The Hillcrest House is moving into the finishing stages, with the siding started, solar PV installed, and drywall being sanded. This infill home has incredible views and multiple options for hanging out inside and out. The rear double deck with a screened porch will offer many opportunities for incredible sunrise views, and the high-efficiency insulation will keep our clients comfortable throughout the year.
This 3 bedroom 2 1/2 bath home sits on a narrow lot and maximizes function with an efficient layout. The rooms all have large windows to invite in natural light, and the efficient heating and cooling system will contribute to low energy bills.
As Herr and Company finish the project and Green Hill Solar finishes the solar PV installation, we hope to give you another update to show off the beautiful interiors. Get a sneak peek at what the early stages of this gorgeous home looked like!
As 2021 is coming to an end our Gaines Group team is looking back on the amazing clients, strong friendships, and challenges we have faced this year throughout the pandemic. To welcome in the new year we are following a classic tradition and sharing some of our team’s new year resolutions.
Charles Hendricks: over the past few years I have adopted the word grace for my resolution. I strive to give myself and others grace. I want to continue to focus on grace this coming year, but I am also drawn towards the word empathy right now. I want to continue to find ways to be, act, and grow more empathetic to better understand how I can serve others.
The value of adding someone that has years of training to think through design options to provide the optimized solution for facilitating the life you want to live in that particular place is the obvious answer. (and a really long sentence)
However, there is more to the design choice when thinking about a new home vs a custom home. The results of this early choice will have compounding impacts through the process of design and construction. An architect goes through extensive education and training to learn to think design, a skill that most have not developed. A home of business that is designed by an architect has taken into consideration so much more than just how it will be built or simple aesthetics, the design process thinks through daily life, challenges that might come up, energy usage, movements, habits, views, and the particular site. Architects are doing more than just providing what you will need to get permits, they are working on a holistic solution for a home or business that is just right for you. Architects stay in touch with the latest building science thinking and trends in the industry to be able to provide clients with the options available to achieve the best value solutions. Maybe most important, the architect acts as the client’s advocate through the process to reduce stress and make the process fun.
This home perched on a mountain top with views for miles is a good example of a custom design. The homeowner found an online plan as their starting point and then we set out to manipulate the design to create the space just right for this building site. We don’t usually start with an existing design and this one changed a lot to make it work for this site, but every project we do is truly custom. We start where our client needs us to start to realize the right solution for their lifestyle goals.
As you can see from the photos, this project is all about the views. We worked with the client to develop a comprehensive design where all the details come together into a beautiful, comfortable oasis. Framing the views from as many points as possible inside and outside the home was critical for the success of the design. The building science that informed the design decisions also loomed large as this home will be impacted by strong winds and lots of snow with the high altitude. As the parts of the assembly come together we are thrilled to see the care and attention to detail the builder is taking to provide the best product possible (see the lumber sitting up off the ground, a good indication that the builder cares about his work).
Design matters is a recurring mantra in our daily work. We take pride in listening to the goals of our clients and developing the best possible solutions to meet those goals from aesthetics, budget, to framing views. We are thrilled to see this one take shape and would love to talk to you about your dream home to come.
It is that time of year again and we could not be more thrilled for the 2021 Rocktown Turkey Trot! The signup deadline for this race is November 15th for a guaranteed shirt, but online sign-up closes on November 23rd at 12:00 pm. You don’t need to be a seasoned marathon runner to participate in this event! Racers are welcome to run, walk or jog, in the Rocktown Turkey Trot and pumpkin pie cups will even be provided along the way! This event is not only an excellent opportunity for the community to come together, but also a great way to support the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank! The race will begin promptly at 8:30 am after the mayor pardons the Turkey Trot Turkey (yes you read that correctly).
You can also sign up your kids for the children’s dash that starts at 8:00 am, a great way to wear them out before Thanksgiving dinner! Our very own Charles Hendricks will be participating in this year’s dash and we hope to see some familiar faces out and about this year to support their community and enjoy getting back to being together!
Signing up for this event is not just fun, VA Momentum that organizing countless events is a local company that needs your support as we continue to figure out how to navigate the pandemic. Alan and Kevin have worked hard to keep their events safe and evolve and change to survive.
