development
• native vegetation • stormwater retrofits
• stormwater best • transitional buffer areas
management practices • pedestrian connectivity
• low impact development • runoff managed in watershed

24. 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 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.
media: Marker, ArcGIS, Google Sketchup, AutoCAD,
Adobe Illustrator & Photoshop
north rainier t.o.d.
seattle, washington

25. urban land institute 3
gerald d. hines student urban design competition

26. design process d
process design p
sign process des
design process

27. design
process
sign pro
7
7
8
design 8
9
5
7
1 mt. baker light rail station 6
2 elevated office campus -
ground level bus transfer station
3 iconic pedestrian bridge
4 north rainier square 4
5 stormwater stream corridor
6 rooftop agriculture plot
7 residential tower
8 residential node
9 art studios and boardwalk
3
2
1

28. terrain analysis historic hydrology overlay slope analysis
10 y
0 75 150
ArtSpace Collaboration Sustainable building typology
creating housing opportunities including balconies and setbacks for
for artists in the Seattle region shading, daylighting, and ventilation
while considering solar orientation
Greenroofs Rainier Boulevard Building atrium
vegetated roofs increase biodiversity, a green corridor connecting to downtown provides natural ventilation
Seattle, creating a pedestrian environment that
infiltrate water, and reduce the heat and sunlight
supports multi-modal transportation
island effect
Site Section Linear greenway Stormwater planter Stormwater cisterns
Geo-exchange thermal systems text structured network that collects collect stormwater runoff buildings
uses ground source temperature to for greywater use
sustainable initiatives
stormwater runoff filtering and
0 25 50 100 150 200 efficiently heat and cool structures
infiltrating water

29. walking network analysis
300 450 600
transit times from north rainier t.o.d.
Art space boardwalk
main art space contianing studios,
galleries, and exhibit spaces Photovoltaic panels
provides renewable energy to
powers electric charging station
Rooftop garden in carpark
provides produce to in-
building grocery store
5 minute walk with transit
10 minute walk with transit
5 minute bike with transit
10 minute bike with transit
light rail station
central link light rail line
Bioswale north rainier t.o.d.
collects stormwater runoff
filtering and infiltrating water mount baker light rail station
Urban stream corridor Structured parking
increasing biodiversity, collect on-site stormwater
supporting residential and retail needs
runoff, filtering and infiltrating water, sequestering
carbon, and providing and urban aesthetic

30. colorado lights
denver, colorado
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-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.
media: Colored Pencil, Google Sketchup, AutoCAD,
Adobe Illustrator & Photoshop

31. 4

32. bios ale developm nt s
bioswale development s
bi l d l t k
l and
al a
wall
k
k
k
ketch
t e
tc e
d w
led
led s
s

33. detail plan
longitudinal section

34. LED wall concept sketches

35. detail section
materials section

36. 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
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.
media: ArcGIS, Google Sketchup, Pen & Ink
sand turn scenic overlook
bighorn national forest

37. 5

38. concept sketches

42. construction drawings
manhattan, kansas

43. 6

44. dimensioning and layout plan

45. 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
Total C1..C10 K Cut Area
=
Sub
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 Corrected Sub Fill
Average 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
grading plan earthwork estimation

46. hand graphics

47. 7

54. photography

55. 8

60. professional projects
grand boulevard streetscape plan . kansas city, missouri
tuscaloosa forward - detail area planning and design . tuscaloosa, alabama
rebuildspringfield - final document production . springfield, massachusetts
sand turn scenic overlook . bighorn national forest, wyoming
ranger creek campground . bighorn national forest, wyoming

61. CHARLES MCDOWELL
7305 nw tomahawk ln • platte woods, mo 64151 • usa
phone. 816.878.3965 • e-mail. charlesmmcdowell@gmail.com
website. http://www.wix.com/charlesmmcdowell/landscapearchitect

62. CHARLES MCDOWELL
7305 nw tomahawk ln • platte woods, mo 64151 • usa
phone. 816.878.3965 • e-mail. charlesmmcdowell@gmail.com
website. http://www.wix.com/charlesmmcdowell/landscapearchitect