Ellen Wilson - Landscape Architecture Portfolio by Ellen Wilson

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ELLEN WILSON DIGITAL PORTFOLIO | www.issuu.com/ellenkwilson EMAIL | ellenkwilso@gmail.com HOME | Chicago, IL 60641 PHONE | 773.949.9722

education UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN Bachelor of Landscape Architecture 2014-2018

professional experience DLZ CORPORATION Landscape Architect I Chicago, IL February 2021 - Present

RATIO ARCHITECTS

Graduate Landscape Architect Chicago, IL May 2018-May 2020

MARIANI LANDSCAPE

Design Studio Intern Lake Forest, IL May 2017 -July 2017

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contents CRAWFORD PARK: PHASE ONE Parks and Recreation BRIDGE OF FLOWERS Corridor / Streetscapes

US-30 GATEWAY STUDY Transportation VETERANS WALK Civic

OAKLAND COUNTY PARKS Parks and Recreation

I-65 KANKAKEE WELCOME CENTER Civic

NEWMAN CENTER COURTYARD Higher Education

01 02 03 04 05 06 07

01 crawford park: phase one LOCATION: Mishawaka, IN

The City of Mishawaka commissioned the Crawford Park Master Plan with the aim of realizing a comprehensive, long-term redevelopment vision for the park. The Master Plan thoroughly assesses existing park features, anticipates potential impacts, and strategically addresses the requirement for new facilities. It not only identifies short-term enhancements but also outlines a phased approach for long-term capital improvements.

In its initial phase, the plan encompasses the implementation of upgraded parking facilities, enhanced leisure picnic areas, updated play features, the addition of a spray pad, and the construction of a new restroom building and park shelter. This holistic approach ensures that Crawford Park not only meets current community needs but also evolves to become a vibrant and sustainable space for future generations.

bridge of fl owers 02 LOCATION: Noblesville, IN

The Bridge of Flowers, seamlessly integrated into the Logan Street Bridge’s pedestrian overlook area, ensures a secure pathway from the Hamilton County Courthouse to Federal Hill Commons. Spanning 90 linear feet, it features custom bench seating, variable height planter boxes, and shade structures with overhead lighting. The 1,000 square feet of elevated planter box space is adorned with vibrant annuals, maintained seasonally by volunteers. A designated donor recognition area pays homage to contributors. Today, the Bridge of Flowers is a captivating backdrop for photos, offering scenic river views and standing out as a unique Midwest attraction.

Bridge of Flowers after completion. Photo courtesy of Towne Poste Network/ Whitney Moore

03 US-30 gateway study LOCATION: Warsaw, IN

The City of Warsaw is currently engaged in a comprehensive study aimed at exploring the potential enhancements for six intersections along US-30 within Kosciusko County. The primary focus is on implementing a grade separation, ensuring a safer traffic flow by diverting drivers over or under the US-30 roadway. Our objective as design consultants was to not only to enhance the visual appeal of these intersections but also to establish a distinctive gateway identification standard for the city, leaving a lasting impression on passing visitors.

Our design concepts feature various elements, including naturalized planting to minimize maintenance efforts, a unique textured form liner with reveal on the bridge piers, distinctive roundabout planting with sculptural elements, tapered concrete piers incorporating character lighting, and decorative railing, along with accessible multi-use paths. These components collectively contribute to the overall improvement of both aesthetics and functionality at these intersections.

Existing Conditions

veterans walk 04 LOCATION: Mishawaka, IN

THE LIGHT REMAINS

WORLD WAR II

IN MEMORIAM

WORLD WAR II

05 oakland county parks LOCATION: Warsaw, IN

Oakland County and the Parks and Recreation Commission plan to invest over $20 million in a collaborative effort with local communities to revitalize the parks. Recognizing the pandemic’s impact on residents in these areas, the primary objective is to enhance physical and mental well-being, foster social connectivity, and improve overall quality of life. Additionally, the plan aims to address barriers to equitable access to quality park and recreation opportunities for individuals of all ages and abilities. In our role as designers closely collaborating with the community, our central focus was on embracing the principles of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, while also promoting sustainability. This involved understanding the intricate intersections of diverse individuals within our social ecosystems and creating opportunities to enhance inclusion. Our design initiatives began by diversifying the park’s functional ecosystem, incorporating elements such as welcoming sun features, innovative raincapturing techniques, earth topography providing gentle embraces, and strategic placement for breathtaking views accompanied by soothing sounds. Other on-site elements include easily accessible soft sloping hills for winter activities like sledding, a park pavilion designed for communal gatherings and resource collection, such as rainfall and solar energy. Additional features include net-zero toilets, covered structures for comfort, ADA-accessible exercise equipment along the trail, unique playscapes, a plaza space for temporary farmer’s markets, and native plantings along the site. This comprehensive approach ensures that the park becomes a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable hub for the entire community.

