by Charles Hendricks | Sep 2, 2013 | architecture, Leadership
“To be successful, you have to have your heart in your business, and your business in your heart.” – Sr. Thomas Watson
Becoming an architect takes a huge commitment, unrelenting passion, and of course lots of time and money. It can be a rewarding career if you are able to sustain your energy long enough to get through all the hurdles. I did, made it through all the obstacles, achieved licensure, and then became a partner in a firm. My career goal of owning my own architectural practice had been achieved. Then the bottom fell out of the economy. A complete and total melt down, the likes of which has never been experienced in my lifetime.
“Choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life.” ~ Confucious
Like most small architectural firms, we (The Gaines Group) are more of a family than a traditional business. We have three partners of which I am the youngest. We decided at the start of the financial melt down not to let anyone go – once again, we are more like a family than a business. So lets say, the past five years have been extremely difficult financially for us. We expanded our staff to better serve our clients, opened a second office (Harrisonburg) to serve a wider demographic, and moved into a new office space in Charlottesville that is better reflective of our current design values. We survived! We are ready!
The economy is coming back and we have a deep and talented staff ready for the work. The ABI (architectural billing index) is showing signs of sustained growth. The worst of the economic collapse is over. So as you celebrate labor day, we join you. On this day dedicated to the social and economic achievements of the American worker, we salute those that have stood by us in tough economic times. We thank our team, friends, and family for sticking together over the last five years so that we can build a successful future. It has not been easy and probably will not be easy for years to come. Today is a day to celebrate what we have been able to achieve by working together and trusting in each other.
Happy Labor Day!
by Charles Hendricks | Apr 5, 2013 | architecture, Leadership, Local Leaders
Give us some background on your company. What do you do and why do you do it?
Jill Koeppen Photography offers on-location portrait photography based on my clients’ photography needs. Living in the beautiful Shenandoah allows me to take advantage of the outdoors as my studio, using natural light for my photo sessions. I specialize in many types of portraits – from maternity photographs, to children, to families, to professionals looking for a great head and shoulders photo.
While I offer my clients photos in both black and white and color, I admit I have a soft place in my heart for black and white. Portraits are so timeless and classic in black and white.
What I love about my business is that I can tailor the photo session to suit the personality of the client. If a client tells me that their favorite family activity is to go trout fishing, we head off to a gorgeous trout stream. I’ve done a mountain biking session in the woods with a very active family. Some clients prefer to stay in their back yard or on their front porch, and that is fine too. Photos from a session where the client is having a great time in a relaxed environment reflect an honest insight into that person.
I travel to my clients who live throughout the valley. Sometimes I even get to enjoy photo sessions on the beach where my family lives in the Tidewater area.
Give a brief summary of what your company does and who you are as a company.
I have been intrigued by photography since I was in my early teenage years. As a student at James Madison University, I studied photography and mentored under two amazing JMU staff photographers, Tommy Thompson and Diane Elliott. At the university, I photographed a wide range of university activities including sports events, ribbon cuttings, and even student life during the studies abroad program. Following college, I spent some years working in public relations and marketing.
After years of photographic exploration, I discovered what I enjoyed most was capturing a portrait of a loved one that would be cherished for years to come. In 2006, I opened Jill Koeppen Photography.
Getting to know my clients is one of my favorite aspects of my job. I feel very honored that they choose me to peer into their lives with my camera. I know sometimes it doesn’t feel so comfortable being in front of the lens, so I try to make the photo session fun and relaxed by talking and joking around. With kids, the joking around may even lead to some spastic dancing on my part to solicit a giggle or two. Parents, I apologize in advance if you witness that!
I work closely with my clients to get to know their personality and their goals before the photo shoot so that I am sure we all walk away feeling confident that we were able to achieve an end result the client will absolutely love. There is no feeling better than a client who gushes about the photos I took!
Do you have an ideal client? If so, what do they look like?
My ideal client has a goal in mind, but is also willing to try some different things and be flexible during a shoot in order to get a photo that pleases everyone. Working outside means that I have to constantly reassess if the light is tricky or the weather doesn’t cooperate. I love clients who don’t mind going to plan b if necessary. Who knows… plan b might even lead to an incredible photo.
