2. ARCADIS/RTKL
BLA Final Project
Hand Sketches
Born in Greensboro, NC
What fascinates me about the field of Landscape Architecture is the opportunity we are given to
gracefully blend art and science in a way that intrigues the user and nurtures the site’s ecosystem.
My drive as a designer is to create highly functional, playful, and educational spaces that every type
of user can enjoy. I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to create spaces that can positively affect
all types of people around me.
In my time away from the office I enjoy playing on multiple soccer teams, hiking, sketching, painting,
going to live music and hanging out with my big goofy black lab, Duncan. Below is a sketch from
Duncan’s first canoe trip. He ended up swimming beside the boat the whole time.
Portfolio Contents
About Me
McAdams
3. Raleigh, NC
W Cabarrus Street
W Lenoir Street
SDawsonStreet
SMcDowellStreet
Concept
Echo Park is the physical and visual response of motion using the metaphor of sound as form. The park’s features ripple
through the urban environment of Raleigh giving the user a sense of rythm, order, and unity.
Program
• Three thousand person amphitheater in Downtown Raleigh
• Small indoor music venue to encourage local music growth
• ADA accessibility throughout the site
• Pedestrian safety from traffic
• Public restrooms
Opportunities
• 21 feet of grade change to help retain concert sound
• View of the Raleigh Convention Center‘Shimmer
Wall’
• Gateway into Downtown Raleigh
• Growing depot district directly Northwest of the site
• 2 Multi-Story parking decks for large event parking
Constraints
• Access road that runs though the heart of the site into the
convention center sub-grade entrance must be kept
• The challenge of sculpting a site with 21 feet of grade
site into a completely ADA accessible site
D. Public Restrooms
E. Small Music Venue /Bar
F. ADA Accessible Ramps
A. Main Stage
B. The Main Lawn
C. Restaurant
Layout Legend
G. Conceptual Paving Pattern
H. Extensions for Convention Center events
I. Access Road
ECHO PARK
BLA FINAL
This acoustic lens shows the
physical pattern of sound waves.
This overlapping of ripples will also be created by waves
coming into the site from other downtown sources.
The result of this array of ripples can be seen in the designed grading of
the land as well as the proposed hardscape and landscape features
Sound-waves propagate in a variety of media. The visual overlapping of these waves begin
to coincide with the eloquent movement of the Raleigh Convention Center’s ‘Shimmer Wall’
4. The Landscape’s Response to Sound
The goal when grading this site was to sculpt the land in response to the form of sound by using these
expanding patterns as forms that can overlap to create a melodic array of dynamic spaces. The main stage is
the most powerful origin of these forms. The slope of the land, vegetation, hardscapes, and on-site buildings
all respond to this point of origin. The bowled shape of the land within the large green space helps collect
sound during live performances and improves the overall experience for concert goers.
How Echo Park Relates to its Surroundings
Visual and physical relationships in an urban park prove vital to the success of a park. The obvious initial connection that
needs to be made within Echo Park is with the Raleigh Convention Center. The graphic above shows how the layout of Echo
Park frames the face of Shimmer Wall, building a language between the two blocks. The echoing granite bands seen in the
pavement of echo park don’t stop there. They would continue for a couple blocks. The bands would be flush with the
walking surface and would have historic musical events that have occurred in Raleigh throughout history. Each corner of
Echo Park offers open gathering spaces for people to connect before a big concert.
Grading Plan
5. Perspective from Bridge
Plaza Detail
Alpharetta, GA
Roadway and bridge designers, landscape architects,
environmental planners and traffic engineers teamed
to create a highly efficient and aesthetically desirable
experience for pedestrians, bicyclists and vehicles alike.
The use of traffic calming components like medians,
street trees, and celebrated intersections with plaza
areas will help to increase bicycle and pedestrian safety
as well as increase motivation for people to walk or bike.
ENCORE PARKWAY CORRIDOR
ARCADIS/RTKL: Streetscape / Bridge Project
Program
Encore Parkway links current residential, shopping, employment and recreational areas
within the core of the Alpharetta Community Improvement District. The purpose of this street, is
to only efficiently function, but must also create a signature sense of public space in the core of
the district.
