We are thrilled to unveil our latest collaboration with Habitat for Humanity of the New River Valley: the Airport Acres Townhomes, a vital new project for affordable housing in Blacksburg.
As our firm expands with our new office in Roanoke, VA, we are more committed than ever to serving the entire region, specifically the New River Valley. We believe architecture is about more than just buildings; it is about creating homes and strengthening communities across Southwest Virginia.
A Historic Location in Blacksburg: Located in the historic heart of Blacksburg, this new project will create 11 new townhomes for deserving families.
The location is significant. It is situated in a neighborhood originally built during World War II for working families and returning veterans. We are honored to continue that legacy by bringing affordable homeownership opportunities back to an area that desperately needs them.
Why Affordable Housing Matters in the NRV: Finding affordable housing in the greater Blacksburg area is a well-known challenge, largely due to high demand from the student population.
For our lead architect on this project, Ray Gaines, this mission is personal. Having spent four years in Blacksburg as an architecture student, graduating from Virginia Tech in 1979, this project is a way to give back to the community that once hosted him. By partnering with the Town of Blacksburg—which generously provided a grant to help make this possible—our Roanoke-based team is helping families put down roots in the New River Valley.
Sustainable Design for Real Life: We aren’t just building houses; we are building forever homes. Here is what makes the design special:
- Accessibility: We believe homes should be livable for everyone. Four of these new units will feature first-floor bedrooms and bathrooms designed to be accessible for those with mobility challenges. This brings our total to 10 fully accessible units across all our Habitat projects.
- Net Zero Ready: We are aiming for “Net Zero Ready” certification. In plain English, these homes are designed to be ultra-energy efficient. They are built to keep utility bills incredibly low, making homeownership more affordable month after month.
A Strong Partnership in Southwest Virginia This is our fourth project with Habitat for Humanity of the New River Valley. We have previously completed 16 units together, including the Church Street Townhomes and the Johnston Street Duplex.
A Legacy of Service: Our commitment to this region goes far beyond a single set of blueprints. Ray actively serves on the HFHNRV Building Committee, helping to guide the affiliate as they explore new construction opportunities in surrounding counties. For Ray, this involvement is the embodiment of the Virginia Tech motto, Ut Prosim (“That I may serve”). Whether serving as the Vice Chair of the College of Fellows of the Construction Specifications Institute or leading as Chair of Deacons at his church, Ray believes that architects have a responsibility to use their skills for the greater good. We encourage our peers in the design industry to join us in this mission—whether through Habitat for Humanity or the Building Goodness Foundation—and not hesitate to volunteer their time to build stronger communities.
