by Charles Hendricks | Oct 5, 2025 | architecture, Charles Hendricks, Not used, team
by Lindsey Kohler-Austin | April 1, 2026 | Harrisonburg, Interior Design, Intern, team | 0 Comments
We are excited to announce the latest addition to the Gaines Group Architects team! Please join us in giving a warm welcome to our new Interior Design Intern, Rachel Bernstein. Rachel brings a unique, global perspective to our studio. A 2020 graduate of James Madison...
by Lindsey Kohler-Austin | March 20, 2026 | Leadership, Mentorship | 0 Comments
Mentorship requires opening up your daily life to eager, curious minds. Firm members at The Gaines Group consistently adapt their job shadow programs to fit the specific goals of each student—whether that student wants to verify their passion for architecture or...
by Lindsey Kohler-Austin | March 18, 2026 | community, Indoor Air Quality, Not used, resources | 0 Comments
As the sun begins to linger a little longer over the Blue Ridge and the first hints of green emerge in the Shenandoah Valley, our focus naturally shifts outward. Here at Gaines Group Architects, we believe a home is a living system—one that breathes, protects, and...
by Lindsey Kohler-Austin | March 13, 2026 | Leadership, Mentorship | 0 Comments
We all remember what it was like to stand at the edge of our futures, unsure of which path to take. The question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” is a heavy burden for a high school or college student trying to map out a career they have never actually...
by Lindsey Kohler-Austin | March 11, 2026 | Custom Home | 0 Comments
Every home we design is fully custom and tailored to the individual client. No two projects are the same because no two people are the same. Our process is structured in clear phases that guide a project from the earliest conversations through final construction. Each...
by Lindsey Kohler-Austin | March 4, 2026 | architecture, Building Science, Charles Hendricks, Charlottesville, Custom Home, Harrisonburg, Harrisonburg Architect, Interior Design, Roanoke, Roanoke Architect | 0 Comments
Building a custom home is one of the most exciting—and stressful—projects you willever undertake. As you start planning, you will quickly run into a major fork in the road: Should you hire an architect, or should you work with a builder that offers in-house design...
by Charles Hendricks | February 26, 2026 | architecture, Charles Hendricks, Charlottesville, Custom Home, Harrisonburg, Harrisonburg Architect, Roanoke, Roanoke Architect | 0 Comments
The AirBnB market has become incredibly competitive, and we are seeing a surge in requests for intentional design from developers. Our approach of energy-efficient, durable, and healthy design strategies are setting our client’s projects apart as potential renters are...
by Charles Hendricks | Aug 20, 2025 | Charlottesville, community, Not used, team
Recently, one of our own, James, attended the Albemarle County Sheriff’s Foundation Golf Tournament — all in support of a cause close to his heart.
For the past 11 years, James has served as a Reserve Deputy with the Albemarle County Sheriff’s Office, taking on the role of Captain for the last three. The Albemarle County Sheriff’s Office Foundation Golf Tournament is an event that brings together community members to raise funds for programs that support our local deputies and the people they serve.
From providing critical equipment to helping fund community outreach initiatives, the Foundation makes a tangible difference in Albemarle County. James’s ongoing involvement is just one of the many ways our team members live out our shared values — building stronger, safer, and more connected communities.
Whether he’s reviewing plans in the office or lining up a putt on the course, James shows us that serving the community happens both on and off the clock. Gaines Group is proud to support our local communities.
Check out some images from the event here! >
by Charles Hendricks | Jul 21, 2025 | architecture, Harrisonburg Architect, team
We’re thrilled to introduce Lindsey Kohler-Austin, who has joined our team as Office Manager and will be your primary point of contact for all client needs. With her extensive background in banking and a genuine passion for creativity, Lindsey brings both professional expertise and fresh perspective to our firm.
Lindsey comes to us with years of experience in the banking industry, where she honed her skills in client relations and operational excellence. While her role as Office Manager doesn’t involve hands-on design work, she describes herself as “a creative at heart” and is excited to learn more about architecture and design. This combination of business acumen and creative curiosity makes her perfectly suited to bridge the gap between our design vision and your project needs.
