A Hand to Hold

by Lindsey Kohler-Austin | Apr 17, 2026 | community, Harrisonburg, Mentorship, team

When you get older, it’s easy to forget about the things you saw as challenges when you were younger. As we grow up, we encounter new challenges to overcome; they’re daunting, scary, overwhelming and even exciting at times; but as we tackle our challenges and get the experience under our belts, these tasks become the norm, and we tend to forget about our first encounters. I was a very fortunate kid, as I often had someone there to help me face these challenges and accomplish many of my firsts, but that is not the case for everyone. Can you imagine having to go on your first roller coaster ride all alone? If I didn’t have a hand to hold on my first ride, I don’t know if I would’ve ever gotten on. Without that support, there’s a chance I wouldn’t know what it feels like to ride a roller coaster. Life is a roller coaster in and of itself, and I will gladly offer my hand; over and over again.

I have recently offered my hand to my little sister from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Harrisonburg-Rockingham County. So far, she has been very independent and brave. I’m impressed by her confidence and bravery, especially given the challenges life has already thrown at her. Maybe she feels that she must be brave and confident for others’ sake, or maybe she truly is fearless. No matter what the circumstance, I plan to be there for her; a hand to hold, a voice to reason with and a role model to look up to.

I decided to take on a little sister for many reasons, such as to have fun, to learn how to take care of kids, and to add a little whimsy back into my life, but the main reason is to help guide and support someone who may need it. When I was younger, I had a good upbringing, but I was one of four children; as you may suspect, there wasn’t always enough attention and guidance to go around. There were times when I made tough decisions on my own or learned the hard way. I think I would’ve handled those times better with a voice of reason and support. Reflecting on my childhood, I believe I would have benefited from having a mentor. If I could’ve benefited with my good upbringing, imagine how much impact a mentor could have on a mentee with less.

A mentor can have an impact on a mentee, but what many people don’t realize is that a mentee can have an impact on their mentor. All people have different perspectives, but the contrast between an adult perspective and a kid’s perspective is stark. I am always trying to put myself in other people’s shoes to understand where they’re coming from and what they’re going through. Being in the adult world has made my points of view very logical and somewhat restricted. Not everything in life is logical, and my little sister knows this. Her wild, carefree imagination allows her to think outside the box, and she is starting to teach me how to think this way again.

With a mentor guiding a mentee and a mentee rubbing off on a mentor, everyone is getting the best of both worlds. I get an amazing opportunity to help my mentee tackle the daily challenges in her life and I get to learn how to be a better person while doing it. With odds like these, I could never say no. I look forward to seeing how much we grow and all the good we can accomplish while I hold her hand and she holds mine.

In Their Own Words: The Impact of Job Shadowing

by Charles Hendricks | Apr 12, 2026 | Charles Hendricks, community, Harrisonburg, Harrisonburg Architect, Intern, Mentorship, team

You don’t have to guess whether taking the time to mentor makes a difference. The students who have walked through the doors of The Gaines Group speak volumes about the impact of these experiences:

David Martin, a Virginia Tech architecture student, spent a summer learning the granular details of the profession.

“With only two years of architecture school under my belt, I started this summer off knowing I had a lot to learn… I found myself having to learn the details of building sections, roof plans, wall thicknesses, construction methods… Throughout the process, Charles showed me patience and was always willing to answer any questions I had… In one of Charles’ recent blogs, he talks about being the person you needed when you were younger. From my experience, I would say that he’s putting that into practice, since the help and instruction he provided me that summer has given me valuable insight into the world of architecture.”

Ryan, a high school student from Eastern Mennonite High School, discovered that the day-to-day life of an architect isn’t just about unconstrained sketching.

“I realized that architecture, most of the time, is not designing grandiose creations from your head, but is more of a tailored approach to realize clients’ wishes… I am very grateful to the Gaines Group Architects for taking time out of his immensely busy schedule to mentor me… My perception of architecture has definitely changed and while I am still considering this as a possible career option, I feel as though my eyes have been opened to some of the non-ideal aspects of architecture.”

Chloe, the aspiring interior designer, found that her time with Charles and Jarod provided the exact clarity she needed for her future.

“His knowledge of design and his love for his job inspired me in great ways… After my mentorship experience, I decided that I am going to pursue a major in interior design at Liberty University. Finally, mentorship has taught me that I am capable of way more than I ever imagined. My mentor has done an amazing job helping me realize how successful I can be… His encouragement and confidence in me have boosted my confidence in achieving my dreams.”

