Harrisonburg Art and Architecture Walking Tour

by Charles Hendricks | Sep 22, 2026 | architecture, Charles Hendricks, citizen architect, community, Harrisonburg, Harrisonburg Architect

We created a Harrisonburg Art and Architecture walking tour and want to share it with you. We still need to add names of architects of some of the buildings that make up the fabric of our town. Please help me complete the tour, send me any missing information or corrections. We also want to add in some interesting stories that go along with the buildings and art. If you are the artist, building occupant / owner, or have just been around a while and have a story to share, let me know. We want to make this tour as inclusive as possible.

Special thanks to the photographers on this project: Hannah Hendricks and Monica Espinoza!

Check it out here. Maybe you will find something new on the list in downtown that you did not know about from Caverns, to Green Book, to Love and Romance?

Building a stronger community in Roanoke

by Charles Hendricks | Sep 21, 2026 | architecture, community, Local Leaders, Office Culture, Roanoke, Roanoke Architect

Our growth in the Roanoke community is an exciting opportunity not just to do work for our clients, but to invest in our community. Charles and Helen both grew up in Roanoke and have deep ties to the area and we all want to use our skills to make it an even better place to live work and play. Our firm philosophy is to use our design skills to build a stronger and more vibrant community with every project. We also love to give our time to organizations that share in this desire to do the work.

We continue to meet friends and allies in the community, and we are attending a lot of events to connect. Recently Claude and Helen attended the ribbon cutting of the Promissory Hotel and Exchange in Roanoke. The 1912 Beaux-Arts First National Exchange Bank building has been converted into a vibrant cultural destination. Architectural firm Glave & Holmes Architecture collaborated with Balzer and Associates to bring this building back to life. The hotel accommodates 27 unique boutique luxury rooms. The original bank lobby is now a 1,200 person capacity live music hall and event space curated by Across-the-way productions. The Spanish inspired restaurant and wine bar on the first floor, Suerte, offers tapas menu options. This is a perfect example of how design can celebrate the past while building a vibrant future.

Both success stories reinforce the importance of building collaborative relationships between builders, developers and planners to deliver a profitable, economical and desirable outcome. We love to see others doing good work to build a stronger and more resilient community.

Project Update: Scottsville Home Renovation

by Charles Hendricks | Sep 20, 2026 | architecture, Charlottesville, Interior Design

Our clients asked us to find ways to make their home more functional, utilizing existing spaces with intentional planning. We worked to find places to add architectural interest, pragmatic storage, and beauty throughout this home renovation in Scottsville, Virginia. We listened to the pain points of their existing spaces and developed a comprehensive plan to make this a home one that supports the life they want to live in this place.

Using custom built-in storage solutions we were able to design solutions for our client’s unique lifestyle. In the mudroom entry we designed coat hooks, floor-to-ceiling cubbies, and integrated a bench to keep the space functional and clutter-free.

Below the staircase we utilized space that is often forgotten for added storage. The built-in drawers and open shelves transforms this space into display space, book nook, and a place to hide some items from view. The bonus pet bed spot adds a place to get that dog bed out of the floor to avoid the tripping hazard we have all faced.

Before

After

The playroom was transformed into a multi-use play, hang-out, workspace for the kids. They have plenty of space to create, dream, do homework, and it will all be easy to keep neat. We also have a large space for book and media storage or even better, a place to display all the cool creations the kids are going to make at their new built in desks.

The main living space has an added window seat with built-in storage so you can relax and watch the kids play in the front yard. There is a high level of craftsmanship at every corner in this renovation executed by ACE Contracting.

In the primary suite the custom wood bath vanities with bold stone countertops offer a warm and relaxing space to unwind. The expansive screened porch area allows for a peaceful three-season outdoor living space in the heart of the Albemarle County’s tree canopy and the screen protects from the Albemarle County bug population.

The attention to craftsmanship in every detail shows how a good plan and the execution of the plan can come together to create a dream home. Working with a contractor, like ACE Contracting, that cares deeply about the work they produce made this project successful. We look forward to final completion of all the details so our clients can ease into this renovation designed specific for them.

Before

Rendering

After

Bathroom Finishes Before

And After

Deck Addition Before

Deck Addition After

Rear House Before

Rear House After

AIA-CV Community building site visit – Kindlewood Phase II

by Charles Hendricks | Sep 19, 2026 | architecture, Building Science, Charlottesville, Green Building

Our team reviewing site plans on the street before heading into the active construction zone

In our #Charlottesville office we spend a lot of time making sure to get all the details just right on our drawings. We work hard to make sure our wall sections, plans, elevations, and details are clear, concise, and correct. We research, learn, and investigate to deliver the right solution for each project. However, no matter how much time we spend reading and investigating, there is no substitute for stepping onto an active job site to see architecture come to life.

As active AIA Central Virginia members we often get to collaborate and learn from our peers in the industry. This week we were able to join the AIA Central Virginia Emerging Professionals (AIA EP) group for an architect-led tour of the Kindlewood Phase II project under construction in Charlottesville.

