It certainly has gotten cold here. As I write this, it is 17 degrees outside and the high for tomorrow is in the 30s. This sudden change in weather has certainly hit me hard. I hope you are staying warm. Speaking of staying warm, is your house comfortable? Do you have enough...

2015 was a year of growth for The Gaines Group, PLC in both Harrisonburg and Charlottesville. As the economy came back stronger than it has been in the last eight years, we saw tremendous growth in both number and diversity of projects. It was a great year all around.  I started...

My Christmas wish for you. It has been an amazing year here at the Harrisonburg Gaines Group office. We grew adding Hannah Jackson to our team. Deborah and I stayed very busy all year with a huge variety of projects. We were able to provide healthy, energy-efficient, and durable...

Time to finish up your Christmas Shopping! Well it is December 23rd, so probably time for you guys to finish your Christmas shopping. Ok, who are we fooling, it is time for some of you guys to start your Christmas shopping. I know it is hard to figure out what she is dreaming of,...

Top Blog Posts of 2015 Thank you all so much for your support and reading my blog. We are now closing in on 80,000 views – not bad for a small architectural firm locating in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Here are the top 10 blogs that have been viewed in 2015. 10. Architect to...

 Green Terms Defined Summary 2015 2012 International Energy Conservation Code: Minimum energy code standards adopted by the Commonwealth of Virginia Air Changes per Hour (ACH): the measure how many times the air within a defined space is replaced. ASHRAE 90.1: a standard in the...

Air tight is the most critical element of green building design. The easiest way to be air tight in an existing home is using caulk at every gap and crack between building materials. The top and bottom plate of a wall, electrical outlets, doors and windows, all penetrations need...

In every house I visit to do an energy audit, the electrical outlets have been a major source of air infiltration. Sealing these holes up in your thermal envelope will reduce your energy usage and make your home more comfortable.  Yes, I realize these are small areas with small...

We have built a solid reputation for delivering “green” architectural design for our clients. We were even named the “best small architecture firm” in the USGBC Best of Building Awards – that was a worldwide vote – fairly cool – showing...

Another new project is under construction and enjoying this mild winter weather. The Harrisonburg sustainable farmhouse is located just north of Harrisonburg city limits with some amazing views. The 3-bedroom home features an open floor plan that provides a living room, dining...