Charles S. Klee

As the child of two biochemists, Charlie Klee grew up wandering the corridors of the National Institutes of Health. Interning in various labs through high school and college, he grew up in an environment that emphasized the value of exploration and rigorous thought. With this in mind, he opted for a liberal arts undergraduate education even though he planned to pursue a career in architecture.

Charlie is known for his ability to dive into design and technical discussions with equal facility. His passion for problem-solving is ideally suited to projects that demand complex logistics, technical prowess and concept development for permitting and client leadership support. In addition to his project work, Charlie leads the firm’s Research Initiative with our Building Science Group. In this capacity, he is charged with bringing new ideas and technology to the practice through independent research projects that address both the programmatic and technical performance of buildings.

EDUCATION
M.Arch., 1989, Carnegie Mellon University
BS, Civil Engineering with Distinction, 1986, Swarthmore College

FEATURED PROJECTS

Boston University, Rajen Kilachand Center for Integrated Life Sciences & Engineering

Breakthrough Properties, The 105 by Breakthrough

Columbia University, SEAS Data Science Institute

Columbia University, Gary C. Comer Geochemistry Building

Emory University, School of Medicine Strategic Master Plan

Harvard Art Museums, 32 Quincy Street Expansion and Renovation

Harvard Medical School, Blavatnik Harvard Life Lab

Harvard University, Harvard Goel Quantum Science and Engineering Building

Harvard University, Harvard Memorial Church

Kempner Institute for the Study of Natural & Artificial Intelligence, Collaboration Weave

Massachusetts Institute of Technology, PDSI Project

University of California, Berkeley, College of Engineering Master Plan Update and Math & Physics Master Plan

University of Chicago, Computer Science and Computation Institute Renovation of the Crerar Building

HONORS & AWARDS

2019

Boston Society of Architects, Honor Award for Excellence

2018

IIDA New England Award, Community and Culture Category

2017

AIA New England, Honor Award

2017

AIA New England, Citation Award

2016

AIA New England, Interiors, Merit Award

2010

Boston Society of Architects, Honor Award for Design Excellence

2009

Boston Society of Architects, Higher Education Award, Award for Design Excellence

2009

Boston Society of Architects, AIA/NY & EPA, Sustainable Design Award

2009

Boston Society of Architects, Higher Education Honor Award

2009

SCUP/AIA-CAE Excellence in Architecture: New Building, Merit Award

2009

R&D Magazine, Lab of the Year

2008

Boston Society of Architects, Citation for Design

2008

SCUP/AIA-CAE, Honor Award for Excellence in Building Additions

TEACHING & LECTURES

Adjunct Professor: Carnegie Mellon University School of Architecture, 2019

“The Genetics of a Successful Social Hub,” 2018 SCUP National Conference, Speaker, July 2018

“Adaptability is the Answer: Planning for Strategic Recruiting and Rapidly Changing Research Needs,” Tradeline’s Research Facilities Conference, Speaker, April 2018

“Academic Research Planning with Unknown Users & Program,” SCUP-51, Speaker, 2016

Façade Tectonics, 2016 World Congress, October 2016

“Repurposing Solutions for Disparate Program Growth: Increasing Computational, Wet Bench and Prototyping Lab Space,” Tradeline College and University Science and Engineering Facilities Conference, April 2016

International Association of Museum Facility Administrators NE2016 Conference, Presenter, October 2016

BEST Conference Building Enclosure Science & Technology, 2015

Conversations on Architecture: “Reinvention of the Harvard Art Museums,” Boston Society of Architects, March 2014

Renzo Piano Building Workshop Fragments Exhibition at the Gagosian Gallery, New York: Gallery Talk, Harvard Art Museums, 2013

“Performance-Based Design: Moving from Concept to Practice,” ABX/ArchitectureBoston Expo, November 2012

“Thermal Performance of Facades,” ABX/ArchitectureBoston Expo, November 2012

SCUP North Atlantic Regional Conference 03/12

Labs21 09/09

Tradeline College/University Science Facilities 10/08