06 I-65 kankakee welcome center LOCATION: Roselawn, IN

KANKAKEE WELCOME CENTER I-65I-65 KANKAKEE WELCOME CENTER 01 01 LOCATION: LOCATION: Roselawn, IN Roselawn, IN CLIENT: Indiana Department of Transportation CLIENT: Indiana Department of Transportation

Three miles south of the Kankakee River, nestled within the Kankakee marsh and sand eco-regions, our landscape architecture team embarked on a mission with three core objectives. First and foremost, we aimed to rejuvenate the eco-culture within the site, fostering habitat regrowth for small mammals. Simultaneously, our goal was to reconnect visitors with the restorative environment and enhance onLocated along 65 Southbound site stormwater management cleanthe energy practices. Located along the and Interstate 65Interstate Southbound in Roselawn,in Roselawn,

Deposition

Indiana, the welcome center that currently existsand is outdated Indiana, the welcome center that currently exists is outdated in need and in need a renewal. Itsite resides the of a derelict waste water treatment central of design of at thethe features ansite interplay of upland shortgrass prairie,plant. ofThe a renewal. It resides site of aatderelict waste water treatment plant. Our team worked with civil engineers and architects regrade the existing oakteam savanna, and woodland plant mixes. This intentional arrangement creates a Our worked with civil engineers and architects to regrade thetoexisting topography, expand the parking lot to maximize the number of topography, thediverse parkingecosystems. lot to maximize the outward, number ofthe semi-truck harmoniousexpand blend of Moving site designsemi-truck expands spaces, design and build a new welcome center,visitors parking spaces, design and build aand new center, andoffering design a and newdesign to include aparking wetland boardwalk awelcome winding loop trail, an a new surrounding landscape for recreational use that is enriched in ecological surrounding landscape through for recreational use is enriched ecological immersive experience a variety of that tall grasses and in majestic oaks. value. value.

Erosion

To address stormwaterThree management, inletofdrains and water pre-treatment grasses miles south the Kankakee River, within the Kankakee Three miles south of the Kankakee River, within the Kankakee strategically line the parking lot medians, absorbing excess stormwater and marsh and sand area eco-regions, the primary objectives of our landscape marsh and sand area eco-regions, the primary objectives ofsafeguards our landscape redirecting the flow into ateam detention This not the site but also were pond. to recreate theonly eco-culture within architecture architecture team were to recreate the eco-culture within the site to the site to contributes encourage to sustainable water practices. habitat regrowth for small mammals, reconnect visitors to the

· Flat · Rough · Soft · Fast · Smooth · Steep · Eroded

· Flat · Soft · Smooth

· Rough · Fast · Steep · Eroded

Seating on Decomposed Granite

Walkway

Seating on Loose Accent Decomposed Pieces Granite

Walkway

Loose Accent Pieces

encourage habitat regrowth for small mammals, reconnect visitors to the restorative environment, improve on-sitemanagement stormwater management and restorative environment, and improve and on-site stormwater and In our commitment to clean energy, we both old and new wind prairie, energy. Thedesign centralconsists siteharnessed design consists of upland shortgrass clean energy.clean The central site of upland shortgrass prairie, technology by vertical wind turbines on site. we savanna and, woodland plant mixes. outer siteNotably, design of a oak savanna oak and,implementing woodland plant mixes.axis The outer siteThe design consists of a consists repurposed a turbine blade thatand had reached the end of travel itsvarieties lifethrough span a creative wetland boardwalk a winding loop trail to of tall wetland boardwalk and a winding loop trail to travel through of as tallvarieties grasses oaks. Inletthat drains and water pre-treatment grasses element, serving as and site signage adds character and identity, aligningare located grasses and oaks. Inlet drains and water pre-treatment grasses are located in lot thethe parking lotabsorb medians to absorb excessand stormwater with architectural features ofstormwater the proposed welcome center. inseamlessly the parking medians to excess redirect and the redirect the water intopond. a detention pond. flow of water flow into of a detention

