Project Update: George’s Flowers Progress is Blooming!

Project Update: George’s Flowers Progress is Blooming!

by | Jul 21, 2026 | architecture, community, Not used, project update, Roanoke, Roanoke Architect

Project Update in Roanoke: George’s Flowers is Blooming!

We are really excited to see the progress taking shape at George’s Flowers near Tanglewood Mall. The existing building, which housed Audiotronics did not represent the innovative brand of George’s Flowers, so we jumped at the opportunity when he asked us to design a solution. The building, which was built with few windows to the outside, is being opened up to allow in the light, and so we can see all the cool things inside that George’s will create.

The interior spaces are being completely reworked to make this a functional and FUN place to work and shop. The display space will allow for even more must-have items to be displayed. The new coolers will keep the floral arrangements crisp and looking fresh. This is a straightforward commercial renovation that we hope will grab the attention of all who drive by, especially anyone who needs to grab some flowers on their way home from work!

This project is a great example of why you need an architect for your commercial renovation project. We have spent time listening to our client’s goals and working with the contractor and suppliers to make sure it all fits inside the existing building. The coordination with HVAC, plumbing, cooler suppliers, and the contractor has been key to keeping the project moving on a fast timeline so there is little downtime for this commercial business. We are maximizing the opportunities that the existing shell building provided and adapting it so it meets the image and reputation of this amazing business. Our integrated design approach that invites in the contractor team has reduced the timeline and questions during the build, which saves our client money and maximizes the contractor’s profit potential.

Stay tuned for more images of this conversion in Roanoke!

August First Friday at the Depot Featuring Bonnie Fisher!

August First Friday at the Depot Featuring Bonnie Fisher!

by | Jul 17, 2026 | community, First Friday, Harrisonburg

As always, this event is free and open to everyone, and refreshments will be provided by Gaines Group Architects.

August 7th from 5:00-7:00 PM

Series Name: An Interlude of Water

Medium: Hand-cut Montage

Artist Statement: “An Interlude of Water

The stillness of a hot, lazy summer evening broken by the laughter of good friends as fishies bite and the sun slowly slips towards the horizon.

The pond collection swirls and twirls like the eddies at the shoreline. Developing slowly to capture the quiet aspects of what creatures could quietly inhabit a pond within the Shenandoah landscape.

The past eight months have been a creative frenzy of exploration, joy, and personal contentment, from envisioning a cohesive grouping of collages that share a color palette to letting my imagination play. The resulting collection has stretched my artistic skills and broadened my perception of interpretation and idea development.

My Process:  

Each collage starts as a line drawing, creating a detailed map of the imagery to be included within the work.  Moving the drawing to the wooden panel entails many bits of hand-cut paper, acrylic mediums, and acid-free paste. A sticky mess, but it so satisfies the need for detail my brain requires. All papers used are colored with acrylic paint applied with painting tools or a Gelli plate. A lot of time is spent pressing (lever press, heavy books, etc) and drying the glued papers before and after mounting on the wooden surface. Acrylic varnish provides a protective sealant for the completed collage. From concept to finished work, the process takes, on average, four weeks.” 

 

Artist Bio: I’ve always been one to dabble in new trends and techniques.  Treading water, seeking the thing that would capture and devour my imagination. In 2018, when life was overwhelming and my soul needed an escape, I fell back in love with collage. Over the intervening eight years, my artistic practice has settled into an obsession, forcing a growth in style and technique with results that personally bring me joy. A relocation to Harrisonburg, Virginia, has allowed me to establish a permanent studio space, adding momentum to my artistic journey.

 

*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!

 

Project Update: George’s Flowers in Roanoke is Now Under Construction!

Project Update: George’s Flowers in Roanoke is Now Under Construction!

by | Jul 10, 2026 | architecture, community, project update, Roanoke, Roanoke Architect

George’s Flowers is now under construction! 

