Buncombe and Henderson Counties, NC
4,000+ SF
Maintenance Facilities, Parks and Recreation, Public - Buildings
Although simply a restroom facility for travelers to take a break along their journey, the buildings for the new I-26 Rest Areas are much more. Unlike traditional rest areas, these truly reflect the environment in which they live, the mountains. The design transforms a simple concept that can be repeated across the United States and integrates it into the local culture and mountainous region of western North Carolina. Although not traditionally a structure for gathering, but rather a facility in passing, a pass-through lobby with sufficient space and grandiose volume allows natural light to flood the space highlighting the exposed structural elements composed of wood and steel.
This multiple building rest area design comes as a portion of the larger overall renovation of I-26 from four lanes to eight lanes between Brevard Road in Asheville and U.S. 25 Business in Fletcher, and from four lanes to six lanes from U.S. 25 Business to U.S. 64 in Hendersonville.
Demolition of the existing buildings will be replaced with newly designed contemporary structures to integrate the local cultural character of the mountains of North Carolina. They feature more natural light, LED lighting, low-flow water utilities, modern vending machines, a new floor plan, and a memorial to NCDOT employees killed on duty. Parking will be expanded to 100 passenger vehicle spaces and more than 30 truck spaces at each rest area. This modern design is the first of its kind for an NCDOT rest area.