My Visit to Warroad – Part Three

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

My Visit to Warroad – 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

Project Update: Ralph Sampson Park Spraygrounds

by Audrey | Mar 26, 2025 | community, Harrisonburg Architect, Not used, project update

Project Update: Ralph Sampson Park Spraygrounds

We’re excited to see the progress coming along at Ralph Sampson Park! Check it out!

First Friday 2025 is here – Cheryl Shanahan’s exhibit “Pastoral”

by Charles Hendricks | Mar 3, 2025 | artwork, community, First Friday

It is time to join us to celebrate art in the valley at the Depot. I hope you can join us to see this incredible show put together by Cheryl Shanahan that celebrates life lived in what ancient Greeks referred to as Kairos time.

Join us for our First Fridays gallery opening on March 7th from 5-7pm for the exhibition “Pastoral” by artist Cheryl Shanahan!

As always, this event is free and open to everyone, and refreshments will be provided by the Gaines Group Architects!

Cheryl’s Bio:

Cheryl Shanahan is an internationally collected acrylic painter who splits her year between New Hampshire’s Lakes Region and Metro Richmond, Virginia. Her family has had ties to New Hampshire for nearly a century. Cheryl is a graduate of the University of Richmond. Cheryl started her creative path at age four when she taught herself how to read music. She expressed herself as a classically trained pianist, an avid writer, and a photographer for decades. Having grown up with several amateur artists in her family, she was curious about painting. In 2020, Cheryl signed up for acrylic painting classes. She got eight lessons under her belt before the lockdown, and much to her surprise, there was a painter who was eager to come forth. Her knowledge of composition, value, and color from her photography experience helped her immensely when she jumped in the deep end of the painting pool. Cheryl exhibits in group and solo exhibitions in New Hampshire and Virginia. She is a member of the Seacoast Artist Association and an Associate Member of the National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society (NOAPS). Gallery representation is through Jackson Art Studio & Gallery in Jackson, New Hampshire.

Artist Statement:

“Pastorale” is a celebration of life lived in what ancient Greeks referred to as “Kairos” time – “the right or critical time” – flow state. Modern society is in a wrestling match with chronological time: our calendars, planners, watches, meetings generally dictate how the days are run – and the reality is that it’s really a contemporary construct or experiment. “Pastorale” celebrates those who work in rhythm with Nature’s pace and flow and honors the spaces where the built environment meets the natural one.

Please vote for us for Virginia Living Magazine Best of Virginia 2025

by Charles Hendricks | Jan 18, 2025 | community, Local Leaders, Office Culture, team

Each year Virginia Living Magazine hosts Best of Virginia 2025 divided up in regions across the Commonwealth. I humbly ask for your help, please vote for us in Virginia Living Magazine Best of Virginia 2025. We appear in two regions (Central and Shenandoah Valley) in three categories (architecture, interior design, and Kitchen and Bath design firm).

Shenandoah Valley: Best Architecture firm in Virginia, Best Interior Designer in Virginia, Best Kitchen and Bath Designer in Virginia

Central Virginia: Best Architecture Firm in Virginia, Best Interior Designer in Virginia, Best Kitchen and Bath Designer in Virginia

These award programs rely on number of votes. In this case, you can only vote once for each category and region. If you would be so kind, we would appreciate your vote in these 6 categories. Winning the award is important because it increases our exposure to people that may not already know about us.

Virginia Living is a lifestyle magazine that focuses on Virginia’s people, places, history, and culture. The awards are an annual issue highlighting local businesses in each region.

Named the Top Rated Architectural Firm in Virginia

by Charles Hendricks | Jan 17, 2025 | architecture, Charlottesville, community, Harrisonburg Architect, Local Leaders, team

We are thrilled to hear that once again we are the top rated Architectural firm in Virginia according to Top Rated Social. This recognition is based on online reviews posted to Google by our clients. Our rating of 95 reflects 25 Five Star reviews.