by Audrey | Apr 15, 2025 | Charlottesville, community
In Support of the Next Generation
By: Raymond E. Gaines
It is well known that we, at The Gaines Group, support the arts. Our sponsorships over the years and our monthly First Friday events reflect this.
We recently sponsored Swing Into Spring, a benefit concert presented by the Albemarle High School (AHS) Jazz Ensemble for Ready Kids, a local nonprofit that provides counseling, family support, and early education opportunities to kids and families in the Charlottesville area. Our support of this event is twofold.
At the surface, we are supporting the Jazz Ensemble. The band is consistently among the top two or three high school “big bands” in the Commonwealth, scoring highly in every festival in which they participate. Participating in high school level music teaches discipline and accountability, both of which go with the students for a lifetime.
Secondly, through our support of the band, we are indirectly supporting Ready Kids. Through this organization, we are helping to prepare kids for growth and adulthood. This is perhaps a more important legacy for the future than the buildings that we work hard to create that will hopefully survive us for generations to come.
To those of you reading this, we encourage you to support these two organizations and similar organizations in your locality. The future of our society is brighter because of your support.
The AHS Jazz Ensemble is led by Andrew LaPrade, a Gaines Group client from a few years back who played in the group during his high school years.
by Audrey | Apr 14, 2025 | architecture, Building Science, Charlottesville, Green Building, Harrisonburg Architect, Indoor Air Quality
How can vegetation be beneficial to a site?
By: Emily Scognamillo
Every spring, people eagerly anticipate the flowers and plants coming to life. It is a well-known fact that humans enjoy being closer to nature, as it provides a sense of relief and well-being. Vegetation, such as flowers, trees, and grass can benefit a building site. Not only does it help the user by improving mental health while increasing productivity, but it also provides ample advantages to the site and the surrounding community.
For example, vegetation plays a crucial role in soil erosion and stormwater management. Trees and plants help stabilize the soil to prevent erosion and flooding, and filter harmful sediments to prevent pollution. While the roots control the soil, the plants themselves can improve the air quality from pollution as well. By absorbing carbon dioxide from surrounding cars and releasing oxygen, this creates a healthier community. Additionally, trees provide natural cooling by offering shade, which lowers the surrounding temperature. Providing vegetation can result in a building using less air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter. Bushes, plants, and trees provide a barrier against harsh winter temperatures, allowing the building to stay warmer.
Overall, incorporating vegetation into your site not only supports the community but also increases your comfort and the sustainability of your structure. Starting a garden, no matter how small, is a simple way to make a difference in your community.
Celebrate National Gardening Day today!
by Audrey | Apr 11, 2025 | architecture, Charlottesville, community, Empathy, Harrisonburg Architect, resources, team
Destination Marvin: My Visit to Warroad
Part Three: People
By: Adrienne Stronge
While the primary objective of my trip was to learn about Marvin, the added benefit was meeting and growing relationships with two of our favorite Harrisonburg teams. RS Monger & Sons sponsored my trip, and I was accompanied by three people from their team. Also on the trip were people from Herr and Company, contractors we work with often.
Our team photo. L-R Laurie Gabriel (Herr & Co), Ralph Viafora (Herr & Co), Dakota Higgs (Mongers), Brad Nicholson (Mongers), Abigail Welsh (Mongers), Adrienne Stronge, Tim Conklin (Marvin)
Networking with the teams we work with is always important, but there is something to be said about travelling together. Before this trip, because I’m based in the Charlottesville office, I knew none of these people. I was travelling with strangers. Now that we are home, I consider every one of the people I travelled with friends.
Dinner on our last night. L-R: Laurie Gabriel (Herr & Co), Abigail Welsh (Mongers), Adrienne Stronge, Brad Nicholson (Mongers), Dakota Higgs (Mongers)
We bonded over last minute travel cancellations that resulted in the team driving to Dulles at 5am on travel day. We enjoyed visiting local Warroad bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and breweries. We all stepped out on a frozen lake and braved -20-degree temperatures. We capped our trip with the insanity that is the Mall of America and an amazing dinner at the steakhouse across the street.
Standing on a frozen lake that was frozen to 42” thick.
Standing on the frozen lake.
The forecast on one of our mornings in Warroad
The Lego Store at Mall of America.
Friendships in this industry are important. I now know that I can call up any one of these people with a question and they would be happy to help point me in the right direction. This not only makes my job easier, but when we work together as a team, it results in a better project for our clients.
