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

Architecture should respect community

Architecture should respect community

by | Aug 18, 2025 | architecture, citizen architect, Leadership, Local Leaders

Guest Author: Calvin Bixler

Calvin Bixler

As I start my architectural career, I was given the opportunity to intern at the office of Gaines Group Architects in Harrisonburg, Virginia through a career exploration program at Eastern Mennonite School. This small architectural firm has a big reputation for using design as a tool to build a stronger community. This was not my first internship through this program at EMS. I also had the privilege to learn from Gil Colman of Colman Engineering. At Colman, I learned how to use Civil3D and Autocad, helped conduct stormwater pollution prevention plan inspections, and mapped sites using GPS tools.

At Gaines Group Architects, I was challenged to think about how architecture can heal open wounds in a community and honor the past. I researched and developed a concept for the Roses shopping center in downtown Harrisonburg. The major consideration in my design was the history of displacement and “urban renewal” of the property and surrounding area. The result of my design includes an improved public transit stop, a parking garage as an alternative to the aging parking structures in downtown Harrisonburg, outdoor gathering and fitness areas, a rooftop garden and solar array, affordable housing, and rental spaces for existing or startup small businesses. The design also places storefronts along the road and sidewalk, providing a more lively and inviting atmosphere. The focal point of the design is a tower dedicated to the history of the Northeast Neighborhood.

 

 I believe that architecture should respect the community and build stronger connections. If this property should be redeveloped, there should be an effort made to mend relationships with members of the Northeast Neighborhood broken during urban renewal. When development happens in a community, there should be discussion with community members about their needs. This will serve both the community and the developer.

Calvin Bixler
Calvin Bixler

The next stage in my career will be at Princeton University, where I hope to continue my studies in Architecture. No matter my final career destination, I know that the time I spent at Colman Engineering and Gaines Group Architecture will have served me well. I encourage all high school students to search out opportunities to test the waters for their future career before going to college. This is a chance to not only find what you love to do, rule out what you don’t want to do, but you could be a voice that changes how your community develops over time.

Iron Sharpens Iron: Communication and Knowledge-Sharing

Iron Sharpens Iron: Communication and Knowledge-Sharing

by | Aug 8, 2025 | architecture, Charles Hendricks, citizen architect, Green Building, green term defined, Harrisonburg Architect

The most important element of successful custom home building is communication. One way we do this is by sharing our knowledge of building science with contractors, educators, students, and community groups.

Beiler & Co.

Recently, Beiler & Co. in Winchester, Virginia invited Charles Hendricks and Nicole Rowe to meet their team and talk about high-performance custom design. Tyler Beiler and Charles have a strong track record of projects in the past and have learned to trust and respect each other. This opportunity brought together Tyler’s team along with Southland Insulation and Gaines Group Architects to talk about lessons learned, building science, and how to deliver the highest value to our clients. This is an example, as Tyler puts it, of “iron sharpening Iron:” bringing together three excellent teams together to build each other’s knowledge base.

The presentation Charles prepared encouraged conversation about building science, how high-performance HVAC and airtight insulation provide added value to a custom home design. He also talked extensively about indoor air quality, durability, energy-efficiency, and the importance of using local building products. The concepts shared encouraged conversation as Tyler’s experienced team asked questions, added insights, and talked about their lessons learned as they build high performance custom homes in the northern Shenandoah Valley. George Dimitrew with Southland Insulators was able to add expertise about available products, solutions used by his firm, and the efficiency of different insulation strategies.

Charles frequently shares his expertise on building science with contractors, community groups, college students, and even other architectural firms. His list of recent presentations includes stops at James Madison University, University of Virginia, Construction Specifications Institute of Central Virginia, Rotary Club of Rockingham County, Half Moon Education, NEED, Massanutten Technical Center, Hollins University, Sunnyside Retirement Community, Eastern Mennonite School, Young Architect Conference, and the Department of Energy. He welcomes all invitations to talk about adding value to your home through an application of building science, helping to create a healthier, more energy-efficient, and durable future.

Beiler & Co.
August First Friday at the Depot featuring Derrick Chirinos!!

August First Friday at the Depot featuring Derrick Chirinos!!

by | Jul 17, 2025 | artwork, citizen architect, First Friday, Harrisonburg Architect, Office Culture

Join us for First Friday Harrisonburg in August at the Depot on Friday, August 1st from 5pm – 7pm for the Exhibition “ICONS” by artist Derrick Chirinos!!

Derrick Chirino

As always, this event is free and open to everyone, and refreshments will be provided by Gaines Group Architects.
Series Name: Icons
Medium: Photography, Digital and Film
Artist Statement: In Icons, Derrick Chirinos swaps out live subjects for mannequin heads to capture the small, everyday moments we often take for granted. These silent figures live out ordinary routines: sipping coffee, taking a stroll, laughing with friends. Each scene becomes a time capsule, a reminder that our time on Earth is brief. As our planet’s protections waver and tomorrow feels more uncertain, these photographs stand as proof that at one point: we moved, laughed, and lived freely.

Artist Bio: Derrick Chirinos (He/Him), is a photographer and filmmaker local to the Harrisonburg area who sometimes attempts to control the chaos in his process and other times lets the art come to life on its own terms. Since expanding his skillset to processing and physically altering film to convey a moment in time, Derrick not only unlocked what he thought was possible in art but hopes to inspire others to think outside the image as well. Since 2019, he has exhibited in Brooklyn, NY, JMU, and at his alma mater Eastern Mennonite University.
*Accessibility Note: This building was previously restored from a fire. The elevator shaft is currently not functioning and there is an absence of ramps in the space. Because the show is on the 2nd floor, this may pose an issue for those who have mobility challenges. We are aware of this need and we apologize greatly if this changes your ability to attend.

This event is free and open to everyone. Snacks and refreshments will be served and we look forward to seeing you there!

Each month we host a new artist in our building’s 2nd floor gallery at the Chesapeake Western Depot at 141 W. Bruce St. (second floor entrance is on Chesapeake). Artwork will remain on exhibit through the month. Come view the show anytime and get a tour the Depot!