Expanding Our Footprint: Serving Roanoke Valley and the New River Valley

Expanding Our Footprint: Serving Roanoke Valley and the New River Valley

by | Dec 19, 2025 | architecture, Roanoke, Roanoke Architect

We are thrilled to announce a significant milestone in the history of The Gaines Group Architects: the opening of our third office, establishing a dedicated home right in Roanoke, Virginia!

This expansion is a direct and exciting response to the growth we’ve experienced in the New River Valley. For years, our firm has been committed to serving the communities of Roanoke, Christiansburg, Blacksburg, and Floyd, and planting roots in the Star City is the natural next step in deepening that commitment.

Church Street Townhomes exterior

Building Stronger, More Vibrant Communities
Our presence in the New River Valley has allowed us to partner with mission-driven organizations and contribute to the region’s housing landscape. We are incredibly proud of our ongoing collaboration with Habitat for Humanity of the New River Valley on impactful projects like the:

Furthermore, our design expertise can be seen in the successful multi-family residential project, The Adams at Peppers Ferry in Christiansburg, Blacksburg New School Addition and Renovation, and an in-process aging-in-place small residential addition in Blacksburg, illustrating our dedication to clients of all sizes.

Our Deep Local Roots in the Valley
The Gaines Group isn’t just a firm opening a new branch—we are a team coming home. Our CEO, Charles Hendricks, grew up in Roanoke, attending Northside High School and Virginia Western Community College before going to UVA to study architecture. His personal connection to the city and the Valley informs our vision for growth. That local tie is shared by several key members of our team, who are proud graduates of Virginia Tech, including Founding Principal Ray Gaines and talented designers Emily Scognamillo, Elizabeth McEwen, and Isabel Gonzalez. Their experience in Blacksburg brings an intimate knowledge of the region’s unique architectural landscape and community values.

A New Leader Joins the Team: Welcome Claude Breithaupt

To lead our efforts in the Roanoke area and New River Valley, we are delighted to welcome Claude Breithaupt to The Gaines Group team. Claude joins us as our Staff Architect and Branch Office Lead, bringing with him a wealth of technical expertise and creative vision. Having previously owned Studio Breithaupt in the Roanoke area, Claude is a respected local architect whose work strives to enhance our sense of surroundings and identity. His award-winning history, which includes a Merit Award from AIA Blue Ridge for the Spikenard Farm Honeybee Sanctuary Bee Barn, aligns perfectly with our firm’s focus on environmentally conscious, thoughtful design.

We are excited for Claude to bring his fascination with the intersection of science and art—and his deep local knowledge to our new office at CoLab in Grandin Village.

Our Commitment: Healthy, Sustainable, and Inclusive Design
The Gaines Group Architects is driven by a singular mission: to help create stronger, more vibrant communities. We achieve this by designing healthy, sustainable, and inclusive environments that enhance the quality of life for all.

Our work is rooted in providing innovative solutions and a commitment to long-term impact. We build strategic teams with a focus on quality, value, and building science to serve clients across a diverse range of needs, including:

  • Custom Homes and Home Renovations
  • Industrial and Commercial Projects
  • Multi-family and Non-profit work

We look forward to collaborating with the residents, businesses, and organizations of Roanoke and the New River Valley. If you have a vision for a project—whether it’s a dream custom home, a commercial redevelopment, or a community-focused initiative—we are here to help you design a solution that works beautifully, efficiently, and sustainably.

Welcome us to the neighborhood!

Follow our journey and explore our portfolio at thegainesgroup.com.

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First Fridays: A Recap!

First Fridays: A Recap!

by | Dec 19, 2025 | First Friday, Holiday

One of our favorite programs we participate in is the First Fridays of the Valley here in Harrisonburg. This year-round program works with local businesses in the Downtown Harrisonburg area, to provide space for local artists of all types, ages, and experience levels to show off their hard work. Part of our mission here at Gaines Group Architects is to help our community become stronger and more vibrant. Supporting local art is such a great way to help us achieve this mission! 2025 has been a great year and we hosted artists here at The Depot every month from March to December. You can find photos, info about the artists and take a look at just some of the art we got to host below! We look forward to seeing what next year brings, and stay tuned! 2026 is going to be extra special!

