Elk Rock Meadow Craftsman Home Project Update

by Charles Hendricks | Feb 27, 2024 | aging in place, architecture, project update

Construction has started on our most recent project in Elk Rock Meadow. We also designed the Elk Rock Farmhouse and the Elk Rock Meadow Vista in this neighborhood.

The Elk Rock Meadow Craftsman Home project is a beautiful custom home designed in collaboration with our client, Herr and Company, Huntlands Landscape Architecture, Grey Fox Design Works, Dovetail Design & Cabinets, and several others. This project is a team effort to think through every detail and the final project will show the success of this strategy.

Our conversations during design focused on our usual of building science, aging in place, comfort, and of course beauty. We have thought through how life might unfold in the future and made as many provisions as possible to allow our clients to live their dream life in their new dream home.

Now the work of taking our design work to built work is in process. The site clearing and foundation work has come along quickly.

Now walls are starting to appear on the barn site.

Stay tuned as we continue to update you on the progress.

Oriental Express and Catering Company project update

by Charles Hendricks | Feb 21, 2024 | architecture, project update

The Oriental Express and Catering Company is quickly taking shape as Constable Construction puts our design together. This new restaurant was designed in conjunction with our client to maximize the efficiency of the kitchen space to provide quick and delicious oriental cuisine.

I am looking forward to rolling through the drive-thru to get dinner once they open.

The design maximizes light into the dining space, has an open and modern style, and keeps a compact building footprint to make construction as affordable as possible.

Our experience designing restaurants allowed us to partner well with our client that owns and operates another oriental restaurant. We collaborated on the layout and understand the importance of layout to minimize the number of staff it takes to operate effectively.

The second floor of the building offers office operational space for the business owners to keep an eye on the business while getting their work done.

The large windows will invite diners to hang out and enjoy their lunch or dinner while watching the clouds roll by.

Harrisonburg Rockingham Child Day Care Center Project Update

by Charles Hendricks | Jan 11, 2024 | architecture, community, project update

Harrisonburg Rockingham Day Care Center Rendering

Dust is in the air and this time it is not from dancers supporting a wonderful organization. The Harrisonburg Rockingham Day Care Center is under construction!

For 52 years HRCDCC has provided affordable childcare for the Harrisonburg and Rockingham community. Following their Dances with the Stars of the Burg fundraising campaign, the Center has raised enough funds to purchase and renovate an existing building on East Market Street. This building will allow the Daycare to continue providing sliding scale daycare opportunities in the heart of downtown Harrisonburg, something that is much needed.

The next fundraising goal is to fill the remaining funding gap for building expenses. WHSV covered this update and gives more description of what the funds will be used for here. Consider donating to this amazing organization that does so much for the community. Donation page here. Read more about their programs and reach at their website.

Harrisonburg Construction is the general contractor for this project and a long time supporter of the organization. They, along with Blauch Brothers, Mid-Valley Electric and many other trade partners, will take our design to reality over the coming months.

Project Update: Meadow Branch Apartments Phase II

by cbhendricks | Aug 18, 2023 | architecture, project update

Phase II of Meadow Branch Apartments, a multi-family Luxury Living Community in Winchester, is underway. We are excited to share a few unique features.

This project is our first to design a Canine Activity Center. The center includes an indoor playground and a dog spa where owners can wash their pups. Perfect for dog-lovers and their pets, and relaxing and fun is had by everyone involved.

From the beginning of this project, environmental considerations have been woven into the design, and the design choices can even be seen all the way from a drone (pictures provided below by KBS). We used permeable pavers for some of the parking which is visible in some of the pictures. This type of pavement is gaining interest in North America and acts as a stormwater management system, reducing heavy flow of run-off.

We also intentionally preserved many trees on-site, including two massive oak trees in the middle of the site which are also visible from the sky. This community makes movement and connection to natural-greenery even more accessible by connecting to a great walking trail and providing extensive bike storage.

Casa Cielo: Blending the in-between spaces

by cbhendricks | Aug 15, 2023 | architecture, artwork, project update

Designing custom homes in the Shenandoah Valley, like Casa Cielo, is a gift. We absolutely love working with our clients to create their dreams in built form. And this project in particular, where the site for the home had deep meaning and purpose even before we began our work, was so much more than just a gift.

Casa Cielo is perched at the top of the property, and the views are magical. This home was carefully placed on the site to blend the inside of the house to the outside and capture nature’s beauty as the seasons pass. Glass walls wrap around the home on three sides from floor to ceiling, creating blended “in-between” spaces. The warm wood tones, high ceilings, and modest forms allowed us to celebrate the site and make the home a refuge. A kitchen on one side of the living space anchors the home to the site; the morning views tell the story of the day, while the functional spaces are all allocated to the rear of the building. Our clients have beautifully complemented the architecture with just the right furniture and fabrics.

This project and these clients are so dear to us. We are grateful each time we are trusted to help develop a dream for a new home. This one evolved with such grace and beauty that it has exceeded our expectations. Stay tuned for the release of the portfolio showing all the images of this beautiful home.

Photography by Asha and Susan Beck with assistance from Eric.

#hilltophouse is complete

by Charles Hendricks | May 1, 2023 | architecture, project update

The #hilltophouse is complete, built by Sauder Builders, Inc,. We were able to photograph the inside (outside photos pending the landscape to spring forth with spring weather). #hilltophouse was designed with a goal of allowing family to gather with connection to the outside at all times. The incredible kitchen developed by Lantz Custom Woodworking serves as an anchor in the main living space with the two-story brick wall on the other side of the open living space giving instant character. The exposed steel beams sit on top of the heavy wood timbers that mimic the exterior porch columns supporting the loft above. The open cable rail system allows for the industrial style to take on a modern twist while the wood floors from Weavers Flooring warm the space that will capture many years of memories.

wide of the two-story high interior brick wall hill top house

wide-view of open floor plan. kitchen and second floor hill top house

kitchen and large window looking to the deck hill top house

wide-view of kitchen and loft hill top house

The primary bedroom and bathroom suite is an oasis for relaxation. The brick is carried into this space giving the space instant charm while the large windows and doors open the space to incredible views. The oversized shower and soaking tub will serve as a wonderful place to unwind and relax.

The second floor features a bunk room, third bedroom, and gaming room along with another bathroom. This incredible home will be the homestead of many generations to gather and celebrate milestones and holidays.