Recognizing the significance of rest areas as common stopping points for travelers, Utilizing old and new windwe technology, aimed to implement we went beyond To promote visitor and encourage Utilizingconventional old and new design. wind technology, aimedmobility to we implement vertical axis wind turbines on site to promote clean energy. We vertical axis wind turbines on site to promote clean energy. We revitalized longer stays, we incorporated recreational elements such as adult exerciserevitalized use of a turbine blade that had of the its span the use of a the turbine blade thatruns, had reached the reached endhiking of itsthe lifeend span as life equipment, playgrounds, dog and a mile-long trail along pond’ s as site signage that created character and identity to the site and match site signageand thataround createdthecharacter and identity to the siteadditions and match boardwalk site perimeter. These thoughtful provide a architectural characteristics of the proposed welcome center. architectural characteristics of the proposed center. welcoming and engaging environment for welcome those seeking a break in their journey. Lastly, as rest areas are a common stopping point for visitors

as rest areas are a common stopping pointrevive for visitors In essence,Lastly, our landscape architecture endeavors not only the natural seeking a break in travel, we encouraged visitor mobility and long-term seeking a break in travel, we encouraged visitor mobility and long-term ecosystemsstay within the Kankakee River vicinity but also create a sustainable and by incorporating recreational exercise equipment, stay by incorporating recreational use through use adultthrough exerciseadult equipment, inviting space that harmonizes with themile needs bothtowildlife and visitors playgrounds, dog runs, and longofhikes the boardwalk alongalike. the pond playgrounds, dog runs, and mile long hikes to the boardwalk along the pond andperimeter around the perimeter and around the of the site. of the site.

LEGEND LEGEND 1: Loop trail 1: Loop trail 2: Wetland 2: Wetland detention and detention and boardwalk boardwalk 3: Water pretreatment 3: Water pretreatment 4: Children playground 4: Children playground 5: Woodland 5: Woodland 6: Welcome center6: Welcome center 7: Oak savanna 7: Oak savanna 8: Adult exercise 8: Adult exercise 9: Dog run 9: Dog run 10: Prairie 10: Prairie 11: Existing screening 11: Existing screening

I-6

5 S

I-6 OU

5 S

3 4

6 5

11 COUNT Y LINE ROAD COUNT Y LINE ROAD

8 10 9

10 9

HEALTHY ECOLOGY BALD EAGLE

RED BAT

BEAVER

SPOTTED SALAMANDER

RED-HEADED WOODPECKER

SWAMP RABBIT RED FOX

GRAY FOX

PAINTED TURTLE

CRAWFISH FROG

PEREGRINE FALCON

QUEEN SNAKE RACCOON

MEADOW JUMPING MOUSE

MONARCH

RIVER COOTER

SMOOTH EARTHSNAKE SLENDER GLASS LIZARD

WOOD DUCK

GRASSHOPPER SPARROW

ECOTONE

GREAT HORNED OWL

EASTERN CHIPMUNK WHITE TAILED DEER

GRAY TREEFROG

WOOD STORK

MUCKET

GOLDEYE

BULRUSH MARSH

SWAMP FOREST

KANKAKEE MARSH

WET PRAIRIE

OAK SAVANNA

KANKAKEE SAND AREA

WOODED REMNANT DUNES

UPLAND SHORTGRASS PRAIRIE

ILLINOIS/INDIANA PRAIRIES

07 newman center courtyard

NEWMAN CENTER COURTYARD 05 NEWMAN CENTER COURTYARD LOCATION: Champaign, IL

LOCATION: Champaign, IL

CLIENT: Catholic Diocese of Peoria LOCATION: Champaign, IL CLIENT: Catholic Diocese of Peoria

