2023 Class of Fellows, Allison Kirkpatrick Colwell, Arizona Chapter
Colwell Shelor Landscape Architect, Phoenix, AZ
A visionary leader at the forefront of environmentally responsive design for hot, arid climates, Allison Kirkpatrick Colwell has made significant contributions through her expertise in demonstrating water harvesting strategies, creating stormwater bioretention gardens, and developing microclimates to mitigate climate. Her innovative and beautiful designs serve as models for designers in desert cities everywhere. Allison is dedicated to environmentally and socially responsible design, while advocating for the profession and tirelessly supporting young professionals and women. As a founding partner of Colwell Shelor Landscape Architecture, she has led the design of some of the most imaginative and technically challenging projects in the west and southwest with diverse works of varying scale and complexity. Among her award-winning projects are: Orange Mall Green Infrastructure, Arizona State University, Tempe -the transformation of a portion of a paved vehicular roadway into a shady, pedestrian mall in the heart of campus, defined by large bioswales that manage an 18-acre watershed; Western Spirit, Scottsdale's Museum of the West, Scottsdale, AZ-an urban high performance landscape of curated spaces with a series of bioswales that provide enhanced green spaces and social amenities and capture 100% of the condensate and rainwater runoff; and Ghost Wash, Paradise Valley, AZ-a 2.5-acre property transformed into a legacy home/property reconnected to its original native flora, including a "ghost wash" that uses all stormwater captured by the roof and cascading terraces of alternating patio and garden spaces.
