by Audrey | Apr 21, 2025 | architecture, Harrisonburg Architect, team
Architectural Education vs Architectural Reality
By: Aimee Lawson
In the field, our team is made up of architects and architectural designers, but to make a building work, we need to coordinate with other trades such as general contractors, structural, civil, mechanical, and electrical engineers, among many others. In school, we learned that Architects need to be a jack-of-all-trades because they work with so many different types of buildings and people every single day; this made sense to me at the time, but I did not realize how true this statement was until I started working in the field.
When I was at the University of Florida earning my Bachelor’s degree, there were many unknowns about how different working in the field would be compared to studying architecture as a student. I have since learned that coordination skills are in high demand. In school, we had plenty of group projects, but our teams were all architecture students receiving a similar education in developing strong individual design skills to use as a base for coordinating with other trades in the future. Looking back, I would have loved doing more projects with some of the other colleges within the university towards the latter half of my education when my own design skills were developed enough to manage a balance between my design and making it work with the other trades.
Now, after three and a half years in the field, I understand the true need to coordinate across trades. We, as Architects and Designers, gather information from all types of trades, almost like another language, and overlay, transpose and mend them together with our own knowledge and ideas to create a beautiful, functional, and cohesive building. It is much like a puzzle: you can open the box and have all the pieces, but only patience, time, and dedication will make them fit together to create a masterpiece.
by Audrey | Apr 18, 2025 | Charlottesville, community, Empathy, Not used, project update
Project Update: Haiti Agape Pavilion
By: Paul Tassell
Seven years ago, The Gaines Group donated their time and expertise to assist with a project in Haiti. That project is now nearing completion.
Charlottesville First United Methodist Church partnered with The Friends of Fort Liberte, a 501(c)3 founded to serve the people of the Ft. Liberte area in northeast Haiti. This charity has helped develop many projects including projects serving the Eben-Ezer Primary School which provides education to hundreds of Haitian students.
Dave Wheatley, a Trustee of CFUMC, approached The Gaines Group about one of those projects. The Eben-Ezer School was in need of a pavilion where their students were protected from the sun and rain during lunch. The Gaines Group provided renderings for fundraising purposes and structural design for the now Agape Pavilion. Volunteers plan to return, now that the pavilion is nearing completion, to build picnic tables.
The Agape Pavilion means so much to the community. Pastor Dasnis Pierre of Haiti expressed his appreciation, saying “we will be able to create a community life among the students at the school. The pavilion will also be available for church gatherings and festivals. The Agape Pavilion will be a place of love and sharing.”
If you would like to donate to this cause or the many projects for Friends of Fort Liberte, please visit their website: https://friendsoffortliberte.com/system/causes/view/252/the-agape-pavilion
by Audrey | Apr 16, 2025 | Charlottesville, Green Building, Harrisonburg Architect, Interior Design
Contractor: Herr and Company
The Perfect Car Garage
By Jarod Sankar
Anyone who knows me outside of work knows that aside from design & architecture, I have a passion for cars. As a former car salesman, I have been able to experience some really fun and unique vehicles. Out of the hundreds of cars that I have driven, my all-time favorite is my car – I may be a little bias. Check out my Acura TLX. This was my first brand-new car, and I enjoy every mile with this car. I don’t take living in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains for granted, and most weekends, you can find me up on the Blue Ridge Parkway, driving aimlessly for sometimes hours. I can’t call myself a car guy and not know how to design a good home for my baby – I mean my car. Here are some tips on how to make your garage more than just walls and a door.
Storage
First, any car lover, or organization lover will tell you that good storage in a garage is imperative. Having a place for everything, and everything in its place, makes things so much easier, whether it’s storing copious amounts of detailing supplies such as myself, or keeping all your tools and equipment safe and sound.
You don’t always have to go the pre-built storage systems or open shelving route. Sometimes, it makes the most sense to just install typical cabinets with a wood or metal work top. This can sometimes be cheaper and looks way more custom.
If you aren’t sure yet how to lay out your storage, you can start by planning ahead by doing counter height outlets along the wall to leave space for future storage systems or cabinetry.
