Hello, Blacksburg! We’re Hiring!

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.

We can't wait to hear from you!

Click Here

Top Blog Post of The Month – October 2025

The “Hero” Feature AirBnB

by Charles Hendricks | February 26, 2026 | architecture, Charles Hendricks, Charlottesville, Custom Home, Harrisonburg, Harrisonburg Architect, Roanoke, Roanoke Architect | 0 Comments

The AirBnB market has become incredibly competitive, and we are seeing a surge in requests for intentional design from developers. Our approach of energy-efficient, durable, and healthy design strategies are setting our client’s projects apart as potential renters are...

Is Wellness Architecture the New Luxury Architecture?

by Charles Hendricks | February 24, 2026 | architecture, Building Science, Charlottesville, Custom Home, Green Building, Harrisonburg, Harrisonburg Architect | 0 Comments

The definition of “luxury” home has shifted dramatically since I entered the industry in 1999. The focus of many of the homes we designed in the 2000’s was "bigger is better" and gables-on-gables drove design. Then I started seeing energy-efficient home technology...

Tiny House Revolution

by Charles Hendricks | February 17, 2026 | architecture, Harrisonburg, Harrisonburg Architect, project update | 0 Comments

We are working on several tiny homes this year which is a trend we have seen growing since 2020. The idea of a smaller home isn’t just a focus on downsizing, but rather it’s a focus on upscaling your intentionality. Beauty is even more critical in a small space, but...

Emotional Cues and Intense Listening Deliver a Truly Custom Home

by Charles Hendricks | January 21, 2026 | architecture, Blacksburg, Charlottesville, Custom Home, Harrisonburg, Harrisonburg Architect, Interior Design, Roanoke, Roanoke Architect | 0 Comments

I know that the most successful custom home designs don’t start with a sketch. They start with an open conversation and intense listening to goals, passions, and interests.While the architectural concept is very important for every project we engage, that vision is...

The “Starter Home” is Dead But a New American Dream Will Rise

by Charles Hendricks | January 16, 2026 | aging in place, architecture, family, Multifamily Design | 0 Comments

We have all heard the “American Dream” of a white-picket-fenced yard surrounding our 1,600 sf brick 3 bedroom 2 bath home with a deck and big backyard. That sounds amazing in 1980 when that dream cost around $55,000. With the average income of that era you could...

The Backyard Revolution: How Harrisonburg’s New ADU Ordinance will Strengthen Our Community

by Charles Hendricks | January 9, 2026 | aging in place, Harrisonburg | 0 Comments

Harrisonburg has been working on an updated zoning ordinance for several years now. One of the provisions I am excited about and hope to see adopted soon is the increase in density changes allowing Accessory Dwelling Units on most single-family lots.Creating...

Architectural Site Visit: Importance in Design Phase

by Charles Hendricks | January 7, 2026 | architecture, Blacksburg, Charlottesville, Commercial Architect, Custom Home, Green Building, Harrisonburg, Lake Monticello, Massanutten Resort, Roanoke | 0 Comments

We traveled all over Virginia and West Virginia in 2025 checking out building sites, offering input on project location, collecting data needed for design, and enjoying some incredible views. We love getting out of the office to help your clients better understand...

Preserving the Past, Designing the Future: Sustainable and Economic Strategies for Historic Home Renovation in the Roanoke Valley

by Charles Hendricks | December 26, 2025 | Blacksburg, Historic Renovation, Not used, Roanoke, Roanoke Architect | 0 Comments

The Roanoke Valley is home to a rich architectural tapestry, from the classic Victorians of Old Southwest to the Craftsman bungalows of Grandin Village. These historic homes are a vital part of the community’s character, but bringing them into the 21st century can...

A Holiday Message from The Gaines Group Architects

by Charles Hendricks | December 24, 2025 | Charlottesville, community, Harrisonburg, Holiday, Roanoke | 0 Comments

As we approach year end, the lights are glowing a little brighter in our studios—not just from the holiday decorations, but from the warmth of a year that has truly redefined what "home" and "community" mean to us. It’s been an incredible year of growth, challenges,...

