I think it would not only look nice but be a great view while cooking.

My house was renovated this way (in 1985) we bought it as-is. We have an electric down-draft cooktop below a 30" double hung wood window. I wish I could change to gas but it won't meet current code and I wouldn't be able to do a hood.

I do actually like looking out the window to cook but the way my kitchen was done, the window/stove was put in where the back door used to be and EVERY DAY I wish I could go out the kitchen door into the yard. The nice view is from the sink (stove view is of neighbor's house).

I guess if I had it to do again I would NOT design a kitchen this way. I would rather have the window somewhere else and would sacrifice upper cabinets to achieve that. The downdraft thing is really not a great option.