by Charles Hendricks | Dec 29, 2016 | Charles Hendricks, citizen architect, community, Empathy, Leadership, Local Leaders, Office Culture, Rotary, team
One of the best decisions I have made in the last 8 years was to join Rotary. This organization amplifies the good you can do in your community and around the world. Rotary International is a service organization whose stated purpose is to bring together business and professional leaders in order to provide humanitarian services, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and to advance goodwill and peace around the world. “It is the duty of all Rotarians,” states the Manual of Procedure “outside their clubs, to be active as individuals in as many legally constituted groups and organizations as possible to promote, not only in words but through exemplary dedication, awareness of the dignity of all people and the respect of the consequent human rights of the individual.” The Rotarian motto is “Service Above Self.”
Rotarians pledge the 4-way test at each meeting. This is a great reminder of how to live life, serve your community, and simply how to be better.
Our club, Rotary Club of Rockingham County meets each Tuesday of the week (except holiday weeks) at Golden Pony in Harrisonburg for breakfast at 7am. We organize a soapbox derby in Harrisonburg and a car raffle to benefit Generations Crossing and First Step. We partner with other clubs (Harrisonburg Rotary, Bridgewater Rotary) to organize the Harrisonburg Strawberry Festival to benefit parks in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County. The Ronald McDonald benefit golf tournament done jointly with Waynesboro East Augusta is always a great event. We donate books to the Massanutten Regional Library, have a grant to help supply food backpacks at county schools, and work to end polio partnering with Harrisonburg-Massanutten Rotary with their Polio Tailgate party. Our weekly meetings raise money for the Collins Center and we have donated books to the Broadway-Timberville Rotary Little Free Library. It is a great group of people dedicated to “service above self.” If you want to visit to see if this club is a good fit for you – let me know. If a 7am breakfast meeting each week is not right for you, let me introduce you to members of one of the lunch clubs. There is work to be done and we need you to be a Rotarian to get it done.
by Charles Hendricks | Oct 20, 2016 | architecture, Empathy
Adrienne, Ray, and I joined a small group of AIA-S students from the University of Virginia School of Architecture yesterday for lunch. Each of us spent a few minutes talking about what we do and how we got to our current place in the profession. For me, it has not been a straight path, perhaps it is a path that will help you figure out your own path.
I figured out I wanted to be an architect in seventh grade during Mr. Price’s communication class. Over that semester we learned photography, book binding, screen printing, and drafting. Something about the drafting class appealed to me and for the first time I felt like I “got it.” From there I went on to take all the architectural related courses offered at Northside – learning a lot from Sandy Small (our awesome teacher). I was an average student in most other classes, but did very well in design and art classes. However, not being a great student led to not being ready to go to a four or five-year college. So I went Virginia Western Community College – a time for growing up and further exploring design and art classes while taking all the core classes required for an architectural degree. I graduated with a two-year associates degree – not bad for an average student with “learning differences” – my fifth grade teacher explained it to me as I needed to be in special classes. I was told many times over the years that I should find a “good job” since I would not go to college. You see I am dyslexic and at the time and still sometimes today, teachers in public schools do not have the training or resources to help someone who has a high IQ (laugh all you want) but processes information different from most of the other students. Graduating from college was a major achievement for me.
I was then accepted to the University of Virginia School of Architecture – I was on my way. Well I had to take 15 credits over the summer to officially get accepted. It was a LOT for one summer with 3 – (4) hour studio classes a week and two history classes each week. The work was piled on and I was working a 40 hour a week job to pay the bills. I ended up getting a D in one of the history classes and therefore I was not allowed to continue at UVA. I took the next semester off and worked two full-time jobs. The following semester I enrolled at UVA through the adult education department. I passed the history class I had previously failed and another design class. Having met those goals I applied to the School of Architecture again and got wait listed. Fortunately Cabell Vest changed his major at the last-minute and I was accepted into the third year architectural program. I only took classes in the A-School, but had to take extra courses each semester to catch up on the specialty classes I needed to graduate. Those two years were packed with physics, design, history, mechanics, urban planning, sustainability…. courses and I continued to work an average of 40 hours a week – mostly as a cook at the Virginian and then moving over to Mincer’s. I graduated from UVA School of Architecture in 1997. Finally I finished. I was ready to design green buildings.
I interviewed with firms in Richmond, Charlottesville, and Charlotte. I realized that I really did not like architects through this process of interviews. There was a lot of ego and not much empathy. I continued working at Mincer’s for another couple of years feeling something was missing for me, but making good money. When I met Ray Gaines, he was different from other architects. He did not have the ego and the firm did not do design for the sake of design. They designed buildings that worked, they cared about the budgets and the land, and they cared about each other. I accepted a job at “Raymond E. Gaines Architect” in January of 1999. We were a small four guy firm. For the next few years, life flew by as I learned all the stuff they don’t teach you in school – codes, budget, deadlines that move, clients care, contractor relations. Life was good. However, the architecture we were doing did not give me the fulfillment I was looking for in life. Something was missing. I wanted to make a difference, all the “green” stuff I wanted to do was too new, too expensive, or to different for an industry that changes at a VERY slow pace. I needed something else and right at that moment I met Samual Mockbee and he changed my life. As an architect I can help people he told us. I was not just drawing buildings and houses, I was solving their design problems. I needed to push the industry forward. I needed to learn so much more. I needed to figure out this “green” stuff and get educated. I also needed a Masters in Architectural degree to get licensed, a goal I had set for myself early on in life. I applied to graduate school and was accepted at the University of Tennessee. There I studied under Mark DeKay to learn everything he was willing to share and teach. My focus was to become an expert in green design and building science. I was introduced to LEED. I worked for Mark at the Chattanooga Design Center and saw change through design in action. It was amazing and it is what I want to do with my career. I graduated in 2003.