How Architecture Solves Problems You Didn’t Even Know You Had

by Charles Hendricks | Sep 30, 2025 | architecture, Charlottesville, Custom Home, Harrisonburg Architect, Interior Design, Not used

Most people come to an architect with a list of needs: number of bedrooms, square footage, a kitchen island, maybe a home office. But one of the most powerful parts of our job is helping clients see beyond that checklist—to uncover problems they didn’t even realize they were living with… and solve them through design.

Sometimes good architecture is invisible—it just feels right. But behind that feeling? There’s intention, problem-solving, and a whole lot of listening.

Let’s explore how design can address the hidden challenges in daily life—often before you’ve even named them:

Problem #1: “My house feels chaotic and I don’t know why.”

Design Solution: Zoned Living and Visual Calm

Sometimes the issue isn’t clutter—it’s how your home organizes your life (or doesn’t). We’ve worked with families who felt overwhelmed at home, even though the space technically “fit” their needs.

Imagine this, the living room, dining area, and entryway all blur together—making it impossible to relax or entertain. With a few subtle layout shifts and a built-in drop zone near the entrance, now there are clear zones for gathering, transitioning, and unwinding.

Result: The space instantly feels calmer, more grounded, and easier to live in.

Architectural layout helps reduce daily stress—without adding square footage.

Problem #2: “I don’t feel great in the mornings… maybe I’m just not a morning person?”

Design Solution: Orienting the Home to Natural Light

Are you constantly groggy in the mornings, especially during winter? Look around, are your main living spaces, bedroom and kitchen receiving enough morning light?

We can look at designing a custom home where the kitchen and primary suite are oriented to face east and use clerestory windows and open sightlines to bring in soft morning light. The result? A brighter, gentler start to the day—without needing extra caffeine.

Result: Improved energy, mood, and daily rhythm—just from letting the sun in.

Sometimes what you need isn’t more square footage. It’s more sunlight.

Problem #3: “We can’t figure out why we’re always bumping into each other.”

Design Solution: Circulation Paths and Intuitive Flow

Are you constantly dodging your loved ones in the kitchen and entryway? Maybe it isn’t about personal space—it’s about movement.

A redesigned floor plan to include a clear circulation path around the kitchen (no dead ends!), widened mudroom entry, and adding smart storage options clear the visual and physical clutter.

Result: Fewer bottlenecks. Less friction. More harmony in the everyday moments.

Design can protect your peace by preventing stress before it starts.

Problem #4: “Our utility bills are high, and we’re always too hot or too cold.”

Design Solution: Passive House Strategies and Energy-Smart Design

Many homeowners don’t realize how much comfort (and cost) is affected by poor insulation, window placement, or HVAC inefficiencies.

It’s common in both renovations and new builds where we can look at using passive solar design, improved insulation, airtight construction, and strategic shading to regulate indoor temperatures naturally.

Result: Reduced energy bills, greater thermal comfort, and a home that works with the seasons, not against them.

Smart design = long-term comfort and sustainability.

Problem #5: “I never thought I’d need a quiet space to recharge.”

Design Solution: Built-In Wellness Spaces

Homes often focus on gathering areas—and rightfully so. But many people overlook the need for private, restorative space. During the pandemic and beyond, we’ve seen how essential this is.

From reading nooks to tucked-away flex rooms, we can help clients design little sanctuaries where they can breathe, think, or simply be quiet.

Result: Greater mental well-being, improved focus, and a sense of control over your own space.

Architecture can make room for your body, your mind, and your spirit.

We don’t expect you to walk into a design meeting knowing every problem that needs solving. That’s what we’re here for.

Our job isn’t just to draw walls—it’s to listen between the lines, understand how you live, and offer design solutions that make life smoother, more beautiful, and more you.

Architecture, at its best, is a form of empathy. It notices what you need, sometimes before you do.

Ready to discover how your home could solve problems you didn’t even know you had?

We’d love to walk that journey with you—one thoughtful design decision at a time.

Limited edition Depot shirts are back!

by Charles Hendricks | Sep 25, 2025 | architecture, community, Harrisonburg Architect, Historic Renovation

Check out Jarod and Aimee are showing off our brand-new Gaines Group t-shirts. Want one for yourself, we have them available for a limited time. Just stop by the office and pick up your size and wear it proudly.

These shirts are more than just free swag, they’re a small symbol of the values we care about: collaboration, creativity, and community. Thanks to Stronge Design for creating the graphics and for the Mark-It for printing the sweet tees. We love supporting small local businesses and seeing our logo all over town.

