by Charles Hendricks | Sep 13, 2026 | Accessibility, aging in place, architecture, Building Science, Charles Hendricks, citizen architect
LeeAnn and Phillip Maxwell are once again hosting a Should I stay or should I go? Seminar. This event features experts that can support seniors on topics including estate planning, aging in place, selling your home, and wealth management.
Why is this important for our community? Well, from experience, walking with dad over his last two years you need to know who to call when you need help. For instance, my go to expert on adapting existing conditions to make them safe for the specific need is Amy Depoy with The Pivot Point Group. Amy is an occupational therapist that understands how to evaluate mobility of a person and then can recommend the proper solutions. While I can help you redesign a space to make it easier to use for a lifetime, Amy knows the tools and resources to implement without major construction related changes to the structure of your home. She came to our house and spoke with dad, looked at what we had set up, and offered some additional resources that made it easier for him to move safely and for me to safely assist him.
VPAS (Valley Program for Aging Services) is another resource that you will find at the upcoming seminar. I have worked with VPAS for years helping spread the word about how to make a home more welcoming to people of all abilities. They also offer resources to help you know the paperwork you need, how to navigate Medicare services, can provide caregiver support, are working to educate our community about dementia, and organize meals on wheels. This organization is like a utility knife for our senior population. You will definitely want to know all the services they provide before you need them.
So join the seminar, register HERE. I will be at the event to answer questions about aging in place and architectural changes you can make in your home. There will be many other experts that are dedicated to helping seniors live long, safe, and happy lives in our community.
The event is free, includes lunch, will be held at the Doubletree Hotel in Harrisonburg, September 17th, from 11:30 am – 2:00 pm. You have to register so they know how much food to provide.
by Charles Hendricks | Sep 12, 2026 | architecture, Charles Hendricks, Charlottesville, citizen architect, Commercial Architect, community, Custom Home, Empathy, Harrisonburg, Harrisonburg Architect, Local Leaders
This amazing event, Charlottesville Architect + Builder Exchange, is building a better industry.
This past week Charles and Sam were invited to share how they collaborate outside of projects to deliver better projects to shared clients. Sam with Herr and Company and Charles have worked together on many projects over the years. They have a trusting relationship. It is not just based on the projects though, it is based on each of them showing up for the other consistently.
Charlottesville Architect Builder Exchange
The story they shared is not a new way of doing business. It is simply treating each other with respect and working towards a common goal: excellent service to our community, integrity in the process, and a desire to do better for our clients. Once the video of the event is posted we will share it. We welcome your ideas of how we can improve more. We don’t have it all figured out and want to continue to grow and improve. Let us know how you deliver better service to your clients through collaboration, trust, and integrity.
Thanks to Jim at Candid and his team for allowing this conversation to happen.
If you have a community group or event that needs a speaker: Charles loves sharing his passion for community, building science, architecture, aging in place, the history of the Chesapeake Wester Depot, using empathy as a design tool, or if you just want him to tell stories – reach out and let’s get it scheduled.
by Charles Hendricks | Apr 3, 2026 | architecture, citizen architect, First Friday, Harrisonburg Architect
It doesn’t seem like Easter weekend but that is what the calendar is telling me. It also doesn’t seem like First Friday, but here we are on a First Friday. The artists this month are architects. So far I have Eugene Stoltzfus and Gaines Group with work on the walls. I believe Ivan Huber will have something to me today. I am still hoping some others drop off work and attend the event. Please join us and talk about why design matters for a better future for all.
The show “Design Matters” is a celebration of Architecture Week. I wanted a show that highlighted the importance of not only the beauty created through architectural design, but also the building and celebration of community, equality, inclusivity, culture and bonds. This show I hope will spark your ideas of what can be if we design the right future together. We can do better and architecture is the fabric that ties our lives together as we do better together.
Join me tonight at the Depot from 5pm – 7pm for “Design Matters” and celebrate Architecture.
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 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.
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.
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.
by Charles Hendricks | 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.
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.
There were so many amazing quilts and hand-made furniture pieces in the auction this year, but this stained glass piece caught our eye!
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.
