Glenn Keyes, FAIA, Principal

Glenn Keyes uses his career as an architect of over 300 preservation projects to demonstrate to the historic city of Charleston the value not only of individual buildings, but also of city blocks, by transforming them through restoration and sympathetic infill architecture. From landmark residences and plantations to churches, institutional buildings and affordable housing, he continually exemplifies how this process leads to economic and community revitalization. His skilled, deftly subtle preservation techniques combine with the delicate nature of our treasured structures to enhance the built environment for generations to come.

An influential force on the preservation of our historic architectural resources from a local to national level, Keyes served as the Staff Architect at South Carolina's State Historic Preservation Office for three years. This public sector experience gives him the broad perspective of preservation that serves as a strong basis for his practice. Additionally, he has served as member the Board of Advisors for the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Locally, Keyes’ leadership includes the Boards of the Preservation Society of Charleston, the nation’s first community-based preservation organization (two years as president), and the Charleston Museum (the nation’s first museum) with its house museums. He also helps to preserve the historic buildings owned by Historic Charleston Foundation, the nation’s first implementer of a nonprofit Revolving Fund for rehabilitations.

Keyes’ influence extends both locally and globally to the next generation of architects through lectures to students in the College of Charleston's program in Historic Preservation and Clemson University's Graduate Program in Historic Preservation. In addition, Keyes was a mentor to interns of the International Council of Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) as part of an ongoing program of the Historic Charleston Foundation. Those architecture students have gone back to their native countries throughout Europe, Asia and Africa equipped to preserve their significant architecture.

In 2013, Keyes was elevated to the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects.

View Glenn's resumé

Rueben Solar, AIA, Senior Architect

Rueben Solar began his appreciation of vernacular architecture while growing up amongst the French influences of Southern Louisiana where he admired not only the grand homes along the Mississippi River and its tributaries, but also the dependency structures and local architecture that they nurtured. The South Carolina Lowcountry has commanded the same appreciation and respect for its rich architectural heritage.  

Solar views each project as an opportunity to enable these historic structures to continue the journey they began hundreds of years ago. Much attention is given not only to their architectural influences, but also to the unique construction influences that make up their history. It is through the continued preservation and rehabilitation of hundreds of structures throughout Charleston and the surrounding areas that Solar has gained a unique understanding of how these buildings have evolved over time. Each project is approached with an understanding the architectural vocabulary employed in its original design along with influences of its many owners and the craftsmen who have preserved them through today. He strongly feels that only through a respectful understanding of these buildings can you introduce the needs and demands of a new generation of owners.

He has also worked with the Preservation Society of Charleston in helping to promote sensitive preservation through it’s Carolopolis Awards program as well as serving on its Properties and Zoning Committee.

Away from the office, Solar enjoys an active family life including frequent travel back to Louisiana where he savors the unique architectural vernacular of the Southern landscape. Additionally, he appreciates the occasional opportunity to travel to his wife’s family home in the Bekaa Valley (Lebanon) to explore the ruins of the Temple of Bacchus as well as the ancient fishing village of Byblos on the Mediterranean Sea.

Solar has been with Glenn Keyes Architects since 1990.

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Adrienne Jacobsen, Associate

By age 14, Adrienne Jacobsen knew she wanted to be involved in the field of architecture. What she didn’t know was that a decade later her love for history would cause a shift in career from design to preservation.

After earning a bachelor’s degree in architecture from Clemson University and master’s degree from the Clemson/College of Charleston Graduate Program in Historic Preservation, Jacobsen remained in Charleston, fully appreciating the irony of living in the city that solidified her desire to be an architect in the first place. She joined Glenn Keyes Architects in the fall of 2005 while still in graduate school and transitioned to full time the following spring.

She's active in local preservation and arts organizations, as well as serving as a guest lecturer for both alumni institutions and the American College of the Building Arts. Her historical and architectural knowledge of Charleston benefited the Preservation Society of Charleston’s new Master Preservation Program, for which she taught a section on the architecture of Meeting Street.

Jacobsen travels often and enjoys exploring cities near and far, as well as project job sites. Memorable post-graduate educational experiences include the University of Oregon’s Pacific Northwest Preservation Field School in 2008 and 2011. Her love of old stuff is reflected in collections at her desk and home where everything has a history.

View Adrienne's resumé