6. Alpharetta, GA
ENCORE PARKWAY CORRIDOR
ARCADIS/RTKL: Streetscape / Bridge Project
Encore Parkway Bridges over SR-400, the busiest freeway in the north metro area. The client
made it a priority for the Encore Parkway bridge and streetscape to reflect the building
materials and vegetation found in this specific area of Alpharetta including Tennessee Field
Stone, Knockout Roses, Pink Muhley Grass. This future bridge will be the new face for this
area of Alpharetta due to the large amount of commuters that will travel under it daily.
Aerial Perspective
Zoomed Plan
7. PROTECTION BOARD
AERATION MAT
2” INSULATION
TREE
4’MINIMUM SOIL DEPTH
CLEANOUT/INSPECTION PIPE
(TO BE LOCATED AT BOTH SIDES OF PLANTER)
FILTER FABRIC/AERATION MAT
4” PERF. PVC PIPE IN
6” DRAINAGE AGGREGATE
TOP OF STRUCTURAL DECKING
SLOPE MIN. 1% DECKING
PLANTER DRAIN (TYP.)
LIGHTWEIGHT EPS FILL
(DEPTH VARIES)
FOR WORK IN THIS AREA
SEE DRAWING ON THIS SHEET
BEGIN BRIDGE END BRIDGE
FOR WORK IN THIS AREA
SEE DRAWING ON THIS SHEET
27’2’ 2’ 2’ 2’6’ 6’ 12’2’ 9’-6” 9’-6”
11’- 6”
LIGHT POLE (TYP.)
BRIDGE DECK (SEE
STRUCTURAL DRAWINGS)
BRIDGE DECK (SEE
STRUCTURAL DRAWINGS)
BRIDGE DECK
BIKE LANE
TRAVEL LANE
PRECAST PANELS TO MATCH
TENNESSEE FIELDSTONE
SIDEWALK
MULCH 1”-2”THICK
CLEANOUT PIPE WITH
CAP AT EACH DRAIN
PLASTIC DRAINAGE MATERIAL ON BOTTOM
AND SIDES TO WITHIN 2” OF FINISHED GRADE
2’-6”
3’-0”
PEDESTRIAN LIGHTING
6’- 0”
BIKE LANE
BIKE LANE
CONCRETE
COLUMN
CURB &
GUTTER (TYP.)
TRELLIS
PLANTER (SEE
DETAIL THIS SHEET)
SIDEWALK
MEDIAN PLANTER (SEE
DETAIL ON THIS SHEET)
PLANTER
(SEE THIS SHEET)
CONCRETE COLUMN
(SEE THIS SHEET)
TRELLIS (SEE THIS SHEET)
ROOT BARRIER AND
WATERPROOFING MEMBRANE
GROUNDCOVER
2” MULCH
PRECAST PANELS TO MATCH
TENNESSEE FIELDSTONE
PLANTING SOIL COMPACTED
TO 80% DRY DENSITY
OVERLAP FILTER CLOTH JOINTS
12” MIN. AND PIN TOGETHER
TWO LEVEL ROOF DRAIN SLOPE DOWN AT 2%
WOVEN FILTER FABRIC
WATERPROOF MATERIAL
WITH PROTECTION BOARD
SLOPE DOWN AT 5% MIN.
SIDEWALK PLANTER SECTION ELEVATION
MEDIAN PLANTER SECTION
BRIDGE PLAN
ENLARGED BRIDGE PLAN
SECTION
ENCORE PARKWAY CORRIDOR
ARCADIS/RTKL: Streetscape / Bridge Construction Documentation
CD Development Detail - Bridge Layout and Planter Detail
8. Cary, NC
Gateways to Downtown
Three important entries to Downtown Cary will be marked by new traffic roundabouts. These gateways
into will act as a ‘compass rose’, connecting to newer neighborhoods outside of downtown, and orienting
visitors to their locations
Proposed design features include roundabouts, raised intersections and other unique streetscape elements tailored to
the community. The streetscape incorporates pedestrian-friendly design elements such as traffic calming elements,
on-street parking, plantings and wide sidewalks; new gathering places such as a Town Square, and eye-catching public
art. We implemented a comprehensive public and stakeholder involvement plan throughout the project.
The goal for the Downtown Cary Streetscape Project is to create a unique and vibrant downtown that meets the needs of
Cary’s citizens, businesses, and guests—a place where heritage is honored, commerce and creativity thrive, and community
pride is fostered. The project will create a signature downtown by incorporating streetscape design on more than 2 miles of
streets in Cary, North Carolina.
