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…

Festival of Trees: More Than Just Family Fun!

Festival of Trees: More Than Just Family Fun!

by | Dec 12, 2025 | community, Holiday, Lake Monticello, team

Blog by: Adrienne Stronge

 

For my family and me, the Lake Monticello Community Foundation’s Festival of Trees has been a holiday staple since its very first year. Living here at the Lake, it is a celebration we look forward to every December. My kids love walking through the Ashlawn Clubhouse, marveling at the creativity, and carefully choosing which trees to drop their raffle tickets into.

However, this year was a little different—and extra special.

While my family has attended for years, this is the first year The Gaines Group Architects participated as a firm. I was thrilled to bring my professional team into this personal family tradition. Our entry, themed “Brick the Halls,” was designed to capture that same childhood joy I see in my own kids.

We traded our blueprints for building blocks, decorating the tree with LEGO ornaments and offering a full set of LEGOs as a prize. The reception was fantastic—we saw so many kids (and the young at heart!) pointing out the hidden brick Santas and snowmen, and our tree gathered a “ton” of raffle tickets.

Supporting Our Neighbors

Beyond the fun of the LEGOs, bringing The Gaines Group to this event was about supporting the community I call home. We wanted to support the Lake Monticello Community Foundation (LMCF) because of the tangible good they do in Fluvanna County.

The LMCF’s work aligns perfectly with our firm’s passion for Universal Design and accessibility. Their funding for the accessible playground and the accessible beach access ensures that the lake is a welcoming place for everyone, regardless of mobility. As architects in Charlottesville and residents of this community, seeing these improvements firsthand reminds us why inclusive design matters.

Community Impact: From the Lake to the Valley and Roanoke

At The Gaines Group Architects, we believe architecture is about service. This philosophy drives us across all our locations.

While this event supported my neighbors near our Charlottesville office, our commitment to community extends across Virginia:

  • Harrisonburg: Our roots in the Shenandoah Valley are deep, built on years of sustainable design and community partnership.
  • Roanoke: We are excited to announce our new office in Roanoke! Just as we are “bricking the halls” here at the Lake, our Roanoke team is already hitting the ground running, getting involved with local organizations to support the Star City.

Whether we are designing a custom home, a commercial renovation, or volunteering for a local non-profit, our goal remains the same: to design solutions that improve the lives of those around us.

Building a Future Together

Thank you to the LMCF for another amazing Festival of Trees, and to everyone who supported our “Brick the Halls” tree. It was an honor to merge my family tradition with my firm’s values this year.

If you are looking for architects in Charlottesville, Harrisonburg, or Roanoke who value community, sustainability, and creative design, let’s connect. Whether you are looking to build a new home or renovate a space for aging-in-place, we are ready to help you put the pieces together.

Learn more about our work and our offices at www.thegainesgroup.com.

Lake Monticello Addition and Renovation project update

Lake Monticello Addition and Renovation project update

by | Apr 11, 2024 | architecture, Lake Monticello, project update

Working on a tight building site at Lake Monticello to do an addition and renovation has become one of our specialties over the last few years. This home needed a first-floor bedroom and accessible bathroom added and the homeowner wanted to upgrade the kitchen. The site, like many at Lake Monticello, had some space constraints that would limit the options. We worked with the homeowner to figure out how to achieve his dream, stay within budget, and execute a design that he would love.
Lake Monticello home renovation in progress.
We worked through the space constraints and made sure to avoid existing window conflicts to add just enough space to get a luxury bathroom and an incredible kitchen added to the existing home. Through the design process we worked with M3 to make sure we hit the budget where the client needed us to fall. The balance to meet high aesthetic expectations and budget goals is always one of the hardest balances to make work in residential design. Having a trusted builder on the team early is incredibly important to make this all work.

Keep an eye out for more photos as finishes are installed!