Flooring
Secondly, you may consider adding a floor drain to your garage design. Incorporating this has many benefits, and makes washing your car so much easier. This also can be helpful in preventing any water damage from snow or ice that melts off your vehicle onto the floor. Along with the addition of a floor drain, dyed and polished concrete or an epoxy covering can make your garage more attractive and functional.
Lighting
Third, good garage lighting makes all the difference. If you’re a tad bit obsessive like me, you want to see every molecule of dirt that may be left on your vehicle after a hand wash. More importantly, a well-lit garage is safer to maneuver around. Incorporate LED lighting into the ceiling, under cabinet lighting for your work top, and step lighting if applicable.
Garage Doors
No garage is complete without a garage door. No matter what the configuration, garage doors serve a purpose. Garage doors can be installed with or without insulation. Insulated garage doors help keep your garage warm during the winter, which in turn also will have your HVAC system working less hard. For the style of door, try to avoid real wood garage doors. Like all wood, it requires regular maintenance. Instead, look for faux wood finishes, or go with a painted metal option. Along with the door itself, you may consider installing a wall mounted opener rather than a traditional overhead opener. Wall mounted openers are typically much quieter and usually are much more attractive. Lastly, if your design allows for it, it’s always good to incorporate a person-door to access the exterior from your garage. Having to open and close your overhead door can become cumbersome, so for quick access, a regular entry door is much more convenient.
For more ideas on how to design your dream garage, contact us. We would love to give you the perfect home for you and your family’s needs…and a perfect home for your car’s needs!
Click here to learn more about detached garage design solutions
by Audrey | Apr 15, 2025 | Charlottesville, community
In Support of the Next Generation
By: Raymond E. Gaines
It is well known that we, at The Gaines Group, support the arts. Our sponsorships over the years and our monthly First Friday events reflect this.
We recently sponsored Swing Into Spring, a benefit concert presented by the Albemarle High School (AHS) Jazz Ensemble for Ready Kids, a local nonprofit that provides counseling, family support, and early education opportunities to kids and families in the Charlottesville area. Our support of this event is twofold.
At the surface, we are supporting the Jazz Ensemble. The band is consistently among the top two or three high school “big bands” in the Commonwealth, scoring highly in every festival in which they participate. Participating in high school level music teaches discipline and accountability, both of which go with the students for a lifetime.
Secondly, through our support of the band, we are indirectly supporting Ready Kids. Through this organization, we are helping to prepare kids for growth and adulthood. This is perhaps a more important legacy for the future than the buildings that we work hard to create that will hopefully survive us for generations to come.
To those of you reading this, we encourage you to support these two organizations and similar organizations in your locality. The future of our society is brighter because of your support.
The AHS Jazz Ensemble is led by Andrew LaPrade, a Gaines Group client from a few years back who played in the group during his high school years.
by Audrey | Apr 14, 2025 | architecture, Building Science, Charlottesville, Green Building, Harrisonburg Architect, Indoor Air Quality
How can vegetation be beneficial to a site?
By: Emily Scognamillo
Every spring, people eagerly anticipate the flowers and plants coming to life. It is a well-known fact that humans enjoy being closer to nature, as it provides a sense of relief and well-being. Vegetation, such as flowers, trees, and grass can benefit a building site. Not only does it help the user by improving mental health while increasing productivity, but it also provides ample advantages to the site and the surrounding community.
For example, vegetation plays a crucial role in soil erosion and stormwater management. Trees and plants help stabilize the soil to prevent erosion and flooding, and filter harmful sediments to prevent pollution. While the roots control the soil, the plants themselves can improve the air quality from pollution as well. By absorbing carbon dioxide from surrounding cars and releasing oxygen, this creates a healthier community. Additionally, trees provide natural cooling by offering shade, which lowers the surrounding temperature. Providing vegetation can result in a building using less air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter. Bushes, plants, and trees provide a barrier against harsh winter temperatures, allowing the building to stay warmer.
Overall, incorporating vegetation into your site not only supports the community but also increases your comfort and the sustainability of your structure. Starting a garden, no matter how small, is a simple way to make a difference in your community.
Celebrate National Gardening Day today!
