by Charles Hendricks | Oct 8, 2025 | architecture, Blacksburg, community, team
Are you an architect looking to join an award-winning architecture firm that is committed to serving our community through innovative design solutions? You’re in luck! We are seeking a licensed professional architect to join our growing team and help lead our exciting expansion into the Blacksburg market. This role offers the unique opportunity to work within three dynamic Virginia markets: Charlottesville, Harrisonburg, and our new Blacksburg location. The ideal candidate will embrace the variety and leadership opportunities this multi-location practice offers while contributing to our mission of exceptional client service and community-focused design.
Click the button below to learn more about this opportunity over on Indeed!
We are proud of the work we have done in the Blacksburg area so far, like the project pictured above. We are even more excited for what’s to come!
We’re proud that several members of our team are
Virginia Tech alumni, and we see the Blacksburg market as a natural extension of our firm’s values and culture. Whether you’re familiar with the Virginia Tech community or the local dynamics of Montgomery County, your insight and connections will be a strong asset as we deepen our footprint in this region.
Our ideal candidate will bring 5+ years of professional experience, hold a valid architecture license (Virginia preferred or reciprocity eligible), and be adept with Revit, AutoCAD, building codes, zoning regulations, and construction documentation. You’ll lead projects from concept through construction, mentor junior staff, travel among our Charlottesville, Harrisonburg, and Blacksburg locations, and help spearhead business development in this growing market.
In return, we offer a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits (health, dental, vision, PTO), continuing education support, and a clear path toward leadership or partnership within the firm. If you’re passionate about thoughtful, community-driven architecture and excited to help establish a presence in Blacksburg and the New River Valley, we’d love to hear from you. Please submit your resume, portfolio, and cover letter describing how you’d contribute to our multi-location growth strategy.
by Charles Hendricks | Oct 5, 2025 | architecture, Charles Hendricks, Not used, team
by Lindsey Kohler-Austin | August 21, 2026 | architecture, Charles Hendricks, Commercial Architect, community, Harrisonburg, Harrisonburg Architect, Leadership, Local Leaders, project update | 0 Comments
Charles and Dr. David Heller were talking over breakfast at a morning Rotary Club of Rockingham County meeting. Dr. Heller was opening a new business in an existing shopping center in town. As a doctor and entrepreneur, he had a clear vision and had checked all the...
by Lindsey Kohler-Austin | August 19, 2026 | community, First Friday, Harrisonburg, Office Culture | 0 Comments
As always, this event is free and open to everyone, and refreshments will be provided by Gaines Group Architects. September 4th from 5:00-7:00 PM Series Name: BFE: Best Friend Energy - Featuring Your Local Paws Medium: Linocut Block Prints Artist Statement: “This...
by Charles Hendricks | August 5, 2026 | aging in place, architecture, artwork, Building Science, community, Custom Home, Harrisonburg Architect, Interior Design, Not used, project update | 0 Comments
Elkton Castle Project Update:As architects we have the best jobs in the world. We get to listen to our clients dream about how they want to live, then we get to design a place to facilitate that dream. Designing this home for our incredible clients is a great...
by Charles Hendricks | July 31, 2026 | community, Empathy, family, Harrisonburg, Leadership, Local Leaders, Mentorship, resources, team | 0 Comments
Why investing in local non-profits builds community: Blog post written by Hannah CundiffAt Gaines Group Architects, we believe that businesses investing in local non-profits that provide mentorship opportunities can help support generational change building a stronger...
by Lindsey Kohler-Austin | July 29, 2026 | architecture, Blacksburg, Building Science, Charlottesville, Custom Home, Harrisonburg, Harrisonburg Architect, Roanoke, Roanoke Architect | 0 Comments
True value is created when a beautiful design is translated into highly detailed, clear, concise, and correct drawings. The process of dimensioning and noting a drawing the right way saves on time to build, makes the goals clear, and reduces questions during...
by Lindsey Kohler-Austin | July 27, 2026 | architecture, Building Science, Charles Hendricks, Charlottesville, Custom Home, Harrisonburg, Harrisonburg Architect, Indoor Air Quality, resources | 0 Comments
Anyone who has been in the construction industry for a while has heard the phrase – “you don’t want to build it too tight.” This is a reference to how buildings used to dry out, BEFORE air conditioning and insulation. Some still refer to allowing your home to breathe,...
by Lindsey Kohler-Austin | July 22, 2026 | architecture, Blacksburg, Roanoke, Roanoke Architect, team | 0 Comments
Welcome to the Team, Helen Jadlowski! We are thrilled to introduce the newest member of our team, Helen Jadlowski! Helen joins us as Senior Architect in our Roanoke office, bringing with her a Bachelor’s in Architecture from Virginia Tech and a deep commitment to...
by Lindsey Kohler-Austin | July 17, 2026 | community, First Friday, Harrisonburg | 0 Comments
As always, this event is free and open to everyone, and refreshments will be provided by Gaines Group Architects. August 7th from 5:00-7:00 PM Series Name: An Interlude of Water Medium: Hand-cut Montage Artist Statement: “An Interlude of Water The stillness of a hot,...
by Charles Hendricks | July 10, 2026 | architecture, community, project update, Roanoke, Roanoke Architect | 0 Comments
George's Flowers is now under construction! Blog by: Hannah Cundiff Growing up in the Roanoke Valley, there was really only one florist shop that you'd see: George’s Flowers. Since 1981, they have served the area, delivering to many surrounding cities such as...
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.
