Adrienne Stronge, Chief Operating Officer on Influential Women

Influential Woman · Architecture

Adrienne Stronge

Chief Operating Officer, Gaines Group Architects

Charlottesville, VA 22902

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Cert Licensed in Virginia & Tennessee Member AIA Member CSI Member NCARB Member Fluvanna WIB

Her Story

About Adrienne

With offices in Charlottesville, Harrisonburg, and Roanoke, Gaines Group Architects is a design firm dedicated to strong ideas, ecological stewardship, and client satisfaction. As an award-winning architectural design firm, Gaines Group Architects has established a strong reputation for sophisticated designs through addressing the specific needs and place for which a project is to be built. As an award-winning graphic design firm and a leader in the “green” movement in Virginia, we have the ability to deliver the complete package for your projects, from marketing, design, specification development, LEED consulting, to construction administration.


Our services span from intimate house addition to large-scale residential community planning. Our areas of specialization include residential architecture, commercial development and redevelopment, residential communities, site planning, residential additions, historic renovations, interior design, ecclesiastical design, specification consulting, graphic design, and LEED consulting.


Her Interview

Ten minutes with Adrienne

01What do you attribute your success to?

I love what I do, so pushing to do it better and better is not difficult for me. I love solving problems creatively and efficiently, leading to a stronger, more inclusive built environment.

02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

While architecture has historically been a male-dominated profession, the industry greatly benefits from women's ideas and perspectives. Don't let your voice be silenced. Stay loud, stay engaged, and don't be afraid to voice your ideas and opinions.

03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?

Empathy is most important. Being able to put yourself in someone else's shoes is the only way to effectively design spaces that work for them. Every person is so different that one solution rarely works for multiple people. It's important to listen and not to default to your own preferences or biases.

Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.