Top 10 Blog Posts of 2025!

Top 10 Blog Posts of 2025!

by | 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!

1. Expanding Our Footprint

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!
Read Post Here

2. Massanutten Resort Custom Home Almost Finished

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!
Read Post Here

3. Welcome to the Team!

We added a few new faces to the Gaines Group team in 2025! You can learn more about everyone here:

Lizzy
Nicole
Lindsey
Isabel
Claude

4. Dogwood Home Renovation Project Update

This blog post features a beautiful renovation project that made this home feel so warm and inviting!
Read Post Here

5. Citizen Architect Awards

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!

Blog Post Here

6. Eastern Mennonite Elementary School Project Update

In this post we see an update to the Eastern Mennonite Elementary School’s gathering space!
Read Post Here

7. A Harrisonburg Architect's Christmas Wish List

Shopping for a late Christmas gift for your favorite Harrisonburg architect? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!
Read Post Here

8. First Fridays: A Recap!

We love participating in First Fridays in the Valley here in Harrisonburg! This post goes back over our wonderful artists from 2025!
Read Post Here

9. Spanish Lab and Learning Center

We were so excited to partner with Shenandoah Valley SBDC on this project. See photos of this awesome space here!
Read Post Here

10. Bryce Resort Renovation-Project Update

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!
Read Post Here
Thank you for a wonderful 2025, we will see you in 2026!
Park View Mennonite Pavilion: Project Update

Park View Mennonite Pavilion: Project Update

by | 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.

Park View Mennonite Church Pavilion
Park View Mennonite Church Pavilion
Park View Mennonite Church Pavilion

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.

Park View Mennonite Church Pavilion

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.

Park View Mennonite Church Pavilion
Supporting Community – Virginia Mennonite Relief Sale

Supporting Community – Virginia Mennonite Relief Sale

by | Oct 17, 2025 | Charles Hendricks, citizen architect, community

The Virginia Mennonite Relief Sale is an annual event in Rockingham County that we support through sponsorship and donations. It is also one of the highlights of the Fall season here in the valley. This event raises money for the Mennonite Central Committee, a global ministry of Anabaptist churches that works to provide relief, development, and peace-building in more than 50 countries.

Virginia Mennonite Relief Sale

This was the 59th year for the event typically held the first weekend in October – with crisp morning air and a hot breakfast ready, it is the place to be for Charles. This year the all-volunteer event included a silent and live auction, my coin counts, SOS, and so much homemade food (this is why Charles goes). The fresh made Strites Donuts, BBQ chicken, kettle-cooked potato chips, pies, breads, and other baked goods will keep you satisfied all day.

Virginia Mennonite Relief Sale

 

There were so many amazing quilts and hand-made furniture pieces in the auction this year, but this stained glass piece caught our eye!

Virginia Mennonite Relief Sale
Virginia Mennonite Relief Sale

 

We love to support community organizations and events like the relief sale that amplify our impact all over the community and in this case, world. Here is a photo of part of our group at the auction representing Gaines Group Architects and enjoying family time together.

Economic Growth in the Shenandoah Valley

Economic Growth in the Shenandoah Valley

by | Oct 13, 2025 | Charles Hendricks, citizen architect, community, Leadership, Local Leaders, resources

Economic growth that is done in an intentional and healthy way is critical for the overall long-term health of our communities. I have volunteered time to the Shenandoah Valley Partnership for over a decade to help our local business community thrive. This organization brings together local government, businesses, and educational institutions to help grow our community. Often the first stop for businesses looking to locate in an area with an outstanding quality of life, like the Shenandoah Valley, SVP is a key resource for our future. In order to attract the high paying jobs that will keep our communities healthy, we need the work being done by Jay Langston and his team. They travel the country telling our story, build out resources that local government can use to attract potential new businesses, and find resources to help existing businesses thrive.

This past week I attended a construction industry round-table where a large group of local leaders discussed challenges and opportunities ahead. SVP was the catalyst for bringing this conversation together and allowed the experts in the industry to meet and talk about the future of the valley. Also last week I was able to attend a discussion about the energy industry in the valley. Dr. Jonathan Miles from James Madison University was able to talk about clean energy options that are affordable, reliable, and available now for industry. The panel discussed the need for long-range innovative planning and thought as they strive for a resilient energy grid. As we look at the severity of storms that now come up the coast and have hit communities just south of us, it is good to have these conversations in advance of having to respond to an emergency.

