The “Hero” Feature AirBnB

by Charles Hendricks | Feb 26, 2026 | architecture, Charles Hendricks, Charlottesville, Custom Home, Harrisonburg, Harrisonburg Architect, Roanoke, Roanoke Architect

The AirBnB market has become incredibly competitive, and we are seeing a surge in requests for intentional design from developers. Our approach of energy-efficient, durable, and healthy design strategies are setting our client’s projects apart as potential renters are asking for better solutions in their accommodations. Renters are also asking for creative architectural design that will create amazing memories and cool photos. The days of the garage apartment or basement AirBnB are over for those seeking a vacation destination. The demand is for destinations that have thoughtful design and attractive spaces.

These homes are not selling square footage; they are selling the idea of a romantic getaway in an incredible experiential architectural home. There are “hero” features that we are adding like glass-roofed stargazing lofts, outdoor soaking tubs, glass walls, and adult slides. There is a desire to connect with nature, so we infuse these designs with biophilic design strategies. Though the finishes must be durable but cozy. Using products like Luxury Vinyl Plank flooring that will endure the revolving door of renters while giving the high-end aesthetic that draws attention is a must.

Knowing that a quartz counter will stand the test of time and use while still looking good adds value to our design solutions. Integration of smart technology allows for contactless check in and energy savings while units are vacant. Making sure there are easy to clean spaces – minimizing moldings, adding floating vanities, and using built in storage shaves time off the turnover between renters.

Our role in designing these spaces is to make them beautiful, durable, energy-efficient, and healthy, which is our typical approach to residential design. We think through how to optimize the construction costs for our clients so they can maximize their return on investment. We are also putting ourselves in the shoes of the renter as we think through how to make our designs the most desirable option available for our client’s renters.

Is Wellness Architecture the New Luxury Architecture?

by Charles Hendricks | Feb 24, 2026 | architecture, Building Science, Charlottesville, Custom Home, Green Building, Harrisonburg, Harrisonburg Architect

The definition of “luxury” home has shifted dramatically since I entered the industry in 1999. The focus of many of the homes we designed in the 2000’s was “bigger is better” and gables-on-gables drove design. Then I started seeing energy-efficient home technology start changing the goals of our clients in the luxury home market. This grew exponentially as our understanding of the house as a system became mainstream. The days of building the way “we have always done it” came to a quick end for anyone that wanted a custom luxury home.

Since the pandemic, the dramatic shift we have seen is a strong focus on wellness architecture with a strong building science interest from most clients. Wellness architecture brings in biophilic concepts, indoor environmental quality, and proper ventilation systems. This science-based approach to the built environment acknowledges a simple truth: our homes are the primary “skin” we live in, and they have a profound impact on our quality of life.

When we design for wellness, we infuse empathy, building science, and care into the aesthetic decisions we are making when creating your dream home.

There are several aspects of this design approach that need to be addressed: access to daylight, indoor air quality, humidity control, chemical off gassing, natural materials, and functional spaces. We think through not only the views, but the types of light each room will have through the day. Indoor air quality and humidity control are critical to consider when right sizing the HVAC system and picking the right ventilation strategy. We protect the quality of the air by checking the chemicals in the materials we are using to avoid toxic off gassing in a tight envelope home. Finally, making sure the HVAC system not only keeps you comfortable but also brings in the appropriate amount of fresh air.

This idea of designing a home that helps you with your physical and mental health has become a normal approach for our luxury homes. Clients are seeking refuge in their dream homes and even if they don’t express their desire for a healthy home as a priority, their description of their dream home includes many of these strategies. We are thrilled to be able to do this type of work as a way to protect you and your family for generations to come.

Tiny House Revolution

by Charles Hendricks | Feb 17, 2026 | architecture, Harrisonburg, Harrisonburg Architect, project update

We are working on several tiny homes this year which is a trend we have seen growing since 2020. The idea of a smaller home isn’t just a focus on downsizing, but rather it’s a focus on upscaling your intentionality. Beauty is even more critical in a small space, but also, the building science and functionality of the spaces we create are hyper-important.

