Along Route 19 in the wooded hills of West Virginia, the JW & Hazel Ruby West Virginia Welcome Center serves as the eye-catching main entrance to the Boy Scouts of America's official training and adventure grounds.
As the host site for both the 2017 National Jamboree and the 2019 World Scout Jamboree, the Welcome Center was designed to share the joy of scouting and outdoor adventures while emphasizing the unique beauty of West Virginia's scenery. Views of the sweeping frontier landscape are maximized by utilizing large curtain wall with glass spans up to 28 feet tall, providing a warm greeting to visitors and making a lasting impression.
Using these oversized glass panels in the mountainous location required a facade system that could meet strict wind-load requirements and be customized for unique sizes. YKK AP America team members worked closely with engineers to customize the company's YCW 750 OG Curtain Wall system for the majority of the 4,500 square feet of glass installed on the building. Steel tubes were utilized within the curtain wall system to meet the wind-load requirements. The building's designers also leveraged YKK AP America's YES 45 TU storefront system for the main entrance.
Stunning views aren't the only impressive thing the Welcome Center provides. Inside the building, visitors can access educational activities and information on scouting activities through technology and a collection of memorabilia. Guests can also get a taste of one of West Virginia's most popular outdoor activities on the indoor rock climbing wall that lines one side of the building.
In the three years since the grand opening of the Welcome Center it has been the impressive home base for scouts and visitors, and it will continue to host troops and guests for years to come.
