Design Matters
Thoughts of an ArchitectA Message from The Firm
Our blog, Design Matters, is a place for our team to share our knowledge, community events, projects, resources, and opinions. It is a place for you to keep up with us and for us to hear from you. Thanks for reading!
SVBA Home and Garden Show in Pictures
Great show, great times, great FUN!
Custom home in Old Town Harrisonburg under construction
Update on the progress of the dream house we designed in Old Town Harrisonburg. Previous updates here and here.
SVBA Home and Garden Show 2014
Wow, what a great weekend. I am worn out and there is still another day of Home Show. I have met hundreds of great ...
Design Does Not Cost More, But Lack of Design Will Cost a Fortune
I was at Lowe's to pick up a couple of new hard hats for the office and there at the end of the check-out counter ...
X-Ray vision is required to do a full renovation
I remember as a kid seeing ads for X-Ray goggles on the back of comic books. The idea of being able to see through ...
Green Terms Defined: Permeability
Permeability is a HUGE topic in our mixed humid climate for anyone involved in the construction industry. The perm ...
Looking For the Best Builders? See What They’re Doing On Their Job Site!
Sometimes you show up on a job site and the builders have done a little more than you asked of them. This is a ...
Environmentalist, Homesteader, or Prepper – where do you fall?
We design a lot of homes that are healthy, energy-efficient, and durable. Some are for clients that want to reduce their monthly utility bills as much as possible or clients that understand the negative health impacts of modern construction. Some homes are for clients that want to reduce their impact on the environment. Then there are our designs for clients that believe society is coming to an end and they want to be prepared for anything.
Composting and Compost Bin: Green Terms Defined
This is my favorite time of year. Plants are blooming, trees are sprouting leaves, and my compost bin is working ...
6 Spring Tips for an incredible Vegetable Garden
This wet winter has been incredible for our soils. We got a lot of moisture for growing rich soils and beautiful ...
SVBA Home and Garden Show – April 12-13
If you plan on renovating a home or building a new home, the SVBA Home and Garden Show is the place to find the ...
Building relationships in a small town – Trust is the key to success.
The Gaines Group expanded into the Shenandoah Valley almost six years ago. Our first project in the valley turned ...