Expanding Our Footprint: Serving Roanoke Valley and the New River Valley

by Charles Hendricks | Dec 19, 2025 | architecture, Roanoke, Roanoke Architect

We are thrilled to announce a significant milestone in the history of The Gaines Group Architects: the opening of our third office, establishing a dedicated home right in Roanoke, Virginia!

This expansion is a direct and exciting response to the growth we’ve experienced in the New River Valley. For years, our firm has been committed to serving the communities of Roanoke, Christiansburg, Blacksburg, and Floyd, and planting roots in the Star City is the natural next step in deepening that commitment.

Building Stronger, More Vibrant Communities
Our presence in the New River Valley has allowed us to partner with mission-driven organizations and contribute to the region’s housing landscape. We are incredibly proud of our ongoing collaboration with Habitat for Humanity of the New River Valley on impactful projects like the:

Furthermore, our design expertise can be seen in the successful multi-family residential project, The Adams at Peppers Ferry in Christiansburg, Blacksburg New School Addition and Renovation, and an in-process aging-in-place small residential addition in Blacksburg, illustrating our dedication to clients of all sizes.

Our Deep Local Roots in the Valley
The Gaines Group isn’t just a firm opening a new branch—we are a team coming home. Our CEO, Charles Hendricks, grew up in Roanoke, attending Northside High School and Virginia Western Community College before going to UVA to study architecture. His personal connection to the city and the Valley informs our vision for growth. That local tie is shared by several key members of our team, who are proud graduates of Virginia Tech, including Founding Principal Ray Gaines and talented designers Emily Scognamillo, Elizabeth McEwen , and Isabel Gonzalez. Their experience in Blacksburg brings an intimate knowledge of the region’s unique architectural landscape and community values.

A New Leader Joins the Team: Welcome Claude Breithaupt

To lead our efforts in the Roanoke area and New River Valley, we are delighted to welcome Claude Breithaupt to The Gaines Group team. Claude joins us as our Staff Architect and Branch Office Lead, bringing with him a wealth of technical expertise and creative vision. Having previously owned Studio Breithaupt in the Roanoke area, Claude is a respected local architect whose work strives to enhance our sense of surroundings and identity. His award-winning history, which includes a Merit Award from AIA Blue Ridge for the Spikenard Farm Honeybee Sanctuary Bee Barn, aligns perfectly with our firm’s focus on environmentally conscious, thoughtful design.

We are excited for Claude to bring his fascination with the intersection of science and art—and his deep local knowledge to our new office at CoLab in Grandin Village.

Our Commitment: Healthy, Sustainable, and Inclusive Design
The Gaines Group Architects is driven by a singular mission: to help create stronger, more vibrant communities. We achieve this by designing healthy, sustainable, and inclusive environments that enhance the quality of life for all.

Our work is rooted in providing innovative solutions and a commitment to long-term impact. We build strategic teams with a focus on quality, value, and building science to serve clients across a diverse range of needs, including:

Custom Homes and Home Renovations
Industrial and Commercial Projects
Multi-family and Non-profit work

We look forward to collaborating with the residents, businesses, and organizations of Roanoke and the New River Valley. If you have a vision for a project—whether it’s a dream custom home, a commercial redevelopment, or a community-focused initiative—we are here to help you design a solution that works beautifully, efficiently, and sustainably.

Welcome us to the neighborhood!

Follow our journey and explore our portfolio at thegainesgroup.com.

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Welcome to the Team, Claude Breithaupt!

by Charles Hendricks | Dec 10, 2025 | Roanoke, team

We are thrilled to introduce the newest member of our leadership team, Claude Breithaupt! Claude joins us as our newest Architect in Roanoke, bringing with him a Bachelor of Architecture from Iowa State University and a wealth of technical and creative experience. He is most looking forward to collaborating on great design with the team.

The Intersection of Science and Art

Claude’s journey into architecture was born from a fascination with the intersection of science and art. Possessing a “mechanical engineering mind,” he has always been drawn to understanding how things work and how they are built—an interest that was heavily reinforced during a high school aviation program where he learned to maintain and fly airplanes.

However, it was a visit to the Kimbell Museum by Louis Kahn in Fort Worth, Texas, during his second year of architecture school that truly solidified his path. There, the integration of structure, form, material, and light “clicked” for him. Recognizing that mastery served as a major inspiration, bridging his technical curiosity with the expressive potential of design.

Roots in Shawsville

Claude calls Shawsville, Virginia—affectionately known as “Shaws Vegas”—home. Located on the historic path of the Great Wagon Road, Shawsville is a place with deep roots (and, as Claude notes, a Dollar General that is usually open during business hours).

While he calls Virginia home now, his work ethic started early with his very first job in Johnston, Iowa, where he pollinated experimental hybrid corn on a research plot for the Pioneer seed company.

Off the Clock

When he isn’t managing projects or designing, Claude stays busy with hands-on, productive activities. He enjoys building custom furniture, metalwork, and welding. He even views working on vehicles as “complex MEP problem-solving,” recently saving himself thousands by pulling the drivetrain out of an AWD BMW on jack stands in his garage!

Claude is also a musician; you might catch him performing around Floyd playing the mandolin or piano. Above all, he values time with his family: his wife Lori, their daughter Ariana, and their two dogs, Winnie and Ophelia.

Fun Facts & Accomplishments

A Major Milestone: Claude is incredibly proud of becoming a certified Advanced Open Water SCUBA diver. Despite initially writing it off due to claustrophobia, a friend (and dive instructor) pushed him to try it. He now has over 50 dives logged in the Pacific, Atlantic, and Caribbean.
Hidden Talents: Before architecture, Claude was a pro bicycle mechanic for over 10 years. He is a master wheelbuilder who was trained at age 17 by the founder of Wheelsmith in Palo Alto, CA, and has built over 1,000 wheels.
The Adventurous Side: Claude has done a terrifying night dive in Maui and has flown a Piper J3 Cub that his high school class overhauled over the course of 18 months.
Childhood Ambition: As a kid, Claude wanted to be either a chef or a heart surgeon.
Favorite Media: He recommends the book The Stand for an epic read, and enjoys watching The Mandalorian or Antiques Roadshow (his daughter’s favorite).