The use of native colors and patterns created by
artisans in the Town of Cary will be celebrated in
the new downtown sidewalks and crosswalks
Downtown Cary Streetscape
ARCADIS/RTKL: Streetscape / Construction Documentation
Program
Conceptual Perspective
Celebrating the Art of Cary
9. Cary, NC
Downtown Cary Streetscape
ARCADIS/RTKL: Streetscape / Construction Documentation
CD Development Detail - West Chatham Roundabout and Sculpture Detail
Gateway Design Statement
The Old Apex Road / West Chatham Street Roundabout blends vehicular and pedestrian connectivity with the idea of creating
a visually stimulating gateway. The gateway sculpture celebrates 19th-century technology. Robert J. Harrison, a Cary citizen,
is believed to have developed a wireless technology several years prior to Marconi’s patented invention of the telegraph.
Illuminated elements in the center of the gateway are based on historic photos of wireless antennas. When lit, they may also
be interpreted as a lighted necklace related to events held at the future Performing and Community Art Centers. These
sculptural gestures will also add visual cues to the pedestrians and vehicles to show that they are entering Downtown Cary as
well as add an additional element of safety
Roundabout Plan View
Planting Plan
W. Chatham and Old Apex Gateway Elements
Elevation
Plan
Sculpture Footing Detail
15” MODIFIED CURB
FABRICATED ACRYLIC TRIANGULAR COLUMN (TYP.)
(INTERNALLY LIT WITH LED LIGHTING)
LOCATIONS FOR VERTICAL GATEWAY ELEMENTS
(20 FT MAX HEIGHT WITH FRANGIBLE FOOTINGS)
58’ - 0” DIA
8”
8”
5’
8”
PLANTED AREA (SEE THIS SHEET)
15” MODIFIED CONCRETE CURB
60 VERTICAL GATEWAY
ELEMENTS SPACED 2’-6” +/-
(HEIGHT VARIES FROM 3’TO 20 ‘)
20’
MID-SIZED ILLUMINATED VERTICAL GATEWAY ELEMENT
TO BE FASHIONED AND REVIEWED BY ENGINEER
IBERIS SEMPERVIRENS
MUHLENBERGIA CAPILLARIS
VERTICAL GATEWAY ELEMENTS
CONCRETE FOOTING
2’-6”
2’-6” 2’-6”
A
BB
SECTION A-A
N.T.S N.T.S
SECTION B-B
FINISHED GRADE
A
FINISHED GRADE
PLANTINGS (SEE PLANS)
FINISHED GRADE
6’
6’HEIGHTVARIES
2’-11”
10. PICTURE CARY
ARCADIS/RTKL: Master Plan Cary, NC
Program
The Town of Cary came to us in search of a vision for the future
development/redevelopment of Cary’s Historic Downtown area. This
vision was to provide sketch site plans and three dimensional graphics
of building design and placement to guide strategic future development
dependent upon current opportunities and constraints of the area. The
resulting hand drawn perspectives helps the Town of Cary in guiding
future development by:
1) Conveying the town center area plan’s vision to lay
citizens, business owners, and developers;
2) Illustrating the Downtown Streetscape Project and the
Town Center Civic and Cultural Arts Study;
3) Incorporating and illustrating the current Downtown
Parking Strategic Implementation Plan;
4) Encouraging downtown development and
redevelopment, pointing out development
opportunities, helping recruit economic development in
the downtown and promoting the downtown;
5) And raising public awareness of the long range for the
downtown
Design Statement
The overarching theme during this design process was to develop a central and cultural hub for the Town of Cary.
Bringing a multi-use function to this part of Cary allows people to get home from work and take a walk to grab dinner
or meet a friend in the town park or square. To develop an environment that encourages walking and bicycling rather
than driving to a distant destination. This walkable area of Downtown Cary offers residents with opportunities for
exercise, a positive impact in the local economy, and future opportunities for community events.
Aerial Perspective
11. Raleigh, NC
Full-Size Soccer Fields
(210’x 360’)
Building: Restrooms, Vending,
Storage, and Overlook Area
Centralized Plaza
Walkway Connecting The Fields
w/ Ligon St. and Jackson St.
Parking Areas
New Fence Layout
Accessible Ramps
Athletic Lighting From NCSU’s
Miller Fields (Typ.)
Ligon St. Parking Lot
Jackson St. Existing Parking Lot
Jackson St. Proposed On
Street Parking
Multi-Use Green Space
Bleachers (Typ.)