So come visit, say hello, and leave with a fresh new t-shirt. We can’t wait to see everyone rep the new shirts!

Send us your pics wearing them and we will blast it out on social media.

Java and Jam Cafe coming to Broadway, Virginia

by Charles Hendricks | Sep 17, 2025 | architecture, Commercial Architect, community

We love working with locally owned small business leaders in the Shenandoah Valley. When the owners of Java and Jam Cafe approached us about a new welcoming space they wanted to create in Broadway we were very interested. Their vision is to create a quaint and inviting community coffee shop in the heart of Broadway, Virginia. Their design goals include being able to feature locally made high quality products in a welcoming space that supports building a stronger community. They want this new space to look like it fits in this historic building. We wanted to make sure we were supporting the existing businesses as well while helping the new venture thrive. So we worked with the building owner, our client, and the existing businesses in the historic J & B Country Store building to help capture new space in the upper level of the existing building. This will allow the current antique shops to expand while also bringing this new corner coffee shop to town allowing for friends to gather and special events to be celebrated.

Our client’s vision is clear, she wants to preserve the historic feel of the space. She has worked hard to find the right aesthetic solutions to maintain the sense of belonging this building deserves. We did a space layout and code compliance check to make sure her vision works efficiently. We also worked with a builder to make sure we were delivering the highest value design solution.

We are looking forward to seeing this new space take shape in early 2026. We hope to take advantage of the excellent coffee and free Wi-Fi on our first visit once they open. Until then we will keep hunting for treasures in J & B’s Country Store. This type of project where we can help a new business find the right solution for their space while assisting an existing business expand fits well with our goals to build a stronger community through design. We are so fortunate to have incredible clients that allow us to live our mission.

The spaces you see here will undergo a transformation to become Java and Jam Cafe, a welcoming space to invite the local Broadway community to enjoy high quality products, all while building a sense of community!

Finding the right architect for your Environmentally Sensitive Dream Home

by Charles Hendricks | Sep 15, 2025 | architecture, Building Science, Green Building, Indoor Air Quality

It can be tricky to find the right architect for your environmentally sensitive dream home. Building a custom home is a journey. Building a truly environmentally sensitive home is a quest. You’ve likely spent countless hours researching everything from geothermal heating to the embodied carbon of concrete. Now, the most crucial step is finding an architect who can translate that passion into a home that is both a beautiful sanctuary and a model of sustainability that fits the local environment. In our case, a mixed humid climate.

Your architect should be someone that understands the national research, building science, and local climate balanced with the abilities and standards of available local contractors. They will work with the land, the climate, the materials, and your lifestyle to create a single, integrated system. As you interview potential partners for this quest, here are the five key questions that will help you find the right architect for your dream home:

1. How does your design process work through building science for the local climate and our goals for beauty and budget?

This is an important question as you can always install more expensive systems that are often spoken about in national research. These national design standards work great for their prescribed goals but often add unneeded costs to achieve a high performance, healthy, and durable home that will last a lifetime. Common sense building science is often the most effective solution for design. Using advanced design standards will also work if budget is not considered.

2. How do you evaluate and select materials based on their durability, availability, and environmental impact?

Sustainability is about more than just “recycled” or “natural” materials. A knowledgeable architect will be fluent in the language of building materials. They will know products to recommend that will achieve your goals and be willing to research new solutions when needed.

3. Can you describe your process for integrating systems through the design process?

A high-performance home is a complex machine where the building envelope (insulation, windows, air sealing) and the mechanical systems (HVAC, water heating) must work in perfect harmony. Knowing that your architect has systems and standards for achieving a healthy, energy-efficient, and long-lasting design solution is critical for your new dream home.

4. What is your philosophy on integrating the home with the site?

A home’s position, location, and orientation on the building site will have incredible impacts on its lifetime performance. Making sure your architect will work holistically with the land to minimize site disturbance while maximizing views, solar access, and water management is critical to a successful environmental design.

5. Can you share past successful environmentally focused design projects?

Making sure your team has experience and successful projects that achieve your goals is important. While every new custom house has new challenges that need to be solved, a deep experience doing environmental design is critical to a successful dream home.

Finding the right architect is about finding a co-creator who shares your values. Their answers to these questions will tell you everything you need to know.

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