Local Orthodontist takes a huge step into the future with major remodel

For past posts on this project click HERE, HERE, and HERE.

Dr. Weiler gave us a call with a challenge. He wanted to update his clinic, Weiler Orthodontics in Harrisonburg, to reflect his personality and better represent his current patients. The existing aesthetics of the space were handed down by the previous business in the space and it was showing the impacts of time. The space was not functional to the modern and innovative practice Dr. Weiler had built and the space had some comfort challenges. Here are some photos showing the existing conditions when we started.

The colors, materials, and textures were dated and needed to be changed. There was wear showing on the materials, but the styles were also from another era and did not reflect Dr. Weiler’s style or that of his current clients. We developed a plan to align with his current goals. The other opportunity that this renovation provided was to upgrade the comfort systems in the building. The insulation and heating and cooling systems were not adequate to keep the energy bills low and the people comfortable in the space.

These are easy problems to solve during construction so the experts at Elite Insulation and Excel HVAC came in solved the problems.

The most important challenge we needed to overcome was the need to keep Dr. Weiler in business during construction. He was able to use an adjacent space for limited service and was able to work the schedule of his clients to offer a few weeks for complete access to the space by Herr & Co. Yes, that is right, a highly successful business that serves clients 5 days a week wanted to keep serving their clients while the contractor did a major renovation that touched every part of the space.

Herr & Co. expertly coordinated schedules with all the subcontractors, planned out the schedules, mapped out the process, and I am sure crossed their fingers that there would be no surprises. This kind of team work does not often happen on construction projects and requires flexibility and expert knowledge by everyone on the team.

We are thrilled with the finish product and I think it is exactly the space needed for this successful and innovative Orthodontist.

Now that the work is done and Caitlin Funkhouser Photography has documented the finished product, I can share it with you here.

Caitlin Funkhouser Photography

Caitlin Funkhouser Photography

Caitlin Funkhouser Photography

Caitlin Funkhouser Photography

Caitlin Funkhouser Photography

Caitlin Funkhouser Photography

Caitlin Funkhouser Photography

Caitlin Funkhouser Photography

Caitlin Funkhouser Photography

Caitlin Funkhouser Photography

Caitlin Funkhouser Photography

Old Town Harrisonburg Renovation Update

Franklin street in Harrisonburg has seen a lot of renovation and addition work over the last 10 years. It is a highly desirable location close to downtown with a distinct residential feel. The problem is these old homes were designed for a different way of living with many rooms that are closed to one another. So when the homeowners of this Franklin Street home moved in they started updating their beautiful old home to a more modern floor plan. This stage of the renovation project includes a new kitchen, laundry room, storage, and rear deck. Herr & Co. is making great progress so far even with all the wet weather.

The renovations renderings gave the clients an idea of what to expect when the work is done. Here are some photos of there they are at in the progress so far.

Click here for past updates.

To remind you, here is where the project started.

Harrisonburg Soap Box Derby 2018

The Harrisonburg All-American Soap Box Derby is sponsored by Rockingham Rotary Club and brings science, technology, and math lessons to young racers ranging in ages from 7 – 21.

The Soap Box Derby is an international nonprofit organization whose mission is to build knowledge and character, and to create meaningful experiences through collaboration and fair and honest competition. The core values learned from this event include – leadership, family engagement, honesty, integrity, perseverance, innovation, entrepreneurship, teamwork, collaboration, and sportsmanship.

There are three classes of racers – stock, super stock, and masters. The winners of each division from Harrisonburg will have the opportunity to move on to Akron, Ohio. Soap Box Derby champions from around the world come together in Akron each year to compete in the First Energy All-American Soap Box Derby World Championship at the world-famous Derby Downs Track.

The day of the race, set up started at 5 am with a few dedicated Rotarians and friends.

The Adult Soap Box Cars are ready for the celebrity race.

Race day t-shirts are handed out with sponsors on the back. We rely heavily on sponsors to make this event financially viable.