We are so grateful we got to host so many wonderful artists this year! Click each one of their photos below to learn more about them and follow along on their future works!

In December, our First Friday looks just a little different. We get to host not only a primary artist, as well as other artists who join us for one day only! This year, our primary artist was Lauren Henderson (her beautiful art is on display here at The Depot through the end of the year, so be sure to stop by before time runs out!)

We also use this First Friday to have a building-wide holiday celebration with a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, live music from talented musicians from Red Wing Academy, and delicious refreshments gratefully provided by our in-house neighbors Herr & Co, and R.S. Monger & Sons. It’s so special to see everyone come together during this time of year!

Take a look at the gallery below for a few pictures from our December First Friday! 

Insights from ArchEx East: Resilience, AI, and the Power of Connection

Insights from ArchEx East: Resilience, AI, and the Power of Connection

by | Dec 17, 2025 | team

Earlier in November, team members from Gaines Group Architects traveled to Richmond for the 38th Architecture Exchange East (ArchEx). Hosted by AIA Virginia (The American Institute of Architects), this annual event brings designers from across the Commonwealth together to network, explore new products, and dive deep into the latest developments in design and construction.

For a designer, ArchEx is more than just a conference; it is an opportunity to realign with the goals of our profession. Here is a look at one of our designers, Aimee’s, experience as a first-time attendee and the key takeaways from this year’s event.

A Warm Welcome to Richmond

Stepping into such a large event can be daunting, but the “First-Timer’s Breakfast” set a positive tone for the day. My coworkers and I had the chance to mingle with other newcomers and members of the AIA Virginia Board of Directors.

The environment was incredibly welcoming, helping to break the ice and prepare us for the day’s logistics. It was a great reminder that while architecture is about buildings, the industry is built on people.

The Keynote: Designing Resilience

The highlight of the day was undoubtedly the keynote panel: “Designing Resilience in a Changing World.”

Hosted by a moderator with riveting questions, the panel featured three speakers from diverse backgrounds discussing how we approach resilience. In an era rapidly shifting toward computer generation and digital interfaces, the consensus was clear: Connection is key.

The speakers emphasized that true resilience in a fast-paced, technological environment comes from valuing those around us and focusing on what is “real.” Genuine interactions and attention to small details are what ultimately make a world of difference in the built environment.

AI and the Future of Practice

Following the keynote, I attended a lecture titled “AI + The Future of Practice.” Interestingly, the themes here overlapped significantly with the morning’s discussion on resilience.

We explored how Artificial Intelligence can improve efficiency, but the speaker offered a profound perspective:

“Architecture is the AI antidote… if we train the model to be noble.”

This concept—that we must keep AI grounded through communal, engaging spaces—was inspiring. If we stay rooted in the reality around us, AI can be a powerful tool for efficiency, provided it is handled with caution and care.

Deep Dive: Building Science & CMU

On the technical side, I attended “Architect’s Guide to Design Innovation, Safety, Performance, Sustainability & Resilience with CMU.” This session was an incredible wealth of knowledge regarding Concrete Masonry Units (CMU).

Beyond the basics, we dove into the building science that ensures safety and longevity:

  • Disaster Resistance: The ability of CMU to withstand natural disasters and serve as fire barriers.

  • Moisture Management: The critical air gaps required for walls to thoroughly dry.

  • Material Science: How concrete mixes involving lime can possess self-healing elements.

  • Structural Integrity: The specific placement of control joints—specifically how brick and CMU joints should be offset to maximize wall strength.

Innovation in the Exhibit Hall

Between lectures, we explored the exhibit showroom to see the latest products hitting the market. One standout was a company called Decorative Films.

They showcased films that can filter glass to provide privacy or add unique textures. I was particularly impressed by a film that emulates vertical fluted glass and another designed as a privacy screen for glass-walled offices. The applications are versatile enough that I’m even tempted to implement them in my own home—perfect for bathrooms that need both natural light and privacy.

Overall, ArchEx East was a “must-attend” event for any designer in Virginia. From connecting with colleagues to seeing a plethora of new materials and innovations, the experience was invaluable.

I left Richmond feeling inspired by the balance of human connection and technical precision that defines our work. I am already looking forward to attending next year!