What is your favorite success story in the past few years?
The story that sticks out the most in my mind is a client who called me to say she had just been diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer. Her future was uncertain and she wanted to have a family photo taken right away before she started her chemo treatments. We held her family photo session beside a small river and she was thrilled with the photos. I’m so happy to say that today she is cancer-free!
What do you like to do for fun? Favorite restaurant? Favorite place to spend a Saturday afternoon?
When I am not working, I spend my time with my husband, Jeff, and my daughters, Claire, 13, and Ellie, 10. We like to hike together at Big Meadows and other trails on Skyline Drive during the warmer months. Big Meadows has the most amazing light and I adore taking photos there in the tall summer grass.
We cook at home a lot since three of us are vegetarians. I love making homemade bread and homemade pizzas. As far as restaurants, my family loves ethnic food. When we go out, Thai Flavor and A Bowl of Good are favorites.
What is on your (iPod, radio, phone) while you work?
When I edit my photos, I enjoy listening to Pandora because I can tune into some of my favorites like Mumford and Sons, Of Monsters and Men, or Coldplay.
What is your favorite book?
Historical fiction is always intriguing to me. I just finished reading World Without End by Ken Follett. Delving into medieval history gave me a keen appreciation of the modern conveniences we enjoy today.
Where is your favorite place to vacation?
Our favorite family vacation was to Providenciales, Turks and Caicos. I’ve never seen water as turquoise blue as the water is on Grace Bay. It was so interesting to see the pirate treasure maps carved into the cliffs there.
Our vacation this year will be spent exploring Quebec where we hope to learn more about our Canadian neighbors while eating our fill of French pastries!
What historical figure would you most like to have dinner with and why?
Sitting down to an Italian dinner of pasta and red wine with Michelangelo would make for an incredible evening. It is fascinating that someone can bring a piece of marble to life like he did. I would love to hear about life during the Renaissance in Italy.
You can find more information on Jill Koeppen Photography on facebook at Jill Koeppen Photography or online at www.jillkphotography.com. Call 540-560-4591.
by Charles Hendricks | Feb 25, 2013 | architecture, Harrisonburg Architect, Leadership
I have posted on the topic of CSI in the past, and with another Certification Exam deadline looming, it is time to do it again. In the construction industry, it is easy to put your head down and try to avoid problems by showing up on time, doing what is expected, and performing to the best of your ability. The problem is, as I have heard it so many times – “CONSTRUCTION HAPPENS!” What do you do when just doing what you ‘thought’ was expected is not what was actually expected? What do you do when your interpretation of the documents is not the owner’s interpretation? How do you show potential clients that you understand how the process works and that you are a leader in the industry that deserves the opportunity? One good way is by earning certifications through the Construction Specifications Institute.
I am a “Certified Construction Technologist.” This is the first step in the CSI certification ladder. In the competitive economy that we face, I find that we have to prove ourselves time and again that we understand the construction process. CSI’s professional qualifications do just that for you. CDT (Construction Document Technologist exam) is the “foundation you need to gain the competitive advantage” you need in today’s economy.
I encourage you to take the step and register for the CDT exam today. I can tell you it has benefited my career growth, allowed me to solve problems before they became big problems, and has saved my clients money.
by Charles Hendricks | Jan 28, 2013 | architecture, Harrisonburg Architect, Indoor Air Quality, Leadership
Doing the first LEED for Homes certified project in the Southeastern United States in 2005 was a great honor and helped us build a solid reputation for delivering innovation at an affordable price. Over the years we have done multiple LEED projects and have shown time and again, innovative design done right can be done on a tight budget. Using LEED as a tool instead of a goal allows the designer and contractor to deliver the best value project for the homeowner.
Leed for Homes is a green home certification system for assuring homes are designed and built to be energy and resource-efficient and healthy for occupants. Compared to a conventional home, a green home uses less energy, water, and natural resources; creates less waste, is smartly located and built with as little impact on the land it sits on as possible; and is healthier for the people living inside.
It is exciting to announce that we have two more successful LEED SILVER projects finished with happy clients living healthier and paying lower utility bills. 501 / 503 was our first LEED for Homes duplex project for repeat clients Habitat for Humanity of Greater Charlottesville. This project has a long list of innovations that saved the client money, lowered the impact on the site/environment, and cut utility costs.
