The “Hero” Feature AirBnB

by Charles Hendricks | Feb 26, 2026 | architecture, Charles Hendricks, Charlottesville, Custom Home, Harrisonburg, Harrisonburg Architect, Roanoke, Roanoke Architect

The AirBnB market has become incredibly competitive, and we are seeing a surge in requests for intentional design from developers. Our approach of energy-efficient, durable, and healthy design strategies are setting our client’s projects apart as potential renters are asking for better solutions in their accommodations. Renters are also asking for creative architectural design that will create amazing memories and cool photos. The days of the garage apartment or basement AirBnB are over for those seeking a vacation destination. The demand is for destinations that have thoughtful design and attractive spaces.

These homes are not selling square footage; they are selling the idea of a romantic getaway in an incredible experiential architectural home. There are “hero” features that we are adding like glass-roofed stargazing lofts, outdoor soaking tubs, glass walls, and adult slides. There is a desire to connect with nature, so we infuse these designs with biophilic design strategies. Though the finishes must be durable but cozy. Using products like Luxury Vinyl Plank flooring that will endure the revolving door of renters while giving the high-end aesthetic that draws attention is a must.

Knowing that a quartz counter will stand the test of time and use while still looking good adds value to our design solutions. Integration of smart technology allows for contactless check in and energy savings while units are vacant. Making sure there are easy to clean spaces – minimizing moldings, adding floating vanities, and using built in storage shaves time off the turnover between renters.

Our role in designing these spaces is to make them beautiful, durable, energy-efficient, and healthy, which is our typical approach to residential design. We think through how to optimize the construction costs for our clients so they can maximize their return on investment. We are also putting ourselves in the shoes of the renter as we think through how to make our designs the most desirable option available for our client’s renters.

Is Wellness Architecture the New Luxury Architecture?

by Charles Hendricks | Feb 24, 2026 | architecture, Building Science, Charlottesville, Custom Home, Green Building, Harrisonburg, Harrisonburg Architect

The definition of “luxury” home has shifted dramatically since I entered the industry in 1999. The focus of many of the homes we designed in the 2000’s was “bigger is better” and gables-on-gables drove design. Then I started seeing energy-efficient home technology start changing the goals of our clients in the luxury home market. This grew exponentially as our understanding of the house as a system became mainstream. The days of building the way “we have always done it” came to a quick end for anyone that wanted a custom luxury home.

Since the pandemic, the dramatic shift we have seen is a strong focus on wellness architecture with a strong building science interest from most clients. Wellness architecture brings in biophilic concepts, indoor environmental quality, and proper ventilation systems. This science-based approach to the built environment acknowledges a simple truth: our homes are the primary “skin” we live in, and they have a profound impact on our quality of life.

When we design for wellness, we infuse empathy, building science, and care into the aesthetic decisions we are making when creating your dream home.

There are several aspects of this design approach that need to be addressed: access to daylight, indoor air quality, humidity control, chemical off gassing, natural materials, and functional spaces. We think through not only the views, but the types of light each room will have through the day. Indoor air quality and humidity control are critical to consider when right sizing the HVAC system and picking the right ventilation strategy. We protect the quality of the air by checking the chemicals in the materials we are using to avoid toxic off gassing in a tight envelope home. Finally, making sure the HVAC system not only keeps you comfortable but also brings in the appropriate amount of fresh air.

This idea of designing a home that helps you with your physical and mental health has become a normal approach for our luxury homes. Clients are seeking refuge in their dream homes and even if they don’t express their desire for a healthy home as a priority, their description of their dream home includes many of these strategies. We are thrilled to be able to do this type of work as a way to protect you and your family for generations to come.

Emotional Cues and Intense Listening Deliver a Truly Custom Home

by Charles Hendricks | Jan 21, 2026 | architecture, Blacksburg, Charlottesville, Custom Home, Harrisonburg, Harrisonburg Architect, Interior Design, Roanoke, Roanoke Architect

I know that the most successful custom home designs don’t start with a sketch. They start with an open conversation and intense listening to goals, passions, and interests.

While the architectural concept is very important for every project we engage, that vision is not the driving factor if you leave the designer’s ego behind. The best custom homes are developed around our client’s dreams and goals instead. The only way to deliver this type of solution is to move beyond just listening to your clients to a deeper level of hearing, infused with years of experience and knowledge of design thinking. Digging a little deeper into the number of rooms and learning the “why” someone wants something delivers a dream solution. It is not just a kitchen; it is the heart of the home. It is not just a primary bathroom; it is a luxury oasis that allows escape to decompress from the stress of the world.

We search for unspoken pain points and places that make the home flow better. We think through how the space will feel and function and how emotion plays into the design. We listen to how space can facilitate the dream life and use our experience to sculpt a solution into a functional home.

