Should I stay or should I go?

by Charles Hendricks | Sep 13, 2026 | Accessibility, aging in place, architecture, Building Science, Charles Hendricks, citizen architect

LeeAnn and Phillip Maxwell are once again hosting a Should I stay or should I go? Seminar. This event features experts that can support seniors on topics including estate planning, aging in place, selling your home, and wealth management.

Why is this important for our community? Well, from experience, walking with dad over his last two years you need to know who to call when you need help. For instance, my go to expert on adapting existing conditions to make them safe for the specific need is Amy Depoy with The Pivot Point Group. Amy is an occupational therapist that understands how to evaluate mobility of a person and then can recommend the proper solutions. While I can help you redesign a space to make it easier to use for a lifetime, Amy knows the tools and resources to implement without major construction related changes to the structure of your home. She came to our house and spoke with dad, looked at what we had set up, and offered some additional resources that made it easier for him to move safely and for me to safely assist him.

VPAS (Valley Program for Aging Services) is another resource that you will find at the upcoming seminar. I have worked with VPAS for years helping spread the word about how to make a home more welcoming to people of all abilities. They also offer resources to help you know the paperwork you need, how to navigate Medicare services, can provide caregiver support, are working to educate our community about dementia, and organize meals on wheels. This organization is like a utility knife for our senior population. You will definitely want to know all the services they provide before you need them.

So join the seminar, register HERE. I will be at the event to answer questions about aging in place and architectural changes you can make in your home. There will be many other experts that are dedicated to helping seniors live long, safe, and happy lives in our community.

The event is free, includes lunch, will be held at the Doubletree Hotel in Harrisonburg, September 17th, from 11:30 am – 2:00 pm. You have to register so they know how much food to provide.

Collaboration to deliver better service to our clients

by Charles Hendricks | Sep 12, 2026 | architecture, Charles Hendricks, Charlottesville, citizen architect, Commercial Architect, community, Custom Home, Empathy, Harrisonburg, Harrisonburg Architect, Local Leaders

This amazing event, Charlottesville Architect + Builder Exchange, is building a better industry.

Charlottesville Architect Builder Exchange

This past week Charles and Sam were invited to share how they collaborate outside of projects to deliver better projects to shared clients. Sam with Herr and Company and Charles have worked together on many projects over the years. They have a trusting relationship. It is not just based on the projects though, it is based on each of them showing up for the other consistently.

The story they shared is not a new way of doing business. It is simply treating each other with respect and working towards a common goal: excellent service to our community, integrity in the process, and a desire to do better for our clients. Once the video of the event is posted we will share it. We welcome your ideas of how we can improve more. We don’t have it all figured out and want to continue to grow and improve. Let us know how you deliver better service to your clients through collaboration, trust, and integrity.

Thanks to Jim at Candid and his team for allowing this conversation to happen.

If you have a community group or event that needs a speaker: Charles loves sharing his passion for community, building science, architecture, aging in place, the history of the Chesapeake Wester Depot, using empathy as a design tool, or if you just want him to tell stories – reach out and let’s get it scheduled.

Project Update: The Elkton Castle

by Charles Hendricks | Aug 5, 2026 | aging in place, architecture, artwork, Building Science, community, Custom Home, Harrisonburg Architect, Interior Design, Not used, project update

Elkton Castle Project Update:

As architects we have the best jobs in the world. We get to listen to our clients dream about how they want to live, then we get to design a place to facilitate that dream.

Designing this home for our incredible clients is a great example. In the first meeting it was clear they had a strong idea of what they both wanted. They had a vision for their home, but were not sure how to put it together. So we listened, took notes, documented goals, sketched, tried again, refined, and developed a concept for them.

While the home being built is designed around function, it is also what they described as their dream home. It allows for mobility, welcoming guests, and captures the incredible views. The dining room is designed for bringing family and friends together. The kitchen allows for gathering as well. There is a detached space to facilitate a hobby interest. There are outdoor gathering spaces including a fireplace, an outdoor kitchen, and a screen porch. The movie room is designed specifically for enjoying favorite movies at full volume. There are whimsical elements that highlight their personality. It is their dream home they described.

