Discussing the differences in architecture design versus drafting allows us to share the value an architect brings.
A common question we receive from potential clients is “Why should someone hire an architect versus a drafting service?”. We love this question because it gives us the opportunity to share about our training and experience and highlight the value we add to construction projects.
To understand the difference between drafting and architectural design, it is helpful to think about a project as a 3-dimensional complex building system to be approached with a level of expertise that delivers healthy, functional, and sustainable results. Beyond providing construction documents, architects approach a project through a holistic lens that considers building science, budget, flow of space, and aesthetics. As visionaries, architects guide the design process by considering the life clients want to live in a space. We are experts on the entire scope of a construction project and are often involved in all stages from envisioning and planning, design development, construction budgeting, and even observation over construction.
Drafting is the translation of a design to technical drawings. Drafters focus on documentation and the delivery of construction plans. Unlike an architect, drafters are not required to have a specific education background and do not hold a license. All architects are drafters; all drafters are not architects.
Architects lean on their education and years of training to serve as visionaries and provide expert oversight on projects. The journey to becoming a Licensed Architect involves 5-7+ years of higher education, an internship process under a licensed professional, and the successful passing of rigorous licensure examinations. Training covers art, science, math, psychology, sociology, and we infuse this blend of knowledge into each design. Additionally, architects hold a license once they successfully pass a series of exams and therefore hold liability for each of their projects.
If you already have a design and need to make a few simple changes, a drafter might be an appropriate option. Either way, feel free to reach out and discuss your project. We are happy to answer questions and help you understand the value we bring to a project.
It’s that time of year again and many of us are are spending time joyfully decorating our homes. Before running out to big chain retailers for more decorations, consider a few of these tips to deck your halls this year. Don’t get us wrong, we love our store bought decorations as much as anyone else, but we also try to work in a few seasonal touches that reduce our footprint and save us money.
Candles and greenery are a great way to add festive touches to any space.
Candles are a great way to add comfort and visual décor. Arrange tall candles on top of your mantle or table for a warm glow, or purchase a soy-wax candle that smells fantastic and is clean burning and non-toxic. Pictured above is a table at Annie’s house where she includes numerous natural elements and candles. Some of our favorites can be found at Lineage Goods.
Try your hand at making your own decorations! A homemade wreath or garland can be a special focal point in your decorations. Bonus points if you can make this into a fun family or holiday gathering party to enjoy with others! If you are intimidated at the thought of making homemade items, YouTube can be your go-to guide. Here is a great tutorial on making a wreath.
Opt for natural decorations and don’t be afraid to forage. Here in Virginia, there are plenty of species that add holiday charm around your home. Tuck your finds into a wreath, garland, or in a vase for some natural and seasonal beauty. Some of our favorites are magnolia leaves and seed cones, pinecones, and holly berries. Aside from foraging, a bowl of clementines with cloves or even a few pieces of cut firewood wrapped in festive ribbon can cozy up your space.
Purchase quality, simple pieces you can customize each year with your evolving style. A simple sign made of quality materials can be customized with various ribbons, bows, and greenery.
When decorating a tree or lighting up your windows, choose LED Christmas lights to use less energy.
Think beyond visual decorations and awaken your senses with a stovetop potpourri. Annie’s favorite recipe calls for a few sliced oranges, fresh cranberries, cinnamon sticks, and cloves that gently simmer on the stove. This warm blend aromatics can make your home instantly feel warmer and cheerful.
A holiday potpourri is a great way to add comfort and warmth this holiday season.
Save wrapping paper and frame it! Sometimes wrapping paper is just too beautiful to throw away. Try framing some of your favorite pieces for a beautiful holiday piece or even make a collage.
This wrapping paper was too beautiful to be tossed. After cleaning up the edges and mounting it in a frame, it’s now a beautiful piece that can be reused for years to come.
Don’t be afraid to shop for vintage or thrifted pieces! Pre-loved pieces can add instant character to your home. In Harrisonburg, we enjoy perusing Heartworn Vintage, Gift & Thrift, and Green Valley Auction for unique holiday finds.
We love working with visionary clients, especially those that support other small businesses. When Debbie and Nate approached us about their Manufacturing Collective project we were very excited to work with them. One, the building is a hidden gem in Harrisonburg and two, their goals to create a manufacturing incubator is a huge asset to our local business community. I asked Debbie to tell us in her words more about the facility.