Team photo in front of the Marvin plane.
On the trip, I mentioned one solution that I had recently used in a project, and Abigail with Monger & Sons knew exactly which job I was talking about and mentioned some solutions for the doors that were slightly different thanks to a recent change in the product line. These are the kind of discussions that help us all to create the best product possible for our clients, and I am so happy to have more close contacts in the industry with whom to discuss solutions.
Click here for Part One
Click here for Part Two
by Audrey | Apr 9, 2025 | architecture, Charlottesville, community, Harrisonburg Architect, resources
Destination Marvin: My Visit to Warroad
Part Two: Community
By: Adrienne Stronge
Our company mission has always been to serve our community, which is a mission shared by Marvin. It was great to see how a deep community commitment can play out at a larger scale.
Warroad and Marvin are inextricably linked. The company was founded in 1912 as a family run lumber company, and now the fourth and fifth generations are still mostly in Warroad, leading the growth and expansion of the business that now employs over 8,000 people across 16 cities, including Roanoke, VA.
Standing in front of the Marvin plane that flew us to and from Warroad.
Just by employing most of the town’s population, the company has an enormous impact on the community, but the company and its founding family have contributed so much more. Any time they have seen a need in the community, the company or Marvin family members have helped to fill that need. The library, hockey rink and heritage center were contributed by the family. There is a performing arts center slated to open soon that was developed by a huge donation by a family member. Even things like the retirement community and daycare were family contributions.
The town library.
An impressive window in the Cultural Center.
One of our favorite stops was a place called “The Shed”. Bob Marvin was a serious collector of classic cars, and instead of hoarding his personal collection, he created a museum of sorts where all his cars are displayed and open to the public for free.
Row of cars in “The Shed”
Row of cars in “The Shed”
Row of cars in “The Shed”
During our tour of the town, we were shown where many of the current family members live, and they all live in modest houses and send their children to the local public schools. The current CEO, Paul Marvin, even made time to meet with our groups and introduce himself, speaking volumes about his approachability.
While our contributions may differ in scale, we share Marvin’s dedication to our local communities. We strive to make a positive impact through sponsorships, volunteering, and ensuring that the work we do helps our neighbors and our community.
Click here for Part One
Click here for Part Three
by Audrey | Apr 7, 2025 | architecture, Charlottesville, Harrisonburg Architect, resources
Destination Marvin: My Visit to Warroad
Part One: Products
By: Adrienne Stronge
As architects, we are trusted to ensure the products that we recommend to our clients are of the best quality and efficiency that is offered at their price point. We spend a lot of time during the year learning about manufacturing details and testing procedures for many of the products that go into construction. It’s why, when offered the opportunity to travel to Warroad, MN to tour the Marvin Windows facilities, I jumped at the chance to get this in-depth look at their products and the factories where they are produced.
A group of kids playing hockey on the frozen river in Warroad.
Marvin Windows and Doors was founded in Warroad, and their window factory occupies a sprawling industrial facility of over 2 million square feet. The factory in Warroad produces the Ultimate line, which is an extruded aluminum exterior and wood interior.
The Marvin headquarters stair that uses window pieces for the railings.
Image of the product showcase at the Marvin Headquarters.
We started our tour at the very beginning, where raw lumber entered the facility to be sorted and processed into the individual window parts. The wood is continuously inspected for flaws and defects that might lead to weakness in the window frame before and after each step in the process. The number of people involved in visually inspecting each component as it works its way through the facility is impressive. As the wood is further processed into the necessary part, there is always a human presence guiding the process and inspecting the piece.
Ready to go into the factory, wearing a headset so we can hear our guide, and eye protection.
Wood cut and sorted by size and ready to be processed.
Window parts stacked and sorted.
A stack of window parts.
A window mock-up that was brought in to address questions and concerns from our team.
A divided light frame ready for glass.
A frame being bent into a custom shape.
In the round top and custom division, there is even more human skill and craftsmanship involved. So much of the process here is done by hand, with a select force of expert craftsmen who intricately work the wood into any design imaginable. It was especially exciting to see one of the employees there working on a window for a new UVA facility, carefully laying out the SDL bars that were dictated by a design in a historic existing building.
SDLs being cut and positioned by hand.
A window for UVA coming down the line.
Aluminum SDL lights being placed by hand.
