Ken McCown

Ken McCown is a Professor and Department Head of Landscape Architecture at the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design, University of Arkansas. He holds a BLA and M.Arch from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His career includes roles as Department Head at Iowa State University, Director of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Downtown Design Center, and Director of the Richard and Dion Neutra VDL Research House II. McCown focuses on interdisciplinary projects in landscape architecture, urban design, and sustainable development, with notable work on the Taj Mahal National Park and Cedar Trail Retrofit. His awards include the ASLA Honor Award and Mayor’s Urban Design Award. He has advised students whose works, such as Nicholas Glover’s “Biophones,” have won national acclaim. His research and exhibitions span global venues including the White House, Museum of Finnish Architecture, and Tallinn Architecture Biennale.

McCown’s teaching emphasizes design innovation and sustainability, reflected in collaborative studios and award-winning student projects. He has served leadership roles in the Council of Educators of Landscape Architecture and lectured internationally on Richard Neutra’s architectural legacy. His professional experience bridges academia and practice, with roles as designer, project manager, and consultant.