We encourage and support continuous learning and hands-on field experience in our firm in order to drive our design process. You need to see what you have drawn (and what others have drawn) to learn and grow as a designer. Visiting an active construction site gives our team knowledge of complex conditions from structural, mechanical, and even the building envelope in actual execution.

Even beyond all the building science lessons that can be learned on a job site, joining in on AIA Central Virginia events fosters peer connections within the architectural and construction industry. Walking a job site with fellow members brings up questions and conversations that don’t happen in a single office. Different firms approach design from various angles and learning best practices is critical for the advancement of our profession. We can discuss challenges and successes while seeing the results of design in action.

Architects viewing interior drywall and window installation at Kindlewood Phase 2

Rooftop solar array installed for high-performance sustainable energy at Kindlewood Phase 2

We encourage and support continuous learning and hands-on field experience in our firm in order to drive our design process. You need to see what you have drawn (and what others have drawn) to learn and grow as a designer. Visiting an active construction site gives our team knowledge of complex conditions from structural, mechanical, and even the building envelope in actual execution.

Even beyond all the building science lessons that can be learned on a job site, joining in on AIA Central Virginia events fosters peer connections within the architectural and construction industry. Walking a job site with fellow members brings up questions and conversations that don’t happen in a single office. Different firms approach design from various angles and learning best practices is critical for the advancement of our profession. We can discuss challenges and successes while seeing the results of design in action.

One of our regular contractors for multi-family projects is also the contractor for this project. KBS, out of Richmond, VA, has a focus on high quality construction and is a strong collaborative partner. We are proud of their work on this project in the Charlottesville community and look forward to our next sustainable multi-family community we get to work with them on.

Getting out of the office to see sustainable architecture in action energizes our team. We love the community building approach this project took and the standards of design used. Congratulations to Grimm+Parker Architects on a very successful design and KBS on the execution of the vision. We know that your work will have a lasting impact on our Charlottesville community.

Our Charlottesville team, Lizzy, Adrienne, Izzy, and Emily in safety gear on the rooftop at Kindlewood

The Veranda, Luxury Cabin Architecture

by Charles Hendricks | Sep 18, 2026 | architecture, Commercial Architect, Custom Home, Harrisonburg Architect

The design of this luxury cabin was focused around providing an amazing experience for all the visit the property. Our client asked us to use the same layout that worked well on the Sadana Cabin but to change the architecture to provide something new. This idea of maximizing investment but also allowing for interesting design is a fun challenge. We looked at a few different forms the cabin could take. We wanted to capture the views, create a warm and inviting space, and keep the build economical for our client. I think the result is beautiful.

The ceiling vault pulls your eye to the views and really opens up the space. It feels good. That was certainly a top goal and walking through the space confirms it. This luxury cabin retreat checks all the boxes for those looking for a relaxing and comfortable place to stay.

The views from the hot tub at night make it all pretty special.

The interior finishes set the tone with rich colors and clean lines.

We are really happy with how this luxury cabin turned out and are thankful for Beck Builders for executing the plan and our client for trusting our team!

Industrial Architecture Requires An Integrated Team

by Charles Hendricks | Sep 17, 2026 | architecture, Blacksburg, Charlottesville, Harrisonburg Architect, industrial architecture, Interior Design, Office Culture, Roanoke Architect

In the industrial and manufacturing industry downtime is the ultimate enemy. Efficiency and productivity are key elements to success. When an industrial facility needs renovation, expansion, or completely new space the plant manager’s concern is downtime, disruption, and safety risks that all impact productivity, wellness or employees, and the bottom line. In this type of work downtime is not a luxury that can happen and a slow disjointed design process will not work.

We approach industrial design like our other projects, without ego, listening for challenges and opportunities, and thinking about which partners will deliver the best success for our clients. We want to approach every project as an integrated team: owner, architect, contractor, engineer, and other stakeholders depending on the need. We don’t work in a silo that will slow the project. We know that minimal disruption ensures the best outcome.

Our designs all start by sketching out the idea after listening to our clients’ goals and analyzing the opportunities. We learn how products flow through a space, where potential bottle necks occur, and how departments communicate. Working with our client we hear from leadership, managers, operators, and their clients when needed to understand fully how their business moves. The granular questions are often the most telling: Where are the existing safety pitfalls? Does product bottleneck now? How does the assembly line sequence work and could it be better?

Learning how the facility operates helps us provide guidance on the changes needed. Even in new construction, we need to understand the flow of materials and people. The site access, circulation both interior and exterior, and vertical and horizontal shifts all feed the best solutions. We are not just designing a shell; we want to provide design for highly functional machines that complement the optimized workflow.

Our designs also ask the question, how will the team using the space feel about the space. Is it safe? Comfortable? Even Fun? Providing a space with healthy indoor environmental quality promotes employee retention and productivity. Bringing in daylight strategies where possible along with proper ventilation and zoning can help employee morale. This can also reduce fatigue and potential for safety challenges.

When time is the critical element which it is in most of our industrial projects, using an integrated approach to design saves time, money, and smooths out the unknown. It allows our design team to work hand in hand with the contractor, engineers, and clients to deliver the highest and best solution.