I-75 Rest Areas in Charlotte County

Florida’s rest area facilities are ideal locations to showcase innovative Architecture to the millions of travelers along the interstate system. The two locations along I-75 in Charlotte County, directly across from each other, are highly visible from the interstate, as well as from the surrounding context. The design will be a vibrant, timeless facility that fits within the modern, coastal Southwest Florida setting and includes a promenade complete with lively, native landscaping upon entering each of the sites. These rest areas offer a colorful and fun destination for relaxation and recreation dedicated to the public. The highest level of safety and security is planned for patrons at these rest areas. The Architecture and site designs are driven by methodologies and concepts taken from the “Crime Prevention through Environmental Design” (CPTED) multi-disciplinary approach.

All building entrances, public rest area amenities, and parking areas are designed with clear sightlines from the project’s fulcrum, the Security Office. Situated in the open-air courtyard between each building’s two restroom wings, this office will have 360-degree views of the publicly accessible areas. Minimizing hiding places, abundant lighting levels at pedestrian areas, efficient parking layouts, locations of amenities, and the careful selection of landscape & hardscape materials support this overall concept of safety. This “butterfly” concept consists of two building wings connected by the Security Office as the prototype’s hinge point. Much like the thorax of a butterfly, the two wings are able to rotate around it, creating a unique solution based upon each location’s site constraints. The intent is that this concept will be an identifying prototype throughout Florida’s transportation network, with each rest area unique in its adaptability to the surrounding context and character.