When we start a tiny house project the first step is to make sure the project works on the site our client is proposing. There are some minimum size standards in building code that we have to conform to, but there is also zoning considerations. Often tiny homes are placed on non-conforming lots or as ADU’s (accessory dwelling units). As we start designing we work out how to make the small spaces feel spacious and connected to the outside. We do this using large windows, tall spaces or vaults, and focus on natural light. If we can provide spaces that are highly functional and adaptable the space will feel comfortable and not confined.

This movement to smaller homes that are highly designed is a fun challenge. We have to work hard to make sure every square foot is intentional and the interior selections highlight the livability of the spaces. Infusing our understanding of building science makes these small spaces high performance machines. Building in the density allowed by a tiny home improves affordable housing options in our community.

Emotional Cues and Intense Listening Deliver a Truly Custom Home

by Charles Hendricks | Jan 21, 2026 | architecture, Blacksburg, Charlottesville, Custom Home, Harrisonburg, Harrisonburg Architect, Interior Design, Roanoke, Roanoke Architect

I know that the most successful custom home designs don’t start with a sketch. They start with an open conversation and intense listening to goals, passions, and interests.

While the architectural concept is very important for every project we engage, that vision is not the driving factor if you leave the designer’s ego behind. The best custom homes are developed around our client’s dreams and goals instead. The only way to deliver this type of solution is to move beyond just listening to your clients to a deeper level of hearing, infused with years of experience and knowledge of design thinking. Digging a little deeper into the number of rooms and learning the “why” someone wants something delivers a dream solution. It is not just a kitchen; it is the heart of the home. It is not just a primary bathroom; it is a luxury oasis that allows escape to decompress from the stress of the world.

We search for unspoken pain points and places that make the home flow better. We think through how the space will feel and function and how emotion plays into the design. We listen to how space can facilitate the dream life and use our experience to sculpt a solution into a functional home.

A custom home is an extension of the life our client dreams of living. This has a high emotional investment, and they are asked to be vulnerable to imagine what is possible. While our clients can’t give a clear architectural solution, often them describing what works and doesn’t work in their lives, allows the design to become very evident in our minds.

This work of listening allows us to take emotional cues and dreams and translate them into tangible design elements that frame views, buffer noise, and mix textures. When we show the design sketch and our client’s eyes light up we know we truly heard their dream. The foundation of trust continues to build with each conversation.

Ultimately, our role isn’t just to design a house; it’s to design the home that creates the backdrop for our client’s life story.

The “Starter Home” is Dead But a New American Dream Will Rise

by Charles Hendricks | Jan 16, 2026 | aging in place, architecture, family, Multifamily Design

We have all heard the “American Dream” of a white-picket-fenced yard surrounding our 1,600 sf brick 3 bedroom 2 bath home with a deck and big backyard. That sounds amazing in 1980 when that dream cost around $55,000. With the average income of that era you could easily qualify for a 30-year mortgage and still take a family vacation. As we move into 2026 that same home will cost around $500,000 if you can even find one for sale. With the median income in 2026 for a family the stretch mortgage is in the range of $350,000. As a result a townhouse has become the new “starter home” and even that can be a stretch as demand outpaces construction. With short supply and high demand for home ownership, we are seeing the average age of a first time home buyer go up from 1980 when it was 29 to today where the average is 40.

As we see the demand for townhouses to fill the void for first time home buyers, we are also seeing a growing demand for luxury townhouse solutions. Families are making these communities that now offer clubhouses, community pools, landscape maintenance, playgrounds, and dog parks their lifetime homes. In 2025 townhouse construction hit a record market share of over 18% of all single-family home starts.

Is there a better way?

Another approach that is emerging in many communities is multi-generational dream homes, accessory dwelling units, and tiny houses. Each of these bring flexibility to the dream. The ADU backyard movement provides diversity of housing in a community at a lower price point. It can be used as an ADA compliant unit or a secondary income to support a higher mortgage. The tiny home enables a lower price point for purchase of a home with the option to do an addition in the future if needed. We are working on multiple projects that fall into each of these categories.

The new American Dream builds a stronger future

The new American Dream often brings a higher level of design than the 1980 brick ranch adding style, durability, energy-efficiency, and indoor environmental quality as driving factors. The new dream brings families together, builds stronger communities, and deepens a focus on quality over quantity. I am excited to see the future we are shaping with these innovative project types.