Common problems that you can fix to reduce your energy bills at North Fork Middle School There are common problems that you can count on to be wasting energy in your home or business. If you take some time to fix these you will reduce your monthly energy bills. First the attic...

6th Grade Students are working to create a Zero-Energy Science Lab at North Fork Middle School. I changed careers this past Friday, I was a teacher at North Fork Middle School. This was my second time at the school, the first time was just a visit to look at a modular structure...

Here is my best advice for future architectural students: I met with a high school student this morning that is getting acceptance letters to a variety of architectural schools. She is clearly an exceptional student and has passion for pursuing architecture. She is clearly...

Deborah and I are teaching an architectural academy for On the Road Collaborative this semester. On the Road Collaborative is an organization that exists to empower young people on the margins with the opportunity, skills, and confidence they need to excel in school and to...

Should you use spray foam insulation on your next project? Common questions answered by Ken Wells from Elite Insulation A common question we face on each job is which kind of insulation is right for the goals established. I asked Ken Wells to answer some of the common questions...

There are three main types of attic insulation: fiberglass, cellulose, and foam. In new construction we almost always specify open-cell spray foam insulation. It creates an air-tight envelope for the top of your home. So how much should you install? Since it is air tight, R-38...

We get to do a lot of really cool projects and this is one of the coolest. This home, a contemporary design with California influence, located in Charlottesville needed a major overhaul to bring it back to life.  Years of family memories had taken a toll on this once very...

The Gaines Group designs business center for Charlottesville Albemarle Airport (CHO). The Charlottesville Albemarle Airport (CHO) is set to unveil their new Business Center as the airport moves to meet the needs of their growing clientele.  Roughly 1300 square feet of the...

There are many options for your kitchen countertop, but all seem to have pros and cons making this a hard decision. So which one should you use in your new kitchen? Which one is right for you? Here are some pros and cons of commonly used kitchen countertops to help you make your...

Chesapeake Western Depot rough-in started Progress is being made on the Depot project in downtown Harrisonburg, Va. The electricians and plumbers have started doing rough-in work and the HVAC install is scheduled to start today. The framing is mostly done in the two-story portion...