by Charles Hendricks | Jan 1, 2025 | architecture, Bryce Resort, Harrisonburg Architect, project update
Another renovation / addition project is in the works at Bryce Resort. This home has served as a weekend getaway for years now, but our clients are starting to spend more time there and need new functional spaces added. We have done some preliminary design sketches to make sure we understood the space function and needs. This process helps coordinate the budget to the program to the priorities. Our next step was a site visit to determine how the grades will impact the design – so Aimee and I worked on figuring out how much slope exists on this home site.
The balance that happens in renovation work has to be done with a lot of careful planning or you end up with a lot of surprises during construction. Of course, there is almost always something uncovered during the demolition phase that is a surprise, but the more we can figure out on paper the less you will pay during the construction phase. We work hard to balance the client’s goals and budget with the existing construction and building site conditions. Our job is to listen well to the client’s goals and figure out a way to maximize the opportunity. Not only thinking through space planning and aesthetics, but also trying to figure out what details the builder will need to be as efficient as possible. Working on a steep slope lot there is not a lot of room to not have most of the answers in advance of the construction process starting.
Working at Bryce Resort on several projects now, we have gotten to know what materials and builders are available. There are a wide range of quality builders working on projects there and we always want the best qualified for our clients. Having a plan with all the details and goals before the builder sets the budget is one of the best protections our clients can have in construction. We have heard all the horror stories of construction projects that have gone wrong without the proper planning in place before construction – we help prevent those things that could go wrong from going wrong. Construction is complicated and there is no way to plan for every contingency, but a solid design in advance will deliver the most economical solution in the end.
by Charles Hendricks | Dec 31, 2024 | Charles Hendricks, citizen architect, community, Empathy, family, Holiday, Leadership, Local Leaders, Office Culture, Rotary, team
I have been selecting a word of the year for several years now, instead of making a resolution that I forget about before the first week of January comes to a close. It is not always a word that guides me during the year, but focusing on a word has had some power a few times as I was going through some rough patches in life. Grace is a word that I have adopted a few times and I feel like I have grown a lot into accepting things I cannot change and giving myself grace along the way. After a rather rough 2024, I think I need to focus on a new word for 2025. As I look to the year ahead, I know there will be challenges, but I am going to focus on joy this year. I am going to try to allow the frustrations and challenges in life to have less weight than the joy that I will have this coming year. I know I have a blessed life and have been given many opportunities that others have not been given. As I think back over the past year and all the challenges faced, I can see there was more joy than frustrations, I just gave the frustrations power.
In an effort to remember joy first, here is a list of some of the things that brought me joy this past year.
I got to see the Northern Lights for the first time. One of my clients shared images from his home under construction.
My youngest daughter graduated high school, traveled to Europe, and found the right college for her next chapter. My oldest daughter continues to thrive, impress, and conquer the world. They are both wonderful humans and bring me joy on a regular basis.
I got to celebrate Mariya as she entered the next chapter of her life while hanging out with some of our awesome Harrisonburg team members.
The MTC foundation formed and held its first fundraising event. I was able to support the event through social media promotion and giving time to the organization.
I got to see the Orioles win over the Yankees in dramatic fashion and share the experience with family (not all of which were thrilled with the outcome of the game). We also got to see a lot of fish, which is fun, and should always be part of a baseball game trip to maximize joy.
Another year of supporting WNRN’s books and brews was a highlight, especially when one of the authors is also one of your clients.
We got to see the finished cabin in West Virginia, the saved historic building in Broadway, the saved porch in Rockingham, the modern house in Rockingham, got a new office in Charlottesville, and started another project at Eastern Mennonite School – all of these and those not mentioned (especially those cool houses we have under construction that I will do updates on later) bring so much Joy!
Fireworks are fun and I had the chance to enjoy some thanks to Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance and the Downtown Lottery. If you like fun things like fireworks you should support HDR too. Downtown also got a lot of new art work to fill our town with joy.
I made it to the Hot Air Balloon festival this year and the weather was nice enough that the balloons got to float away.
Our Rotary Club does amazing work allowing me to serve community through so many events including the Harrisonburg Soapbox Derby and partnering with We Serve at Eastern Mennonite High School to stuff stockings and clean up the highway. The best part of Rotary are the friendships we get to build and the difference we can make together in our community. The sense of joy in making our community better is endless.
We were able to host 12 artists for First Friday and I think they all made a least one sale at their shows. If nothing else, we added exposure to their work and celebrated the beauty of art creation in our community. Supporting local artists is a great source of joy.
I was able to attend a lot of musicals this year including Beetlejuice, Twelfth Night, Tina, Fiddler on the Roof, and Annie. Regardless of what you heard, I enjoy going to see these talented performers.
Dad and I attended our first JMU Men’s basketball games and they won.
I got to attend some amazing concerts to see some amazing talent including Judy Chops, Who Shot John, Wood Brothers, The Steel Wheels, Christone Kingfish, AJR, Almost Monday, mxmtoon, Nickel Creek, Shenandoah Valley Children’s Choir, EMS Touring Choir, and more.