Relocated Crosswalk
Existing Community
Gardens w/ New Relocated Plot
Existing Tennis Courts
Existing Building/Structure
Proposed Bus Stop Shelter
Vehicular Gate Entrance
Pedestrian Gate Entrance
Backstop Nets Behind
Goals (Typ.)
Raleigh, NC
The site is on the campus of NC State University in Raleigh, NC and consists of land bordered by Method Road, Ligon
Street, Jackson Street and the E.S. King Village
Amenities included in the Master plan are 2 soccer fields, a central plaza with a new concession building including
restrooms, vending machines and storage. The plan also provided bleachers and shaded sitting areas, along with
landscaping as a buffer between the two fields.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H
I.
J.
K.
L.
M.
N.
O.
P.
Q.
R.
S.
T.
The regrading and irrigation of this site was a very important component of the project due to the high amount of use that the
site will receive from NC State club sporting events. The grading plan above shows our focus of directing water flow away from the
playing surface. The existing grade was often over saturated so it was important to use the correct slope, soil, grass, and irrigation
to keep the ground saturation level at playable conditions year round.
Legend
Aerial Perspective
MethodRoad
Ligon Road
Jackson Street
NC State University
ARCADIS/RTKL: Club Sports Facility
12. UNITED STATES ARMY JOHN F. KENNEDY
SPECIAL WARFARE CENTER & SCHOOL
ARCADIS/RTKL: Campus Master Plan
Legend
A. Intel Center
B. THOR III Warrior
Rehabilitation Center
C. Regional Studies and
Education Building (DRSE)
D. C2: Group/Battalion
Headquarters
E. Proposed Parking Structure
F. Proposed Parking Structure
Ft. Bragg, NC
Program
The current United States Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School campus site proposed for re-develop-
ment consists of one to two-story barracks and operation buildings. The proposed campus master plan includes four LEED
Gold and Silver buildings with associated parking structure facilities. Siting the future buildings to optimize passive solar
principles and obtain south facing roofs for solar panel usage is a high priority in reducing the carbon footprint of the site.
The introduction of parking decks on site will help reduce current erosion control problem by replacing a large part of
non-permeable surface parking with green space.
Design Statement
The purpose of the Campus Master Plan is to develop cohesion between the proposed campus and the existing
Bryant and Kennedy Hall area by building state of the art facilities in campus style planning using Beaux-Arts design
principles. The Campus Master Plan is well synchronized with the Fort Bragg Master Planning effort.
Pedestrian circulation throughout the campus allows strong connections between the existing and proposed features.
Having the two largest buildings (Bryant Hall and the proposed Special Warfare Education Group) on the same axis
allows pedestrians to understand the connection between existing and proposed. This axis also provides a strong
visual connection for the users. The green space in the middle of the campus will be used for formations and
ceremonies.
Aerial Perspective
13. PROPOSED ADDITION
TURF
TABLES AND CHAIRS
6’BENCH
GROUND COVER
GROUND COVER
EVERGREEN SHRUBS
UPRIGHT GRASSES ROCK SALT FINISHED CONCRETE
2’X2’CONCRETE PAVERS
2’X2’CONCRETE PAVERS
2’X2’CONCRETE PAVERS
EDUCATIONAL DEMONSTRATION GARDEN
Perspective
Plan
TRINITY SCHOOL
McAdams: Bioretention / Plaza Design Durham, NC
PROPOSED ADDITION
PERSPECTIVE VIEW
BIORETENTION GARDEN
Program
We collaborated with Duda Paine Architects to create an opportunity for environmental education through a bioretention garden
showing students of how water can be slowed and infiltrated through the use of the correct plant community. I worked
with structural engineers to create an aesthetic way to cross the bioretention area while also hiding the retention basin. I developed
these renderings to help show the client how different colors and textures can within the landscape and hardscape can create
dynamic spaces around the new expansion of the school. The client loved the idea of creating areas for outdoor classrooms
throughout the landscape and hardscape areas.
