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

by Charles Hendricks | 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.

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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5 ways to future proof your custom home

by Charles Hendricks | Nov 14, 2025 | Accessibility, aging in place, architecture

There are many articles and systems out there written to tell you how to future proof your custom home. As you process all that information think through your family history, current conditions in the area you plan to build, and the local climate. While there are very robust energy rating systems that will in fact get you to very low energy usage, we are blessed here in Virginia with ample sun for solar and low energy costs from public utilities (relatively speaking). This changes the conversation about whether you should invest in a robust system to reduce energy costs – especially when you take into account the costs associated with things like triple pane windows vs double pane windows for instance.

Thinking through your family history and your expected mobility challenges is another place where you should spend some time. Of course, none of us knows what tomorrow holds, but if your family members all live into their 90s and don’t have mobility challenges, how likely is it that you will have mobility challenges? Working through a life plan that goes with your home is critical to make it economical and adaptable.

Looking at the climate conditions and the severity of storms hitting the area where you are building is a dynamic analysis as things continue to change, but can be very informative on the systems you select. The frequency of 2″ rainstorms in our area have increased by more than 100% in recent years. These storms with greater intensity often bring strong winds along with concentrated rainfall – this may impact your future proof decisions on overhangs, gutter size, and roof slope.

Here are 5 considerations that apply to most new custom homes we design:

Make the floorplan as flexible as possible. Consider 1 level living opportunities and reinforced wall systems for future grab bars. Have a zero step shower and lever style door handles where possible on an accessible floor level.
Create the most energy-efficient and durable building envelope solution you can afford without designing for an extreme climate. All predictions have Virginia staying fairly moderate for temperature swings for the foreseeable future. While passive house is a great strategy for clients that want to achieve zero energy status, the insulation values and strategies required to get this certification add considerably to the cost of construction.
Make sure your electronic and communications system is wired for a changing future technology. Add in options for pulling new wire easily in the future as technology evolves.
Pick the most durable and low maintenance building materials. Remember quality costs more, but in the long run will save you time, money, and frustration.
Consider a rainwater catchment system. While storms in our area are wetter than in previous decades, it seems the space between storms can draw out longer than typical as well.

While we don’t know what the future holds for anyone of us, creating a resilient and durable custom home will protect your investment as best as can be protected.

Rockingham County Timber Frame House: Project Update

by Charles Hendricks | Nov 5, 2025 | Accessibility, aging in place, architecture, Building Science, Custom Home, Green Building, Harrisonburg Architect

What an amazing opportunity we are given to design places for people to build memories and live a full life. It is humbling to walk through an almost finished home that we designed with our clients. Seeing the energy and excitement they have to live in a space they have been dreaming about is contagious. This Rockingham County Timber Frame House is just about finished and we will certainly have more photos. I just wanted to give you a sneak peak at some of the cool details included in this lifetime home.

The care and craftsmanship that is put into building what we designed will blow you away. It is an honor to work with companies like Herr and Company that not only execute the plan but ask questions along the way to make sure we are both delivering the best possible solutions. The collaboration that exists between architect and builder can make or break a project.

The exterior walk in shower at this house will make cleaning off after a dip in the pool quick and easy.

The custom built cabinetry by Grey Fox Design Works and Rocktown Urban wood is breathtaking.

The floating stairs that play with light is such a beautiful touch.

Of course the heavy-timber in the main living space is spectacular and the lighting support over the dining table (designed by our client) is pretty cool.

The guest bath is an oasis of relaxation.

The Elevator makes it possible to live fully on both levels for a lifetime.

The grab bars are there, but you might not notice them.

And this closet – wow!

Custom Ranch Transformation in Albemarle County: Luxury Living Just Outside Charlottesville

by Charles Hendricks | Nov 3, 2025 | architecture, Charlottesville, project update

At Gaines Group Architects, we love taking homes with untapped potential and transforming them into spaces that feel luxurious, functional, and perfectly tailored to a family’s lifestyle. Our latest project in Albemarle County, just outside Charlottesville, VA, is a perfect example: a simple ranch on a stunning property is being reimagined as a modern, high-end family home.

Expansive Living Spaces for Family Life

We’re also reconfiguring the living room to create a more open, inviting space. By adding square footage, vaulting the ceiling, and incorporating clerestory windows, the room will be flooded with natural light. A custom reading nook/window seat provides a cozy, functional corner, while a huge bifolding door will open the living area onto a brand-new screened porch, seamlessly connecting indoor and outdoor living — a must-have for families who enjoy entertaining in style.

Basement Transformation for Kids’ Play & Guest Space

The basement is getting a complete renovation, turning it into a spacious kids’ playroom and additional bedroom space. Framing is already underway for a cozy reading nook under the stairs, providing a special retreat for the little ones. This project highlights how luxury renovations can enhance every corner of a home, creating spaces that work beautifully for family life.

Take a look at these sketches from our design team!

Scottsville Residence Interior Model Sketch

Scottsville Residence Interior Model Sketch2 (1)

Why Location Matters

Located in the heart of Albemarle County, this home enjoys proximity to Charlottesville’s vibrant communities, scenic landscapes, and top-tier schools, while maintaining privacy and space for outdoor living. Our design emphasizes the property’s natural beauty and maximizes its potential — a hallmark of custom high-end home design in Charlottesville, VA.

Early Stages of a Dream Renovation

Construction is just beginning, with demolition complete, new footings in place, and framing underway for the basement reading nook. As with most renovation projects, we have uncovered some concealed surprises, which is why we’re glad to have Scott Abbott and his team with Ace Contracting on the job as we troubleshoot as a team. Construction can be stressful, but with the right team in place, problems that arise are easily managed.

Photo Credit: Scott Abbott

Bringing Vision to Life

This project embodies what Gaines Group Architects does best: transforming homes into luxurious, light-filled spaces that blend form and function. From vaulted ceilings to seamless indoor-outdoor connections, every element is designed for comfort, style, and lasting value.

If you’re a Charlottesville or Albemarle County homeowner considering a custom home renovation or primary suite addition, follow our blog to see the transformation unfold — and imagine the possibilities for your own home.

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What Toys Inspired You To Be An Architect?

by Charles Hendricks | Oct 29, 2025 | architecture

What toys did you play with as a kid that inspired you to be an architect? Which ones touched your creative spirit?

Did you have Legos? tinker toys? building bricks?

What about American Plastic Bricks?

Did you build cities for your matchbox cars? Tonka trucks in the sandbox? What else supplied your fuel to find your passion?

Park View Mennonite Pavilion: Project Update

by Charles Hendricks | Oct 27, 2025 | architecture, citizen architect, Harrisonburg Architect

Through a generous donation from a member of the church, Park View Mennonite Church is adding a pavilion next to their existing playground. This structure will be simple in form and complex in all the ways it will serve the church and surrounding community.

There is a pre-school that uses space in the church on weekdays and now they will have a shaded area for outside activities and meals. The playground is in frequent use by community members when the pre-school is not open giving parents a place to chill while their kids enjoy the playground. The structure will give a permanent place for outdoor gatherings for church members and Sunday school classes. On community days at church this will be a hub for food service with places to plug in appliances or even invite in a food truck.

The gift to build this structure at a church imbedded in a community will provide for hours of enjoyment, community building, and yet unknown relationships to form as gathering takes place. What an amazing way to give back to a community and for the church to give back to the community in and around it. We love being part of such successful projects.