When remodeling your kitchen it’s common to arrive at the dilemma of who to trust. The kitchen can be viewed as the “heart” of a home, it’s where most people spend a large portion of time whether cooking or helping their kids with homework. So it makes sense to be critical of who you are entrusting with helping you to create a more functional space. Hiring an interior designer or architect might not be your first thought for a kitchen renovation, but it is probably the correct solution. This is a crucial piece of your home and there is more to it than just replacing cabinets and putting in a new counter.
While a kitchen designer specializes in cabinetry and the function of the kitchen, an interior designer/architect is an individual trained to redesign every piece of the home. Interior designers and architects don’t just focus on the kitchen but evaluate how it will interact with the home as a whole. In fact, good interior designers and architects usually work with a kitchen designer to create the right cabinet solution for your space. Aside from looking at the bigger picture, interior designers and architects work as an advocate for clients to make sure the solution meets the need. The goal is to make the design process as stress-free as possible by listening to the challenges and wishes of the client and finding the best solution for the budget. The process could also include taking out a wall to allow for a more open concept, creating a more cohesive space, replacing flooring, and adding a pop of paint color or rather a holistic approach to the design solution. Renovating a kitchen could also include creating a lighting and electrical layout to optimize the space foraging-in-place, another design concept that should be considered. Interior designers and architects can do all of this and more while blending with the existing style of your home or updating the look to a new aesthetic.
To reference the before and after photos, that is exactly what we did here. The kitchen was secluded and outdated and after a conversation with our clients, we suggested taking out the wall dividing the dining room and kitchen while reorganizing the appliances to maximize their space and storage to best fit their lifestyle. We also brought in new flooring and reworked the lighting layout. All elements of the solution now work to complement each other while maximizing the functional space.
Interior design and architecture are more than just making a room look pretty. It’s about how you feel and function in the space you inhabit. There ispower in design, this is what an interior designer and architect can bring to the project. This creates something special – focusing on what you need by asking questions while hearing your answers and converting that into a holistic solution.
Charles Hendricks, AIA, CSI, CDT, CAPS, CGP, LEED AP BD&C Named As A Top Expert in the Construction Industry In 2021
The annual list of the FIXR 2021 Top 200 Experts in the Construction Industry, compiled and presented byFixr.com, has just been released. The prestigious list recognizes innovative construction professionals, who take pride in their excellent work and contributions to the industry. Fixr.com assembles this exclusive list by using a rigorous methodology, based on expertise, depth of knowledge, and driving progression in the industry. Fixr.com has employed this methodology to analyze each expert’s high level of experience, successful projects, and esteemed reputations at local, state, and national levels.
Making the FIXR 2021 top 200 construction professionals means experts’ status and prestige within the construction industry is recognized, as industry analyst Cristina Miguélez points out: “Being included in this list is not only an expression of their past professional accomplishments but also shows how each expert continues to shape the future of construction by adapting to the ever-changing industry.”
By gaining exclusive inclusion in the list, Fixr.com confirms that Charles Hendricks has shown strong leadership and expertise within the home construction industry. What’s more, Charles Hendricks’ continued innovation aids the growth and adaptation of construction methods and trends throughout 2021.
About Charles Hendricks
Charles Hendricks is an architect, father, and Rotarian. His firm, Gaines Group Architects, which he owns along with Raymond E. Gaines, and Roger Bryant has offices in Charlottesville and Harrisonburg, Virginia. With a specialty in sustainable design, the firm serves clients in a wide range of sectors from custom residential, residential renovation and additions, historic renovation, interior design, office, multi-family, industrial, private schools, ecclesiastical, daycares, retail, and restaurant. Charles’ favorite projects are those that build a stronger community through the use of design and a focus on holistic thinking. Charles has been included in the FIXR Top 200 list since 2017.
About Fixr.com
Fixr.com is a home improvement resource specialist with the mission of helping homeowners make better home remodeling decisions. Fixr.com is unrivaled when it comes to providing unbiased, thorough, and updated cost guides, price comparisons, and cheat sheets for hundreds of remodeling, installation, and repair projects. When the homeowner is equipped with the necessary knowledge, Fixr.com connects homeowners with the best-matched contractors in their area to begin their home improvement projects.
