Welcome to the Team, Calvin!

Welcome to the Team, Calvin!

by | May 28, 2026 | architecture, Charles Hendricks, Harrisonburg, Harrisonburg Architect, Intern, Mentorship, team

We are excited to announce that Calvin Bixler has joined the Gaines Group Architects team as our newest intern! Calvin is eager to jump in and support the firm across a variety of projects as he begins his professional journey in the design field.

Academic Foundations

Calvin comes to us with a strong academic background, having completed his first year of studies at Princeton University. As he works toward his degree, he is looking forward to gaining hands-on experience and holding his first official position in his chosen career field.

Beyond the Studio

When he isn’t assisting the firm, Calvin stays busy with an impressive array of technical hobbies. He is currently in the middle of a major mechanical project: converting a 1984 Pontiac Fiero from an internal combustion engine to a fully electric drivetrain. When he isn’t under the hood of a car, he enjoys playing single-player video games, particularly Minecraft.

Getting to Know Calvin

  • First Job: Calvin’s work history began at the EMU dining hall, where he worked in the dish room and served meals.

  • Favorite Characteristic: He takes great pride in his strong work ethic, a trait that makes him a fantastic addition to our team.

  • Furry Friends: Calvin is a cat lover and has a long-haired black cat named Bear.

  • Pop Culture Pick: If there is one show you can find him watching on repeat, it is Game of Thrones.

Please join us in giving Calvin a warm welcome to the team!

Welcome to the Team, Hannah!

Welcome to the Team, Hannah!

by | May 28, 2026 | architecture, Harrisonburg, Harrisonburg Architect, Intern, Mentorship, team

We are delighted to introduce the newest member of our design family, Hannah Cundiff! Hannah joins us as an Intern, bringing a passion for art and a fresh perspective to our studio!

A Passion for Design

Hannah’s journey into the world of design was sparked at a young age while watching HGTV. This early exposure, combined with a lifelong interest in art, fueled her desire to create beautiful and functional spaces for people to enjoy. Currently a rising senior at James Madison University (JMU) pursuing a BFA in Architectural Design, Hannah is eager to dive into the professional world and learn everything that architecture offices have to offer. She is particularly focused on strengthening her digital skills and gaining experience working directly with clients as she prepares for her senior thesis.

Roots in Roanoke

Hannah calls Roanoke, Virginia home. She is a proud local who enjoys sharing fun facts about her hometown—did you know the iconic star on Mill Mountain stands 88 feet tall? Her path to architecture also includes a background in the service industry; her very first job was as a Sales Associate at Rack Room Shoes.

Off the Clock

When she isn’t in the studio or the classroom, Hannah enjoys a variety of hobbies to unwind. You can often find her playing video games like Animal Crossing or Minecraft, reading, or hanging out with her roommates. She is also a fan of Superstore, Harry Potter, and The Hunger Games.

Hannah is very family-oriented and loves spending time with her mom, dad, and little brother.

Fun Facts & Accomplishments

  • A Major Milestone: Hannah is incredibly proud of getting into JMU and the ARCD (Architectural Design) program.

  • Childhood Ambition: Before she set her sights on architecture, Hannah dreamt of becoming an art teacher.

  • Hidden Talents: Most people don’t know that Hannah was in colorguard for six years!

  • The Adventurous Side: Back in 8th grade, Hannah showed her adventurous spirit by climbing a 50-foot rock wall on the side of a mountain.

We are so excited to have Hannah join us for this small part of her architecture journey!

A Hand to Hold

A Hand to Hold

by | Apr 17, 2026 | community, Harrisonburg, Mentorship, team

When you get older, it’s easy to forget about the things you saw as challenges when you were younger. As we grow up, we encounter new challenges to overcome; they’re daunting, scary, overwhelming and even exciting at times; but as we tackle our challenges and get the experience under our belts, these tasks become the norm, and we tend to forget about our first encounters. I was a very fortunate kid, as I often had someone there to help me face these challenges and accomplish many of my firsts, but that is not the case for everyone. Can you imagine having to go on your first roller coaster ride all alone? If I didn’t have a hand to hold on my first ride, I don’t know if I would’ve ever gotten on. Without that support, there’s a chance I wouldn’t know what it feels like to ride a roller coaster. Life is a roller coaster in and of itself, and I will gladly offer my hand; over and over again.

I have recently offered my hand to my little sister from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Harrisonburg-Rockingham County. So far, she has been very independent and brave. I’m impressed by her confidence and bravery, especially given the challenges life has already thrown at her. Maybe she feels that she must be brave and confident for others’ sake, or maybe she truly is fearless. No matter what the circumstance, I plan to be there for her; a hand to hold, a voice to reason with and a role model to look up to.

I decided to take on a little sister for many reasons, such as to have fun, to learn how to take care of kids, and to add a little whimsy back into my life, but the main reason is to help guide and support someone who may need it. When I was younger, I had a good upbringing, but I was one of four children; as you may suspect, there wasn’t always enough attention and guidance to go around. There were times when I made tough decisions on my own or learned the hard way. I think I would’ve handled those times better with a voice of reason and support. Reflecting on my childhood, I believe I would have benefited from having a mentor. If I could’ve benefited with my good upbringing, imagine how much impact a mentor could have on a mentee with less.

