by Charles Hendricks | Nov 30, 2024 | architecture, community
Today is Small Business Saturday and we focus, once again, on buying local. We do this to support our neighbors, community, and local economy. Buying from a locally-owned business contributes to the overall health of our community. Locally handcrafted products provide unique gifts and support local creatives. Buying local reduces the carbon footprint associated with transport and packaging. It creates local jobs, preserves local traditions, and reinforces cultural heritage. Local businesses are the backbone of our schools, non-profits, roads, public safety systems, parks, and more.
So today, as you are thinking about what to get your favorite architect, think about these favorite local small business shops owned by our neighbors and friends.
By making a conscious effort to buy from locally-owned small businesses, you can help create a more sustainable, equitable, and thriving community.
by Charles Hendricks | Nov 29, 2024 | architecture, Building Science, Commercial Architect, Indoor Air Quality
The 2021 Virginia building code changes have had a significant impact on residential homes in Virginia starting in January 2025. These changes, aimed at improving energy efficiency and safety, have led to increased construction costs. One of the most notable changes is the stricter energy efficiency standards. Homes built after 2021 are required to meet higher insulation standards, use more efficient HVAC systems, and have tighter air sealing. While these changes will lead to lower energy bills in the long run, they increase upfront construction costs. They also increase the building science complexity on your home. If you don’t understand the impacts of these changes you could create a mold or rot issue in your new home. You also need to pay special attention to the indoor air quality of this new tighter house.
Additionally, the 2021 code also introduced stricter requirements for fire safety, accessibility, and plumbing systems. These changes, while necessary for safety and accessibility, also contribute to increased construction costs. The exact cost increase varies depending on the specific project and location, but it is estimated that the 2021 code changes can add anywhere from 2% to 10% to the overall cost of a new home. These increased costs will have a dramatic impact on already rising construction costs. Knowing the changes and how to mitigate the impact of them on the final budget will be critical moving forward.
For homeowners considering building new or renovating, it’s important to be aware of these code changes. While they may increase the initial cost, they can also lead to long-term savings and a more sustainable home. Consulting with an architect can help you understand the specific costs / benefits associated with the 2021 code changes and how they may impact your project.
by Charles Hendricks | Nov 28, 2024 | architecture, Charlottesville, Green Building, Harrisonburg Architect
Do you need an architect for your custom home project?
I encourage you to call us if you are thinking about building a new custom home. It doesn’t matter what your budget is or how big of a house you hope to build. We can help answer questions to get you started on the right track. As an architect, it is our job to know if you need our services or if there is an alternative path to achieve your dream home. We can be very helpful in delivering a higher value solution than most of the other options.
Building a custom home is a significant investment, and it’s crucial to ensure that the process is smooth and the end result meets your expectations. One of the best ways to achieve this is by hiring an architect. While it may seem like an additional expense, the benefits of working with a professional far outweigh the costs. The largest advantage is our training to visualize the right solution for your stated goals, land, and budget. Architects have the skills and knowledge to translate your ideas and dreams into tangible designs. We listen to your overall goals and through an understanding of building materials, building science, construction best practices, material availability, and builders available we can deliver the highest value solutions for your dream custom home. We can also streamline the construction process by drawing the details needed for the builder to execute the plan, reduce building material waste, and schedule the work efficiently.
There is a difference in a custom home and a new home and that is often where we provide the most value. A custom home will facilitate the life you want to live in the place you want to call home. We will think through how life might evolve to plan for the future. We will ask questions about how you want to live and think about how the house design can enhance those goals. We will also make sure that the entire house flows, is aesthetically pleasing, and can be built economically. Doing the work in the design phase to make sure that the house is your dream house will save time and money during construction.
By hiring an architect, you’re investing in the success of your custom home project. Our expertise, creativity, and problem-solving skills will ensure that your dream home becomes a reality.
by Charles Hendricks | Nov 12, 2024 | architecture, Charlottesville, Harrisonburg Architect
We have had the honor to design three houses in Elk Rock Meadows at the top of Afton Mountain. The views are typically amazing when I do site visits during the daylight hours. Sometimes when I visit the views are a little foggy as the clouds sit down over the mountain. Back in October, UVA Architectural students visited a little later in the night than I typically do site visits. William Brooks and Shailen Sifer were kind enough, with the property owner’s permission, to take some photos and were willing to share them with me. What a dream it is to live in this incredible area and see these amazing sights.
by Charles Hendricks | Oct 26, 2024 | architecture, Charlottesville, project update
Albemarle County Custom Homes and Renovations
Our firm was founded in Charlotteville, Virginia over 36 years ago. In that time we have designed 100s of homes and renovation projects for our community. We have built solid relationships with quality builders and know this community. From Key West to Glenmore, Old Trail to Ivy, Keswick to Earlysville we love working on traditional to modern styles. Our work infuses building science into all types of homes making them durable, energy efficient, healthy, and beautiful.
Renovations and Additions
Renovation and addition work in the Albemarle County area often allows us to bring a traditional style home into a functional modern solution. This home we added an in-law suite on the rear of the existing brick ranch house.
Custom Homes
We have 100s of custom homes designed to provide a dream life on beautiful dream lots. The styles of home that we have had the opportunity to design include prarie, modern, traditional and more.
Interior Design Consulting
We also offer interior design consulting. We can help create a plan to update your existing home. Our connections with trusted material suppliers provide many options for you to choose from.
by Charles Hendricks | Oct 25, 2024 | architecture, Historic Renovation
Historic Renovations
We love saving historic structures and implementing building science knowledge so that they will last for many generations beyond us. We have had the honor to work on many historic structures over the years and bring them back from neglect. Using our understanding of building and material science we are able to generate designs that honor the original design while also creating durable and long lasting solutions. Our approach is not just to take the building back to the original form, but to create something that is easy to maintain and will last for many generations.
Historic Porch Restoration
Working with this client to understand their goals we were able to combine the existing porch while adding back the original porch. The this round columns are a unique feature that provided some challenges. The second floor porch brings added exterior space to this home.
Historic Minor-Nelson House
Historic Minor-Nelson House
The original porch on this home was replaced at some point with a rounded stair and steel handrail solution. The building owners wanted to bring this beautiful lady back to the original form. Working from original photo we were able to restore the porch with durable long lasting materials.
Historic Farmhouse Renovation
Historic Farmhouse Renovation
This neglected farmhouse was begging for a restoration. Our clients were focused on making the house functional, efficient, and durable. We worked through building science challenges to make sure the old house parts would not be impacted with the modern comfort systems. We also added the needed space that will allow this family to live their dream life in this dream farmhouse.
Deering Hall
Still standing from the 1890’s, Deering Hall is a building local to Broadway, Virginia that houses over a century of history within its walls. It has adapted over the years and ushered in the changes of the decades by functioning as a town hall, school, opera house, and storefront for various local businesses. Our team jumped on the opportunity to partner with Anthony Slater in achieving his dream of seeing Deering Hall added to the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places.
Deering Hall: Restoring and Celebrating a Historic Landmark
Blog written by Asha Beck
