I have the honor of presenting at #YAWS2022 on Sunday. #YAWS2022 is an innovative architectural conference focused on helping architects be better people hosted by Young Architect. My topic is Empathetic Design or how to use empathy as a design tool to serve your clients while serving your community. This is an approach that I have grown into over the last 23 years and even more over the last two years. As the world seems to be ruled now by loud voices that control the narrative I feel that we need architects to step forward with elegant and equitable solutions to solve some very complex problems. After all, through design, we can build a better future for all.
We are all born with empathy in our hearts, but not always able to access it. As architects, we are taught to form judgments and opinions that can cloud our ability to absorb opinions from others. Without intentionally using empathy we miss opportunities to build better designs. There are some simple tools that can be used to infuse architecture with empathy. It does require you as the architect to let go of ego and listen fully to others, your own experiences, and the community.
If we all use empathy in our daily lives, even outside of architecture, the world would be a little bit brighter. As an incredible 9 year old said yesterday – we could have a world built on kindness if we change our priorities a bit.
That is the challenge, how can we ignore the loud voices that are pushing us to hate one another and embrace the 9-year old that thinks we can act with kindness. How do we solve really big complex problems? I think we do it by working together for a common goal. #serviceaboveself #YAWS2022
It is that time of year again and we could not be more thrilled for the 2021 Rocktown Turkey Trot! The signup deadline for this race is November 15th for a guaranteed shirt, but online sign-up closes on November 23rd at 12:00 pm. You don’t need to be a seasoned marathon runner to participate in this event! Racers are welcome to run, walk or jog, in the Rocktown Turkey Trot and pumpkin pie cups will even be provided along the way! This event is not only an excellent opportunity for the community to come together, but also a great way to support the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank! The race will begin promptly at 8:30 am after the mayor pardons the Turkey Trot Turkey (yes you read that correctly).
You can also sign up your kids for the children’s dash that starts at 8:00 am, a great way to wear them out before Thanksgiving dinner! Our very own Charles Hendricks will be participating in this year’s dash and we hope to see some familiar faces out and about this year to support their community and enjoy getting back to being together!
Signing up for this event is not just fun, VA Momentum that organizing countless events is a local company that needs your support as we continue to figure out how to navigate the pandemic. Alan and Kevin have worked hard to keep their events safe and evolve and change to survive.
We are beyond excited for our very own Charles Hendricks to attend the first annual Rocktown Energy Fest to present his panel on, Building Science: Save Energy and Money. You can RSVP and find further details of this event here.
A home is the most complicated machine you will ever own. Humidity, water, insects, energy use, air quality, VOCs: there are so many factors that impact your health and comfort in a home, but we rarely think about them. Join Charles for a short session to talk about things you can do in your home that can reduce your monthly energy bills, saving you money while reducing your chances of getting sick.
We hope to see you there this weekend, Saturday, October 2nd at 10:00 AM. Our panel begins at 10:20 AM, and if you would like more information on saving money by going green check out our ‘At Home Energy Series’ Including Solar, Hydro, and Around the House!
Each year we host high school students in our office for a chance to job shadow and explore architecture as a career. There are so many avenues you can take if you enjoy design and this is a great way to explore one before paying for college. We spend time talking about college options, majors, career options, experiences, daily activities, and more. Over the last 12 years, we have hosted a number of students that thought architecture would be their college major that changed direction after being in the office. This is a huge financial saving for them and allowed them to explore other options early on. We have also had several students continue on to an architectural major, including Eli and Keeanna. This summer Emma Kate joined us for a short time to complete a job shadow requirement she had for school. Here is her story:
My name is Emma Kate, and I am a senior atBuffalo Gap High School and Shenandoah Valley Governor’s School in Augusta County. Over the Summer of 2021, I had the pleasure of job shadowing Charles Hendricks and his company, Gaines Group Architects. During this time, I sat through meetings with contractors and subcontractors and listened to discussions of floor plans, plan changes, working in SketchUp, and spoke with other employees about career paths. Throughout this time, my eyes were opened to the field and its surrounding options. I would highly recommend working with Charles and his highly personable staff; they are always willing to lend a helping hand, whether it be talking about their career or aiding in the virtual construction of a house.
