Charles Hendricks Named as a Top Architect of 2023
Fixr.com has just unveiled its annual list of 100 Top Architects Influencing the Industry in 2023, celebrating the most influential professionals of the industry today. This exclusive list highlights the architects who have made significant contributions to the industry’s growth as a whole. Fixr.com’s selection process evaluated these experts on their expertise, experience, and the ability to inspire through innovation and growth. These 100 Top Architects have established themselves on both local and national levels with exceptional projects and esteemed reputations.
Being acknowledged as a top Architect is a validation of each expert’s prestige. According to Cristina Miguelez, home remodeling specialist at Fixr.com, “These experts are creating a collaborative and innovative homebuilding process through their knowledge and dedication. Their work is what’s driving the industry forward today.”
Being featured on Fixr.com’s list affirms Charles’ leadership and expertise in the home building industry. This recognition establishes the fact that Charles is a leading force for innovation, which is vital to the continuous growth of construction practices and trends in 2023.
About Charles:
Charles Hendricks and is an architect, Rotarian, and father living in the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia. He serves the firm as Principal Architect also focused on business development, marketing, sustainability, and building science. He serves the community through a wide range of organizations including the Rotary Club of Rockingham County, Shenandoah Valley Partnership, Explore More Museum, Park View Mennonite Church, Massanutten Technical Center Foundation, Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance Design Committee, and through many other volunteer opportunities. His core believe is that through design we can build a stronger and more vibrant future for all.
Gaines Group Architects is a small firm with a big idea – design can build a better community, enhance livability, reduce construction and operation costs, and protect our environment.
Design matters.
We work hard to understand the best practices in the industry so we can provide our clients with functional, affordable, and beautiful design solutions. We do this through a focus on quality, value, building science, and timeless beauty. Gaines Group Architects is located in Harrisonburg and Charlottesville, Virginia. We serve a wide range of clients from custom homes, renovations, additions, commercial, retail, industrial, ecclesiastical, and non-profits.
Mission statement: Through design we want to build a stronger more vibrant community. We want to design solutions that make positive changes for everyone in our community.
Why we do it: Because we want a better future for our clients, community, and world.
About Fixr.com:
Fixr.com is a home improvement resource specialist with the mission of helping homeowners make better home remodeling decisions. Fixr.com is unrivaled when it comes to providing unbiased, thorough and updated cost guides, price comparisons, and cheat sheets for hundreds of remodeling, installation, and repair projects. When the homeowner is equipped with the necessary knowledge, Fixr.com connects homeowners with the best matched contractors in their area to begin their home improvement projects.
On Friday, May 5th from 5:00pm-7:00pm, we are thrilled to host a First Fridays Gallery Opening at The Depot featuring artist Bill Del Gallo. Bill is a talented artist, specializing in acrylic paints and pours of cosmic colors. Join us to welcome Bill and to enjoy food, refreshments, and community. You do not want to miss the dazzling array of colors in his artwork. Below he shares more about his work and journey as an artist.
Dozer’s Cosmic Creations is an art experience created by Bill Del Gallo, a local to Harrisonburg, VA growing up in the Broadway area.
Dozer’s Cosmic Creations specializes in fluid art using various techniques such as Flip Cup, Open Pours, Dutch Pours, and Swiping. All acrylic paints are mixed with latex-based pouring mediums, then applied to canvas and manipulated by tilting, spinning, and even through use of a blowtorch to achieve these exquisite cosmic and psychedelic inspired pieces. Many pieces are also UV reactive or glow-in-the-dark to give them more depth and reveal alternate images within each creation.
Bill took up this hobby in preparation for double heel surgery and was taught by his good friend Brad Robbins of Louisa, Virginia an independent artist in his own right. Since 2019, Bill has been a featured artist online, at local breweries, and in art festivals. He does commissioned work and sells his own private creations as well.
This event is free and open to everyone. Snacks and refreshments will be served and we look forward to seeing you there! See the event page and RSVP here.
Each month we host a new artist in our building’s 2nd floor gallery at the Chesapeake Western Depot at 141 W. Bruce St. (second floor entrance is on Chesapeake). Artwork will remain on exhibit through the month. Come view the show anytime and get a tour the Depot! We will have food and drink available!
Charles recently joined Beth Bland of Valley Program for Aging Services (VPAS) on the WSVA Early Mornings podcast to talk about Aging in Place. As a certified Aging in Place Specialist since May 2012, Charles has had many years of experience making these considerations, both professionally and through personal experience with family. In the episode, he addresses questions regarding everything from the basics of what Aging in Place is to specifics of what you can do to implement these modifications.
