Gaines Group Architects

Design Matters – thoughts of an Architect

Green Term Defined: Biophilic Design

Biophilic design is possibly the most exciting thing that has happened to building design in my lifetime. This term suggests there is an inherit need for humans to connect to other living systems. We hear it on every home design we do – “we want lots of light,...
28 Apr 14
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Magnolia Ridge Home – Update

Here is an update of our Magnolia Ridge Home that is under construction. I have posted about it in the past here and here. Let us know what you think.
25 Apr 14
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Crossroads Farm Home Revisited

I had the privilege of visiting a past client last week. Here are a couple of images.
24 Apr 14
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rain water harvesting

Green Term Defined: Rainwater Harvesting

Green Term Defined: Rainwater Harvesting
23 Apr 14
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Comments : 10

Happy Earth Day – 44 Years Later!

Today may be the 44th anniversary of Earth Day, but we have a lot of work to do. Our firm has focused on providing green design to our clients for 27 years. We have called it green design for the last 11 years. Yet these ideas are still considered new concepts to many in the...
22 Apr 14
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What improvements do you see in daily life that could make life easier for everyone?

I was out shopping with my mom this weekend. She has difficulty walking and uses handicap parking spaces to make it easier to get into stores. We drove to two different stores and parked in a handicap space each time. Both stores had design issues with the placement of the...
21 Apr 14
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Broadway Barn – Seasons of Virginia

I absolutely love the view from our backyard! Do you have a favorite view that you return to through the seasons to photograph?
17 Apr 14
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SVBA Home and Garden Show in Pictures

Great show, great times, great FUN!
15 Apr 14
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Custom home in Old Town Harrisonburg under construction

Update on the progress of the dream house we designed in Old Town Harrisonburg. Previous updates here and here.
14 Apr 14
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SVBA Home and Garden Show 2014

Wow, what a great weekend. I am worn out and there is still another day of Home Show. I have met hundreds of great people and had many conversations about green design that I lost count. Many people are very interested in finding solutions to make their new homes healthy,...
13 Apr 14
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Design Does Not Cost More, But Lack of Design Will Cost a Fortune

I was at Lowe’s to pick up a couple of new hard hats for the office and there at the end of the check-out counter – a book of plans. Many of our potential clients decide not to hire an architect when they compare paying us to buying a $12 magazine. To them, a new home...
11 Apr 14
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X-Ray vision is required to do a full renovation

I remember as a kid seeing ads for X-Ray goggles on the back of comic books. The idea of being able to see through a wall was a thing of fantasies for young aspiring spy kids. Now today, as a practicing architect, I find that x-ray goggles are not only possible, but a requirement...
09 Apr 14
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Message from Charles Hendricks

Design Matters is a place for me, Charles Hendricks, to share thoughts, community events, projects, and opinions. These are my thoughts and do not represent the ideas and thoughts of others in our business. Please comment on my blog posts, share your thoughts with me, or just let me know you have been here. Thanks for reading!

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Charlottesville Office:

1430 Rolkin Court, Suite 302
Luxor Commercial Park (across 250 from DMV Building)
Charlottesville, VA 22911
Office: 434-979-5245
Fax: 434-979-9126

Harrisonburg Office:

141 W. Bruce St. Suite 201
Harrisonburg, VA 22801
Office: 540-437-0012

Latest Projects

The mercantile at Petro
Prairie style Camp Manakin
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