A manufacturing incubator is coming to the Shenandoah Valley. The Manufactory Collective will support small batch and early-stage manufacturers as they scale up their businesses. The name, Manufactory Collective, is a literal description of the vision for this space. This will be a facility used for the production of manufactured goods by many individuals and small businesses. The Manufactory Collective will serve as an incubator by pursuing three main goals: to provide access to manufacturing space, to provide access to manufacturing equipment, and to provide access to fractional services and entrepreneur support.
Entrepreneurs are often praised for starting in their kitchens or garages, but what we often don’t see is the challenge of being space constrained until their business grows and they can afford their own standalone space. We want to help overcome this challenge by offering entrepreneurs and small business owners an interim space to grow their businesses. The Manufactory Collective has leased a 20,000+ sq ft facility which will offer dedicated work areas ranging from stand alone workbenches to studios to entire rooms for anchor tenants. Members will be able to upgrade or downgrade their spaces as their business needs change. This will closely resemble many of the coworking spaces emerging around the United States.
Entrepreneurs and small business owners face many challenges as they scale their manufacturing operations. They are often resource constrained and have to add tools and equipment over time, slowing down their ability to scale to market demand. Their low volumes or unique offerings make it challenging to find reliable support from local and regional fabrication shops, and outsourcing overseas can be cumbersome and costly. The Manufactory Collective will bring together commonly needed manufacturing equipment to support many disciplines. We will also offer modern manufacturing and rapid-prototyping equipment to find novel ways to efficiently produce these low volume and unique parts. We are also working to secure a partnership with a local university or college to provide a rapid-prototyping space to turn ideas into viable products. Entrepreneurs and small business owners have to wear many hats and spend time away from creating the value that will grow their business. They don’t have the luxury of hiring teams of people to help run their organization. The Manufactory Collective will offer access to several types of fractional services and entrepreneurs support services to help support these growing businesses. These services will range from purchasing and fulfillment to project management, engineering, and even include fractional CFO and COO options. These services will be available on an as-needed basis, allowing these businesses to make a full-time employee investment, but receive the value of a team.
We hope the Manufactory Collective can serve as a strong part of the manufacturing ecosystem in the Shenandoah Valley by bridging the gaps that exist for small batch and early-stage manufacturers. Collaborating with machine shops, large manufacturers, higher ed partners, and other community partners will be pivotal to the success of the Manufactory Collective and the businesses that scale within it.
We absolutely love supporting and partnering with Red Wing Academy each year. The students get the amazing experience of learning from area musical experts and some of my favorite people ever. Red Wing Academy is hosted by Eric Brubaker of The Steel Wheels as a four-day intensive camp held in June at Eastern Mennonite University. These campers then get a chance to perform on stage at Red Wing Roots Music Festival on June 23rd.
The camp is open to non-beginners that play violin, viola, cello, bass, guitar, mandolin, and banjo from age 5 – 19. Student have individual and group instruction from an amazing array of teachers and get to play some incredible music together. I have attended their week ending performance at EMU several times and always make a point to see them at Red Wing Roots Music Festival.
Gaines Group Architects sponsors the camp each year as a way to support the next generation of musicians in our community. A focus on musical instruction not only teaches kids how to play, but studies have shown that it accelerates brain development in young children, particularly in the areas of the brain that are responsible for processing sound, language development, speech perception, and reading skills.
Next in our lineup of creators participating the First Friday holiday gallery opening is Lynn Adams. Lynn is excited to partake in the festivities and will be sharing her handmade wool and wood turned items.
First Friday Artist, Lynn Adams
Lynn and her family have lived in the Harrisonburg area since 1981, except for a a short time in 2011-2013. They have been involved in Boy Scouts, the church and the Builders Association for many of those years.
She has always enjoyed crafting and working with her hands. She has worked on a range of projects from costumes to wood projects. During Covid, she was in search of something new to learn. She had worked with fabric, yarns, and glass and needed a new challenge. She found needle felted wool and wood turning.
Both are using what is found in nature and that helps bring out its own personality. The wool is naturally dyed and 100% organic. The wood is what we can find from here or from friends, or traded with other wood turners. She sometimes uses acrylics in some of the turnings to add interest and variety.
Be sure to come out to meet Lynn and enjoy all of the vendors, live music, and visits with Santa on December 2nd, from 5:00-7:00 pm. Find the event page and RSVP here. And in case you missed it, read up on the other vendors who will be sharing their work here, here, and here.
