McGowan Portfolio | Selected Works

Jack McGowan

Architectural Designer

Buffalo, NY

+1 (716) 345-0969

Jack McGowan

jd.mcgowan@outlook.com

ARCHITECTURE RELATED EXPERIENCES EDUCATION

Architectural Intern

Sutton Architecture

June 2020-Present | Williamsville, NY

• Worked on over 100 projects ranging from $100,000-$10M+

• Create photorealistic 3D renderings

• Assist in the design of residential, commercial, and multifamily buildings using 3D software

• Create construction drawings for small commercial projects

• Participate in client meetings to discuss design and present 3D model

• Assist in the preparation of presentations, architectural construction documents, and specifications

• Collaborate with other professionals such as civil engineers, developers, and contractors

Caddie

Country Club of Buffalo

June 2014-September 2023 | Williamsville, NY

• Assist golfers with their bags and offer game advice

• Provide excellent service and maintain conversations to contribute to club member entertainment

• Demonstrate a strong work ethic, etiquette, and problem solving skills

• Coordinate with superiors and peers to meet club and member needs

• Displayed a hospitable demeanor and leadership qualities as a senior caddie to new employees

EXPERIENCE SKILLS

• Google SketchUp

• Lumion

• D5 Render

• AutoCAD

• AutoCAD Architecture

• Revit

• Adobe Creative Suite

• Photography

• Physical Model Making

• 3D Printing

A Tiny House for Good

Volunteer Architectural Designer

January 2022-May 2022 | Buffalo, NY / Syracuse, NY

• Demonstrated a team leader role in a group of 5 students

• Created a set of construction documents and renderings for the design and construction of a modern tiny home

• Participated in weekly client meetings and led group discussions

Ledge Creek Development

On-Site Construction Shadow Internship

May 2021 | Buffalo, NY

• Observed on site to understand how buildings are constructed and learn how architectural drawings are used in the construction process

• Helped the Construction Manager understand architectural finishes

• Learned about site design and construction in relation to the building

Wendel

In-Office Shadow Internship

January 2020 | Williamsville, NY

• Shadowed multiple different people to understand day to day tasks in each level of architecture (entry level designer to licensed architect)

• Learned about interior design, material selection, and software

• Introduced to MEP drawings and linking systems in a building

DiDonato Associates

In-Office Shadow Internship

July 2016-August 2016 | Buffalo, NY

• Assisted licensed architects in site measures and photography

• Attended client meetings to discuss drawing sets and design

• Worked one on one with licensed architects to understand the job role

• Introduced to different career paths within the field of architecture

Master of Architecture

University at Buffalo School of Architecture and Planning August 2022-May 2024 | Buffalo, NY

• 3.896 GPA

• Focus in Urban Design

Bachelor’s of Science in Architecture University at Buffalo School of Architecture and Planning August 2018-May 2022 | Buffalo, NY

• 3.441 GPA

• Minor in Environmental Design

ACHIEVEMENTS

WNY APA Student Award:

Best Practice Recipient University at Buffalo Spring 2024

University at Buffalo Student Academic Excellence Recipient University at Buffalo Spring 2023

Finalist: Senior Studio Competition University at Buffalo Fall 2021

Dean’s List Recipient University at Buffalo Spring 2019, 2020, Fall 2021

AMUSEMENT

THE SOURCE

URBAN AXIS HAVEN

:

[YUWONJI] AMUSEMENT PARK

VERTICAL SCHOOL DESIGN PARADOX

PARTNERS: JAMES HERLIHY + ANTHONY MELI

STUDIO SPONSOR: DESIMONE ENGINEERING

PARALLEL KOREAN STUDIO: CHUNG-ANG UNIVERSITY

SEOUL CAMPUS [PROFESSOR SEWON HWANG]

PROFESSOR: JIN YOUNG SONG

SPRING 2024

South Korea faces the complex issue of Vertical Schools, where children as young as 2-5 years old attend regular classes followed by up to 4 hours at private institutions known as hagwons. These institutions keep students until late evening, resulting in stress and financial strain for families. Hagwons symbolize the intense competitiveness in South Korean society, affecting not only education but also real estate prices. They highlight concerns about the demanding nature of the country’s education system and its broader societal implications. The newly designed vertical school focuses on the theme park concept and circulation to encourage socialization throughout the building. Using colored metal fins, vibrant facades are created revealing the network of spaces, implementation of signages, and the direct relationship of the fins on the interior.

