by Charles Hendricks | May 20, 2024 | architecture, project update
The Harrisonburg Rockingham Child Day Care Center is heading into the final weeks of construction for phase 1. Walls have been removed and others added. Doors are relocated to the right locations and electrical outlets have been added. The restrooms have been shaped and the rough-ins are ready for fixtures. Best of all, the drywall is almost done so the paint to roll.
Harrisonburg Construction is hard at work executing the plan that we worked out with the building owners to maximize the functionality of this existing building for their day care. Phase 1 construction will provide the rooms and spaces needed to open this fall for infants up to pre-school students. Phase 2 is planned and ready to start (they could use your financial support to get everything done they need). We have learned a lot about grants, day care standards, and faith on this project from some amazing clients with a wonderful mission – to provide affordable day care in Harrisonburg.
Many of the exterior changes, including the playground, will come in phase 2 construction. Phase 1 construction is focused to allow the facility to open the functional space by this fall. We will also update the exterior of the facility and replace the windows.
The classrooms on the north and west side of the building have tall windows and lots of natural light.
We are adding a window into this east classroom to bring more natural light into the space.
The protective cover is starting to be removed from the stainless steel in the kitchen – do they look like portals into another dimension to you?
Stay tuned for more updates as this project starts to get paint, doors installed, and a ceiling in place!
If you are thinking about opening a day care, give us a call so we can help evaluate your building options.
by Charles Hendricks | May 14, 2024 | architecture, project update
The Elk Rock Meadow Craftsman home is taking shape! This two-story craftsman home on a partial basement sits on a beautiful property at the top of Afton Mountain, and the views in every direction are absolutely amazing. We worked hard with our client to incorporate the right building science standards to produce an efficient, durable, and comfortable home. Hearing them express excitement about how the rooms are taking shape is an incredible reward for all the work we put into the design.
The views out the front door looking through the future front porch frame the amazing views this building site features looking out towards the golf course.
The views out the back are absolutely amazing and the den frames them perfectly. On this clear day you can see mountains beyond mountains.
As the second floor takes shape we eagerly await the roof trusses to be placed so we can see the entire structure. The front porch is going to be a great gathering space and the read deck will allow for hours of relaxing views. Working with an amazing landscape architect, Huntlands Landscape Architecture, will seamlessly incorporate this structure into the site.
The flex space above the barn will allow the home owner to explore many future hobbies and interests. This building was designed to be flexible for future uses.
If you are interested in finding your dream home give us a call, we can help you come up with the right plan.
by Charles Hendricks | May 8, 2024 | architecture, Bryce Resort, Harrisonburg Architect, project update
The Bryce Resort home renovation is well underway. Bryce Resort is an amazing destination that has live events, a bike park, a golf course, and a ski resort. There are still many available lots and many houses with lots of potential.
The Bryce Resort home renovation of an existing story and a half structure is a major change for our clients. This weekend home is becoming a luxurious custom home designed to facilitate the life our clients want to live in this resort. We are adding bedrooms, gathering space, exterior decks, and family spaces.
The existing home was due for a facelift aesthetically but, more importantly, needed a functionality renovation. We blew out the walls and raised the roof to allow for the needed space required for just the right solution on this beautiful building lot. The new design will allow our clients to live their dream life in their dream home. We started with a conversation about what was working and what was not working in the existing home. Then we built on the wish list of how they wanted to live in this space. From those conversations, we developed space solutions that would solve the problems addressed while working through what is possible structurally.
Our focus with every renovation project is to figure out how to incorporate the right spaces at the right size to allow our clients to live their dream life. Working with an existing structural system on an existing lot adds challenges that enhance the design solution. This home was no exception with a challenging grade at the front of the house and tight lot lines. We worked through the obstacles and had lots of conversations to keep our clients in the know, allowing them to make the decisions about priorities along the way.
The result will be a beautiful structure inside and out. The spaces will be intentional for the life they want to live. Stay tuned for more updates as drywall goes on and finishes get added! You are going to want to see this one unfold.
by Charles Hendricks | May 6, 2024 | architecture, Commercial Architect, Harrisonburg Architect, project update, School architect
Eastern Mennonite Elementary School phase 2 is now under construction. It is awesome to be invited back to a project by a client to finish what was started. Eastern Mennonite Elementary School phase 2 will provide the gathering space that allows all the students to come together daily in one place to build community. This space was designed as part of phase 1, but was planned to allow for the fundraising needed to complete it with minimal impacts on what was built just a few years ago. This design planning has saved the client money while allowing them to grow over time.
The space is designed to connect the interior to the exterior serving as a pavilion space in comfortable weather. It features large windows and doors and is flexible enough for eating, gathering, events, and even small groups to gather.
In the cool weather the space will be comfortable thanks to the design efforts of Rockingham Engineering. They provided the expertise to bring in a radiant slab system that will make this space comfortable and efficient. This innovative design concept came from the engineer team as a way to combat the typical cold slab issue that these types of spaces usually experience.
If you want to support this project, they are still raising funds to finish it out. This facility will be a place where community building happens every day, much like the family room in one’s home. Your financial support will allow that to happen.
Stay tuned for more project updates as Herr and Company executes the design we developed.
by Charles Hendricks | 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.
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!
by Charles Hendricks | Mar 11, 2024 | architecture, Bryce Resort, Harrisonburg Architect, project update
Construction has started on our most recent Bryce Resort Addition and Renovation project! This house was facing a similar fate as many homes at Bryce Resort. It was built as a weekend home in 1998 and had been maintained very well, but it had not been updated in 30+ years and our clients wanted to make it their primary residence. So we began to strategize how to achieve the goals of expanding the home on a modest lot with a bit of slope, matching floor levels, and staying on budget. It was a challenge for sure. It’s always nice to have clients familiar with the construction process and willing to be flexible in their goals. We looked at a variety of options and ended up adding space to both sides of the house and renovating most of the interior spaces.
For any renovation project where the design calls for matching existing floor levels and details, it takes care and patience to get things just right. The construction has started and we have been answering questions of the builder along the way. Having a team approach is a key to a successful project.
The bedroom and kitchen space on one side are beginning to take shape. On the other side, foundation walls are starting for the garage with space above for a bedroom. Working on these sloping lots in Bryce takes a lot of attention to waterproofing, water management, and slope.
Inside the existing space, we thought through functionality for aging in place and comfort. We are replacing the very steep stair with something more comfortable while keeping the high ceilings and large windows. We are also maintaining a first-floor bedroom should that ever be needed. However, we are creating a space on the upper floor with dynamic views to enjoy now too.
The new rear deck will do an even better job than the old deck to allow our clients to enjoy the incredible views. The lookout will be perfect for bird watching, and the screened porch will help keep the bugs away.
I cannot wait to update you as this project takes shape and finishes start getting installed.
For any renovation project where the design calls for matching existing floor levels and details, it takes care and patience to get things just right. The construction has started and we have been answering questions of the builder along the way. Having a team approach is a key to a successful project.
Inside the existing space, we thought through functionality for