Nicole’s Thesis on Subway Infrastructure and Civic Care

Nicole’s Thesis on Subway Infrastructure and Civic Care

by | May 12, 2026 | Accessibility, architecture, Harrisonburg, Harrisonburg Architect, Intern, team

Fragmentation to Reassembly

As Nicole’s senior year at James Madison University comes to a conclusion, her thesis presentation offers a proactive exploration of how architecture can respond to urban instability with dignity and intention.

New York City’s visible homelessness is not simply a problem to be solved, but an existing condition that calls for spatial intervention. This thesis asks: how might abandoned subway infrastructure be reclaimed as temporary environments of refuge, hygiene, and rehabilitation? Rather than proposing permanent housing, the project focuses on transitional spaces, places that provide stability, care, and dignity for individuals in moments of uncertainty. Can we create a rehabilitation space for the community in need?

The Harrisonburg team was lucky enough to hear Nicole’s presentation in person.

At its core, the project challenges the assumption that new systems must be built to address social issues. Instead, it explores how underutilized and abandoned infrastructure can be reset to serve immediate human needs. By restructuring these forgotten spaces as civic hygiene ports, the proposal asks architecture to be a tool for care rather than control.

The theoretical framework comes from Henri Lefebvre and his concept of socially produced space. Lefebvre argues that environments both shape and reflect lived experience. Within this thesis, that idea becomes prominent. Designing for individuals experiencing instability requires an understanding of movement, memory, and the psychological impact of space. These environments must raise agency and independence, rather than reinforce confinement.

The proposal is situated in Lower Manhattan, focusing on a series of abandoned subway platforms where trains currently pass through but do not stop. In this reimagined system, trains would temporarily stop at these platforms, allowing them to function as areas for hygiene, rest, and recovery.

The spatial experience is intentionally linear and narrative-driven. Participants enter from one end of the platform and exit from the other, moving through a sequence that reflects transformation: arrival in fragmentation and departure in reassembly.

Within the design, permanent voids are carved into the platform to house essential services: showers, sinks, restrooms, (plumbing). These fixed elements provide consistent access to hygiene. Surrounding them, adaptable partitions allow the space to shift based on user needs, creating moments of privacy while maintaining a sense of openness and visibility.

A protective architectural layer separates the inhabitable zones from the active subway tracks. This shall filter air, reduce sound, and establish a calmer interior environment. In both physical models and presentation materials, this condition is represented through tracing paper, an intentional choice that communicates permeability, protection, and transition.

While the project directly responds to the growing number of unhoused individuals in New York City, it is not exclusive in its use. Instead, it is open as civic infrastructure. Accessible to anyone in need of rest, hygiene, or recovery. In doing so, it broadens the conversation around who public space is truly for.

This thesis is further informed by a range of critical texts. Alejandro Aravena’s work on participatory design and incremental housing emphasizes adaptability and user agency, stabilizing the project’s flexible spatial strategies. Matthew Desmond provides insight into the systemic nature of housing insecurity, highlighting the tension between aid and profit. Additional influences include Richard Sennett, Mike Davis, and Martin Pawley, each contributing to the broader discourse on urbanism, housing, and social responsibility.

The thesis extends beyond drawings and models into an immersive presentation. Nicole chose to install her work within a long, narrow hallway, intentionally recreating the claustrophobic and constrained conditions of a subway platform. Trace paper lines both the walls and ceiling, reinforcing themes of layering, movement, and transformation.

The presentation is structured around a series of verbs, arrive, wash, soak, rest, depart, with moments of relief. These repeated actions represent the recurrent and overlapping experiences of individuals moving through instability and care. Rather than simply illustrating the project, the installation invites viewers to physically and emotionally engage with it.

As visitors move through the space, they experience compression, heat, and limited circulation. This sensory engagement mirrors the architectural conditions being proposed, allowing the audience to better understand the urgency and intention behind the design.

The project also aligns with emerging real-world initiatives. Zohran Mamdani has proposed repurposing vacant subway retail spaces as drop-in sites for outreach services, reinforcing the relevance and timeliness of Nicole’s approach.

Through this work, architecture becomes more than a form-making exercise, it becomes an act of re-functionality. By altering overlooked infrastructure into spaces of care, the project reimagines the role of the built environment in addressing social inequities. It suggests that dignity, beauty, and support can and should exist within even the most forgotten spaces of the city.

In Their Own Words: The Impact of Job Shadowing

In Their Own Words: The Impact of Job Shadowing

by | Apr 12, 2026 | Charles Hendricks, community, Harrisonburg, Harrisonburg Architect, Intern, Mentorship, team

You don’t have to guess whether taking the time to mentor makes a difference. The students who have walked through the doors of The Gaines Group speak volumes about the impact of these experiences:

David Martin, a Virginia Tech architecture student, spent a summer learning the granular details of the profession.

“With only two years of architecture school under my belt, I started this summer off knowing I had a lot to learn… I found myself having to learn the details of building sections, roof plans, wall thicknesses, construction methods… Throughout the process, Charles showed me patience and was always willing to answer any questions I had… In one of Charles’ recent blogs, he talks about being the person you needed when you were younger. From my experience, I would say that he’s putting that into practice, since the help and instruction he provided me that summer has given me valuable insight into the world of architecture.”