- All Native Plants to reduce the need for irrigation
- 90% permeable lot to reduce stormwater runoff
- The strategic location of trees to shade hardscape areas thus reducing the heat island effect
- Effective landscape design that prevents erosion
- Water efficient plumbing fixtures
- 30% more energy-efficient than the average home built today
- Advanced Framing
- 95% of all construction waste diverted from landfill
- Proper ventilation system integrated with the heating and cooling system
- No Garage
- Energy Star Windows
- Compact plumbing system design
- Energy star appliances
by Charles Hendricks | Jan 24, 2013 | architecture, Leadership
Best of Houzz Awards – The Gaines Group receives the honor for a second year in a row.
The Gaines Group, PLC Architecture and Design Receives
Houzz’s 2013 ‘Best Of Houzz’ Award
Annual Survey and Analysis of 11 Million Monthly Users
Reveals Top-Rated U.S. Professionals
Harrisonburg, VA — January 24, 2013 – The Gaines Group, PLC Architecture and Design of Harrisonburg, Va has been awarded “Best Of Houzz” 2013 by Houzz, the leading online platform for residential remodeling and design. The 26-year-old Architecture and Interior Design firm was chosen by the more than 11 million registered members of the Houzz community.
The Houzz “Best Of Houzz” award for 2013 is given in two categories: Customer Satisfaction and Design. Customer Satisfaction award winners are based on homeowner members who rated their experience working with remodeling professionals in 12 categories ranging from architects, and interior designers to contractors and other residential remodeling professionals. Design award winners’ work was the most popular among the community of 11 million monthly users, also known as “Houzzers,” who saved more than 124 million professional images of home interiors and exteriors to their personal ideabooks via the Houzz site, iPad/iPhone app and Android app.
The Gaines Group, PLC is thrilled to be included in this elite list of Houzz “Best of Customer Satisfaction” 2013 Award winners. Principal, Charles Hendricks states: “It has been a tough year economically, but we have had some incredible clients, interesting projects, and survived to face another year. This award shows that our dedication to our clients is paying off – they are happy.” This is the second consecutive year the firm has been names “Best of Houzz.”
“Houzz provides homeowners with an in-depth, 360-degree view of building, remodeling and design professionals through images of their work, reviews and an opportunity to interact with them directly in the Houzz community,” said Liza Hausman, vice president of community. “We’re delighted to recognize The Gaines Group among our “Best Of” professionals for exceptional customer service as judged by our community of homeowners and design enthusiasts who are actively remodeling and decorating their homes.”
With Houzz, homeowners can identify not only the top-rated professionals like The Gaines Group, but also those whose work matches their own aspirations for their home. Homeowners can also evaluate professionals by contacting them directly on the Houzz platform, asking questions about their work and evaluating their responses to questions from others in the Houzz community.
About The Gaines Group, PLC
The Gaines Group, PLC is an architectural firm that specializes in common sense green solutions that add value to your project through energy-efficient, durable, and low maintenance designs. With 25 years of experience in Virginia, this award-winning architecture firm works hard to deliver excellent service at an affordable price. With offices in Charlottesville and Harrisonburg, the Gaines Group can serve your design needs anywhere in Virginia or North Carolina. Constantly looking for the best answer, they work tirelessly staying on top of latest trends and best practices in the construction industry.
About Houzz
Houzz (www.houzz.com) is a leading online platform for home remodeling, providing inspiration, information, ‘advice and support for homeowners and home improvement professionals through its website and mobile applications. Houzz features the largest residential design database in the world, articles written by design experts, product recommendations, a vibrant community powered by social tools, and information on more than 1.5 million remodeling and design professionals worldwide who can help turn ideas into reality. @houzz_inc
by Charles Hendricks | Jan 21, 2013 | architecture, Harrisonburg Architect, Leadership
Establish a site.
Identify the problems in the existing home that need addressed in the new design.
Construction Starts with a solid foundation.
Framing begins.
Weather tight.
Brick installed
Indoor air quality issues being addressed during construction.
Electrical system installed.
Final details