Existing typical hagwon building floor plan [layout with 4 hagwons]

Existing typical hagwon interior

New typical floor plan after reconstruction [4th floor plan]

New typical hagwon [above] and library rendering [below]

Existing typical hagwon building floor plan [layout with 4 hagwons]

Theme park concept network diagram

Study cafe interior renderings

The facade design directly relates to the interior and colors from surrounding building signages. Various fin typologies allow for a fun building interaction inside, outside, and at all focal points. Constructed as a unitized curtain wall system, the facade is panelized with angled fins, large windows, and a full glass wall. Higlighting the front facade, glass and fins are strategically placed to emphasize the circulation, programs, and different appearances of the building during the day and at night.

Building facades and signage colors

Facade design details

Full building facade designs

1/16”=1’-0” circulation concept model

1/8”=1’-0” vertical school final model

1/8”=1’-0” vertical school final model

Site axonometric

Interior renderings of key “theme park” spaces

Daytime rendering

Night rendering

THE SOURCE

TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT

ARCHITECTURE PARTNERS: VICTORIA THOMPSON + ZACH WIEKIERAK

REAL ESTATE PARTNERS: COLE HARRITY, BRYAN JACKSON, MICHELLA KOBTI, JOE LILLEY

PROFESSORS: CONRAD KICKERT + MATT ROLAND FALL 2023

Through transit oriented development, the source creates a community as a destination by connecting a private university and the public realm. Mixing education, health, sports, living, and commerce will maximize transportation, housing, and ecological potential on the site. This will aid existing infrastructure along the metro rail corridor and act as a model for future development.

The Source is designed as a replicable model for transit oriented developments along the Buffalo Metro. The Delavan Canisius site is unique due to the linkage between the Scajaquada Creek Bike Path and the Scajaquada Creek itself running underground. Linking the three concepts together results in multiple amenities given back to the community and other stops along the Metro. The green color in the map on the right represents the added buildings on the site totaling approximately 480 new units. These include studio to 3 bedroom apartments and townhouse options.

site section drawing showing the land use, concept, and connections of the transit oriented development project

3D

Rendering taken from the walkway showing the daylit creek, Scajaquada Park, and a proposal for a new mixed use building along the open space

Connectivity diagram [top] and viewshed diagram [bottom] of proposal in relation to existing buildings

URBAN AXIS

DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION

ARCHITECTURE PARTNER: ZACH WIEKIERAK

PLANNING PARTNERS: NATE MILLER + JINGYAO WEN

ACADEMIC CLIENTS: DOUGLAS JEMAL + M&T BANK

PROFESSOR: HIROAKI HATA FALL 2023

1953 saw the construction of the Skyway, a limited access bridge linking downtown Buffalo and the outer harbor; the ramps to access this highway take up considerable public space in downtown. By removing a large portion of the Skyway and its ramps the historic Terrace can be reclaimed as public space that enhances downtown Buffalo by providing opportunities to live, work and play. The new public space will serve as a connection between affordable housing at the north end of the site and an expanded tech hub adjacent to Seneca One with recreation and shopping along the Terrace. A portion of the Skyway will be reused to become an elevated amphitheater and viewing platform. The new urban space will reference the historic terrace and view-sheds that have been lost to urban renewal while acknowledging the needs of Buffalo today.