This home- or castle as we are calling it, is a prime example of designing a home to facilitate the dream life our clients want to live. Stay tuned for more updates including a magical wooden wardrobe.

The Lasting Impact of Local Mentorship

by Charles Hendricks | Jul 31, 2026 | community, Empathy, family, Harrisonburg, Leadership, Local Leaders, Mentorship, resources, team

Why investing in local non-profits builds community:

Blog post written by Hannah Cundiff

At Gaines Group Architects, we believe that businesses investing in local non-profits that provide mentorship opportunities can help support generational change building a stronger community for years to come. Almost everyone has had a mentor at one point in their lives. Whether a teacher, coach, church leader, or even just an older friend, having a mentor helps with development at a young age and can help you grow as a person as you get older. That is why we actively support local non-profits like Big Brothers Big Sisters, whose proven mentorship model creates a ripple effect of generational change.

In 2025, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Harrisonburg-Rockingham served 127 local youth. Their mission is simple yet powerful: create and support one-on-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. And the results speak for themselves. In 2025 alone:

100% of Littles graduated high school.
97% agreed they felt closer to their bigs
91% increased their disapproval of risky behaviors.
88% improved their familial relationships.
88% experienced an improved sense of social accecptence with their peers
87% improved their grades.
77% increased confidence to do well in school

Big Brothers Big Sisters Harrisonburg Rockingham

The impact of mentorship isn’t just something we talk about; it’s something our team lives out.

I serve as a mentor to two “Littles” through a student organization at James Madison University. Even though they are fellow college students, you are never too old to benefit from a mentor. When I first met them, both were quiet and kept to themselves. Over the past few months, watching them come out of their shells and step into super active members, and wanting to become “bigs” themselves has been incredibly rewarding.

I also know the value of mentorship firsthand. Throughout high school and college, one of my older friends has helped me navigate hard times in high school, overcome the anxiety of transitioning to college, and step confidently into JMU’s massive Marching Royal Dukes colorguard. She still checks in on me today. I see her as an older sister figure, and I remain deeply grateful for her guidance.

At Gaines Group, this passion for mentorship spans our entire team. Aimee Lawson, one of our designers, is a Big Sister with BBBS. She frequently shares updates on the fun activities she plans with her Little and the incredible growth she has seen in just a few short months. (Read more about Aimee and her Little here).

Investing in a local non-profit like BBBS shows that a community that comes together to support mentorships has a stronger bond between people, improves the overall community, and builds a better future.

More Information:

https://thegainesgroup.com/big-brothers-big-sisters-of-harrisonburg-rockingham-county/

https://bbbshr.org/

Project Update: George’s Flowers Progress is Blooming!

by Charles Hendricks | Jul 21, 2026 | architecture, community, Not used, project update, Roanoke, Roanoke Architect

Project Update in Roanoke: George’s Flowers is Blooming!

We are really excited to see the progress taking shape at George’s Flowers near Tanglewood Mall. The existing building, which housed Audiotronics did not represent the innovative brand of George’s Flowers, so we jumped at the opportunity when he asked us to design a solution. The building, which was built with few windows to the outside, is being opened up to allow in the light, and so we can see all the cool things inside that George’s will create.

The interior spaces are being completely reworked to make this a functional and FUN place to work and shop. The display space will allow for even more must-have items to be displayed. The new coolers will keep the floral arrangements crisp and looking fresh. This is a straightforward commercial renovation that we hope will grab the attention of all who drive by, especially anyone who needs to grab some flowers on their way home from work!

This project is a great example of why you need an architect for your commercial renovation project. We have spent time listening to our client’s goals and working with the contractor and suppliers to make sure it all fits inside the existing building. The coordination with HVAC, plumbing, cooler suppliers, and the contractor has been key to keeping the project moving on a fast timeline so there is little downtime for this commercial business. We are maximizing the opportunities that the existing shell building provided and adapting it so it meets the image and reputation of this amazing business. Our integrated design approach that invites in the contractor team has reduced the timeline and questions during the build, which saves our client money and maximizes the contractor’s profit potential.