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.
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.
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.
Whatever your kitchen is to you, you deserve to have it be a special place that fits your needs both functionally and aesthetically. Below are five kitchens to inspire your own home kitchen renovation. For each, we listened to the individual client’s needs and dreams and designed a space to encapsulate the conversations. The results are broad, as each client has different needs and ideas. It is always wonderful to see designs go from ideas to paper (or computer) to a built-environment where memories are made.
1. Eat in Kitchen
The kitchen at Harrisonburg Park House is designed to fit within a small home footprint, utilizing the space by using an open floorplan. The connection between the kitchen, living room, and dining room allows family and friends to be together while watching TV or making meals. The client’s personality shines through patterns and colors that pop in the space, creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
2. Double Island Kitchen
This kitchen features two islands and custom cabinets. This space is open to the living room, has an informal eat in area, and tall ceilings.
3. Family Friendly Kitchen
This kitchen provides space for homework, gatherings, and multiple cooks at one time.
4. Historic Home Kitchen
This kitchen addition on a historic home opened up a small space to create a place for large gatherings in a bright space.
4. Views for Days Kitchen
The kitchen of Casa Cielo speaks for itself. The gorgeous wood was a detail that was important to our clients as well as being connected to nature. The wide windows on one side draw your eye and create a synthesis between the interior home and the landscape. Although windows in a kitchen can take up precious cabinet space, creative solutions like designing large cabinet sections on the other walls leave ample storage space.
Our firm loves working in beautiful communities and one of our favorites is Bryce Resort. This stunning 400 acre member-owned resort features skiing, golf, mountain activities, mountain biking, tennis, fishing, and water sports. We provide many services here including custom homes, additions and renovations, and interior design consulting.
Renovations and Additions
Our work at Bryce Resort includes additions and renovations. We have experience with Bryce Resort design guidelines, quality builders in the area, and how to navigate affordability challenges.
Custom Homes
Custom homes on steep lots provide interesting design opportunities. We will work hard to understand your vision to create your dream home.
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.
Creating renderings and sketches are helpful for visualizing the final built form. It’s also fun to look back on what the idea began as versus what it looks like in reality. Below are a few pairs of sketches vs. photos of the built forms.
The variety of architectural projects we have the opportunity to work on is fairly amazing. The types, locations, systems, builders, and clients all have a huge range of diversity. If it is true that variety is the spice of life, we are very spicy indeed. It keeps every day interesting and offers challenges and opportunities. We are constantly learning and growing as designers. We get to work with so many different types of clients from homeowners, to non-profit boards, to industry leaders. We have the opportunity to discuss requirements with building code officials, city planners, fire departments, engineers, sprinkler experts, building product representatives, and contractors. We balance budget, performance, dreams, scope, best practices, workflow, living habits, and more in each day of design.
Commercial Building Change of Use – Office to Daycare
Another project is a commercial building change of usefrom an office to a daycare. This steel framed structure with open web steel trusses, on a crawl space required coordination between client, engineer, and contractor. We worked for a building committee that reported to the client’s board of directors.
Wood Framed Construction
This project featured extra tall wood framed construction over a crawl space, and scissor trusses. We worked for the home owners and also got input from extended family members.
Wood Framed Restaurant
This project is a wood framed restaurantwith a truss roof. The project required learning about the process of cooking amazing oriental food in a fast food style. The layout of kitchen to allow for flow of product and dining to bring in natural light was critical. We worked through the builder to develop the right solution for this client’s dreams.
Historic Porch Renovation
This historic porch renovationusing bricks to create a circular column was a challenge because of how thin the historic columns needed to be to achieve the right historical aesthetic.
Elementary School Addition
This elementary schooladdition that is steel framed with wood trusses has a lot of specific details that needed to be coordinated. We have been collaborating with MEP Engineers, Structural Engineers, client, building officials, and contractors to get the details just right.
Heavy Timber Coordination
This custom home added a heavy timber coordination element to a dream home goal. With building science as a primary driver in building decisions we make, this specific material type has an added layer of complexity over some of our other projects.
Industrial and More
Add to this mix of project types to others such as industrial, warehouse, change of use commercial projects, interior design consultations, and small residential addition projects and no two days are the same. This is an incredible profession and we are so fortunate to get to work on such a wide variety of projects.
Location: In-Person, Harrisonburg and Charlottesville
About the Job:
We are seeking community-oriented team members to join our growing team. Whether you are preparing to graduate, have 5+ years of experience, or fall somewhere in-between, and you would enjoy a firm dedicated to design that builds stronger communities, please reach out to us. We have positions open in both our Harrisonburg and Charlottesville offices.
The Architectural Designer position will support the development of all types and styles of projects with a focus on healthy, energy-efficient, and durable design solutions. You will get experience in all phases of design, as well as client relationship building. Teamwork is central to our approach to every project, and our office strives to foster a collaborative environment. We are looking for someone dedicated to community service who loves all types and styles of architecture.
We also value professional development and growth and will help you along the way to learn and grow as a designer. A strong applicant will have a desire to understand building science and constructability of all project types. While technical skills are important, we are more interested in finding the right addition to our team than in a particular skill set.
Required Qualifications:
Architectural or Interior Design degree from an accredited university
Familiarity with AutoCAD, Revit, Adobe, and SketchUp
Reliable, self-motivated, independent, adaptable, and versatile with an enthusiastic collaborative spirit.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), and Adobe Acrobat.
Excellent critical thinking skills with exacting attention to detail
An ability to manage multiple priorities and diverse responsibilities
Strong verbal, written, and visual communication skills
Strong interpersonal skills
Preferred Qualifications:
Knowledge of construction documents and the design and construction processes.
Job Type:
Full-time: Monday – Friday
Salary: Based on experience
Range: $54,000 – $62,000
Benefits:
Flexible schedule
Health Insurance (including eye and dental)
Paid time off
Sick leave
Professional development assistance
About Gaines Group Architects:
With 36 years of experience in Virginia, this award winning architecture firm works hard to deliver excellent service at an affordable price. With offices in Charlottesville and Harrisonburg, Gaines Group Architects can serve design needs anywhere in Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, or North Carolina. Constantly looking for the best answer, we work tirelessly to stay on top of the latest trends and best practices in the construction industry.