Blog by: Hannah Cundiff

Growing up in the Roanoke Valley, there was really only one florist shop that you’d see: George’s Flowers. Since 1981, they have served the area, delivering to many surrounding cities such as Danville, Moneta, Salem, Hollins and more. Being a Roanoke native, I have driven past their original location a countless number of times. George’s is a small but iconic business in the Valley and is finally getting the upgrade they deserve. But why are they relocating?

The former location on Franklin Road neighbored the Roanoke River. What people may not know is that the area is prone to flooding, and George’s was unfortunately affected by these recurring floods. This created ongoing challenges for them, and the move to Ogden Road became the ultimate solution.

The business will soon be moving into the former Audiotronics building on Ogden Road. Our part in the process was to design the renewed space to fit George’s Flowers perfectly. Overall, the move is perfect for them, as it gets them out of the flood zone, and into a more business-dense area of the city.

As George’s Flowers gets ready to bloom in their new spot, there’s a real sense of anticipation in Roanoke. This move means not just a bigger and better space for creativity and beauty to flourish, but a bigger and better space that will also better serve their community. Moving to such a lively area in the the city is going to amazing for their business and we are so excited to see the final pieces come together for them!

To learn more about the project and move, visit these links:

George’s Flowers Website

The Roanoker Magazine 

WDBJ 7

WSLS 10

 

June First Friday at The Depot Featuring Cassidy Walker!

June First Friday at The Depot Featuring Cassidy Walker!

by | May 21, 2026 | artwork, community, First Friday, Harrisonburg

As always, this event is free and open to everyone, and refreshments will be provided by Gaines Group Architects.
 
Series Name: In Blue and Bloom: Washes of Memory from Lithuania

Medium: Watercolor

Artist Statement: “In Blue and Bloom: Washes of Memory from Lithuania is a collection of watercolor paintings created in response to my study abroad experience in Lithuania. Through both monochromatic blue and full-color works, this exhibition explores the ways beauty and trauma coexist within the country’s landscapes, architecture, and cultural memory.

During my time in Lithuania, I encountered a place of remarkable natural beauty, vibrant cities, and enduring traditions. At the same time, I learned about the country’s complex history of occupation, resistance, genocide, and survival. These experiences changed how I understood the places I visited. Streets, forests, and historic sites became layered with both visible beauty and the memories they continue to hold.
 
The use of monochromatic blue and full color is not intended to separate trauma from beauty. Instead, both bodies of work contain aspects of each. Some blue paintings focus on atmosphere, reflection, and form, while some full-color works depict locations shaped by painful histories.  Together, these two approaches demonstrate that Lithuania’s identity cannot be divided into distinct parts. Its beauty and its trauma are deeply interconnected, each informing the way the other is experienced and understood.
 
Watercolor serves as an ideal medium for this exploration because of its transparency and fluidity. Layers of pigment and water mirror the way memory accumulates over time—sometimes vivid, sometimes softened, but never entirely erased.
These paintings are both personal reflections and acts of witness. They honor Lithuania as a place where resilience emerges alongside
remembrance, and where history continues to shape the present. Through this work, I hope viewers are invited to consider how landscapes carry stories and how art can help us hold complexity, preserving both pain and beauty within the same frame.” 
 

 

Artist Bio: Cassidy Walker is a multidisciplinary artist working in watercolor, photography, ceramics, and digital media. She graduated from Eastern Mennonite University in 2025 with a degree in Art, Photography, and Digital Media & Communications.

Her work is deeply informed by close observation of the world around her. Through a variety of media, Cassidy examines places, experiences, and histories, translating them into visual forms that help her process and express what she encounters. Much of her artistic practice centers on themes of trauma, memory, resilience, and the ongoing effort to better understand the complexities of the world.
In Blue and Bloom: Washes of Memory from Lithuania was inspired by Cassidy’s study abroad experience in Lithuania, where she explored the relationship between natural beauty, cultural identity, and historical trauma. Through this body of watercolor paintings, she reflects on how places can hold both visible and invisible histories and how art can serve as a means of witnessing, remembrance, and connection.

 

 
*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!

A Hand to Hold

A Hand to Hold

by | 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

In Their Own Words: The Impact of Job Shadowing

by | 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.”