Shenandoah Valley Partnership
I am excited about the future of the valley and “energized” by the work that SVP is doing to provide dialog between parties to better the entire valley. Their motto that “a rising tide raises all ships” is exactly what we need to cut through the political chatter and plan for a better and healthier future for all. The innovative leadership at SVP is guiding us into a strong business future and working hard to attract the right businesses for the valley. Collaboration is the key here in the valley as that is a quality that does not always exist between localities in other parts of the country, and something companies looking for a new home want to see. Here in the valley we have groups that might not agree on everything come together and agree on the things that matter to move our community forward, what a gift to future generations.
Building Community by Supporting Music Education

Building Community by Supporting Music Education

by | Oct 6, 2025 | artwork, citizen architect, community

We are always looking for incredible organizations that are doing good work in our community. We first heard about Rocktown House of Music and started working on ways we could support their efforts to bring accessible music education to the entire community. This organization is working to build and strengthen the local music culture in Rockingham County. They are bringing together seasoned musicians to teach and collaborate and welcoming learners of all ages to join in. We are particularly thrilled that their wide range of classes are open to musicians of all skill levels.

Music Education is incredibly important for a vibrant community. Learning music is a full-brain activity, engaging auditory, motor, and visual systems simultaneously. It helps build language and literacy skills, improves academic performance, supports memory and concentration, and builds motor skills and coordination. This hits on many of our firm’s core values along with our love of music and the arts. So you can understand why we jumped in as quickly as possible.
After Charles met with Barb Camph to learn more about ways to support Rocktown House of Music we started working on building connections to fund the first year of scholarships. Other local businesses shared our excitement and quickly said yes to helping. We are so grateful for Kline May Realty, Cottonwood Commercial Real Estate, Venture Builders, and Herr and Company for joining us in our financial support kickstarting this new scholarship program.
RHOM representatives are continuing their work to build a sustainable scholarship program to allow access by all to this invaluable educational community resource. If you have interest in supporting their efforts you should reach out to John Hostetter, Director at Rocktown House of Music.
We are also working with the Rotary Club of Rockingham County, the club that Charles actively supports, on a longer term project to help fund access to quality instruments for students.
Charles Hendricks joins the CSI College of Fellows

Charles Hendricks joins the CSI College of Fellows

by | Sep 8, 2025 | architecture, Charles Hendricks, citizen architect, Construction Specifications Institute

I am honored to be included in the 2025 Class of CSI Fellows! 

The Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) has welcomed me as a valued member since joining in 2003. This organization allowed me to contribute immediately regardless of my years of experience. This gift has allowed me to advance my career and hopefully make a difference in the lives of others.

Fellows in CSI are selected by their peers based on their achievements in the industry and above-and-beyond contributions to CSI at the National, Regional, and Chapter levels. The distinction of Fellow is one of the highest honors given to a CSI member.

The nomination statement for Fellowship in CSI is based on my work as a mentor, advocate, and educator within the construction industry. CSI gave me a voice even as a new member when I started a student chapter of CSI at the UVA School of Architecture right after joining the organization. I have since served at the local chapter level, participated in organizing Region Conferences and multiple trade shows, taught Construction Document Technology (CDT) classes, served on multiple regional and national CSI committees, and presented at National Conferences many times. This organization trusted me to learn and grow as a leader in the construction industry and allowed me to make mistakes along the way. The power of this organization is that it brings all sectors of the construction industry and all levels of experience to the table as equals. The members of this organization have consistently shown up to support my career growth, helped me build skills and confidence, and been there to answer questions along the way. I am forever grateful for what this organization’s members and staff have done to support me. 

The work I have done that is being recognized through this honor is an outgrowth of the skills CSI allowed me to develop. I have been able to offer mentorship to students from elementary school level through college, presented over 185 lectures on sustainability and universal design across the country, and taught a variety of classes focused on architecture. I have organized a variety of educational events, regional conferences, and trade shows, and have brought in experts to share their knowledge. In addition, I have supported and guided other professionals to help them better understand building science, sustainability, and universal design. I have also learned over the years that I can give my time and design skills through board service and pro-bono design to help them better serve our communities. 

Reading through the nomination package for Fellowship that Ray Gaines and Adrienne Stronge took the time to produce (many thanks to them) feels a bit bittersweet. I have put time into many things that I believe have made a difference in the lives of others. However, I don’t feel like I have done enough, as we still have so much to achieve in this world. I remain dedicated to community service, outreach, and advocacy for a better future for all. While this honor is amazing and I am looking forward to the ceremony and celebration on October 16th in Cleveland, Ohio, I am simply doing my small part to build a more vibrant and inclusive world and hoping I can encourage others to join in that effort. 

CSI 2025 College of Fellows

Congratulations to Arthur Cam Featherstonhaugh IV, FCSI, CDT, Thomas Lanzelotti, FCSI, CDT, and Randall Lewis, FCSI who are also included in the 2025 class of CSI Fellows. It is a true honor to join you and all the Fellows that have come before us in the Construction Specifications Institute.

Please Join Us in Congratulating Charles on this Monumental Achievement!

Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition! We are so excited for you Charles!
-The Gaines Group Team