Ryan, a high school student from Eastern Mennonite High School, discovered that the day-to-day life of an architect isn’t just about unconstrained sketching.

“I realized that architecture, most of the time, is not designing grandiose creations from your head, but is more of a tailored approach to realize clients’ wishes… I am very grateful to the Gaines Group Architects for taking time out of his immensely busy schedule to mentor me… My perception of architecture has definitely changed and while I am still considering this as a possible career option, I feel as though my eyes have been opened to some of the non-ideal aspects of architecture.”

Chloe, the aspiring interior designer, found that her time with Charles and Jarod provided the exact clarity she needed for her future. 

“His knowledge of design and his love for his job inspired me in great ways… After my mentorship experience, I decided that I am going to pursue a major in interior design at Liberty University. Finally, mentorship has taught me that I am capable of way more than I ever imagined. My mentor has done an amazing job helping me realize how successful I can be… His encouragement and confidence in me have boosted my confidence in achieving my dreams.”

Gaines Group Architects Named Top Employer for Interns!

Gaines Group Architects Named Top Employer for Interns!

by | Apr 9, 2026 | Charles Hendricks, Harrisonburg, Harrisonburg Architect, Intern, Leadership, Mentorship, Office Culture

I remember my first day at the firm. I had no idea what to expect when I arrived. I knew autocad. I had an architectural degree. I had worked various jobs since I was 12, but this was the first office position. The first time that I was being asked to draw things and they would pay me for it. I understood design, but I didn’t know the 27′ rule in a kitchen, the stair formula, how far a 2 x 12 would span, or why insulation values were important. Those were not things we learned in architectural school. That first day though, I found out that my opinion mattered. The questions I asked made a difference. I could contribute to the team. I needed mentorship, but I also got to mentor those around me.

Over my 27 years at the firm I have been mentored and served as a mentor. I have learned so much from others on the team and hopefully shared some wisdom along the way. I continue to learn from our team. There is so much to know in our industry and it continues to evolve and change.

For the third year in a row our firm has been recognized as a Top Virginia Employer for Interns. This is a meaningful recognition for me personally. We have hosted dozens of high school students in job shadowing, college students as summer interns, and helped launch many into careers in architecture. This annual award celebrates the importance of providing hands on experiences, direct access to senior leadership, and a glimpse into real world skills and experiences.

Congratulations and thank you to all of the 161 employers that have put time, energy, and resources into allowing students to advance in their knowledge. Thank you for opening doors for students to explore career options.

Celebrate Architecture Week at the Depot tonight!

Celebrate Architecture Week at the Depot tonight!

by | Apr 3, 2026 | architecture, citizen architect, First Friday, Harrisonburg Architect

It doesn’t seem like Easter weekend but that is what the calendar is telling me. It also doesn’t seem like First Friday, but here we are on a First Friday. The artists this month are architects. So far I have Eugene Stoltzfus and Gaines Group with work on the walls. I believe Ivan Huber will have something to me today. I am still hoping some others drop off work and attend the event. Please join us and talk about why design matters for a better future for all. 

AIA Architecture Week

 The show “Design Matters” is a celebration of Architecture Week. I wanted a show that highlighted the importance of not only the beauty created through architectural design, but also the building and celebration of community, equality, inclusivity, culture and bonds. This show I hope will spark your ideas of what can be if we design the right future together. We can do better and architecture is the fabric that ties our lives together as we do better together. 

Join me tonight at the Depot from 5pm – 7pm for “Design Matters” and celebrate Architecture. 

AIA Architecture Week
Architect vs. Design-Builder: Who Should Design Your Custom Home?

Architect vs. Design-Builder: Who Should Design Your Custom Home?

by | Mar 4, 2026 | architecture, Building Science, Charles Hendricks, Charlottesville, Custom Home, Harrisonburg, Harrisonburg Architect, Interior Design, Roanoke, Roanoke Architect

Building a custom home is one of the most exciting—and stressful—projects you willever undertake. As you start planning, you will quickly run into a major fork in the road: Should you hire an architect, or should you work with a builder that offers in-house design services (often called a design-build firm)?

Both avenues can lead to a finished home, but they offer vastly different experiences, priorities, and results. Let’s break down the value of each approach, what can go wrong, and the fundamental differences between the two:

The Builder-Designed Home (Design-Build):

In this scenario, you hire a single company to handle both the design and the construction of your home. The designer usually works directly for the builder.

The Value Added:
• Streamlined communication: You have one point of contact from the first sketch to moving day.
• Cost-centric design: Because the builder is involved from day one, they design
strictly with their own construction costs and preferred materials in mind.
• Rolled-in fees: The design fees are often rolled into the overall construction
cost, which can sometimes make the upfront design phase appear cheaper.