Matt starts the race day safety meeting with drivers. We work hard to make sure everyone has fun, but most important is safety.

The parade of drivers to their cars.

Drivers ready for the race day picture with all the cars lined up in the pit.

This year we added a Super Kids race so that kids that cannot drive a car can partner with another driver to race. Our Super Kids sponsor, Harmony Square Dairy Queen will help make it possible for our champion to travel to Akron.

Our track has a curve making it unique. Most Soap Box Derby tracks are straight.

Sophie in the CW Flyer sponsored by Herr & Co. Suter Engineering, and Gaines Group Architects (dad).

Of course Sophie’s car is #girlpowered

On the ramps ready to race.

We added a banner at the start finish line to highlight our sponsors.

Heading down the hill. Our Rotary Club supports Boys and Girls Club by providing cars.

The kids support one another and help everyone have a great time.

Everyone has a great time! I mean everyone even the out of shape volunteers.

The finish line, the goal to get there first for each driver, but if you do it is simply the start of something else. The kids showed incredible sportsmanship today. Each encourage the other to do even better. This is why we do it. This is the heart of Rotary Club of Rockingham County (Virginia) This is service above self.

Time for the trophy ceremony.

Sportsmanship Award

First Place in the Super Kids Race

First Place in Super Stock

Second Place in Super Stock

Third Place in Super Stock

Fourth Place in Super Stock

Fifth Place in Super Stock

Seventh Place in Super Stock

First Place in Stock

Second Place in Stock

Third Place in Stock

Fourth Place in Stock

Fifth Place in Stock

Sixth Place in Stock

Seventh Place in Stock

Eighth Place in Stock

Southern Stage Renovation at Natural Chimney for Red Wing Roots Music Festival

A few months ago we were approached by our friends at Red Wing Roots Music Festival about the Southern Stage. The stage is the only permanent performance venue at Natural Chimney Park. It was not designed for a top-notch family friendly music festival. The roof line was too low, the lighting rigs were hard to install, the space was not deep enough, and the there was not room for the control booth. We were asked to develop a concept for a new stage that would meet the current demands for the festival.

We had to learn a lot and fortunately the event promoters Jeremiah and Michael have all the knowledge we needed. We learned about how lighting, sound, layout, and heights to make an optimal performance space. These guys know their stuff and it was a joy to work with them. With every design project, we go through this phase of learning what our clients know. Listening and learning are a must for quality design work. As an architect, our specialty is building science, proportions, structure, materials…. it is our clients that know the function needed. We just have to be able to take their knowledge and transform it into a design.

We started with a few concepts and this one seemed to be the right path.

We worked with Herr & Co. to develop a budget that fit the project. It took a few attempts as it sometimes does. Once we had a path and Blue Ridge Timberwrights joined the team, the design fell into place. Literally, I think we finished design in about 24 hours after the team conference call. In my opinion at that point all the hard work was done. However, Venture Builders might have a different opinion as they are actually building the structure with Blue Ridge Timberwrights. It is taking an entire team of community minded construction professionals to pull this project off.

I am looking forward to seeing the finished product in action at the Red Wing Roots Music Festival this year. I cannot wait! Have you gotten your tickets yet?

Here is a photo of Natural Chimney from the early 1900’s. The photo is from the C. Grattan Price, Jr. Collection.

Natural Chimneys at Mt. Solon was one of the railroad’s more famous spots to entice passengers from afar. Excursion trains were operated there, just a few hundred yards from the tracks. Note horse and carriage at foot of tower for scale.

Here it is from our site visit to measure the existing stage.

Natural Chimneys Park and Campground from their website:

It’s hard to imagine, but the Shenandoah Valley was once the floor of a great inland sea. Centuries ago, as that sea receded, the forces of nature carefully etched out an awe-inspiring formation of solid rock. The seven Natural Chimneys tower as much as 120 feet above the pastoral terrain of the Shenandoah Valley, offering onlookers a sight unrivaled in majesty. 

