AIA-CV Community building site visit – Kindlewood Phase II

by Charles Hendricks | Sep 19, 2026 | architecture, Building Science, Charlottesville, Green Building

Our team reviewing site plans on the street before heading into the active construction zone

In our #Charlottesville office we spend a lot of time making sure to get all the details just right on our drawings. We work hard to make sure our wall sections, plans, elevations, and details are clear, concise, and correct. We research, learn, and investigate to deliver the right solution for each project. However, no matter how much time we spend reading and investigating, there is no substitute for stepping onto an active job site to see architecture come to life.

As active AIA Central Virginia members we often get to collaborate and learn from our peers in the industry. This week we were able to join the AIA Central Virginia Emerging Professionals (AIA EP) group for an architect-led tour of the Kindlewood Phase II project under construction in Charlottesville.

We encourage and support continuous learning and hands-on field experience in our firm in order to drive our design process. You need to see what you have drawn (and what others have drawn) to learn and grow as a designer. Visiting an active construction site gives our team knowledge of complex conditions from structural, mechanical, and even the building envelope in actual execution.

Even beyond all the building science lessons that can be learned on a job site, joining in on AIA Central Virginia events fosters peer connections within the architectural and construction industry. Walking a job site with fellow members brings up questions and conversations that don’t happen in a single office. Different firms approach design from various angles and learning best practices is critical for the advancement of our profession. We can discuss challenges and successes while seeing the results of design in action.

Architects viewing interior drywall and window installation at Kindlewood Phase 2

Rooftop solar array installed for high-performance sustainable energy at Kindlewood Phase 2

We encourage and support continuous learning and hands-on field experience in our firm in order to drive our design process. You need to see what you have drawn (and what others have drawn) to learn and grow as a designer. Visiting an active construction site gives our team knowledge of complex conditions from structural, mechanical, and even the building envelope in actual execution.

Even beyond all the building science lessons that can be learned on a job site, joining in on AIA Central Virginia events fosters peer connections within the architectural and construction industry. Walking a job site with fellow members brings up questions and conversations that don’t happen in a single office. Different firms approach design from various angles and learning best practices is critical for the advancement of our profession. We can discuss challenges and successes while seeing the results of design in action.

One of our regular contractors for multi-family projects is also the contractor for this project. KBS, out of Richmond, VA, has a focus on high quality construction and is a strong collaborative partner. We are proud of their work on this project in the Charlottesville community and look forward to our next sustainable multi-family community we get to work with them on.

Getting out of the office to see sustainable architecture in action energizes our team. We love the community building approach this project took and the standards of design used. Congratulations to Grimm+Parker Architects on a very successful design and KBS on the execution of the vision. We know that your work will have a lasting impact on our Charlottesville community.

Our Charlottesville team, Lizzy, Adrienne, Izzy, and Emily in safety gear on the rooftop at Kindlewood

Designing for good with Habitat for Humanity New River Valley

by Charles Hendricks | Sep 16, 2026 | architecture, Blacksburg, Building Science, citizen architect, Green Building, Indoor Air Quality, Multifamily Design

One of our favorite repeat clients is Habitat for Humanity New River Valley. Our core goal as a business is to use design to create a better future for all. Partnering with this organization fits our mission perfectly. This project, the Airport Road Townhomes, are designed for energy-efficiency, durability, and healthy indoor air. Those are our standards for every project. The Habitat model grows home ownership which benefits communities by creating a stable housing stock, providing workforce housing, and building neighborhoods. Airport Acres in particular provides an ideal location for families in walking distance to schools, childcare centers, shopping, and public transit.

The two-story craftsman style townhomes will feature three bedrooms with a focus on accessibility and visitability. Four of the unit are adaptable for home owners with disabilities or mobility challenges with aging in place features. The community includes a central green space to help build community.

Habitat for Humanity of the NRV is doing amazing work that is building a stronger community. The dream of home ownership is out of reach for many and their work, their clients sweat equity, and the communities support is changing futures. We are proud to partner with them to achieve our goal of building a better future for all through design.

You can support the work of Habitat for Humanity of the NRV by making a donation of in-kind gifts, money, or you can even donate a car.

Serving our Roanoke Community

by Charles Hendricks | Sep 15, 2026 | architecture, Blacksburg, Charles Hendricks, citizen architect, Commercial Architect, Empathy, Green Building, Roanoke, Roanoke Architect

Working in a variety of communities you find that there are teams that you collaborate well with and that support your business goals and allow you to support their business goals. Growing up in Roanoke, attending Northside, and then Virginia Western Community College, I have deep ties to the area. Once we started getting calls from potential clients in the New River Valley and Roanoke Valley area we knew it was time to open an office back in my hometown so we could serve the community. Our approach to business is a bit different from what I have seen over the years. If we are working in a community we want to invest in that community in ways that make it better. We don’t just want to do this on our project site for our clients, we want to make a bigger impact wherever we go. Our main goal as an architectural firm is to use design to create a better community for everyone.

This year for instance we were able to partner with AIA Blue Ridge on their Kidstruction 2026 event held at the Taubman Museum. This tied together our love of local arts, lego, and getting kids to flex their imagination while building things. What an incredible event and the smiles on their faces tell the story.

Our Roanoke office is almost a year old now. We have found some amazing opportunities so far to design cool projects, support organizations, and invest in our community in a way that can create a better future for everyone. We want to continue to grow that impact. Reach out to us if you are an engineer, interior designer, builder, or general contractor that loves working with a team that is excited about design and construction and want to build each other up. Talk to us if you are a non-profit that is doing good in the community and you need help with space planning, energy efficiency, or just have a cool fun event that you think we would love. Support our efforts if you also think that through design we can be and do better in this world – write an online 5 star review on google, Facebook, or any other platform that your friends visit. We need help growing. We need to know who we can collaborate with. If we all join together we can design a better community for everyone.

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.

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…

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.