We begin this Aging in Place blog series with definitions and ways to begin, summarized from the episode, and will expand on the process of design implementation in further blog posts.
What is Aging In Place ?
Aging in Place is all about making a home adaptable as we all inevitably age and have abilities that change. Not only is this design approach about aging but it’s designing for a wide range of abilities. This sort of design can be added to your existing home or built into a new one. It doesn’t have to be a large-scale renovation and can be as simple as adding a towel bar to your bathroom that functions dually as a grab bar.
How does this differ from ADA compliant design?
Often ADA design and Aging in Place modifications overlap, but Aging in Place is centered around customizing for you and your experience. It expands beyond simply meeting the bare minimum requirements of basic building codes to creating something unique and beautiful for your day to day life (In another blog, we will discuss the misconception that Aging in Place design can’t be aesthetically pleasing).
Not only is Aging in Place customized around each individual’s physical design needs, but the entire process can be customized around your needs and might include financial, location, and relational considerations.
Why might I need an Aging in Place designed home?
All of us experience changes as we age and simply through life’s ups and downs. When possible, it’s better to plan ahead for life’s variability and unexpected times. Some things you might consider adaptations for are:
balance issues
reduced vision
reduced hearing
decreased mobility
reduced mental capabilities
loss of strength or endurance
The Planning Phase:
What questions should I consider for where to begin?
What are the needs for your specific situation and what might you need in the in the future?
Can your current house be adapted to what your needs will be?
What are you able to do financially?
Do you want to renovate or move to a new house?
Do you have a budget?
Do you live in a location that can support transportation needs changing, such as being near a bus station?
Could a family or nurse live with you in this place?
Who can I talk to in advance to answer these questions and help start the process?
Because Aging in Place is so customizable, not all of these people will be pertinent to you, but these are some options to begin.
Architect: to assess how adaptable your house is
Contractor: for pricing
Professionals for more specific needs:
Occupational Therapist: for specific/personal adaptations
Financial Advisor: to discuss budget
Realtor: if moving location
Making things even easier, we have a wealth of knowledge right here in the Valley with many professionals that are experts on Aging in Place! Here are some places to go for more information on making a home aging friendly
Our blog has more resources and healthier, energy-efficient, and durable design tips, at www.thegainesgroup.com.
VPAS where Charles is invited on occasion to speak on the topic.
Amy Depoy, an licensed occupational therapist at Cardinal Care with over 25 years of experience.
First Fridays Downtown has been going strong all year, and we are excited to feature artist Joey Truxell for our first gallery opening of 2023 at the Depot on Friday, April 7th, from 5:00pm-7:00pm. Join us in welcoming this multi-talented artist. He shares about his work and journey as an artist below:
Joey Truxell is a father, husband and philanthropist who resides in his hometown of Waynesboro, Virginia. His passion is creating art that aims to make people reflect, reminisce and challenge the way they see art.
He began his journey as a young artist in 1974. Joey has worked as a graphic designer, muralist, fashion illustrator, wedding dress designer, book illustrator, freelance illustrator and painter. He graduated from VCU with a Bachelor’s degree in fine arts in 1991 with a focus in figurative illustration.
The gallery “FACES and PLACES”:
“Working primarily in acrylics, it is my goal to capture the light. It is the light that tells the whole story. In a matter of minutes a brightly colored landscape can become a dark silhouetted mass framed by the setting sun. When it comes to people or animals the light is inside them. As an artist, pulling the light out of each subject is the focus. I use color, shadows and imagery in my pursuit to find the light in every piece.”
“Art should both challenge and inspire the viewer.”
Joey Truxell
This event is free and open to everyone. Snacks and refreshments will be served and we look forward to seeing you there! See the event page and RSVP here.
Each month we host a new artist in our building’s 2nd floor gallery at the Chesapeake Western Depot at 141 W. Bruce St. (second floor entrance is on Chesapeake). Artwork will remain on exhibit through the month. Come view the show anytime and get a tour the Depot! We will have food and drink available!
They are a wonderful organization who support one-to-one mentoring for local youth and match youth to local mentors. They have a number of program options that are based in every elementary and middle school in the area, community-based, and everything in between. Their intentional care and support for the community is evident and we thank them for that.
There are many youth waiting to be matched with a mentor, and just a simple vote will help with this matching process. BBBS is especially in need of male mentors because of the nearly double amount of boys than girls on the waiting list, so consider volunteering if you’re able. Check out this link for more ways to get involved with BBBS!