The Architect’s Guide to a Spring Reset: Beyond the Broom

by Lindsey Kohler-Austin | Mar 18, 2026 | community, Indoor Air Quality, Not used, resources

As the sun begins to linger a little longer over the Blue Ridge and the first hints of green emerge in the Shenandoah Valley, our focus naturally shifts outward. Here at Gaines Group Architects, we believe a home is a living system—one that breathes, protects, and evolves with the seasons.

While “Spring Cleaning” usually conjures images of junk drawers and dusty baseboards, we like to view the vernal equinox as a vital moment for home stewardship. It’s the perfect time to ensure your sanctuary is performing efficiently, sustainably, and beautifully for the warmer months ahead.

1. High-Performance Hygiene: Check Your Seals

In our region, the transition from winter’s bite to spring’s humidity can be tough on a building’s envelope.

The Window Audit: Don’t just Windex the glass; inspect the tracks and weatherstripping. Dirt buildup can prevent a tight seal, letting your expensive conditioned air escape.
Airflow Integrity: Replace your HVAC filters. After a winter of closed doors and running furnaces, a fresh filter is the simplest way to improve your indoor air quality. Remember, the air leakage in your home might actually be making it dirty by pulling dust and allergens from your attic into your living spaces.

2. Protecting the Valley’s Heritage

Many of our favorite projects involve historic Harrisonburg gems. If you live in an older home, Spring is the season for a “check-up”:

Masonry & Mortar: Walk the perimeter of your home. Look for “spalling” (flaking brick) or cracked mortar caused by the winter freeze-thaw cycle. Addressing these small gaps now prevents significant water damage later.
Gentle Restoration: When cleaning original wood or stone, skip the harsh chemicals. We advocate for pH-neutral, eco-friendly cleaners that preserve the patina of historic materials rather than stripping them.

Historic Renovation Charlottesville Architect

3. Water Management: The Architect’s Priority

Architecture is often in a battle against water. To keep your foundation dry and your basement healthy:

Gutter Cleaning: Falling debris from winter storms can clog your drainage system. Ensure your gutters are clear and, more importantly, that downspouts are directing water at least five feet away from your foundation.
The Grading Check: Take a look at your flower beds. If the soil has settled and is sloping toward the house, spring is the time to regrade it to shed water away from your living space.

4. Biophilic Refreshes

A “clean” home should also be an inspiring one. As the Valley blooms, bring that energy indoors:

Lighten the Load: Swap heavy winter drapes for breathable linens. This doesn’t just change the look; it changes the thermal gain of your rooms.
Indoor Air Gardens: Visit the Harrisonburg Farmers Market for native plants. They act as natural air purifiers, reinforcing the “biophilic” connection between our built environment and the natural world.
When choosing supplies for your spring refresh, opt for No-VOC options. We’ve often asked, ‘Is your home making you sick?‘—and reducing chemical off-gassing from cleaners and paints is the best place to start.

Stewardship is Design in Action

Spring cleaning isn’t just a chore—it’s an investment in the longevity of your home. By treating your house as a high-performance system rather than just a collection of rooms, you ensure it remains a place of comfort and sustainability for years to come.

Need a hand reimagining your space for the new season?

Whether it’s a sustainable renovation or a custom new build, we’re here to help you design a home that works as hard as you do.

A Holiday Message from The Gaines Group Architects

by Charles Hendricks | Dec 24, 2025 | Charlottesville, community, Harrisonburg, Holiday, Roanoke

As we approach year end, the lights are glowing a little brighter in our studios—not just from the holiday decorations, but from the warmth of a year that has truly redefined what “home” and “community” mean to us.

It’s been an incredible year of growth, challenges, and deep reflection. We’ve watched some amazing projects move through our pipeline and celebrated the completion of others that were years in the making. From the Spanish Learning Lab Daycare to the Rockingham County Timber Frame House, we have been reminded daily of the immense privilege we hold. It is a profound responsibility to design the spaces of dreams, whether that is a custom family home or a growing business.

Growing Our Impact

This year, our “planning for growth” became a reality as we officially opened our new office in Roanoke. For our CEO, Charles Hendricks, this was more than a business expansion; it was a homecoming to the Star City. By establishing a permanent home in the CoLab in Grandin Village and welcoming Claude Breithaupt to lead our Roanoke team, we are better positioned than ever to serve the Roanoke and New River Valley.

