Hire an architect for better performance, aesthetics, and process

by Charles Hendricks | Dec 20, 2013 | architecture, Commercial Architect, project update

We have a wide variety of projects under construction right now or just finishing. The key unifying element is each of the clients understood that design added value to their project. We are very thankful to our current clients and hope they love these spaces as the finishing details get installed. If you want to know more about the value of hiring an architect for your project, give us a call and read more here, here, here, and here.

Apartments

Office Addition / Renovation

Apartments

Home Addition

Basement Renovation

basement renovation

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Warehouse Addition

Custom Home

Duke Gardens – Harrisonburg Apartment Renvoation

by Charles Hendricks | Jul 25, 2013 | architecture, Commercial Architect, Harrisonburg Architect, Multifamily Design, project update

BEFORE

Duke Gardens (which I introduced in this post) is almost done and the details are coming together just as planned. In a competitive market all building owners look for advantages they can gain over the competition to get tenants in both residential and commercial. In our new multi-family projects we are able to design a timeless aesthetic that will serve for years in attracting tenants. For instance, Stone Creek Village, remains one of the most desired rental communities in Albemarle County. I personally lived there in the first building that opened years ago. Now almost 15 years later, it still looks fresh and has all the amenities expected of a high end rental community. However, if a building is left without any updates for more than 30 years, you might end up with a building that aesthetically cannot compete with other properties.

A simple facelift can bring the property back to life. Here is our attempt to do just that – let us know what you think about our design and Valley Renovators Execution of the plan.

Building Code – Why should you demand more?

by Charles Hendricks | Jun 10, 2013 | architecture, Building Science, Commercial Architect, Harrisonburg Architect

Building Code: set of standards established and enforced by local government for the structural safety of buildings.

The building code is simply a set of rules that set minimum standards for construction of structures – the absolute worst possible construction allowed by law. The purpose of the building code is to protect health, safety, and general welfare as they relate to the construction and occupancy of buildings. It is not intended to be the final goal for a project. I remember in the late 90’s when the construction industry was humming along, one local builder advertised on television that he built to code. That commercial used to frustrate me since everyone is required to build to code – he was spending a lot of money on television ads to say nothing. So why did he do it? Why brag that you are only building to the minimum standard allowed by law? Somehow in our industry, that has become a measure of quality. We have somehow allowed the general public to accept a minimum standard as good enough.

In the Commonwealth of Virginia, the governing code is called the Virginia Uniform Building Code (USBC). It is an adaptation of the International Building Code and the International Residential Building Code. It sets standards for wind loads (these seem to be on the minds of clients after the devastating tornadoes in the mid-west), snow loads, occupancy, sprinkler, and egress requirements and many other aspects of the built environment. It does nothing, however, to set a standard for the quality, durability, and comfort of the construction. These added requirements can only come from design. You have to look beyond code compliance and ask harder questions of your building materials and technologies to create a lasting, efficient, durable, and healthy built solution. Again, code is simply the minimum allowed by law, it is not quality construction.

Don’t get me wrong, having a minimum allowed by law is a good thing. It gives us all some assurance that when we walk into a building it will remain standing, the roof will remain attached, and the average size person will not fall over railings on the porch. However, building code is slow to adapt to building science and material technology development. The only way to get better buildings is to create demand for better buildings. You have to ask the right questions of your builder and architect to get the desired level of quality you expect and deserve. “Because that is the way we always do it” only works if a new better way to solve the problems it “always creates” has not been found. For instance, there are new ways to lay tile in a bathroom that are much better than the old way of laying it directly on the plywood sub-floor. Those VOC laden products that worked so well in years past have equal quality and performance substitutes that have eliminated the toxic off-gassing of their predecessors. We know more about air sealing and insulation products that make the old way of insulating a home obsolete and potentially hazardous. Advancing technology and tested solutions are not code mandated, they are driven by builders and designers looking to add quality to their projects through understanding the latest science of building. The “because that is the way we always do it” builders are falling behind in the latest building science understanding. They are simply delivering shiny boxes with little consideration to performance, durability, or occupant comfort.

You have all the power in the world to make the construction industry, the built environment, and the homes and offices we spend all our time inside of energy-efficient, healthier, and more durable. You must create the demand for higher performance, better value, and a more sustainable future. Code is not going to solve the problems we face in the coming years. Demand more and I guarantee this industry will meet your call.

EarthCraft comes to the Commercial Market

by Charles Hendricks | Mar 11, 2012 | architecture, Commercial Architect, Harrisonburg Architect, Indoor Air Quality, Leadership, Multifamily Design

The latest news in the Green Building Movement is the introduction of the EarthCraft Light Commercial regional green building certification program to Virginia. This rating system is designed for new or renovated commercial buildings that are 15,000 square feet or less. The EarthCraft brand is familiar to those living in Virginia due to the popularity of the single family and multi-family rating systems that have been in the state for a number of years. This new program, EarthCraft Light Commercial, expands the EarthCraft opportunity for small-scale or light commercial buildings to have a more affordable third-party recognition of sustainable design and construction practices.

