SUMMARY OF INFLUENCES AND RESPONSES THAT SHAPE
THE CHARACTER OF THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT
ECOLOGICAL INFLUENCES
Topography dominated by mountains and
rolling hills with few open plains or fields.
Glacier-sculpted granite mountains that
feature dramatic rock outcrops.
Mountains that run north-south with
east-west exposures.
More snowfall and wetter climate
than the Lakes Province.
Cold, wet, and
overcast winters.
Dramatic freeze-thaw cycles.
Prevailing northeasterly winds.
Long vistas.
Lush, dense vegetation.
Vegetation that changes with elevation from
low areas of hardwood forest to mixed conifers
with spruces and firs in upper elevations.
Tree line as low as 1,800 feet in northern areas.
Typical Hills Country Vegetation Cross Section:
Hardwoods
Mixed hardwood - coniferous
Coniferous
Typical Mountain Vegetation Cross Section:
Hardwoods
Mixed Hardwood - coniferous
Coniferous
Scrub
Tundra
CULTURAL INFLUENCES
This is settled country, not wilderness.
Early settlers were English, Dutch, French,
German, and Scandinavian, but the English
influence is primary.
Preservation of landscapes and traditional
townscape character is highly valued.
Tourism is an important industry.
Rural culture is focused on villages, hamlets,
and small farms.
Traditional farms feature connected buildings.
Dairy farms are typical in Vermont.
Wood is preferred over brick as a building material.
Early houses are timber frame and log.
The area is the most densely populated portion
of the United States.
Users of a national forest expect cultural
features as part of their experience.
Traditional building forms include the Cape Cod
cottage, the masonry German farmhouse, and
brick or log mill buildings.
Rustic design originated here in the Adirondacks
in vacation homes for the wealthy.
Figures show the following building styles:
Rural farmstead
English influence
Mill structure
Saltbox
Scandinavian