Viewed from one angle, the formations resemble enormous chimneys standing in bleak contrast to the greenery of the Valley. Take a few steps, though, and the chimneys are transformed into the massive turrets of a foreboding medieval castle. 

Natural Chimneys Park in Mt. Solon, Virginia offers more than simply the splendor of towering limestone formations. Both day visitors and those who choose to stay overnight in the seasonal campground find plenty of space and opportunities for recreation, relaxation and fellowship.  The park is open for day use from dawn to dusk, seven days a week.

Deborah Smith is a licensed Architect!

Congratulations Deborah on passing your exams, jumping through all the hoops, and achieving your goal of becoming a licensed architect. We are proud of your accomplishment and look forward to seeing your continued work in our design community.

So Deborah, tell us a brief summary of the process to get licensed?

It breaks down into three parts:  education, experience, and exams.  You have to attend either a 5 year Bachelor of Architecture program, or a 4 year Bachelors degree + Masters of Architecture program. I decided to go to the best university in all the land, Virginia Tech, which had a 5 year degree.

After you obtain your degree(s), you need to work in the architecture field for 3-5 years and keep track of how many hours of experience you gather in a variety of categories from project planning and design to practice management.

Exams can be taken while getting experience hours or after depending on your preference.  I waited to take my exams until I had gotten all of my hours, mostly because I was also taking MBA classes, but I feel that all of my years working in a firm helped tremendously during the process.  The number of exams has changed over the years, but they all cover the same insane amount of material.  The newest version of the licensing process has 6 exams, though in the transition from the old version there was a short window where 5 exams (3 of the old version + 2 of the new version) managed to cover all of the requirements.  I took the 5 exam route, because who really needs extra exams in their life?

After all of these boxes have been checked, which took me a total of 12 years including college, you get to sit around and wait about a month for your records to be reviewed and passed onto the state licensing department.  It’s the longest month ever, but worth it to be able to call yourself an architect.

They were tough. It took me 9 months to pass 5 exams even with 5 years of experience.  I managed to pass them all the first time, which is not the norm as many of the exams have a 50-60% passing rate. I thought I was going to fail each and every one until I actually got the results… my co-workers, family, and friends can attest to this.  The exam process definitely points out any weaknesses you may have in certain subjects and makes you a better architect overall.

I studied about 8 weeks for my first exam, then around 4-6 weeks for the rest.  I would take a mini break in between each exam and also took the Christmas season off from studying.  My goal was to be done in a year, so I’d only miss one summer of freedom.  And I did it just in time for vacation this month, which will include no studying or thinking about exams whatsoever!

Now that you are licensed, what are your plans?

I’m going to Disney World!….just kidding…I’m enjoying the fact that I don’t have to study, working in the garden, paying off my student loans and my car, and dreaming of some big travel plans in the next year or two.

It would be SO awesome…if only he didn’t go to UVA.

First Friday Art Opening – Memory and Place by Joey Laughlin

Each month we host a new artist in our building’s 2nd floor gallery at the Chesapeake Western Depot at 141 W. Bruce St. (second floor entrance is on Chesapeake). Artwork will remain on exhibit through the month. Come view the show and get a tour the Depot! We will have food and drink available!

Artist Statement:

Hi, I’m Joey Laughlin. I’m an architect by training and enjoy drawing and painting on the side. I began water-coloring a couple years ago to explore the dynamic of place through more than just a sketch. I enjoy the somewhat messy and unspecific process of water-color and particularly appreciate it as a lens to learn from and soak in qualities of space.

Name of Show: Memory and Place

Each place is unique in quality and atmosphere. Even the same space exhibits different qualities when experienced over time or by different people. This show looks to explore the connection between memory and place through the use of ink and color. As a process, ink is applied with varying levels of specificity. Some lines have significant wiggle to them, while others are more specific. Following the ink, water and color are then applied with varying ranges of hue and saturation. Some pieces exhibit a single wash of color, while others boast a variety. Additionally, most pieces are also paired with an associated color study, which serves to explore the range of hues best representative of the place. As a collection, these works are used as a lens through which to observe, learn about, and remember uniqueness of place.