One of Lindsey’s greatest passions is photography, particularly black and white film photography. She doesn’t just capture images, she processes and scans her film at home, demonstrating the same attention to detail and craftsmanship that we value in our architectural work. “I am really proud of my photography, and the skills I have learned over the years,” she shares. This artistic sensibility will serve her well in understanding and communicating the visual aspects of our architectural projects.
Originally from Kent, Ohio, Lindsey has called Harrisonburg home for almost 10 years. Her deep connection to our community aligns perfectly with our firm’s dedication to serving local clients. She knows this area well and understands the unique character that makes our region special.
When she’s not managing client relationships or exploring her photography hobby, Lindsey enjoys hiking, especially when there’s a photo opportunity involved. She lives locally with her boyfriend Josh, and they’re hoping to add some furry family members to their household soon. Her favorite entertainment spans from the heartwarming optimism of Ted Lasso to the nostalgic charm of 13 Going On 30 and the artistic beauty of Howl’s Moving Castle, a range that speaks to her appreciation for both human connection and visual storytelling.
Lindsey describes herself as “an open book,” and that transparency will be invaluable as she helps navigate your architectural journey with us. Whether you’re planning a new build, renovation, or simply exploring possibilities, Lindsey will be there to ensure clear communication, smooth processes, and exceptional service every step of the way.
We’re confident that Lindsey’s combination of professional experience, creative insight, and genuine care for client relationships will enhance your experience with our firm. She’s ready to help bring your architectural vision to life while maintaining the personal touch and community focus that has defined our practice for nearly four decades.
Welcome to the team, Lindsey!
by Charles Hendricks | Jun 24, 2025 | architecture, Office Culture, team
We are thrilled to welcome Elizabeth “Lizzy” McEwen, a recent Virginia Tech School of Architecture graduate, to our design team. Lizzy brings a fresh perspective and adventurous spirit to our firm.
From Charlotte to Hokie Nation
Originally from Charlotte, North Carolina—a city with a rich history of discovery and innovation—Lizzy learned early that extraordinary things can hide in plain sight. Growing up in the birthplace of America’s first gold rush (sparked by a 17-pound gold nugget used as a doorstop!), it’s fitting that she found her way to architecture, where practical design meets creative problem-solving.
The Evolution of a Designer
Before sketching building elevations, Lizzy was already teaching her sisters on the family art easel, complete with homework assignments (which, she admits, were rarely completed). This early passion for education and sharing knowledge underscores the collaborative spirit she brings to our design process, always ready to explain concepts or explore new approaches.
Her path to architecture included an interesting detour: summer camp counseling. She even worked at the same camp our managing partner, Charles Hendricks, attended as a child. These unexpected connections truly strengthen our professional community, weaving a beautiful circularity through the architecture world.
Adventure Meets Craftsmanship
What truly distinguishes Lizzy is her ability to balance bold adventure with meticulous craftsmanship. When she’s not designing, she’s seeking adventures—like paragliding off mountains in Switzerland. This pursuit demands the same careful attention to detail, spatial awareness, and calculated risk-taking that defines exceptional architecture.
On solid ground, Lizzy channels her creativity into building custom guitars with her fiancé. This perfect partnership sees her handling the design while he manages the circuitry, mirroring the interdisciplinary thinking that drives successful architectural projects by blending aesthetic vision with technical precision.
Defining Details
Lizzy’s competitive side shines through in stories like fitting 20 blueberries in her mouth to win a bet—a testament to her determination and willingness to embrace unusual challenges. This creative problem-solving and fearless approach are precisely what we value when tackling complex design problems.
Outside the studio, Lizzy enjoys staying active outdoors, finding inspiration in natural environments that often inform her approach to sustainable design and biophilic architecture principles.
Looking Ahead
Lizzy joins us at an exciting time as we continue to push the boundaries of innovative design while upholding our commitment to thoughtful, community-centered architecture. Her unique blend of technical education, hands-on making experience, and adventurous spirit positions her perfectly to contribute to projects requiring both creative vision and practical execution.