As mentioned above, throughout my mentorship, I continuously worked in SketchUp to increase my familiarity with the program, while also exposing myself to more aspects of design. Most of my time was spent working on the tiny house shown in the pictures. Designing this house gave me a chance to increase my creativity in storage and design and increased my knowledge of spatial awareness. Extra storage elements include closet space beneath the stairs to make up for space lost in the bedroom/loft area, a closet with a shelving unit in the bathroom, and a fully functional kitchen with storage opportunities. This was a great way for me to learn the software, its options, its shortcuts, and its overall layout should I need it in the future.
In summary, my entire mentorship with Charles and his company was a great way for me to be more informed of the career path I am most interested in, and it allowed me to dabble slightly in almost every aspect.
As the need for renewable energy rises so does accessibility. The first annual Rocktown Energy Festival is bringing the information you need to go green and live an environmentally sustainable life. This free event will take place on October 2nd at the Harrisonburg Farmers Market and will work to promote clean energy in the Valley. It will not just cover the large-scale efforts to utilize renewable energy but also highlight what individuals can do to make their homes, lives, and families greener.
This event will feature informational speakers, workshops, and sustainable-focused business owners to discuss the benefits of clean energy. The goal is to get members of the valley to explore green energy options and explore the benefits that follow. There will even be a familiar face at this event as our very own Charles Hendricks will be attending to talk about the importance of solar power, and sustainable homes.
We are beyond thrilled to not only be a part of this event but to sponsor in the hopes of educating homeowners on opportunities to save the environment, and save them money.
Charles Hendricks, AIA, CSI, CDT, CAPS, CGP, LEED AP BD&C Named As A Top Expert in the Construction Industry In 2021
The annual list of the FIXR 2021 Top 200 Experts in the Construction Industry, compiled and presented byFixr.com, has just been released. The prestigious list recognizes innovative construction professionals, who take pride in their excellent work and contributions to the industry. Fixr.com assembles this exclusive list by using a rigorous methodology, based on expertise, depth of knowledge, and driving progression in the industry. Fixr.com has employed this methodology to analyze each expert’s high level of experience, successful projects, and esteemed reputations at local, state, and national levels.
Making the FIXR 2021 top 200 construction professionals means experts’ status and prestige within the construction industry is recognized, as industry analyst Cristina Miguélez points out: “Being included in this list is not only an expression of their past professional accomplishments but also shows how each expert continues to shape the future of construction by adapting to the ever-changing industry.”
By gaining exclusive inclusion in the list, Fixr.com confirms that Charles Hendricks has shown strong leadership and expertise within the home construction industry. What’s more, Charles Hendricks’ continued innovation aids the growth and adaptation of construction methods and trends throughout 2021.
About Charles Hendricks
Charles Hendricks is an architect, father, and Rotarian. His firm, Gaines Group Architects, which he owns along with Raymond E. Gaines, and Roger Bryant has offices in Charlottesville and Harrisonburg, Virginia. With a specialty in sustainable design, the firm serves clients in a wide range of sectors from custom residential, residential renovation and additions, historic renovation, interior design, office, multi-family, industrial, private schools, ecclesiastical, daycares, retail, and restaurant. Charles’ favorite projects are those that build a stronger community through the use of design and a focus on holistic thinking. Charles has been included in the FIXR Top 200 list since 2017.
About Fixr.com
Fixr.com is a home improvement resource specialist with the mission of helping homeowners make better home remodeling decisions. Fixr.com is unrivaled when it comes to providing unbiased, thorough, and updated cost guides, price comparisons, and cheat sheets for hundreds of remodeling, installation, and repair projects. When the homeowner is equipped with the necessary knowledge, Fixr.com connects homeowners with the best-matched contractors in their area to begin their home improvement projects.