While the EarthCraft Light Commercial program pilot phase is being orchestrated out of the Southface Atlanta, Georgia headquarters, the program has come to Virginia. Triple C Camp’s “Nest” in southern Albemarle County has achieved EarthCraft Light Commercial Building Certification, the first building to do so outside the state of Georgia. Triple C Camp has long been dedicated to teaching kids, adults, corporate groups, and community groups the value of living in harmony with nature. The construction of the new “Nest” gives a physical center for this environmental outreach effort. The “Nest” is an exhibit for green building and a functional learning space for those attending camp. Designed by The Gaines Group, PLC, an architectural firm named “best green designers” in 2008, this building incorporates energy efficient building envelope and systems, durable long lasting materials that don’t off-gas hazardous chemicals, water conserving fixtures, ecologically sensitive site work, construction waste diversion from the landfill, and resource efficient design and building elements. Most important to any building owner, the design of efficient systems used in this project will save money. As camp director “H” says, “We are simply doing it right, to show the kids how it can be done, so they can teach their parents.” The Nest features a long list of sustainable design strategies including a tree preservation plan, diversion of 95% of the construction waste from the landfill, high efficiency windows and doors, tight envelope, high performance HVAC system, no and low VOC glues, paints, caulks, and sealants, appropriate shading, dehumidification system, and efficient plumbing fixtures.

Among the many benefits of EarthCraft Light Commercial certification are: third-party evaluation and technical guidance, an expedited documentation process (less paperwork and more in-field documentation), full project administration from registration until final certification, and better overall building performance, including:

An integrated systems approach
Environmentally conscious design and construction applications
Efficient use of natural resources: water, energy, and building materials
Potential utility cost savings, due to reduction in demand for water / energy
Improved indoor air quality and a comfortable working environment
Tighter building envelope and ductwork (as confirmed through on-site inspections and performance testing)

The EarthCraft Light Commercial program has been in Pilot Phase development for several years and has awarded certification to 7 of its 11 pilot participants. The program, based on the EarthCraft House residential program, which has certified close to 10,000 single and multifamily homes in the Southeast, was developed by Southface. This program offers another option for buildings looking at LEED NC certification or Green Globes certification. Similar to the EarthCraft Homes program, the Light Commercial program offers an intensive level of support during the design and construction process, focusing on the energy and water efficient design strategies specific to smaller commercial buildings, as well as prescriptive measures that enhance builder education on sustainable construction practices. This program is particularly well suited to office buildings, retail showrooms, community centers, club houses, churches, and other commercial building projects 15,000 square feet of less.

The architectural firm for this project, The Gaines Group, PLC is no stranger to firsts in the green movement. They also designed the first LEED certified project in Central Virginia, the 10^th LEED for Homes certified project in the country, the first Net-Zero home in Central Virginia, the first LEED NC Industrial project in Central Virginia, and one of the first six EarthCraft Homes in Virginia. The Gaines Group has a comprehensive Environmental Stewardship outreach program where they engage not only clients, but also the community through teaching green design and construction courses, providing pro-bono lectures to community groups and schools, and offering pro-bono green consulting for select non-profits. Based in Charlottesville, Virginia, the firm also has a Harrisonburg, Virginia office.

Is big commercial good for Harrisonburg?

by Charles Hendricks | Feb 23, 2012 | architecture, Commercial Architect, Harrisonburg Architect

Scott Rogers posted news of a new commercial business potentially coming to Harrisonburg this year. We have several empty big boxes in town that need this kind of development or a rethinking of their use all together. This business will bring jobs to the area, provide a destination for some, and bring life back to a part of the mall that has been empty.

So is this good for our local economy? Do we need both chain stores and local companies to survive and grow our economy? Does this add value to our community? As someone who works hard to promote local business and also someone who works for commercial developers, I wonder what the right balance is for our community. We have done many shopping malls in the past and hope to get some in the near future. I want to see national companies find success and I want to see local companies thrive. Help me understand the bigger picture, what do you want to see in Harrisonburg? What will make this community better for you?

Carbon Neutral building we proposed for Harrisonburg

shopping center we designed in Charlottesville

mixed use building we proposed for Crozet

Fluvanna Shopping Center we designed

Harrisonburg Warehouse project – Design Matters

by Charles Hendricks | Dec 17, 2011 | Commercial Architect, Harrisonburg Architect

In 1849, French gardener Joseph Monier wanted to make a more durable flowerpot. His solution involved an iron mesh to reinforce garden pots and tubs. That was the beginning of reinforced concrete and the basis of tilt-up concrete, an idea that wouldn’t be fully developed until more than 50 years later.

Now it can be found in our design for this 64,000 sf warehouse south of Harrisonburg, Virginia. Tilt-up construction has undergone many innovations over the years to get it to the product that is used today. Now because it combines higher quality details, faster delivery, and lower maintenance it is a popular option for building owners.