A mentor can have an impact on a mentee, but what many people don’t realize is that a mentee can have an impact on their mentor. All people have different perspectives, but the contrast between an adult perspective and a kid’s perspective is stark. I am always trying to put myself in other people’s shoes to understand where they’re coming from and what they’re going through. Being in the adult world has made my points of view very logical and somewhat restricted. Not everything in life is logical, and my little sister knows this. Her wild, carefree imagination allows her to think outside the box, and she is starting to teach me how to think this way again.

With a mentor guiding a mentee and a mentee rubbing off on a mentor, everyone is getting the best of both worlds. I get an amazing opportunity to help my mentee tackle the daily challenges in her life and I get to learn how to be a better person while doing it. With odds like these, I could never say no. I look forward to seeing how much we grow and all the good we can accomplish while I hold her hand and she holds mine.

In Their Own Words: The Impact of Job Shadowing

In Their Own Words: The Impact of Job Shadowing

by | Apr 12, 2026 | Charles Hendricks, community, Harrisonburg, Harrisonburg Architect, Intern, Mentorship, team

You don’t have to guess whether taking the time to mentor makes a difference. The students who have walked through the doors of The Gaines Group speak volumes about the impact of these experiences:

David Martin, a Virginia Tech architecture student, spent a summer learning the granular details of the profession.

“With only two years of architecture school under my belt, I started this summer off knowing I had a lot to learn… I found myself having to learn the details of building sections, roof plans, wall thicknesses, construction methods… Throughout the process, Charles showed me patience and was always willing to answer any questions I had… In one of Charles’ recent blogs, he talks about being the person you needed when you were younger. From my experience, I would say that he’s putting that into practice, since the help and instruction he provided me that summer has given me valuable insight into the world of architecture.”

Ryan, a high school student from Eastern Mennonite High School, discovered that the day-to-day life of an architect isn’t just about unconstrained sketching.

“I realized that architecture, most of the time, is not designing grandiose creations from your head, but is more of a tailored approach to realize clients’ wishes… I am very grateful to the Gaines Group Architects for taking time out of his immensely busy schedule to mentor me… My perception of architecture has definitely changed and while I am still considering this as a possible career option, I feel as though my eyes have been opened to some of the non-ideal aspects of architecture.”

Chloe, the aspiring interior designer, found that her time with Charles and Jarod provided the exact clarity she needed for her future. 

“His knowledge of design and his love for his job inspired me in great ways… After my mentorship experience, I decided that I am going to pursue a major in interior design at Liberty University. Finally, mentorship has taught me that I am capable of way more than I ever imagined. My mentor has done an amazing job helping me realize how successful I can be… His encouragement and confidence in me have boosted my confidence in achieving my dreams.”

It Takes Little to Be Big

It Takes Little to Be Big

by | Apr 10, 2026 | Mentorship

Mentoring doesn’t require you to have all the answers or to design a flawless curriculum. Often, it simply means offering a listening ear, sharing your realistic day-to-day experiences, and answering questions with patience.

Charles, student, and Trevor at a site
Massanutten Technical Center

Whether it is bringing a student into your office for an hour, hosting them for a semester-long job shadow, or volunteering with local youth programs, your guidance can be the catalyst that shapes a young person’s future.

Step up, share your knowledge, and be the person you needed when you were younger. The future of every industry depends on it.

Gaines Group Architects Named Top Employer for Interns!

Gaines Group Architects Named Top Employer for Interns!

by | Apr 9, 2026 | Charles Hendricks, Harrisonburg, Harrisonburg Architect, Intern, Leadership, Mentorship, Office Culture

I remember my first day at the firm. I had no idea what to expect when I arrived. I knew autocad. I had an architectural degree. I had worked various jobs since I was 12, but this was the first office position. The first time that I was being asked to draw things and they would pay me for it. I understood design, but I didn’t know the 27′ rule in a kitchen, the stair formula, how far a 2 x 12 would span, or why insulation values were important. Those were not things we learned in architectural school. That first day though, I found out that my opinion mattered. The questions I asked made a difference. I could contribute to the team. I needed mentorship, but I also got to mentor those around me.

Over my 27 years at the firm I have been mentored and served as a mentor. I have learned so much from others on the team and hopefully shared some wisdom along the way. I continue to learn from our team. There is so much to know in our industry and it continues to evolve and change.

For the third year in a row our firm has been recognized as a Top Virginia Employer for Interns. This is a meaningful recognition for me personally. We have hosted dozens of high school students in job shadowing, college students as summer interns, and helped launch many into careers in architecture. This annual award celebrates the importance of providing hands on experiences, direct access to senior leadership, and a glimpse into real world skills and experiences.

Congratulations and thank you to all of the 161 employers that have put time, energy, and resources into allowing students to advance in their knowledge. Thank you for opening doors for students to explore career options.