by Charles Hendricks | Dec 31, 2025 | architecture, artwork, Blacksburg, Bryce Resort, Charles Hendricks, Charlottesville, citizen architect, Custom Home, First Friday, Harrisonburg, Harrisonburg Architect, Holiday, In Review, Interior Design, Massanutten Resort, project update, Roanoke, Roanoke Architect, team
Happy New Year! Before we jump into 2026, enjoy a quick recap of our top 10 blog posts of 2025!
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 blog post shows off one of our projects from this year near Massanutten Resort! Take a look for some photos of this beautiful property and even some comparisons of our renderings vs. final product!
This blog post features a beautiful renovation project that made this home feel so warm and inviting!
In 2025 we were lucky enough to be recognized with a few awards:
-Best Architectural Firm in the Shenandoah Valley Region by Virginia Living Magazine
-#1 Rated Architectural Firm in Virginia by Top Rated Local
-Top Employer for Interns in 2025 by VTOP
-Charles was named one of the Top 100 Architects in the US by Fixr.com
We couldn’t do it without the support of our clients and community!
6. Eastern Mennonite Elementary School Project Update
In this post we see an update to the Eastern Mennonite Elementary School’s gathering space!
Shopping for a late Christmas gift for your favorite Harrisonburg architect? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!
We love participating in First Fridays in the Valley here in Harrisonburg! This post goes back over our wonderful artists from 2025!
We were so excited to partner with Shenandoah Valley SBDC on this project. See photos of this awesome space here!
In this post we share a project update where a vacation getaway is turned into a forever home! Click below to see photos and before and afters!
Thank you for a wonderful 2025, we will see you in 2026!
by Charles Hendricks | Oct 24, 2025 | architecture, Bryce Resort, Custom Home, Harrisonburg Architect, project update
I had the pleasure of visiting this home renovation at Bryce Resort a few weeks ago. This project turned out amazing. When we arrived it was a straight-forward vacation cottage used for weekend getaways. The goal was to create a home for a lifetime. Here is a before photo of the home as we are getting started with design.
We added a garage on the right side with a room above, and a multi-story addition on the left side. The result is a home with all the spaces needed for living their dream lives in this beautiful resort.
From the rear of the home you get a glimpse of all the exterior spaces that allow for maximum enjoyment of the views out over the lake.
The rear deck was a little narrow and was in need of a facelift. The open rail almost disappears and the deeper sitting area allows for flexible gatherings.
The screen porch on the lower level keeps a dry space safe from bug season.
The once crowded space with an oversize fireplace and limited seating was opened up. The new space allows for seating, dining, and a large kitchen.
Downstairs once was dark and cramped and now has space for the ping pong table and seating for watching the big game.
The primary bedroom used to be open to the main living space and now has privacy and plenty of natural light.
The hot tub allows is privacy while still capturing views and allowing users to enjoy the stars.
The space that was once an unused attic is now a cozy office.
This rooftop terrace is accessed from the primary bedroom.
The new screen porch on the main living floor has a bar looking out to the views.
What an amazing home renovation. The new home has everything they wanted in their lifetime house. We worked through their dreams, goals, and desires, hit their budget, and delivered an amazing design solution.
by Charles Hendricks | Jan 1, 2025 | architecture, Bryce Resort, Harrisonburg Architect, project update
Another renovation / addition project is in the works at Bryce Resort. This home has served as a weekend getaway for years now, but our clients are starting to spend more time there and need new functional spaces added. We have done some preliminary design sketches to make sure we understood the space function and needs. This process helps coordinate the budget to the program to the priorities. Our next step was a site visit to determine how the grades will impact the design – so Aimee and I worked on figuring out how much slope exists on this home site.
The balance that happens in renovation work has to be done with a lot of careful planning or you end up with a lot of surprises during construction. Of course, there is almost always something uncovered during the demolition phase that is a surprise, but the more we can figure out on paper the less you will pay during the construction phase. We work hard to balance the client’s goals and budget with the existing construction and building site conditions. Our job is to listen well to the client’s goals and figure out a way to maximize the opportunity. Not only thinking through space planning and aesthetics, but also trying to figure out what details the builder will need to be as efficient as possible. Working on a steep slope lot there is not a lot of room to not have most of the answers in advance of the construction process starting.
Working at Bryce Resort on several projects now, we have gotten to know what materials and builders are available. There are a wide range of quality builders working on projects there and we always want the best qualified for our clients. Having a plan with all the details and goals before the builder sets the budget is one of the best protections our clients can have in construction. We have heard all the horror stories of construction projects that have gone wrong without the proper planning in place before construction – we help prevent those things that could go wrong from going wrong. Construction is complicated and there is no way to plan for every contingency, but a solid design in advance will deliver the most economical solution in the end.
by Charles Hendricks | Dec 30, 2024 | architecture, Bryce Resort, green term defined, Harrisonburg Architect
This unique home in Orkney Springs needed a little more space and a modest upgrade. We have been working with the clients to figure out the right finishes for the budget, the right space layout for the functional goals, and the right drainage strategy to manage water on the building site. Over the Mountain builders have been working hard to execute the plan and a lot of progress has been made. Jarod has been working hard with our clients and the builder to make sure the best value finishes are being used to achieve the design goals and that the builder has the right information to execute the plan.
Working through the design before construction starts is always the best process. However, this one ended up finishing drawings, starting construction, then finishing selections. Balancing the information flow is one of the areas where we provide huge value. Construction can be stressful and we can help minimize the strain, improve the communication, and keep everyone on the same page. The added challenge of spotty cell phone service when doing an Orkney Springs renovation project has benefited from our team stepping in to help more with communications. Every project we have is custom, this one needed us to adapt a little more hand-on designing during construction, so that is what we have done.
I think the primary design skill that any architect or interior designer has to have is being adaptable to the project’s needs. If you have empathy for your clients and their builder, this will come easy to you. We strive to always put ourselves in the shoes of clients and builders to maximize the communication and minimize the misunderstandings.
by Charles Hendricks | Dec 29, 2024 | architecture, Bryce Resort, Harrisonburg Architect, project update
It is not hard to find a classic A frame home at Bryce resort. The challenge is often to find one that has enough space for the entire family to gather, provide some private spaces to take a break from family, and have plenty of outdoor space to gather. Our clients have enjoyed this home for years, but as their family expands it has proven to be a little small for everyone to come together. The A-frame, like many at Bryce Resort, sits on piers with no basement beneath. We needed to evaluate multiple options to figure out the best way to expand the existing house to meet the new goals for the property.
We discussed, sketched, and tried out a few options including adding a basement level vs doing an attached addition. The results all led us back to the same conclusion. A deck addition with a sleeping quarters attached (detached from the existing house) would be the most economical solution and would provide the best space. We worked through a deck stair connection, added the outdoor gathering space needed, and efficiently figured out the new sleeping quarters footprint.
Construction, has started and the foundation holes were dug last time we visited the site. The small bungalow space will be the right solution for this family to continue to gather and make memories at this property. We are looking forward to the builders, Over the Mountain Builders, to start putting the parts and pieces together.
by Charles Hendricks | Oct 23, 2024 | architecture, Bryce Resort, Harrisonburg Architect, project update
Bryce Resort Custom Homes and Renovations
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.