Our mission remains clear: through design, we can make the world a better place for everyone. Whether we are working with Habitat for Humanity or helping a client “future-proof” their home for aging-in-place, we believe architecture is an ethical duty. We design for the “seven generations” ahead, ensuring our impact is measured in sustainability, accessibility, and joy.

A Heartfelt Thank You

As we pause on this sacred evening, we want to say thank you.

To our team: For rallying together and supporting one another. From our newest team members like Lindsey, Claude, Isabel, Lizzy, and Nicole you are the heart of this firm. Thank you.
To our clients: Thank you for trusting us with your dreams. Whether we were working on a custom home, business relocation or expansion, or a school addition, thank you for trusting a process we know works.
To our community: To those who follow our Design Matters blog, click through our website, or show up at events like “First Fridays” or the “Festival of Trees”—thank you. Your belief in our mission to create healthy, inclusive environments is what fuels our passion.

We love what we do because we get to do it with you. As we look toward the New Year, we aren’t just looking for “the right opportunities”—we are looking for the right ways to increase our impact on the world.

From all of us at The Gaines Group in Harrisonburg, Charlottesville, and Roanoke: Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year.

May your holiday be as resilient, warm, and well-designed as the homes in your dreams.

Christmas at the Depot

by Charles Hendricks | Dec 23, 2025 | architecture, Charles Hendricks, community

It is a wonderful time of the year to work at the Depot, really so is every time of year. Our historic Harrisonburg home comes to life during the holiday season, especially with the Christmas lights! Looking back over the years we have shared some magical memories together. Here is a quick peak at the Depot when Santa comes to visit.

The Trees:

Santa:

The Magic of Belief:

The Food:

The Swag:

The Art:

The Decorations:

The People:

The Grinch!

The Style!

We hope your Christmas is filled with joy, laughter, and cheer. Peace to you and yours.

Designing for the NRV: Unveiling Airport Acres with Habitat for Humanity

by Charles Hendricks | Dec 22, 2025 | Blacksburg, community, team

We are thrilled to unveil our latest collaboration with Habitat for Humanity of the New River Valley: the Airport Acres Townhomes, a vital new project for affordable housing in Blacksburg.

As our firm expands with our new office in Roanoke, VA, we are more committed than ever to serving the entire region, specifically the New River Valley. We believe architecture is about more than just buildings; it is about creating homes and strengthening communities across Southwest Virginia.

A Historic Location in Blacksburg: Located in the historic heart of Blacksburg, this new project will create 11 new townhomes for deserving families.

The location is significant. It is situated in a neighborhood originally built during World War II for working families and returning veterans. We are honored to continue that legacy by bringing affordable homeownership opportunities back to an area that desperately needs them.

Why Affordable Housing Matters in the NRV: Finding affordable housing in the greater Blacksburg area is a well-known challenge, largely due to high demand from the student population.

For our lead architect on this project, Ray Gaines, this mission is personal. Having spent four years in Blacksburg as an architecture student, graduating from Virginia Tech in 1979, this project is a way to give back to the community that once hosted him. By partnering with the Town of Blacksburg—which generously provided a grant to help make this possible—our Roanoke-based team is helping families put down roots in the New River Valley.

Sustainable Design for Real Life: We aren’t just building houses; we are building forever homes. Here is what makes the design special:

Accessibility: We believe homes should be livable for everyone. Four of these new units will feature first-floor bedrooms and bathrooms designed to be accessible for those with mobility challenges. This brings our total to 10 fully accessible units across all our Habitat projects.
Net Zero Ready: We are aiming for “Net Zero Ready” certification. In plain English, these homes are designed to be ultra-energy efficient. They are built to keep utility bills incredibly low, making homeownership more affordable month after month.

A Strong Partnership in Southwest Virginia This is our fourth project with Habitat for Humanity of the New River Valley. We have previously completed 16 units together, including the Church Street Townhomes and the Johnston Street Duplex.

A Legacy of Service: Our commitment to this region goes far beyond a single set of blueprints. Ray actively serves on the HFHNRV Building Committee, helping to guide the affiliate as they explore new construction opportunities in surrounding counties. For Ray, this involvement is the embodiment of the Virginia Tech motto, Ut Prosim (“That I may serve”). Whether serving as the Vice Chair of the College of Fellows of the Construction Specifications Institute or leading as Chair of Deacons at his church, Ray believes that architects have a responsibility to use their skills for the greater good. We encourage our peers in the design industry to join us in this mission—whether through Habitat for Humanity or the Building Goodness Foundation—and not hesitate to volunteer their time to build stronger communities.