The Harrisonburg Rockingham Child Day Care Center opened! You want JOY, visit a daycare.
Our clients fast food oriental restaurant finished construction and opened and I got to eat some of their amazing food!
Red Wing Academy brings me so much joy each year playing at our First Friday event in December.
I got a Charlie Brown cake for my birthday!
Our Rotary Club took on the challenge to plant new Peace Poles in the community and register existing Peace Poles on the international Peace Pole map. This effort is so fulfilling, spreading Peace in our world that is so focused on violence. The Peace Pole is an internationally known symbol of Peace and stand as a daily reminder that we each have a role in spreading Peace on Earth. True Joy comes from helping build a stronger community.
I love mentoring, teaching, and sharing about architecture, building science, aging-in-place, using empathy as a design tool, and of course the history of the depot. This past year we hosted job shadow students in our office. I also had the chance to teach at Massanutten Technical Center. On the Road Collaborative students visited our office as did the Bridgewater historical society. We had the Central Virginia chapter of AIA visit the office to hear about our work.
Probably the best joy filled highlight of the year for me is how many times I have had a crowded table at my house filled with family or been invited into April’s house to join her crowded table. It is an awesome blessing in my life to have such a large group of family so close and we even got to spend some time with family from out of the area this year. I may not be the best cook around, but with April by my side (who is an excellent cook), we were able to make several meals that kept everyone happy this year.
Finally, what could be more joy filled that hanging out with Santa! Even better, finding out once again that I am Santa’s favorite Architect.
Photographers work in this blog post include Digital Minerva, Charles Hendricks, Asha Beck, and Herr and Company.
by Charles Hendricks | Dec 30, 2024 | architecture, Building Science, green term defined, Harrisonburg Architect, Historic Renovation
We have had the honor of designing renovation / additions for several of the beautiful historic homes on Franklin street in Harrisonburg over the years. Our approach to a project in a historic neighborhood is to figure out what is possible with the existing structure and the available budget, then to maximize the value added with the work planned. Sometimes working in existing homes there are really unique opportunities that we can highlight through design. Sometimes working in existing homes there are big challenges that limit the opportunities. We work hard to figure out what can be done on paper before construction starts.
We serve as our clients’ advocate and protection in all construction projects. This is even more important when working on a historic home. Hiring a builder to do the design and construction leaves you open to not having expertise to figure out if you are getting the best value. You may be giving up design options that the builder has decided are too complicated or not even thought of since they are not trained in design. You might be convinced to remove parts of the historic home that still have useful life in them because it will be easier. You might also simply be putting a new finish on an old problem.
To avoid creating problems in your historic home you should develop a plan that thinks through as many of the obstacles and opportunities as possible prior to construction. To offer the most protection for your budget and scope of work, have your architect involved through design and into the construction phase. We know what is possible and can give options should a surprise be uncovered during the demo. A team approach is the best way to maximize the value of your renovation dollars.
by Charles Hendricks | Dec 30, 2024 | architecture, Bryce Resort, green term defined, Harrisonburg Architect
This unique home in Orkney Springs needed a little more space and a modest upgrade. We have been working with the clients to figure out the right finishes for the budget, the right space layout for the functional goals, and the right drainage strategy to manage water on the building site. Over the Mountain builders have been working hard to execute the plan and a lot of progress has been made. Jarod has been working hard with our clients and the builder to make sure the best value finishes are being used to achieve the design goals and that the builder has the right information to execute the plan.
Working through the design before construction starts is always the best process. However, this one ended up finishing drawings, starting construction, then finishing selections. Balancing the information flow is one of the areas where we provide huge value. Construction can be stressful and we can help minimize the strain, improve the communication, and keep everyone on the same page. The added challenge of spotty cell phone service when doing an Orkney Springs renovation project has benefited from our team stepping in to help more with communications. Every project we have is custom, this one needed us to adapt a little more hand-on designing during construction, so that is what we have done.
I think the primary design skill that any architect or interior designer has to have is being adaptable to the project’s needs. If you have empathy for your clients and their builder, this will come easy to you. We strive to always put ourselves in the shoes of clients and builders to maximize the communication and minimize the misunderstandings.
by Charles Hendricks | Dec 30, 2024 | architecture, Commercial Architect, green term defined, Harrisonburg Architect, project update
The Oriental Express and Catering restaurant is now open on Port Republic Road in Rockingham County. We loved working on this new concept restaurant and hope they are overwhelmingly successful. Based on our first visit there – they will be.
The food is awesome and the service is top notch.
When we started designing this new concept restaurant for our client, we were given a footprint by the civil engineer that limited our flexibility. We knew how much space we needed for a kitchen and refrigeration, but we had to figure out the flow and seating options. The style, color, finishes, and textures were all ready to be discovered. We worked hard to find the right mix that not only stood out to attract customers, but also to complement the food. The end result brought in fresh and bright colors underscoring the vibrant food options and quick service. This bright dining room invites you in to enjoy the space and the views. The bold colors give a youthful appeal to the space. I am thrilled with how it has come together.
If you have not been there to try the food, you should go, asap!
