Our People

Robert Huntley Allen

Huntley began in Atlanta, Georgia and graduated from The Westminster Schools. He then attended the Architecture School of the Georgia Institute of Technology and worked for renowned Greek architect, Ike Saporta, R.A. He furthered his studies at Richmond College, London, England, and Eurocentre-Suisse, Lausanne, Switzerland, where he was exposed to the value of classic elements in the design process, the attributes of fine craftsmanship, and the importance of Historic Preservation. From his international travels, Huntley has come to cherish the intertwining of interior and exterior spaces such as courtyards, roof top gardens, outdoor rooms, and interior gardens.

Back in the USA he received a business degree from the University of Georgia, and then moved to Manhattan and worked for a Lebanese firm. After teaching graduate school at the primary Engineering University in Paris, France, Huntley returned to NYC and continued his practice of architecture at Proposition:Architecture. There he worked under adaptive re-use innovator, Chip Caine, R.A., who taught him the nuts and bolts of integrating strict high design ideals with the practicality of bricks and mortar, bankers, lawyers, and government regulations. Huntley became head of the Historic Preservation division of the firm.

After several years of solid experiences he decided he was ready to head up his own firm and started Huntley Allen Architectural Services which specialized in all aspects of landmark historic buildings and neighborhoods, from museum quality restorations to gut rehab adaptive reuse, and new construction in historic districts. After twenty years of architectural experience, Huntley also used his city planning experience from projects in New Orleans and Harlem to be the Director of Downtown Renaissance in coastal North Carolina and then to later create the Master Plan for an island off of the Atlantic coast as a consultant for the Saint Simons Land Trust.

In 2006, Huntley created the Rhapsody Design Group. In addition to traditional architectural functions, Huntley also specializes in adaptive reuse, city planning, development consulting, modern interior design, and custom modern furniture design. He is a director of the Brunswick Landmarks Foundation, a member of Defend Downtown Brunswick, and was on the Building Committee of the Coastal Medical Access Project. He currently works to save the gateways into the Golden Isles and Historic Brunswick in collaboration with the City of Brunswick, Glynn County and the Convention and Visitors Bureau of the Golden Isles. His liaison with the Savannah College of Art and Design established SaveOurGateways.com. He is involved with various other environmental and historic landmark preservation efforts, including the riverfront Ebo Landing project, the Harrington School House, and The Spit on Sea Island. He is the founder of the Golden Islands Architectural Guild.

Roger C. Steffens, ASLA

Roger’s interest in Architecture and Graphic Design began while in high school in Milwaukee, however it was while serving in the Air Force Security Service as a code cryptographer in Europe that he came upon a book on Landscape Architecture and later began his design studies with the University of Florida, graduating with a degree in Landscape Architecture—cum laude. He was then accepted into the Masters program in City and Regional Planning at the University of North Carolina. He was registered as a Landscape Architect in four southeastern states and was a Charter Member of the American Institute of Certified Planners.

Roger has lectured at several colleges & universities on Coastal Environmental Design, Landscape Design and City Planning. He was selected from over 100 applicants for the post of Landscape Architect & Site Planner for the Government of Bermuda and served in that capacity for 6 years. Upon returning to the United States, he reestablished his private practice on Saint Simons Island, focusing on all aspects of Commercial and Residential Landscape Architecture, Development Land Planning and Coastal Permitting. Roger has designed and managed numerous projects throughout the Southeast and Caribbean region. His scope ranges from designing layouts for thousands of acres down to an individual house and its intricate gardens, signage, and hardscapes.

Roger remains a strong advocate for quality of life issues and has served on numerous community boards and committees, most recently as a founding board member of the Saint Simons Land Trust and chairman of the Glynn County Tree Advisory Board. He is an active member of the American Society of Landscape Architects.

Ann Gamble Ferrell Allen

Ann was immersed in and observant of the designs of the world around her from an early age. After graduating from Duke University, she was an active interior decorator for over twenty years in various parts of the southeast. Finally in 1974 she took the plunge and decided to pursue postgraduate studies to receive her degree in Interior Design. She formed Huntley House Interiors, named after the family clan, the House of Huntly, based in Scotland. After joining with Huntley in Rhapsody, she remains as an advisor to the firm and brings with her fifty years of experience, resources, and contacts, and, of course, her natural talent.
 

Dr. John Marr

709 Atlantic Drive
St. Simons Island, GA 31522
Phone 912.580.0800
jmarr@perryinstitute.org

Dr. Marr holds a Ph.D. in Zoology and Physiology from the University of Wyoming with training in environmen­tal sciences and wildlife ecology. He has published articles on marine and freshwater ecosystem management, fish physiology and environmental toxicology. Additionally he completed a M.S. in aquatic ecology from the University of Central Arkansas and a B.A. in biology from Rhodes College. Dr. Marr has been principal investigator for numerous nationally recognized grants, serves on committees for governmental and non-governmental agencies, consults with organizations about improving management of natural resources, has developed and taught college courses in ecology and biology, and has also been editor and reviewer for several peer-reviewed journals.

Dr. Marr works with various groups from academia, government, corporations, as well as private individuals, to develop and implement projects directly related to environmental concerns and wildlife and habitat management. He presently serves as General Manager of the Jekyll Island Authority's Sea Turtle Center. Prior to this, Dr. Marr served as the director for the Perry Institute for Marine Science and its marine laboratory and field station in the Bahamas where he directed research, conservation, and education programs. He enjoys working with mission driven organizations and is passionate about developing education and research programs designed to advance knowledge and further protect natural resources for the public benefit and for environmental stewardship. Dr. Marr is enthusiastic about integrating environmental education, wildlife rehabilitation, and conservation research on behalf of the Jekyll Island Authority and promoting the mission of the Georgia Sea Turtle Center.     show / hide C.V.