Phasing diagram of the Urban Axis tech HUB expansion in downtown Buffalo, NY

Connectivity diagram [top] and viewshed diagram [bottom] of proposal in relation to existing buildings

Site section facing Buffalo City Hall revealing streetscape and mixed use building interiors

Physical model of Urban Axis downtown revitalization project

Rendering from the greenscaped terrace facing the existing M&T Tech HUB, the proposed tech HUB, and the elevated viewing platform

HAVEN

AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROPOSAL @ 138 ARKANSAS

PROFESSOR: MAYA PORATH

2022-23 PETER REYNER BANHAM FELLOW

ACADEMIC CLIENT: PUSH BUFFALO

NON-PROFIT + ACTIVIST ORGANIZATION IN BUFFALO, NY

SPRING 2023

Banham Fellow Maya Porath is an architectural designer, educator, and organizer. The 2023 POWER Studio interrogates the political and economic structure of Buffalo’s built environment. We started by exploring and mapping multiple scales of real estate ownership in Buffalo ranging from individuals to development empires. The studio then shifted to studying policies, funding, ownership models, production, and the construction process. The final project of the studio was a culmination of our research; an intervention method of our choice to better the neighborhood. Rent in Buffalo is too expensive leaving more than 50% of renters overburdened. Constructing a mixed use building will provide affordable housing, commercial programming in the center of the neighborhood, and jobs for residents of the west side. Haven is a need, not a want. 04

Haven @ 138 Arkansas Street ground floor plan with context

Site history and project significance to neighborhood

Typical floor plans and building breakdown

Red is property necessary for building proposal, shaded white is owned by Benchmark Group

New street design and right of way diagram

HUB:

HOUSING UNITY BREWING

ADAPTIVE REUSE HOUSING PROJECT

PARTNER: BRANDON GIL

ACADEMIC CLIENT: ELLEN SHAREEF

PROFESSOR: BRAD WALES

FALL 2021

HUB is an acronym for Housing. Unity. Brewing. Historically, 230 Pratt Street was known as the Iroquois Brewing Company,. so we decided to reintegrate a Brewery into our design as we believe they are cross generational and can be a great start at developing a community. Breweries are extremely popular in Buffalo, and the atmosphere that they bring is the main reason for their rising popularity. Across the piazza is 271 Hickory, a new build proposal built around an amphitheater which is linked to 230 Pratt Street through a subtractive process. This subtracted process allows for cut-in balconies along the facade, the preservation of large trees on the site, and added privacy for surrounding neighbors while allowing natural light into the units.

HUB: HOUSING, UNITY, BREWING ADAPTIVE REUSE

Unit design for 230 Pratt Street and 271 Hickory Street buildings

HUB: HOUSING, UNITY, BREWING ADAPTIVE REUSE

230 Pratt Street elevation showing the new build brew house [left], and adaptive reuse design [right]

HUB [Housing, Unity, Brewing] site section revealing the amphitheater design [left] and brew house [right]

LINKage

MIXED INCOME HOUSING DEVELOPMENT

ARCHITECTURE PARTNER: VICTORIA THOMPSON

REAL ESTATE PARTNERS: JULIETTE METSCHL, ANDREW PIETRANTONI, YESSICA VAZQUEZ

ACADEMIC CLIENT: BFC PARTNERS

PROFESSORS: CONRAD KICKERT + MATT ROLAND FALL 2023

Towne Gardens, owned by BFC Partners, is an existing apartment complex in Buffalo, NY. The company is exploring options to update the site to become a more inclusive and affordable housing development. LINKage is envisioned as a sociable age in place neighborhood that connects residents of all ages and income. The mixed use development encourages residents to grow within the community based on the services and convenience of program location. By reconnecting the missing links such as a healthcare clinic, co-working space, daycare, fresh food market, a gym, and workforce training center, and many housing options, the resources will help improve the quality of life for all residents.