14. MIRAGE DUKE MEDICAL CENTER
McAdams: Conceptual Landscape/Hardscape/Gateway Design Durham, NC
UPRIGHT DECIDUOUS/EVERGREEN SHRUB
BIKE RACKS
LAWN
ORNAMENTAL GRASS
CODE REQUIRED LANDSCAPE BUFFERUPRIGHT EVERGREEN
STREET LIGHT
LAWN
LAYERED SHRUBS
& ORNAMENTAL
GRASSES
LANDSCAPE TO COORDINATE
W/ ENTRY FEATURE -SEE
MONUMENTATION ELEVATION
ORNAMENTAL EVERGREEN TREE FLUSH BRICK ISLAND
BRICK BANDING
AGGREGATE
MULCH
GROUND COVER (TYP.)
HARDY SHRUB (TYP.)
BENCH (TYP.)
Monumentation
Elevation
PIERS/
CANOPY
BENCH (TYP.)
SEE ENLARGEMENT A
BENCH (TYP.)
BRICK PAVERS
ORNAMENTAL TREE
ORNAMENTAL TREE
LAYERED SHRUBS
RELOCATED
BIKE RACKS
CROSSWALK
OVERHEAD CANOPY
We collaborated with LS3P Architects to create a design vision for the Mirage Duke Medical Hospital using
materials consistent with their existing campus while adding new pedestrian calming and traffic calming
landscape and hardscape elements. We created a materials library of plants and hardscape materials that would
prevent patient disorentation, dizzyness, and/or nuasea. Elements such as score joint location and spacing,
walking surface, wall and plant colors, as well as plant smells needed to be anaylized to assure for a positive
enviroment for patients post operation.
Program
BRICK PAVERS
BRICK BANDS TO
MATCH PIERS
CODE REQUIRED
LANDSCAPE BUFFER
EVERGREEN HEDGE
ORNAMENTAL TREE
UPRIGHT DECIDUOUS/EVERGREEN TREE
LAYED SHRUBS AND ORNAMENTAL GRASSES
LAWN
SCORED CONCRETE - 45
DEGREES (4’X4’)
CROSSWALK
AGGREGATE MULCH
ORNAMENTAL GRASSES
BRICK PIERS
UPRIGHT EVERGREEN
BENCH
(TYP.)
ORNAMENTAL EVERGREEN
ADJUST LIGHT
LOCATION
BRICK PAVING
ENLARGEMENT A
15. OWEN’S PARK
McAdams: Park Masterplan
Franklin County, NC
POND 4
POND 3
POND 2
POND 5
POND 1
MASSENBURG BAKER ROAD
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
8
8
8
9
10
11
12 13
13
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18
We teamed with the Parks and Department for Franklin County
to create a park master plan using land donated to the County
for the purpose of a future regional park. We meet with the
community in a couple of public meetings to get user input and
engage them in ways that showed us what they would like to
see this park used for. The ultimate goal for this park master
plan was to recieve a $200,000 grant from the state. Franklin
County won this desired grant due to a true team effort of
our design team, the Franklin County staff, and enthusiastic
commuity members.
I developed this plan view rendering usings a combination of
GIS, hand graphics, Photoshop, and Indesign
Summary
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION STATION
PUBLIC ART
1
PARK PROGRAM ELEMENTS
KEY
2
3
4
5
6
7
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9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
Half Mile Natural Surface Walking / Hiking Trails
50 Car Gravel Lot with Wheel Stops and 3 ADA
Spaces with New Park Sign
Youth Playground (Farming Theme)
Splash Pad
Nature Play
Rustic Amphitheater
Half Acre Wildflower Meadow / Demonstration
Garden and Maintenance Shed
Half Mile Asphalt Walking Trail
Summit walk with Public Art
Camp Sites
Gateway to Lower Park
Ornamental Orchard
Gravel Access Road with Security Gate and
Additional Parking
Environmental Education Center / Restroom Building
Fishing Pond Access / Dock
Walking/Hiking/Biking Trails
18 Hole Disk Golf Course
Collaborated with JJIllustration
to create this aerial perspective
+/- 5 acres Agri-tourism / Education Garden / Or-
chard with Shelter
We engaged community members by getting them involved in a
number of interactive design driven exercises such as the “create
your own park” exercise shown above. This gave the community
an opportunity to see what type of park program would work
best on this site.
PERSPECTIVE
VIEW
16. HAND SKETCHES
Thompson Hall at UNH
Architecture from Prague, CZ
Dogwood Finial Design for Pier
Cap for Cary Streetscape Project
The Arch at UGA
White Sand Beach in Mexico
Developing a personal connection to a new
space through sketch gives me a chance to
understand the specific qualities of a place
that make it unique to any other environment.
