Massanutten Resort Custom Home almost finished

by Charles Hendricks | Jul 27, 2025 | architecture, Harrisonburg Architect, Massanutten Resort

We are closing in on the finish of this beautiful new home at Massanutten Resort. This custom home captures the views of the slopes, provides lots of outdoor gathering opportunities, and feels comfortable. When we started the design process for this project we had a clear direction and a solid budget. As we worked through out design process, listening to our client, the design goals emerged. As with most lots at Massanutten Resort, the grade and lot size offer some challenges. We used those to create some opportunities for a striking architectural solution.

Working with Beck Builders the execution of the design has created a bright and welcoming space for playing, gathering, and building memories. I am thrilled with the interior finishes that our client worked out with our talented interior designer, Jarod. The vibrant pops of color exactly match our clients vibrant personality. The large expanses of glass on the front open the house up and connect you to the beauty that surrounds the house.

While we worked through the design using renderings to make sure spaces met the goals, the final product exceeded our aesthetic expectations. It is simply stunning.

Rendering

Actual

Rendering

Actual

I cannot wait until they are moved in and the exterior is finished so we can get complete photos done to share.

Meet Lindsey Kohler-Austin: Your New Point of Contact

by Charles Hendricks | Jul 21, 2025 | architecture, Harrisonburg Architect, team

We’re thrilled to introduce Lindsey Kohler-Austin, who has joined our team as Office Manager and will be your primary point of contact for all client needs. With her extensive background in banking and a genuine passion for creativity, Lindsey brings both professional expertise and fresh perspective to our firm.

Lindsey comes to us with years of experience in the banking industry, where she honed her skills in client relations and operational excellence. While her role as Office Manager doesn’t involve hands-on design work, she describes herself as “a creative at heart” and is excited to learn more about architecture and design. This combination of business acumen and creative curiosity makes her perfectly suited to bridge the gap between our design vision and your project needs.

Keeping Your Cool with Smart Home Updates

by Charles Hendricks | Jul 18, 2025 | architecture, Building Science, Green Building, Indoor Air Quality

As summer heats up, we’re all looking for ways to stay cool and comfortable without seeing our energy bills skyrocket. The good news? Small, strategic changes around your home can make a significant difference in keeping the heat out and your wallet happy. The key is to identify and address those often-forgotten areas where your home’s insulation and air barrier might be compromised.

Attic Access Points

This is perhaps one of the most overlooked areas in many homes. Your attic access, whether it’s a pull-down stair or a scuttle hatch, functions as an exterior door. If it’s not properly sealed and insulated, it’s a direct gateway for hot, humid attic air to seep into your living spaces. Ensure it has weatherstripping around the perimeter and a thick layer of insulation on top.

Missing or Inadequate Insulation

Take a peek in your attic and crawl spaces. Are there any areas where insulation is sparse, compressed, or missing altogether? Gaps in your insulation allow heat to transfer easily into your home. Adding or topping up insulation in these areas can significantly improve your home’s thermal performance.

Hidden Air Leaks

Beyond obvious gaps, air can leak through tiny cracks around pipes, wires, and vents that penetrate your home’s exterior walls or ceiling. Use caulk or expanding foam to seal these often-invisible culprits.

By taking a proactive approach to your home’s insulation and air sealing this summer, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying a cooler, more comfortable living space and more manageable energy bills here in Harrisonburg.

August First Friday at the Depot featuring Derrick Chirinos!!

by Charles Hendricks | Jul 17, 2025 | artwork, citizen architect, First Friday, Harrisonburg Architect, Office Culture

Join us for First Friday Harrisonburg in August at the Depot on Friday, August 1st from 5pm – 7pm for the Exhibition “ICONS” by artist Derrick Chirinos!!

As always, this event is free and open to everyone, and refreshments will be provided by Gaines Group Architects.

Series Name: Icons
Medium: Photography, Digital and Film

Artist Statement: In Icons, Derrick Chirinos swaps out live subjects for mannequin heads to capture the small, everyday moments we often take for granted. These silent figures live out ordinary routines: sipping coffee, taking a stroll, laughing with friends. Each scene becomes a time capsule, a reminder that our time on Earth is brief. As our planet’s protections waver and tomorrow feels more uncertain, these photographs stand as proof that at one point: we moved, laughed, and lived freely.

Artist Bio: Derrick Chirinos (He/Him), is a photographer and filmmaker local to the Harrisonburg area who sometimes attempts to control the chaos in his process and other times lets the art come to life on its own terms. Since expanding his skillset to processing and physically altering film to convey a moment in time, Derrick not only unlocked what he thought was possible in art but hopes to inspire others to think outside the image as well. Since 2019, he has exhibited in Brooklyn, NY, JMU, and at his alma mater Eastern Mennonite University.

*Accessibility Note: This building was previously restored from a fire. The elevator shaft is currently not functioning and there is an absence of ramps in the space. Because the show is on the 2nd floor, this may pose an issue for those who have mobility challenges. We are aware of this need and we apologize greatly if this changes your ability to attend.

This event is free and open to everyone. Snacks and refreshments will be served and we look forward to seeing you there!

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!

Do you want a custom home or just a new home?

by Charles Hendricks | Jul 16, 2025 | architecture

Custom vs. New Construction

Building a new home can feel overwhelming, with countless questions about plans, builders, and avoiding pitfalls. Who can you truly trust to guide you? My advice, though I’m biased, is to talk to an architect first. We specialize in guiding clients through this complex process, helping you understand who to trust, what to ask, and how to protect your interests.

Do you want a custom home or just a new home?

New Home: These are often designed with “resale value” as a primary focus. They might include features you don’t necessarily need or want, but that will make them more marketable later. A new home isn’t typically tailored to your specific life goals, habits, or preferences.

Custom Home: This is where the magic happens. A custom home is specifically designed for you. Conversations revolve around your lifestyle, ensuring specific features, room sizes, and layouts that enhance your life. Rooms are “right sized” for daily living. Surprisingly, a custom home can often cost less per square foot to build than a new home of equal quality because it’s precisely adapted to your needs, budget, habits, goals, and future.

Why Design Matters

If you’re considering building and are already sifting through online plans, pause and decide if a standard new home or a custom home truly aligns with your aspirations. Don’t fall into the trap of spending money on “less design” to save upfront; it almost always costs you more during construction. Invest time in thorough planning exactly what you want. In short: Design Matters.

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