Derby Welcome Center
Derby, VT

Commissioned by the Department of Buildings and General Services in 1995, this facility will welcome visitors traveling to Vermont from Canada on I-91 in eastern Vermont. In addition to housing the standard Tourist amenities, such as restrooms and vending machines, the facility also incorporates an extensive Exhibit Space displaying information relating to local, regional, and statewide tourist destinations.

Northern Architects responsibility was to develop a site configuration that took advantage of the breathtaking westerly views to Jay Peak and Owl’s Head, while incorporating not only the Welcome Center Building, but also a Picnic Pavilion, a Maintance Building, 35 car parking spaces, 10 truck parking spaces, and 3 bus parking spaces, all within a heavily constricted site limited to the existing highway right-of-way.

Northern Architects developed the building design around a theme of a Hunting or Ski Lodge in the Northeast Kingdom. Our responsibilities included not only the design of the individual buildings, but also the displays within the Exhibit Area.
Construction documents were completed in February of 2002, and construction awaits funding by the Federal and State Government.