by Charles Hendricks | Oct 23, 2026 | architecture, Blacksburg, Bryce Resort, Charlottesville, Custom Home, Green Building, Harrisonburg, Harrisonburg Architect, Interior Design, Lake Monticello, Massanutten Resort, Roanoke, Roanoke Architect, Wintergreen Resort
Phase 4, known as construction administration, starts with dirt moving as construction begins. We stay available for questions, advice, and advocacy for our client. We review shop drawings and submittals and provide additional details if needed. Our visits to the job site can be bi-weekly or as needed depending on the complexity of the home and the skill of the contractor.
A key point to remember about the process of designing and building your luxury home is that it takes time. The design process can be fast – 3 or 4 months – or could take a couple of years. It really depends on the speed our client wants to go and the complexity of the design. If we take our time to work through the details, I know it will cost less overall to build the home and there will be less unknowns to figure out during construction. This also speeds up construction, further saving you money. Having the builder involved during design (integrated design process), also benefits the construction costs and speeds up construction.
Finally, a high-performance design solution that facilitates the life you want to live is the best way to build the highest value solution for your luxury dream home.
Thinking about starting the luxury dream home journey in the next few months? Let us set up a time to have a conversation. We can help get you started.
by Charles Hendricks | Oct 22, 2026 | architecture, Blacksburg, Bryce Resort, Charlottesville, Custom Home, Empathy, Green Building, Harrisonburg, Harrisonburg Architect, Interior Design, Lake Monticello, Massanutten Resort, Roanoke, Roanoke Architect, Wintergreen Resort
Phase 3 (2 or more months), also known as construction documents phase, takes all the decisions and testing we have done and converts them into the technical drawings needed for final pricing and permits. This is where the details get detailed and the drawing set grows rapidly. We cut wall sections and building sections through the building to figure out all the unique details in the home.
We work out the site layout to locate the house on your property. We show the locations determined by the soils engineer for the septic field and potential location of the well. The driveway and sidewalks are designed and materials selected. Sometimes we also engage a landscape designer during this phase to create an integrated design that fits the site.
During phase 3 we also do the math to size the joists, beams, and headers. The footings and wall sizes are determined and waterproofing and insulation identified. The level of detail for interiors depends on the job, but typically all the cabinets are detailed, and any unique interior feature is designed. If there is a 3D model, then this phase includes walking through showing furniture and wall art. It allows our clients to experience the home before final approvals and permit drawings are delivered to the builder.
At the conclusion of this phase the builder will send permit drawings to their subcontractors to determine contract price. This process alone can take more than a month.
Once the contract between the builder and you are signed, the permit review process begins in the local jurisdiction. We expect that the local building code official will issue comments during this phase that will require discussion or comments. This review process usually takes between 4 – 8 weeks. Once we satisfy all their concerns a building permit is issued and construction can begin. Navigating specific HOA or ARB requirements early is critical, as they can drastically impact the final design.
by Charles Hendricks | Oct 21, 2026 | architecture, Blacksburg, Bryce Resort, Charlottesville, Custom Home, Green Building, Harrisonburg, Harrisonburg Architect, Interior Design, Lake Monticello, Roanoke, Roanoke Architect, Wintergreen Resort
Phase 2 (2 or more months), also known as design development, takes these high-level concepts and starts creating detailed architectural decisions. We start thinking through high-performance elements including building envelope, HVAC, window locations (types and styles), and adaptability of spaces. We evaluate the spaces against the initial requirements and budget. We will draw in either 2D or 3d the massing of the house, interior walls, and start selecting interior finishes. The questions move to more detailed items such as storage of plates in the kitchen, where furniture sits in the bedroom, and how big is the tv. If we are adding a safe room or finished basement, all these elements that require space need to be included.
This phase also brings consultants to discuss HVAC layout, our structural team does initial planning and sizing, and we know what the house will look like when completed. We also bring in our interior design team that works to select cabinetry, millwork, lighting, and plumbing fixtures. We find the right options for stone, siding, roofing, and decking. The Contractor is in specific meetings to verify cost and timing of construction.
Designing in this area requires knowledge of the land from slopes to rocks to clay. We know how the mixed humid climate impacts building science and can work through those challenges in this phase. This reduces surprises during construction, saving you time and money. We know what systems are available and what products are in stock in the local lumber yards, adding value to your design experience.
This is also a phase where the indoor / outdoor living spaces come to life. We detail the roof terraces, figure out the no step entries, and plan for patios and decks. If there is a pool, we will connect with the companies that will do the install to locate the pump equipment and understand the space needed for sunbathing and playing. From outdoor kitchens to screen porches to four season rooms, we plan out the spaces and how to make sure they work in our climate.
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.
