In a commissioned design competition, SS&L provided Limestone County with design of a new Welcome Center which honors the history of Alabama’s economy and serves as a symbol of our development as a State. Translation of this concept manifests itself into a linear floor plan that reflects the linear paths of agriculture. Walls are designed out of terra cotta panels in a color which resembles the tonal shifts of the surrounding farmland. A grand entrance soars upward toward the rocket, already established onsite, while panoramic views created by a ‘floating’ roof capture a sense of weightlessness akin to an airborne rocket. Further agricultural references are made through the design of a green roof, water feature, and information area which is halfway buried into the ground- giving patrons a panoramic view at earth level. Through thoughtful planning all trees are left intact, minimizing the impact on our natural resources.