I returned to Ray’s firm with the idea of finishing up my internship requirements so I could get licensed and become a partner at the firm. I told him that I wanted to grow our firm into a leading “green” architectural firm, something they had always done in some aspects, but could do a LOT more of with a few changes. It took a few years to get through those processes to get licensed. During that time I found a contractor that was ready to take the “green” step forward, I volunteered to work on a committee that was bringing EarthCraft to Virginia, and I joined with other designers to start the Charlottesville chapter of the James River Green Building Council. The time was right to do the work I wanted to do to make the impacts on the community I knew were needed. We designed the first EarthCraft Certified house outside of Georgia, the first LEED for Homes project in the Southeastern United States, and a zero-energy home. Our projects were featured in Cville Weekly, NBC 29, the Hook, and national magazines Angie’s List and Environmental Design and Construction. Our firm in 2008 was named the “best green designers” by the Virginia Sustainable Building Network, I recieved the AIA-CV Community Service Award, and I was named the CATEC Contributor of the year. We were also given the Governor’s Environmental Excellence Gold Medal in 2008 by GOvernor Kaine and the Silver Medal in 2009. Then I took my Architectural Registration Exams and became a licensed Architect. Things were rolling in the right direction.
I was soon named a partner at the firm The Gaines Group, PLC Architecture and Design (new name to allow for partners to join). It was also a time of transition for our family. We decided to move home to the Valley (Harrisonburg) so our girls could attend Eastern Mennonite School. It was the right move for our family. However, for business we had no reputation, clients, or jobs in the valley and the economy was crashing. The first 3 years in the valley were a huge struggle. There was very little income and things got tight even in our established office in Charlottesville. The economy stayed weak, but we started growing in years 4-6 and started gaining a reputation in the market. Charlottesville also started picking up a little. Now after 8 years in the valley our team has grown to three and we are looking for a fourth and maybe fifth in Harrisonburg along with James in the Cville office who works on our valley jobs. Our job list is long in both offices and we have a strong reputation in the valley. We were named the “best small architects” in 2014 by the United States Green Building Council Best of Building Awards. Things seem to be falling back into place. My career is where I want it to be for right now. I am designing interesting projects that are focused on sustainable design. I am often invited to share my knowledge with various groups from non-profits to the Department of Energy. I am able to mentor future generations of designers. I am making a difference in my community. As a firm, we are still recovering from a deep recession and there is a lot of recovering to do. My career has not gone as smooth as I expected, but with each challenge / failure / success I have learned lessons. I am better now than I was yesterday and hope to be better again tomorrow.
For anyone interested in a career in architecture, the road is long. There are lots of things that could happen that will help or hurt your efforts. I challenge you to find your passion, be true to yourself, and follow your dream. Listen for those inspirations like Sam Mockbee or Ray Gaines that might change your path. However, most of all listen to your heart.
by Charles Hendricks | Dec 11, 2015 | citizen architect, Empathy
Where is the fire in the belly attitude that this country is built on?
As I watched the middle school girls basketball game yesterday, it hit me. From the first quarter on, they looked tired. It must have been a particularly hard day of school. They played well, but there was no fire, no emotion. As I watch sports I see that fire in some college games. There is a fire in the belly attitude with the fans and teams – they want a win and they play hard to get there. When the team does not win, they are deflated, spent, physically tired.
I do not see this in professional athletics. It seems more important to celebrate the individual effort by the individual after every play. So what you made a catch – did it change the game or did it just fill time? This individual celebration in professional athletics seems to have taken over the fire in the belly attitude that makes this country the greatest place in the world to live. I don’t think we have lost it as a country, but is certainly seems we are losing it. It certainly seems that we are focused more on the individual celebration than building a brighter future for everyone.
My father taught me to work hard and to treat every job as if my reputation depended on it. BECAUSE IT DOES. When I started my first job at 12 years old delivering papers, my parents helped me understand how to run a business, but put it on my shoulders to do the work. With every job I have had since I have treated it like my own business and put forth the best effort possible each day. Did I fail to achieve my potential? Many times. However, the failures were used as a learning opportunity, they were not just blown off as if they did not matter. This is the fire in the belly attitude that this country is built on. The true American spirit is hard work, support for each other, pride, and empathy for others. NOT GREED. The fire in the belly attitude is not about making money, it is about making the future better for you AND your family, friends, community, and country.