We are confident that Lizzy’s fresh perspective, collaborative nature, and willingness to embrace challenges—whether teaching her sisters, paragliding through the Alps, or crafting the perfect guitar—will make her an invaluable addition to our team.
Welcome aboard, Lizzy. We can’t wait to see what we’ll build together.
by Audrey | Apr 21, 2025 | architecture, Harrisonburg Architect, team
Architectural Education vs Architectural Reality
By: Aimee Lawson
In the field, our team is made up of architects and architectural designers, but to make a building work, we need to coordinate with other trades such as general contractors, structural, civil, mechanical, and electrical engineers, among many others. In school, we learned that Architects need to be a jack-of-all-trades because they work with so many different types of buildings and people every single day; this made sense to me at the time, but I did not realize how true this statement was until I started working in the field.
When I was at the University of Florida earning my Bachelor’s degree, there were many unknowns about how different working in the field would be compared to studying architecture as a student. I have since learned that coordination skills are in high demand. In school, we had plenty of group projects, but our teams were all architecture students receiving a similar education in developing strong individual design skills to use as a base for coordinating with other trades in the future. Looking back, I would have loved doing more projects with some of the other colleges within the university towards the latter half of my education when my own design skills were developed enough to manage a balance between my design and making it work with the other trades.
Now, after three and a half years in the field, I understand the true need to coordinate across trades. We, as Architects and Designers, gather information from all types of trades, almost like another language, and overlay, transpose and mend them together with our own knowledge and ideas to create a beautiful, functional, and cohesive building. It is much like a puzzle: you can open the box and have all the pieces, but only patience, time, and dedication will make them fit together to create a masterpiece.
by Audrey | Apr 11, 2025 | architecture, Charlottesville, community, Empathy, Harrisonburg Architect, resources, team
Destination Marvin: My Visit to Warroad
Part Three: People
By: Adrienne Stronge
While the primary objective of my trip was to learn about Marvin, the added benefit was meeting and growing relationships with two of our favorite Harrisonburg teams. RS Monger & Sons sponsored my trip, and I was accompanied by three people from their team. Also on the trip were people from Herr and Company, contractors we work with often.
Our team photo. L-R Laurie Gabriel (Herr & Co), Ralph Viafora (Herr & Co), Dakota Higgs (Mongers), Brad Nicholson (Mongers), Abigail Welsh (Mongers), Adrienne Stronge, Tim Conklin (Marvin)
Networking with the teams we work with is always important, but there is something to be said about travelling together. Before this trip, because I’m based in the Charlottesville office, I knew none of these people. I was travelling with strangers. Now that we are home, I consider every one of the people I travelled with friends.
Dinner on our last night. L-R: Laurie Gabriel (Herr & Co), Abigail Welsh (Mongers), Adrienne Stronge, Brad Nicholson (Mongers), Dakota Higgs (Mongers)
We bonded over last minute travel cancellations that resulted in the team driving to Dulles at 5am on travel day. We enjoyed visiting local Warroad bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and breweries. We all stepped out on a frozen lake and braved -20-degree temperatures. We capped our trip with the insanity that is the Mall of America and an amazing dinner at the steakhouse across the street.
Standing on a frozen lake that was frozen to 42” thick.
Standing on the frozen lake.
The forecast on one of our mornings in Warroad
The Lego Store at Mall of America.
Friendships in this industry are important. I now know that I can call up any one of these people with a question and they would be happy to help point me in the right direction. This not only makes my job easier, but when we work together as a team, it results in a better project for our clients.
Team photo in front of the Marvin plane.
On the trip, I mentioned one solution that I had recently used in a project, and Abigail with Monger & Sons knew exactly which job I was talking about and mentioned some solutions for the doors that were slightly different thanks to a recent change in the product line. These are the kind of discussions that help us all to create the best product possible for our clients, and I am so happy to have more close contacts in the industry with whom to discuss solutions.
Click here for Part One
Click here for Part Two