LINKage rendering of townhomes and the park across the pedestrian street

07

DOUBLE SHIFT

VOLUNTEER ARCHITECTURAL DESIGNER

ORGANIZATION: A TINY HOME FOR GOOD

PARTNERS: BRIANA EGAN, BRANDON GIL, MAHOGANY JONES, JOEY TRIPI

PROFESSOR: BRAD WALES

YEAR BUILT: FALL 2023

CONTRIBUTIONS: RENDERING, DESIGN, DOCUMENTATION

The Small Built Works Program at the University at Buffalo is led by Clinical Assistant Professor and Registered Architect Brad Wales [far left in image above]. In 2021, the program was in collaboration with the not-for-profit organization A Tiny Home for Good located in Syracuse, NY. The project developed into three different tiny home prototypes [groups of approximately 5 students each], all of which were then built for people currently facing homelessness. The design of the tiny homes are centered around maximizing space in a small footprint. A Tiny Home for Good requested an affordable yet sustainable design to help with tenants’ future utility payments. The Rich Street site is located in a flood plane resulting in a pier foundation construction. The homes interiors are all ADA compliant in the event a ramp is required for the tenants’ use.

Site plan with all three tiny house prototypes

Double Shift first floor plan drawing

Double Shift elevation [top] and section [bottom] drawings

Passive Solar, Double Shift, and Tilt tiny homes along Rich Street

Rendering of the Double Shift tiny home

Unit B kitchen

Unit A living area

Unit A bathroom

Unit B loft [added after drawings]

RENDERINGS

PROFESSIONAL RENDERINGS

COMPANY: SUTTON ARCHITECTURE, PLLC

LOCATION: BUFFALO, NEW YORK

PROJECT TYPES: SINGLE FAMILY HOMES, MULTIFAMILY, MIXED USE, TENANT BUILD-OUTS, AND COMMERCIAL

CONTRIBUTIONS: 3D MODELING, RENDERING, INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR DESIGN

All of the following renderings have been fully 3D modeled by myself in Google SketchUp and rendered using Lumion, Adobe Photoshop, and Lightroom. Self taught, I became the in-house rendering artist at Sutton Architecture. Using 3D rendering as a design tool, I have worked alongside licensed architects and our clients modeling their ideas in real time. This skill has helped me become an important role in over 100 projects ranging from $100,000 to over $10M. I have learned how buildings are organized, constructed, and designed through the rendering process. Depending on the nature of the project, most larger buildings I first designed in 3D, then went into schematic design phase by others in the firm. Each rendering has a caption stating my role in the project. The projects shown are all built works or soon to be under construction. 08

Multifamily project rendering and design revision | Ellicottville, NY

Multifamily project rendering | Grand Island, NY

Mixed use project rendering and design | North Tonawanda, NY

Mixed use project rendering and design revision | Williamsville, NY

Mixed use project rendering | Williamsville, NY

Multifamily project rendering | Williamsville, NY

Educational project rendering and entry renovation design | Buffalo, NY

Commercial project rendering and design | Cheektowaga, NY

Commercial project rendering | Buffalo, NY

Commercial project rendering and design | Orchard Park, NY

Mixed use project rendering and full design | Orchard Park, NY

Mixed use project rendering and design | Clarence, NY

Mixed use project rendering and full design | Orchard Park, NY

Mixed use project rendering and design | Clarence, NY

Mixed use project rendering and full design | Williamsville, NY

Tenant build out rendering and interior design | Williamsville, NY

Unit plan rendering and interior design | Williamsville, NY

Tenant build out rendering and interior design | Williamsville, NY

Unit plan rendering and interior design | Williamsville, NY

Residential project rendering and material selection | Clarence, NY

Residential project rendering and material selection | Clarence, NY

Residential project rendering and design | Buffalo, NY

Residential project rendering and material selection | Buffalo, NY

Residential project rendering and material selection | Clarence, NY