As I look around my community, I see the drive to be better, the fire in the belly attitude in some great leaders. They are working hard to improve our community. These leaders are are bankers, non-profit CEOs, videographers, administrative executives, web experts, insurance salespeople…. They are the people working to make our community better. They have drive and passion. They don’t stop to celebrate every catch, they take the burden on their shoulders and move this community forward and celebrate winning as a community.
My desire as a father is to pass this fire in the belly attitude on to my children. As an employer, I want to pass it on to my employees. As a community member, I want to pass it on to everyone.
by Charles Hendricks | Dec 6, 2015 | Empathy, Harrisonburg Architect
Can one person make a difference? In all honesty, I am not sure anymore. The world seems to be a crazy mixed up place to live, work, and play. If you state an opinion that is slightly controversial you will be attacked on social media. There is venomous hatred being spouted by leaders of religious universities in our state. Statements that once would seem outrageous and never said in public are now on the top of my SM feeds every time I sign on. Fear is overcoming common sense at every turn. Overcoming fear together should be our next priority.
In this day of extremes, I am frustrated. I am frustrated that it seems hatred and bitterness is so much easier to spread than compassion and empathy. I am frustrated that it seems no matter how hard you try, the mountain seems too large to move. I am frustrated that it seems we can no longer hear each other if we don’t 100% agree with each other. I am frustrated.
However, my frustration does not make me want to stop doing my part. I think it may even push me to work harder to make positive change for the future. I am focused on continuing to grow and learn new ways that I can improve my community. I do not want to let fear and hatred win. Can one person make a difference? The good news is that we don’t have to find out because there are many people who will not allow hate to win. If these people join together, overcoming fear and standing up against the bullies that are using fear and hatred as their weapons, we will win, but not until we stand up against the hate and fear.
by Charles Hendricks | Mar 30, 2011 | Charles Hendricks, community, Empathy, family, Harrisonburg Architect, Local Leaders, Office Culture, team
My six-year-old was asking me about Earth Day. I explained that it is a day to remind us of the power of mother nature, a day to remember that we have to take care of our natural resources, and a day to think about our actions as they impact others and future generations. She then told me that she knows the solution to the problem. “You just have to stop being lazy and fix things.”
It does seem that simple on paper to me as well. If we just quit fighting over who caused it, or who should pay for it, or how to fix it, and we all just try to be better, a little better, then we will all be a lot better off. If we all reduced our energy use by 30% annually, what would happen to the amount of foreign oil we have to import each year. What would that do to the mercury levels in the air from burning coal? What would that do to the increasing rate of illness we find in certain sectors of society? What would that do for mountain tops in West Virginia? What would that do to the quality of drinking water available to all of us?
I know, I have already heard the argument that you cannot afford all those expensive upgrades. BUT, What if we all cut our water usage by installing a $3 aerator on our sinks? Would that reduce our water bills, water consumption, our environmental impact across the country. If ALL of us make a small change, wouldn’t it make a huge impact?
If we look past the expensive solutions and every household changed one light bulb, or even just turned off the lights in rooms that they are not using all the time. Or if car lots turned off their lights after 2 am each night. Or if you cut one car trip out of your weekly schedule each week. What if we each just did one thing, would you see the difference?
I am ready for Change. Real Change. Change that makes the world a better place for my children and your children. I am ready to make a difference. Will you just stop being lazy with me and fix things?
by Charles Hendricks | Mar 26, 2011 | Charles Hendricks, citizen architect, Empathy, family, Harrisonburg Architect, Local Leaders, Office Culture, team
Balancing life: being Dad
I have been accused many times of not sleeping in order to do the amount of work that I accomplish each week. I promise you that while I am involved in many activities, events, and efforts, I do get plenty of sleep. I do worry though that I am sacrificing things in my life that I will regret later. I worry about the little things that I don’t spend time doing, like attending social events to better get to know people in the community. Anyone that has seen me knows that I have not given proper attention to being healthy. While I don’t have many of the vices that one may suffer with in modern society, I do have a lack of desire for exercise and eating healthy and I worry what this will result in over the coming years. However, My biggest fear is that I am not spending enough time with my family. I struggle with balancing life: being Dad.
Over the past several weeks there has been a change in the normal pattern that I hope to continue. I have worked hard to get the garden set up. The girls have helped me with the process, sometimes actively, sometimes taking breaks, sometimes forgetting completely about the garden and just running around the yard. We have also enjoyed several family outings these last several weeks that were focused on my daughters. Last Saturday, the girls dressed up like Thing 1 and Thing 2 and we drove 1 1/2 hours to Hooville (Charlottesville) to meet the Cat in the Hat and watch a 30 minute cartoon on the big screen at the Paramount Theater. A couple of weeks ago we attended Annie at Four County Players, staying up very late for the girls and also me, but I will never forget the way they both had their eyes glued to the stage the entire time. Even better, thanks to our friend, Tracie Skipper, the girls got to meet the amazing actress that played Annie after the play. (by the way, I highly recommend making a trip to Barboursville to see a play at Four County Players, they do an incredible job). It is hard to find balance in life to be the best dad, best architect, best husband, best committee member, but that is my goal. While I know something always has to give, I can assure you that I will never give up trying to be the best.