What Can Go Wrong:
• The “cookie-cutter” risk: Builders prioritize efficiency. Their designers often rely on modifying existing templates rather than starting from scratch, meaning your “custom” home might just be a tweaked version of something they’ve built ten times before. It is not a custom solution to allow for the life you want to live.
• Conflict of interest: When the designer works for the builder, their ultimate loyalty is to the builder’s bottom line, not necessarily your grand vision. They might steer you away from a brilliant architectural feature simply because it is outside their standard practices.
• The “fast-track” illusion: Design-build firms often tout faster timelines by starting construction before the house is fully designed. In reality, rushing the design phase rarely speeds up the total construction time and often leads to expensive mid-project changes.

The Architect-Designed Home (The Collaborative Approach)

In this approach, you hire a licensed architect to design the home and advocate for your vision. While some assume this means the builder is kept in the dark until the end, a modern architectural process is highly collaborative. We bring a builder into the process early, but they work directly for you, the client.

The Value Added:
• Uncompromising customization: An architect starts with a blank piece of paper, your lifestyle, and your specific plot of land. The home is tailored precisely to how you live, the direction of the sun, and the topography of your lot.
• Real-time, accurate pricing: By bringing a builder to the table early in the design phase, you get the best of both worlds: uncompromised architectural design and realistic, ongoing cost feedback from the people who will actually build it.
• Built-in efficiency: We work through complex buildability concerns during the design phase. Solving these issues on paper ensures a highly efficient building process once ground is broken.
• Your personal advocate: During construction, the architect works exclusively for you. We visit the site to ensure the builder is executing the plans accurately and that the design intent is maintained.

Dispelling the Myths:
• The “Bidding” Myth: We rarely put our projects out to bid. While traditional bidding seems like a way to save money, it rarely adds value for the client and often sets up an adversarial relationship between architect and builder. Hand-selecting a trusted builder early creates a unified team focused on your home.
• The “Early Construction” Myth: Just like a design-build firm, architects can issue early construction sets to get dirt moving. However, we are honest with our clients: this doesn’t actually speed up the overall construction timeline. Taking the time to fully detail the design upfront is what truly ensures a smooth, timely build.

What is the Core Difference?

The easiest way to think about it: A builder designs primarily to construct efficiently based on their standard practices, while an architect designs to inspire, solve problems, and reflect your unique life.

Which Should You Choose?

If your priority is a hands-off process and you are happy adapting your lifestyle to a somewhat standard layout and limited material choices, a design-build firm is a practical route.

If your priority is maximizing a unique piece of land, achieving a highly specific aesthetic, and building a one-of-a-kind home with a unified team of experts dedicated to your vision, hiring an architect is the clear choice.

Why Buy a New Home When a Custom Home Offers So Much More?

Why Buy a New Home When a Custom Home Offers So Much More?

by | Mar 2, 2026 | architecture, Charlottesville, Custom Home, Harrisonburg, Harrisonburg Architect, Roanoke, Roanoke Architect

Many people assume buying a new home is the simplest path to getting exactly what they want. But in reality, most new homes offer limited personalization and are designed for a broad market rather than for the way you actually live. While a new home may be newly built, a custom home is thoughtfully designed from the ground up with your lifestyle at the center of every decision and actual building science incorporated.

The typical “new home” process when purchasing or building a standard new home often looks something like this:

• Finding online plans that are “close enough”
• Finding a drafter to modify the drawings
• Finding a structural engineer
• Finding a builder to construct the home

Then you can “customize” finishes such as paint colors and fixtures.

While this approach can produce a functional house, most decisions revolve around surface-level choices. The layout and design are typically created for a general audience not for your routines, preferences, or long-term needs. In many cases, the result is a home that looks good but doesn’t truly support how you live day to day.

The Custom Home Difference

A custom home is different because the design process begins with you. Rather than fitting your life into a pre-designed plan, a custom home is shaped around your lifestyle from the very beginning.

We Vision. We start by understanding how you live, your daily routines, your priorities, and your goals for the future.
We Plan. Spaces are organized intentionally, whether that means a kitchen designed for gathering, a quiet home office, or flexible guest space for when the grandkids come to visit.
We Refine. Details run deep in a custom home. Materials, cabinetry, trim, and built-in features are carefully considered to create a cohesive and lasting design.
We Execute. Construction documents and coordination ensure the home is built exactly as designed with clarity and precision from start to finish. The result is not just a new house, but a home that feels natural and effortless to live in.

Designed for Real Life

A custom home considers the moments that matter most:

• Your morning routine and daily rhythms
• How you cook and gather
• Where you relax at the end of the day
• Hosting family and friends
• Planning for future needs

These decisions shape how a home functions far beyond simple finish selections.

The Cost Difference May Surprise You

One of the biggest misconceptions about custom homes is cost. Many people assume custom design is significantly more expensive than a standard new home. In reality, the cost difference is often smaller than expected for an average-sized home, especially when compared to the long-term value of a home designed specifically for you. Instead of paying for changes and compromises later, custom design helps you get it right from the beginning.

A Better Way to Build

A new home gives you something new. A custom home gives you something intentional. When every space is designed around your life, the difference is something you feel every day in comfort, function, and lasting quality.