In addition to factory tours, we were treated to some educational sessions and given the opportunity to give feedback to the team. The feedback from our team wasn’t just noted and forgotten. Our guide pulled people in from Marvin headquarters to directly address our questions and concerns. It was amazing to get a direct response and then to receive contact information for people to follow up with in case we have additional questions.
All of the individual pieces that go into a clad double-hung window.
Window corner sections used to discuss differences in Marvin window lines.
The new Marvin skyview window.
Having worked in this industry for nearly 20 years, I thought I had a good understanding of windows, but I learned so much more than I expected and will never look at a window the same way again.
Click here for Part Two
Click here for Part Three
by Audrey | Mar 24, 2025 | Charlottesville, Harrisonburg Architect, Interior Design
Cover Photo: Elise Trissel | Contractor: Trost Custom Homes
By Jarod Sankar
What really makes a home custom? Whether it’s building from the ground up, or renovating something existing, a custom home is a space crafted for you and your family’s needs. Just like a well-tailored suit, or a shoe that fits just right, having a space that not only meets your aesthetic preferences, but also meets your functional needs, is a wonderful feeling.
One of the most important places in any home is the kitchen. When crafting a custom kitchen, things like storage, seating, appliances, lighting, and flow are what can make or break a functional space. Here are some important questions and considerations you should talk through with your designer, and some helpful ideas on how to make your existing space more functional.
1) What kind of cabinetry do I want?
Cabinetry is one of the biggest components that make up a kitchen. Cabinets come in all shapes and sizes, and it’s important to know the difference. Cabinets are usually broken into three categories, which is off-the-shelf, semi-custom, and fully custom. Budget is usually what dictates which direction to go. Off-the-shelf cabinetry always comes in standard widths, depths, and layouts. You can still make an extremely functional space with these cabinets, but it’s important to talk with your designer about how you use your kitchen and how to maximize your storage. Semi-custom cabinetry has much more wiggle room, as you can adjust the depths, layouts, and features much more easily. With semi-custom cabinetry, it is easier to do things like larger than standard sink widths, appliance garages, built-in trash cans and cutting boards, etc. Full custom cabinetry is just as it sounds and is built by hand to meet exactly what you are looking for. This is the best choice for creating a fully custom kitchen, but it is also the most expensive. Semi-custom and fully custom also offer much more flexibility in terms of design, such as colors, wood species, stains, door styles, hardware, and all other cabinetry accessories. We specify kitchen cabinetry based on what is best suited for the client, and meets functionality, aesthetics, and budget restrictions.
2) What appliances do I need?
There are many more appliances on the market than just the typical refrigerator, stove, and microwave. Are you a minimalist who hates having appliances on the countertop? Are you someone who loves morning coffee but gets tired of refilling the water reservoir on your coffee maker? There are a ton of options for modern-day appliances that can end up making your day so much easier, and having an intuitive and custom kitchen involves thinking through exactly what you need, and what you don’t need. Along with thinking through what specialty appliances you could benefit from, there are also design implications that can be influenced by your lifestyle. For example, drawer microwaves and raised dishwashers could have much more ease of use, and promote aging in place.
3) What kind of lighting does my kitchen need?
Lighting is broken down into 4 segments:
- Task
- General
- Ambient
- Decorative
While there can be crossover between segments, kitchens need all four types of lighting to be the most functional. When designing a custom kitchen, think about how lighting plays a role in what you use your kitchen for. Task lighting includes under cabinet lighting, pendant lighting over your island or sink, and any other type of light that illuminates a specific area for work. General lighting is your room illumination, including recessed cans or flush mounts throughout the space that light up surfaces and walking paths. Ambient lighting can be similar to task lighting, as it highlights a specific area, or adds a general ambient feel to the space. This may be just adding a lamp to the kitchen counter for some warmth or leaving your light above the range on at night as a night light. Decorative lighting can be a specialty or be an aspect of the other three types. While pendants over the island may serve as task lighting, they can also be decorative to play into the aesthetic of the space.
This is just a start to figuring out how to make your custom kitchen truly custom, by best fitting your needs and working with your kitchen activities, not against. By thinking through these questions and answering them honestly, you’ll be able to give your designer great information on how to best design a space tailored to you.
Click here to learn more about countertop options
Click here to learn more about planning a kitchen renovation
Click here to learn more about why you should hire an interior designer
