design matters

Design lives in the details. As architects and designers, we find ourselves oscillating between a larger, holistic view of design one minute, and then headfirst into the details a moment later. We must be adaptable and open to looking at each project through both lenses...

These photos are from our Meadow Branch project in Winchester, Virginia where “green design” meant focusing on tree-saving measures. At first glance, these aerial photos capture the beginning phases of construction, but the real story is these beautiful oak trees and...

No project is too small, no dream is too big when it comes to the projects we design. One of our strengths as a firm is our diversified portfolio and eagerness to take on a range of projects. From custom residential to commercial, industrial, multi-family, church, school, and...

If there is one thing we can all count on, it’s the inevitability of the numerous decisions we will navigate daily. From the moment we decide when to get out of bed, the average person will make thousands of decisions throughout the span of their day. Most of us love having...

The Gaines Group is proud to once again partner with Habitat for Humanity of the New River Valley on the construction of new townhomes in Floyd, Virginia. Our firm has a strong history supporting projects in partnership with Habitat for Humanity affiliates across the Commonwealth...

The Blue Ridge Mountain Home, which backs up to the parkway, is now framed, and the roof trusses were being installed when we last visited. This single-level home has a detached garage, bonus room over the garage, and an open floor plan, making sure there is plenty of space for...

Meredith Charlton is a student at Blue Ridge Community College. She is the latest student to job shadow in our Harrisonburg office. This experience is a chance to see the profession to get a better sense of daily life in an architectural firm. We have hosted more than a dozen...

The value of adding someone that has years of training to think through design options to provide the optimized solution for facilitating the life you want to live in that particular place is the obvious answer. (and a really long sentence) However, there is more to the design...

Design Matters for a healthy and happy future. Ask for better solutions, celebrate beauty, and demand more quality. Design Matters.

Little things matter, a lot! Have you ever been standing in line where a mom is holding a baby in front of you. When the baby smiled at you did it bring you joy? That little action by that little person could be the thing that changed your entire day. Perhaps you then were more...