The Gaines Group 2014 in Review

Another year in the books and this one was exceptional! We continue to build our relationships with past clients and have started many new friendships this year. The project types vary is scale, scope, and aesthetics, but they all share the common goal of wanting healthy, energy-efficient, and durable design solutions. Another year in business, another year we survived, and another year we did good work for great clients. Here are some highlights.

1.  The biggest news of the year was our recognition from the United State Green Building Council. Our firm was named the “best small architectural firm” in a worldwide vote of USGBC members. The 2014 USGBC Best of Building awards, a people’s choice award of some 13,000 members, recognized the year’s best organizations making an impact in green building. What a huge honor to be recognized by this community of leaders in green building.
2.  Timberlake Place was one of the selected projects featured in the American Institute of Architects 10 Principles for Livable Communities exhibit in Richmond this year. This project features 100% universal design compliant, EarthCraft Certified age restricted apartments and is located in Charlottesville’s historic Woolen Mills Neighborhood.
3.  We continued to organize Harrisonburg Green Drinks each month. This is an event that brings together the leaders of the green movement in Harrisonburg. Charles also continues to serve as the Chairman of the HR Green Network. This year the organization advocated for a Zero Energy School to be built-in Harrisonburg and sponsored the Harrisonburg City Council Debate.
4.  We participated in the SVBA Home and Garden Show again this year. This annual event features many family focused events.
5. Charles was appointed as the Vice Chair of the Shenandoah Valley Partnership Development Committee.
6.  Charles participated in a panel discussion during Harrisonburg Starry Nights. A week-long series of events designed to raise awareness of light pollution and the steps we can take to end it in our community.
7. Charles continues to attend the Harrisonburg Rockingham Aging in Place Round Table meetings, but no longer serves on the executive committee.
8.  Construction finished on this home in Magnolia Ridge. Our first in the neighborhood community.
9.  We designed our first project used by James Madison University. The Studio Art building renovation adds to the flexibility of the building, updates the aesthetics, and corrects the comfort issues that have existed for years.
10.  Charles joined Rockingham Rotary and volunteered for the Harrisonburg Soap Box Derby sponsored by the club. Rockingham Rotary is a wonderful group in Harrisonburg that is focused on service to the community.
11.  Design was finished and construction started on the Renovation for the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank in Verona. The firm also took on the pro-bono work of updating the functionality of the Charlottesville branch warehouse of the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank.
12.  Design was finished and construction started on this custom home in Northern Albemarle County. This Universal Design compliant home will be extremely energy-efficient.
13.  Waverly Place opened their doors in Louisa County.
14.  Construction finished on this very cool home in Penn Laird. From the indoor basketball court, to the luxury master suite, and open living area, this home has it all.
15.  Goose Creek apartments broke ground in Augusta County. This marks our first multi-family project in Augusta County in many years.
16.  Meg Carpenter joined our team in the Charlottesville office.
17. Charles attended VBK – an incredible event that everyone should have on their calendar for 2015. He is now serving on the organizational committee for the event.
18. Deborah volunteers on the HDR Downtown Design Committee. She also volunteers at the Discovery Museum in Harrisonburg.
19. 

    The CSI Show

    Charles was selected as a presenter for Construct 2014. This was his 3rd time giving a presentation at this national conference. Construct is a huge event that the best in the industry attend each year. Most of the firm was able to attend this year at least for a day as the event was hosted in Baltimore.

20.  Construction was finished on our first residential renovation project in downtown Harrisonburg. This project added efficiency, flexibility, and functionality to this incredible home extended the life of the structure for many years to come.
21. Ray continues to serve on the Construction Specifications Institute Board of Directors.
22.  Construction finished on this office renovation and addition in Harrisonburg. The Harrisonburg Rockingham Social Services program now has an updated building and expanded program space in adjacent buildings right in the heart of downtown.
23.  We sponsored the Parklet Project again this year in downtown Harrisonburg. This annual event promotes the idea of design in a public forum as well as introducing green space into our paved gathering areas.
24.  Construction finished on this very cool home in Harrisonburg. The rooftop deck, small footprint, bridge entry, and energy-efficient design makes it a one-of-a-kind solution in Harrisonburg.
25.  Charles helped organize the DOE Zero Energy Ready Home training held in Harrisonburg. This DOE certification gives builders a guide to introducing building science into their home projects.
26.  Charles and Roger (on different trips) got to visit the Marvin Windows plant in Warroad MN. On the trip, Charles also got a tour of The Shed a huge collection of muscle cars.
27.  Our firm was one of the sponsors of the HDR Holiday Home Tour. This annual event opens downtown homes and businesses for tours.
28. There were many other great projects, clients, activities – this was a really good year. Hopefully the momentum continues through 2015 and beyond.