Emotional Cues and Intense Listening Deliver a Truly Custom Home

Emotional Cues and Intense Listening Deliver a Truly Custom Home

by | 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.

The Backyard Revolution: How Harrisonburg’s New ADU Ordinance will Strengthen Our Community

The Backyard Revolution: How Harrisonburg’s New ADU Ordinance will Strengthen Our Community

by | Jan 9, 2026 | aging in place, Harrisonburg

Harrisonburg has been working on an updated zoning ordinance for several years now. One of the provisions I am excited about and hope to see adopted soon is the increase in density changes allowing Accessory Dwelling Units on most single-family lots.

Creating Attainable Options

Affordability isn’t just about lower price tags; it’s about diverse housing types. By allowing “granny flats” or backyard cottages, Harrisonburg is opening the door for “missing middle” housing. These smaller footprints are inherently more affordable to build and maintain. For homeowners, an ADU provides a reliable stream of rental income that helps offset rising mortgage costs. For renters, it offers a high-quality living space in established, walkable neighborhoods that might otherwise be out of reach.

A Healthier, More Connected City

A healthy city is a compact one. By increasing density within existing neighborhoods, we reduce the need for urban sprawl, which in turn protects our surrounding Shenandoah Valley farmland. This “infill” development encourages a healthier lifestyle by making the city more walkable and bikeable. Furthermore, ADUs support multigenerational living—allowing seniors to age in place near family or providing young professionals a starting point—which fosters stronger social bonds and mental well-being.

Built-in Sustainability

From a design perspective, ADUs are a win for the environment. A smaller home requires fewer materials to build and significantly less energy to heat and cool. When we utilize existing infrastructure—like Harrisonburg’s current water and sewer lines—we maximize the efficiency of our city’s resources.

This ordinance isn’t just about adding sheds to backyards; it’s about building a durable, inclusive future for the Friendly City.

Architectural Site Visit: Importance in Design Phase

Architectural Site Visit: Importance in Design Phase

by | 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…

Top 10 Blog Posts of 2025!

Top 10 Blog Posts of 2025!

by | Dec 31, 2025 | architecture, artwork, Blacksburg, Bryce Resort, Charles Hendricks, Charlottesville, citizen architect, Custom Home, First Friday, Harrisonburg, Harrisonburg Architect, Holiday, In Review, Interior Design, Massanutten Resort, project update, Roanoke, Roanoke Architect, team

Happy New Year! Before we jump into 2026, enjoy a quick recap of our top 10 blog posts of 2025!

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!
Read Post Here

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!
Read Post Here

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!
Read Post Here

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!

Blog Post Here

6. Eastern Mennonite Elementary School Project Update

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

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!
Read Post Here

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!
Read Post Here

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!
Read Post Here

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!
Read Post Here
Thank you for a wonderful 2025, we will see you in 2026!
A Holiday Message from The Gaines Group Architects

A Holiday Message from The Gaines Group Architects

by | 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.

The Gaines Group: Supporting Community, One Photo at a Time

The Gaines Group: Supporting Community, One Photo at a Time

by | Nov 26, 2025 | community, Harrisonburg, team

One of our missions at The Gaines Group is to create stronger, more vibrant communities. Our office manager, Lindsey, may not have the expertise of architectural design to give back, but regardless, she has found a way to contribute towards our mission. 

Over the last few months, Lindsey has volunteered at various events with Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance (HDR). She lends her photography skills to capture the wonderful events that HDR hosts, helping to tell the story of our vibrant downtown.

Capturing the Heart of Harrisonburg

We know that great communities are built from more than just bricks and mortar—they are built from shared experiences and a sense of place. That’s why the work of Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance is so vital. HDR is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering economic growth, promoting the arts, and celebrating the unique character of our historic downtown.

From lively music festivals and seasonal markets to community clean-up days, these events are the lifeblood of a thriving downtown. Lindsey’s photographs do more than just record moments at some of these events; they preserve the energy, connection, and joy that define Harrisonburg. By capturing the smiling faces, the bustling activity, and the beautiful backdrop of our city, her images become essential tools that HDR uses to promote future events and inspire greater community involvement.

The photos scattered throughout this post were all taken by Lindsey from a couple of recent events this year!

A Mission of Engagement and Stewardship

Lindsey’s commitment is a perfect example of how every role in our firm—not just those that involve a drafting table—contributes to our overall mission. While our architects and designers focus on the physical stewardship of the built environment, Lindsey champions the social stewardship of the community that fills those spaces.

We believe that a strong downtown is the engine of a healthy city. When our team members invest their time and talents, whether through design or dedicated volunteerism, we collectively reinforce the foundations of the vibrant, resilient community we are all working to build.

We encourage you to visit the Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance website to learn more about their incredible work and how you, too, can get involved in strengthening our beloved city!

Come Join the Fun!

HDR’s next event is Winter Wonderfest. This annual event is planned for December 6th, 2025. We would love to see everyone come out and enjoy all they have planned, and of course Lindsey will be there with her camera! (Say hello if you see her!)

Check it Out!