A custom home is an extension of the life our client dreams of living. This has a high emotional investment, and they are asked to be vulnerable to imagine what is possible. While our clients can’t give a clear architectural solution, often them describing what works and doesn’t work in their lives, allows the design to become very evident in our minds.

This work of listening allows us to take emotional cues and dreams and translate them into tangible design elements that frame views, buffer noise, and mix textures. When we show the design sketch and our client’s eyes light up we know we truly heard their dream. The foundation of trust continues to build with each conversation.

Ultimately, our role isn’t just to design a house; it’s to design the home that creates the backdrop for our client’s life story.

Architectural Site Visit: Importance in Design Phase

by Charles Hendricks | Jan 7, 2026 | architecture, Blacksburg, Charlottesville, Commercial Architect, Custom Home, Green Building, Harrisonburg, Lake Monticello, Massanutten Resort, Roanoke

We traveled all over Virginia and West Virginia in 2025 checking out building sites, offering input on project location, collecting data needed for design, and enjoying some incredible views. We love getting out of the office to help your clients better understand their property opportunities. From renovation to new construction, getting to go see the site is a huge benefit when we are designing a custom solution for our clients.

An architect’s presence on-site is crucial for several reasons:

Understanding Topography: Seeing the natural slope and soil conditions firsthand prevents costly structural surprises later.
Capturing Environmental Context: Only by standing on the land can an architect truly map the path of the sun, the direction of prevailing winds, and the unique framing of local views.
Problem Solving in Real-Time: Site visits allow architects to collaborate with contractors, resolving discrepancies between the “perfect” drawing and the physical constraints of the earth.
Learning from Existing Conditions: Having a chance to stand in the space and think through flow, views, structural restrictions, water flow, and opportunities is critical in the design process.

Ultimately, a building doesn’t exist in a vacuum. By immersing themselves in the site, architects ensure the final design is not just a structure, but a thoughtful response to its surroundings. The list is long for all the places we worked this year including Harrisonburg, Charlottesville, Roanoke, Blacksburg, Christiansburg, Rockingham, Brandywine, Bergton, Fulks Run, Newport News, Portsmouth, Heathsville, Richmond, Crozet, Afton, Lake Monticello, Fluvanna, Augusta, Quicksburg, Lynchburg, Waynesboro, to Staunton.

We are so incredibly lucky to get to work with our clients to develop their dreams at some of the most incredible building sites across the Commonwealth of Virginia and in West Virginia – even when they are a little harder to get down the slope to measure existing conditions…

1. Expanding Our Footprint

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!

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2. Massanutten Resort Custom Home Almost Finished

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!

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3. Welcome to the Team!

We added a few new faces to the Gaines Group team in 2025! You can learn more about everyone here:

Lizzy
Nicole
Lindsey
Isabel
Claude

4. Dogwood Home Renovation Project Update

This blog post features a beautiful renovation project that made this home feel so warm and inviting!

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5. Citizen Architect Awards

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!

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6. Eastern Mennonite Elementary School Project Update

In this post we see an update to the Eastern Mennonite Elementary School’s gathering space!

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7. A Harrisonburg Architect's Christmas Wish List

Shopping for a late Christmas gift for your favorite Harrisonburg architect? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!

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8. First Fridays: A Recap!

We love participating in First Fridays in the Valley here in Harrisonburg! This post goes back over our wonderful artists from 2025!

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9. Spanish Lab and Learning Center

We were so excited to partner with Shenandoah Valley SBDC on this project. See photos of this awesome space here!

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10. Bryce Resort Renovation-Project Update

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!

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Thank you for a wonderful 2025, we will see you in 2026!

Rockingham County Timber Frame House: Project Update

by Charles Hendricks | Nov 5, 2025 | Accessibility, aging in place, architecture, Building Science, Custom Home, Green Building, Harrisonburg Architect

What an amazing opportunity we are given to design places for people to build memories and live a full life. It is humbling to walk through an almost finished home that we designed with our clients. Seeing the energy and excitement they have to live in a space they have been dreaming about is contagious. This Rockingham County Timber Frame House is just about finished and we will certainly have more photos. I just wanted to give you a sneak peak at some of the cool details included in this lifetime home.

The care and craftsmanship that is put into building what we designed will blow you away. It is an honor to work with companies like Herr and Company that not only execute the plan but ask questions along the way to make sure we are both delivering the best possible solutions. The collaboration that exists between architect and builder can make or break a project.

The exterior walk in shower at this house will make cleaning off after a dip in the pool quick and easy.

The custom built cabinetry by Grey Fox Design Works and Rocktown Urban wood is breathtaking.

The floating stairs that play with light is such a beautiful touch.

Of course the heavy-timber in the main living space is spectacular and the lighting support over the dining table (designed by our client) is pretty cool.