St. John’s Catholic Newman Center stands as the largest Newman Center The retrofitting of the courtyard aimed at achieving functionality beyond in the United States, nestled at the heart of the University of Illinois at directing the flow of students and faculty. It sought to transform the corridor into a dynamic environment, maximizing gathering spaces for students. Champaign-Urbana’s campustown. Situated on the intersection of South 6th Street, East Chalmers Street, and East Armory Avenue, the center comprises Objectives included regrading and refurbishing the existing pavement with toofaddress drainage issues. Additionally, decorative granite St. John’s Catholic Newman Hall.isCenter This 5-story coed private St. John’sChapel St. Catholic John’sand Catholic Newman Newman Center the largest is theNewman largest Newman Centercertified inCenter in bluestone The goalpavers The of retrofitting goal retrofitting the courtyard the courtyard space was space to create was to a functional create a functional housing facility accommodates 600 students. banding limestone accents incorporated harmonize with theto the United the States. United It States. is located It isin located theapproximately center in theofcenter University of University of IllinoisofatIllinois Champaignat Champaignenvironment environment thatand is not that only is not a way only toadirect waywere to thedirect flow the of students flow oftostudents and faculty andto faculty Urbana’sUrbana’s campustown campustown on the block on the of block Southof6th South Street, 6thEast Street, Chalmers East Chalmers Street building Street existing building access, but access, also abut way also to open a wayup to such open the corridor up corridor maximize andbalustrades maximize the amount theand amount architectural elements, as the theand limestone quoins. and courtyard, Eastand Armory East Armory Avenue. Avenue. Thesouthern center Theconsists centercorridor consists of St. John’s St.Catholic John’s Catholic Chapel ofagathering of gathering space that space students that students can use.can Other use.goals Other include goals regrading include regrading and and The acting as the entry toofthe housing facility, isChapel and Newman and Newman Hall, a 5-story Hall, a coed 5-story private coedcertified private certified housing facility comprised facility refurbishing the existing pavement existing pavement material material with with bluestone pavers topavers eliminate to eliminate meticulously designed space. Brick paving, mirroring the housing building facade,comprised forms Arefurbishing pivotal goalthe was the development of abluestone gateway that pays homage to historic of approximately of approximately 600 students. 600 students. Themulti-stem courtyard The courtyard serves trees as serves theand southern asgroundcover the southern entry drainage entry architectural drainage issues, add issues, decorative addfrom decorative granite banding granite banding andThis limestone andonly limestone accents accents to a distinct to details the main building. not establishes the foundation, complemented by shade corridor corridor to the housing to the housing facility and facility consists and consists of brick of paving brick that paving matches that matches the match the the match existing the limestone existing limestone balustrades balustrades and architectural and architectural quoins, and quoins, develop and develop beds on either side. Decorative limestone balustrades serve both as aesthetic identity but also serves as a compelling invitation, drawing both residents and that emulated that emulated historic architectural historic architectural detail from detail thefrom existing the building existing building building building facade, multi-stem facade, multi-stem shade trees shade and trees groundcover and groundcover beds mirrored beds mirrored on a gateway on a gateway elements and retaining support. At the center of this inviting space, a central visitors into the courtyard. In essence, the retrofitting endeavors to seamlessly each side, each decorative side, decorative limestone limestone balustrades balustrades as retaining as retaining support, support, and a central and a central to createtoidentity create and identity drawand residents draw residents and visitors andinto visitors the courtyard. into the courtyard. double ramp connects the public walkway towalkway the expansive 1,000 square feet of integrate functionality, aesthetic appeal, and historical continuity within the double ramp double thatramp meets that from meets the from edgethe of public edge of public walkway to the 1,000 to the SF 1,000 of open SF of open vibrant St. John’s Catholic Newman Center. open courtyard. courtyard courtyard space. space.

2 3

TOP LEFT:TOP BrickLEFT: column Brick andcolumn and wrought iron wrought archway iron archway BOTTOM LEFT: BOTTOM Limestone LEFT: Limestone column andcolumn wrought and iron wrought iron archway archway BOTTOM RIGHT: BOTTOM Limestone RIGHT: Limestone column gateway column gateway

LEGEND LEGEND 1: Overhead1:string Overhead lightsstring lights 2: Bluestone2:pavers Bluestone pavers 3: Updated 3: siteUpdated furnituresite furniture 4: Granite banding 4: Granite banding 5: Limestone 5: accessible Limestone ramping accessible ramping 6: Limestone 6: steps Limestone steps 7: Courtyard7:seating Courtyard addition seating addition 8: Proposed8:gateway Proposed gateway