Type of Medium: Watercolor and Ink on Paper

Massanutten Technical Center to hold Auction

Massanutten Technical Center is holding a community day on June 2, 2018. This will be a chance to eat good food, visit with students, shop at the community yard sale, play in the kid zone, enjoy the petting zoo, and get cool stuff at the Auction.

The auction will include refurbished automobiles, school surplus items, and a 1,400, sf 3 bedroom / 2 bathroom student build house.

Massanutten Technical Center Student Built House featuring…

• 1330 square feet
• Attention to detail
• Quality Construction
• 3 Bedrooms
• 2 Full Baths
• Living Room
• Separate Master Suite
• Kitchen/Dining Area

This student built house is designed to set on a crawl space foundation or basement. It is offered with completed drywall and trim. All necessary inspections have passed to the satisfaction of the City of Harrisonburg, Virginia. The house is ready to put on your site. New owner must move house and get final inspections.

Minimum bid – $36,000

As part of the MTC Foundation we helped with some design elements of the house. We also partnered with MTC on a modular classroom and restaurant services classroom remodel. Why support this school? It is a good question. We are facing a huge problem in the construction industry. Our skilled workers are aging out of the industry and young people are not entering the workforce at a rate that us sustainable. We are in need of carpenters, plumbers, electricians, even painters. We have seen a large spike in labor rates recently as those in the industry are struggling to keep up with demand. Massanutten Technical Center is doing incredible work to train the next generation of builders, electricians, masons, and plumbers. Your support of this auction will give the faculty needed resources to guide these students into the future.

Get your Rotary / On the Road Collaborative T-Shirt

Rotary / On the Road Collaborative t-shirts are now available for $20. Let me know how many you want!

“I want to make a difference in the world.”

If you have ever said this but feel like you are limited as to what you can do, maybe you should change your perspective. One person might not be able to change the world, but you can change the world for one person. Hopefully you will decide to change their world for the better. It may be a simple smile but even better if it is an outstretched hand of hope and love.

I believe it is our duty to each day work to serve others. This is my “Why Rotary” story. Why, because we serve others.

Rotary allows me to amplify my efforts and multiply my impacts. I call it the magic of Rotary. This year the Rotary Club of Rockingham County partnered with the Rotary Club of Harrisonburg to write a grant to benefit On the Road Collaborative. We are now selling t-shirts designed by On the Road Collaborative students to help fund the grant. This is where each donation, each community member, each action makes a huge difference. We need you to purchase a t-shirt. We can all come together to help our community by offering students love and support through On the Road Collaborative. Sure the OTRC team offers students exposure to different career opportunities taught by community leaders. They give students strong role models to follow. They show students a path for the future that maybe the students did not think was possible for them. However, what I have seen first hand is On the Road Collaborative staff offers love and support to students in our community that may or may not feel that love and support from anyone else in the community.

So how can you make a difference? Purchase a t-shirt. They are $20 each.

When you purchase one, one will be donated to a student participating in OTRC. That $20 directly supports OTRC efforts. If you get a shirt, it has our logo so you can use it to enter the Gaines Group Architect’s Red Wing Roots Music Festival ticket contest. More than anything, you get a cool t-shirt, designed by students, and you show love and support for a student in our community. Check out the contest HERE.

On the Road Collaborative is a non-profit youth empowerment organization that sets under-served middle and high school youth on the road to college and career by connecting them to dynamic educational experiences and caring adults during the out-of-school hours.

Thanks to Brad Cohen for all his work putting this grant effort together!

A huge thank you to Ted Marrs at Abrahamse and Company Builders in Charlottesville for purchasing the first t-shirt! These guys always go above and beyond for their clients and the community. Thanks Ted!

