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shawn davidson

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design explora

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These drawings represent a compilation of individual and team projects ranging in scale from regional planning to garden design. They were completed during the various design and construction courses taken at Ball State University.

university projects

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This project represents the undergraduate thesis during 5th year at Ball State University. It is located in Chicago’s west side and focuses on the creation of a “Sense of Place” within a contemporary urban village. After extensive research into how landscape architecture relates to the social, physical and mental attributes needed to create a true “Sense of Place”, the design flourished.

The project design includes: Proposed urban revitalization Community parkStreetscape enhancementPedestrian friendly connections to mass transit systems

design explora

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university thesis “sense of place”

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professional work (private community design)

The project to the near right is a section of a computer rendered model concept plan. The intent was to create a themed model complex for multiple types of home types. This type of computer rendering served well for efficiency, having a seamless transition using CAD between conceptual design to construction documents, allowing for easy revisions later on in the process.

The project to the lower right is a portion of pool hardscape plans within a construction document package for a 14 acre housing development. The development consists of detached housing with recreational areas, a child play area, bio-swales and meandering trails through open space.

The project to the top is a hand rendered conceptual plan for a section of the large scale housing community. The focus was to create pedestrian pathways connecting each housing cluster on a central axis with community spaces serving the needs of the residents.

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The project to the near right entitled El Cerrito Park, is a large sports park with four different sized ball fields, tennis courts, fabric shade structures and concession features. During the construction document phases, the coordination of details and grading information were important to the overall success of the project.

The project to the lower right is a computer rendered conceptual plan of a water treatment facility and environmental learning center. The project included constructed ponds, wetlands, and water features which required extensive research and design of sustainable riparian habitats and plant material, while also providing community spaces throughout the site.

The details to the top and far right are part of an extensive detail package for a public park and observation deck. Meetings with the structural engineer proved an important step to further my knowledge about construction engineering in the landscape.

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professional work (public design)

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design+construction pro

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professional work (higher education design)

This project includes a new open space quad and events plaza for campus to hold commencement ceremony.

The concept plan and construction document plan to the top show the design of specific spaces that interact with the adjacent buildings, parking lot, bell tower and art gallery. The project includes a sculpture garden, outdoor events plaza and a large lawn for commencement ceremonies.

The photos below show the completed project in August 2007. Being a commuter school, the students and faculty were delighted to finally have a front door to campus and a space that made them feel as if they were part of a major university.

Cypress CollegeGateway Quad

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design+construction pro

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professional work (higher education design)

This project includes a renovation to the existing humanities building and surrounding landscape.

The concept plan and construction document plan to the near right show the design of new plazas adjacent to the main entry stair towers as well as a new student outdoor class room corridor with grid gardens to be viewed from within the glass facade.

The photos to the far right show the completed project in February 2010. The original landscape consisted mostly of concrete paving. Now the students and faculty have spaces for outdoor education creating a sense of identity for the humanities building.

Cypress CollegeHumanities Building and Plaza

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design+construction pro

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professional work (higher education design)

This project includes a new food services building, cafe plaza and open space.

The planting concept plan to the near right highlights the variety of spaces woven between five buildings, creating a multi-use courtyard that includes a palm tree plaza with seating, a custom designed glass view fence and landscape open spaces. The elevation to the bottom shows the custom glass view fence design.

The photos to the far right show the completed project in March 2010. A unique aspect of this project was that a large building occupied the site area which left many challenges during the construction process in revising utility infrastructure and landscape design. However the students and faculty are pleased to have a social gathering place central to campus.

El Camino CollegeFood Services Plaza

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professional work (higher education design)

This project includes a new recreation center and surrounding landscape. The concept plan at the top shows the design intent for pedestrian pathways surrounding the building, streetscape enhancement and 6,000 sf recreational pool and patio event space.

The construction document plans in the middle show the development through the project and the complexity of design.

The elevation below (completed by others), shows the extreme modern architecture and engineering of the building design that directly relates to the landscape design.

Unique design solutions on this project included resolving the grading issues associated with such an elongated building and designing custom site walls and fences that connect with the modern building materials such as corrugated metal, glass and perforated metal.

This project is projected to be LEED Silver and is currently under construction. It will also be submitted for an AIA award.

Cal State University NorthridgeRecreation Center

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design+construction pro

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professional work (higher education design)

This project includes a new four story math, business and health building, courtyard, entry plaza and terraced seating areas.

The construction document plans to the top middle and far right show the complexity of the design of stairways, seating and ramps.

The 3-D view below is a sketch-up study model of the entry stairs and ramps.

The plan to the bottom right is one of many Client/contractor coordination exhibits that were needed during later phases of the project to coordinate with other projects being constructed on campus.

This project projected to be LEED Gold and is currently under construction.

El Camino CollegeMBAH Building and Landscape

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design+construction pro

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professional work (higher education design)

This project includes a new three story humanities building, landscape courtyard, pedestrian promenade and student quad.

The concept and construction document plans to the top show the variety of landscape open spaces and plazas adjoining both buildings designed by LPA inc.

The details to the bottom left show a complex glass planter that is suspended from a bridge between two buildings. All drainage flows down eight stainless steel cables into an illuminated basin. The plan to the lower right shows the entire campus master plan and how it is broken down into phases of construction. I was a part of the team that designed and constructed most of the buildings, sports fields, parking lots and pedestrian pathways on campus.

The humanities building project is projected to be LEED gold and is currently under construction.

Santiago Canyon CollegeHumanities Building and Campus Master Plan

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professional work (higher education design)

This project includes a new four story parking structure and community event space with enhanced main entry streetscape, arrival plaza and water quality basin. The construction document plans to the top show the large site area and the variety of types of landscape design.

The water quality basin was designed in conjunction with civil engineers to be an aesthetic solution to mitigating on-site and off-site storm water runoff.

The 3-D view to the top displays a REVIT in-model image of the stairs and ramps at the main entry into the building.

The elevation (completed by others) below shows the modern building vernacular with solar panels and glass stair towers that the landscape plans are integrated with. The view also shows the amount of grade change which created a unique approach to the landscape design.

This project is projected to be LEED gold and is currently at 100% construction documents.

Moreno Valley CollegeCommunity Gateway Building

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design+construction pro

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professional work (davidson landscape)

This collection of work represents a few of the projects as a part of personal consulting work. All projects are scheduled for construction in spring of April 2011. The plans and sections to the top are for a mid century modern residence in San Diego, CA. The project evolved over a year and includes a pool, spa, and contemplative space. The challenge to this design was incorporating 20 feet of elevation change into usable space.

The plan to the lower left is a pocket park in Orange, CA for a local philanthropic group. The project called for a multi-use space for the public and included a neighborhood green, bus stop plaza, art walk, and zen garden incorporating the orange tree as a focal point.

The plan to the lower right is a residence in Spring Grove, IL. The project included a bluestone multi-use patio and a stone fire pit with seatwall set on crushed gravel keeping with the naturalistic design guidelines.

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Sketching has become an enjoyable hobby through many travel experiences. It is a therapeutic expression of artistic style in my life.

The images on the top and middle right were drawn while visiting Central Park New York.

The image on the top right was drawn in eastern Australia while studying abroad.

The images below were drawn while visiting Fiji.

artistic endeavors

freehand sketch drawings

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photography

artistic endeavors

These photographs represent my interest in the geometric symmetry of our surroundings. I try an break down the environments into their simplistic forms to highlight bold contrasts of form, color and composition.

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photography

artistic endeavors