Intern Spotlight: Nicole’s Final Review at James Madison University

Intern Spotlight: Nicole’s Final Review at James Madison University

by | Dec 15, 2025 | Intern, team

Last week, our intern Nicole completed her final pin-up at James Madison University. Nicole is a senior this year, studying Architectural Design. This critique was even more exciting as our CEO, Charles Hendricks, had the opportunity to serve as one of the critics for her review.

Her project focused on a three-generational home designed to support grandparents, parents, a young child and their dog, within a shared framework that balances togetherness and personal retreat. At the center of her design are flexible gathering spaces that use large pivoting doors to open for family interaction or close to create moments of privacy.

Another meaningful aspect of the project is the inclusion of spaces for prayer, both collective and individual. These areas are thoughtfully integrated into the circulation of the home, creating intentional pauses throughout daily life.

The home is constructed from locally sourced interior rammed earth, grounding it in its Moroccan context while taking advantage of the material’s thermal mass to moderate the region’s hot, arid climate. Wooden accents and a woven screen façade add texture, shading, and filtered light as they wrap the exterior.

Throughout the project, subtle “light moments” appear through carefully placed openings that capture sunlight at specific times of day. Cross-ventilation, shaded thresholds, and breathable façade elements also support natural cooling, reducing reliance on mechanical systems.

Nicole’s design results in a responsive, climate-attuned home that supports the layered needs of a multigenerational family, an impressive culmination of her work this semester.

We are so proud of Nicole’s accomplishments this semester and can’t wait to see what she does with her final semester in the Spring!

Festival of Trees: More Than Just Family Fun!

Festival of Trees: More Than Just Family Fun!

by | Dec 12, 2025 | community, Holiday, Lake Monticello, team

Blog by: Adrienne Stronge

 

For my family and me, the Lake Monticello Community Foundation’s Festival of Trees has been a holiday staple since its very first year. Living here at the Lake, it is a celebration we look forward to every December. My kids love walking through the Ashlawn Clubhouse, marveling at the creativity, and carefully choosing which trees to drop their raffle tickets into.

However, this year was a little different—and extra special.

While my family has attended for years, this is the first year The Gaines Group Architects participated as a firm. I was thrilled to bring my professional team into this personal family tradition. Our entry, themed “Brick the Halls,” was designed to capture that same childhood joy I see in my own kids.

We traded our blueprints for building blocks, decorating the tree with LEGO ornaments and offering a full set of LEGOs as a prize. The reception was fantastic—we saw so many kids (and the young at heart!) pointing out the hidden brick Santas and snowmen, and our tree gathered a “ton” of raffle tickets.

Supporting Our Neighbors

Beyond the fun of the LEGOs, bringing The Gaines Group to this event was about supporting the community I call home. We wanted to support the Lake Monticello Community Foundation (LMCF) because of the tangible good they do in Fluvanna County.

The LMCF’s work aligns perfectly with our firm’s passion for Universal Design and accessibility. Their funding for the accessible playground and the accessible beach access ensures that the lake is a welcoming place for everyone, regardless of mobility. As architects in Charlottesville and residents of this community, seeing these improvements firsthand reminds us why inclusive design matters.

Community Impact: From the Lake to the Valley and Roanoke

At The Gaines Group Architects, we believe architecture is about service. This philosophy drives us across all our locations.

While this event supported my neighbors near our Charlottesville office, our commitment to community extends across Virginia:

  • Harrisonburg: Our roots in the Shenandoah Valley are deep, built on years of sustainable design and community partnership.
  • Roanoke: We are excited to announce our new office in Roanoke! Just as we are “bricking the halls” here at the Lake, our Roanoke team is already hitting the ground running, getting involved with local organizations to support the Star City.

Whether we are designing a custom home, a commercial renovation, or volunteering for a local non-profit, our goal remains the same: to design solutions that improve the lives of those around us.

Building a Future Together

Thank you to the LMCF for another amazing Festival of Trees, and to everyone who supported our “Brick the Halls” tree. It was an honor to merge my family tradition with my firm’s values this year.

If you are looking for architects in Charlottesville, Harrisonburg, or Roanoke who value community, sustainability, and creative design, let’s connect. Whether you are looking to build a new home or renovate a space for aging-in-place, we are ready to help you put the pieces together.

Learn more about our work and our offices at www.thegainesgroup.com.