Designing for the NRV: Unveiling Airport Acres with Habitat for Humanity

by Charles Hendricks | Dec 22, 2025 | Blacksburg, community, team

We are thrilled to unveil our latest collaboration with Habitat for Humanity of the New River Valley: the Airport Acres Townhomes, a vital new project for affordable housing in Blacksburg.

As our firm expands with our new office in Roanoke, VA, we are more committed than ever to serving the entire region, specifically the New River Valley. We believe architecture is about more than just buildings; it is about creating homes and strengthening communities across Southwest Virginia.

A Historic Location in Blacksburg: Located in the historic heart of Blacksburg, this new project will create 11 new townhomes for deserving families.

The location is significant. It is situated in a neighborhood originally built during World War II for working families and returning veterans. We are honored to continue that legacy by bringing affordable homeownership opportunities back to an area that desperately needs them.

Why Affordable Housing Matters in the NRV: Finding affordable housing in the greater Blacksburg area is a well-known challenge, largely due to high demand from the student population.

For our lead architect on this project, Ray Gaines, this mission is personal. Having spent four years in Blacksburg as an architecture student, graduating from Virginia Tech in 1979, this project is a way to give back to the community that once hosted him. By partnering with the Town of Blacksburg—which generously provided a grant to help make this possible—our Roanoke-based team is helping families put down roots in the New River Valley.

Sustainable Design for Real Life: We aren’t just building houses; we are building forever homes. Here is what makes the design special:

Accessibility: We believe homes should be livable for everyone. Four of these new units will feature first-floor bedrooms and bathrooms designed to be accessible for those with mobility challenges. This brings our total to 10 fully accessible units across all our Habitat projects.
Net Zero Ready: We are aiming for “Net Zero Ready” certification. In plain English, these homes are designed to be ultra-energy efficient. They are built to keep utility bills incredibly low, making homeownership more affordable month after month.

A Strong Partnership in Southwest Virginia This is our fourth project with Habitat for Humanity of the New River Valley. We have previously completed 16 units together, including the Church Street Townhomes and the Johnston Street Duplex.

A Legacy of Service: Our commitment to this region goes far beyond a single set of blueprints. Ray actively serves on the HFHNRV Building Committee, helping to guide the affiliate as they explore new construction opportunities in surrounding counties. For Ray, this involvement is the embodiment of the Virginia Tech motto, Ut Prosim (“That I may serve”). Whether serving as the Vice Chair of the College of Fellows of the Construction Specifications Institute or leading as Chair of Deacons at his church, Ray believes that architects have a responsibility to use their skills for the greater good. We encourage our peers in the design industry to join us in this mission—whether through Habitat for Humanity or the Building Goodness Foundation—and not hesitate to volunteer their time to build stronger communities.

Hello, Blacksburg! We’re Hiring!

by Charles Hendricks | Oct 8, 2025 | architecture, Blacksburg, community, team

Are you an architect looking to join an award-winning architecture firm that is committed to serving our community through innovative design solutions? You’re in luck! We are seeking a licensed professional architect to join our growing team and help lead our exciting expansion into the Blacksburg market. This role offers the unique opportunity to work within three dynamic Virginia markets: Charlottesville, Harrisonburg, and our new Blacksburg location. The ideal candidate will embrace the variety and leadership opportunities this multi-location practice offers while contributing to our mission of exceptional client service and community-focused design.

Click the button below to learn more about this opportunity over on Indeed!

We are proud of the work we have done in the Blacksburg area so far, like the project pictured above. We are even more excited for what’s to come!

We’re proud that several members of our team are Virginia Tech alumni, and we see the Blacksburg market as a natural extension of our firm’s values and culture. Whether you’re familiar with the Virginia Tech community or the local dynamics of Montgomery County, your insight and connections will be a strong asset as we deepen our footprint in this region.

Our ideal candidate will bring 5+ years of professional experience, hold a valid architecture license (Virginia preferred or reciprocity eligible), and be adept with Revit, AutoCAD, building codes, zoning regulations, and construction documentation. You’ll lead projects from concept through construction, mentor junior staff, travel among our Charlottesville, Harrisonburg, and Blacksburg locations, and help spearhead business development in this growing market.

In return, we offer a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits (health, dental, vision, PTO), continuing education support, and a clear path toward leadership or partnership within the firm. If you’re passionate about thoughtful, community-driven architecture and excited to help establish a presence in Blacksburg and the New River Valley, we’d love to hear from you. Please submit your resume, portfolio, and cover letter describing how you’d contribute to our multi-location growth strategy.