Little Architectural Details that make a place a Home

The little architectural details that exist in a community, neighborhood, or town are what make a place a home. They are the difference between living somewhere and loving somewhere. The creation of place relies on many different aspects. It is more than just an address. Place is something that pulls at your heart, evokes an emotion, and gives you comfort. Place makes a community more than just buildings and people, it brings vitality and emotion.

On my recent visit to Chicago, I did the normal walking and looking up at huge skyscrapers. They are beautiful and amazing feats of engineering. There are details even in these huge building that are delicate and captivating. You could spend years walking and looking and still find new special things including in these massive buildings.

After hours of walking and looking up, I felt compelled to explore something a little lower. Just outside of the massive structures is a small Cabbage Patch of meaningful and well designed details. Old Town Chicago was developed from swampland by German immigrants in the 19th Century. It became a place for artists in the 1930’s and by 1948 the buildings had fallen into disrepair. In the 1960’s the neighborhood became a place for a hippie culture to thrive (whatever that means). It was at times a center for the folk music scene, Puerto Rican Community, and even a place of racial divide at times.

It seems today, to this outsider to be a place of community. There are layers of history telling a story. The details on the buildings create a fabric allowing for a vibrant community that has experienced good and bad along the way to exist. There are old buildings, new businesses, inventive storefronts, beautiful artwork, and rich architectural details.

There is passion and playfulness.

There is old and new side by side in a well proportioned attempts to coexist.

These layers of history are not always evident in a community. We tend to hide our scars even though they may be beautiful. We sometimes push for things to be “fixed” when they could just as well exist and be beautiful as they are now.

We may even cover them up with new layers of history or literally paint over them.

However, the details all seem to come together to tell a personal story to the one viewing. It is my interpretation of the story. These are my memories of the details and my interpretation of the history. I find beauty in buildings, signs, gates, flowers, and even windows. They exist all over the city not just in Old Town and not just in Chicago.

It is important, in my opinion for all communities to empower all those in it to think of themselves as designers. Your simple changes tie into the whole. You are a designer. You are creating a place. Your actions matter. Your changes impact the story for someone else. You voice is important, not just the politicians, architects, engineers, city planners – your voice matters, design matters.

The creation of place is important for your soul and mine.

I just wish I had found this place earlier in my trip. Next time, I am going to find out all about this chicken, burger, italian beef, gyros joint!

And then I am going to follow the advice I once got from a building and go this way.

Contest Alert: Show your LOVE for Gaines Group Architects with SWAG

Want free tickets to Red Wing Roots Music Festival on July 13 – 15, 2018? Show your love by sporting our SWAG.

Take a selfie with one of our many SWAG items – perhaps it is a t-shirt, a Bowl for Kids Sake shirt, EMS track and field shirt, Red Wing Academy Shirt, Go Dukes shirt, Glow Run Shirt, Cyclovia shirt – the list goes on and on, or with one of our logo items – pen, mug, tape measure….

Email the selfie to charles (@) the gainesgroup.com or post it to our social media pages (remember to make it public so I can see it).

We will enter all our fans names that play our game in a hat and draw a winner on June 1st at our First Friday Gallery Open House at the Depot. Winners will be contacted via email, but attend our First Friday event to hear it in person.

Red Wing Roots Music Festival is the highlight of my summer. If you have not attended you should. The music is incredible and so are the people attending. It is like a family reunion that drops all the family drama and just focuses on fun and fellowship. The event takes place in Mount Solon at Natural Chimneys. It includes three days of music from bands you probably know and some that you might not have heard of but that are fantastic. It started in 2013 and has grown each year. The food trucks offer so many choices you will run out of time before you sample everything. There are camping options for those that want to enjoy the music late into the night. Bring your instrument and join in the fun!

The highlight of the show for me is of course the Steel Wheels gospel set on Sunday morning! I am also looking forward to Driftwood, Judy Chops, Steve Earle & The Dukes, and Pokey Lafarge.