FOUNDER | PRESIDENT

As an Asheville, NC native and President of Rowhouse Architects, Jeff Dalton has grown alongside the city, watching it transform over the years. His love for architecture started young, with much of his childhood spent building forts and treehouses inspired by the historic buildings that define Asheville’s charm.

Jeff followed his passion to Georgia Tech, where he earned dual master's degrees in city planning and architecture in 1991. His career began at Six Associates, Asheville’s leading architecture firm at the time, where he gained invaluable experience working alongside seasoned architects on a wide range of projects.

In 1994, Jeff decided to strike out on his own and founded Rowhouse Architects. The firm’s name is a nod to its humble beginnings in a friend’s old rowhouse building in Atlanta, GA. Over the past 25-plus years, Jeff has grown Rowhouse into a leading Asheville firm with a portfolio of over 200 projects, specializing in adaptive reuse and historic renovations as well as affordable and “missing middle” housing. Jeff’s most renowned past projects include the Grove Arcade, an architectural landmark in downtown Asheville, the historic restoration of the Kenilworth Inn Apartments, and the Key City Lofts in North Wilkesboro, NC.

When he’s not working, Jeff can be found biking through the North Carolina mountains, practicing yoga, camping with his family, or dining at Asheville’s best restaurants—some of which he’s had the honor of designing.

VICE PRESIDENT | AFFORDABLE HOUSING DIRECTOR

Robin Raines brings over 30 years of architectural expertise to Rowhouse Architects, focusing on affordable housing, adaptive reuse, and historic preservation. Originally from Grundy, Virginia, Robin proudly calls herself “a coal miner’s daughter,” embracing her Appalachian roots.

She discovered her passion for architecture at Virginia Tech, where she earned her degree and began her mission to design spaces that truly make a difference.

Robin’s work can be seen throughout many of Asheville’s most iconic projects, including The Broadway, a Griffin Award winning townhouse project, Givens Gerber Village, a multi-phase affordable housing project for seniors, and Compass Point Village, the transformation of a former Days Inn into 80 studio apartments for housing-insecure residents.

An active member of the Asheville community, Robin serves on the Downtown Commission and Design Review Committee and has served on the boards of Habitat for Humanity and the Western North Carolina Green Building Council. Her past work on the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee reflects her dedication to making housing more accessible for everyone.

At Rowhouse, Robin thrives on collaboration, working with clients to turn big ideas into thoughtful designs that benefit communities. Whether breathing new life into historic buildings or designing spaces that bring neighborhoods together, she loves seeing her work make a real impact.

When she’s not busy designing, you’ll likely find Robin running, reading, writing, or enjoying games with her partner, family, friends, and two cats, Tank and Reggie.

PARTNER | DIRECTOR OF CONSTRUCTION AND QC

With a career shaped by a lifelong passion for architecture, Shawn McKeever brings a pragmatic and forward-thinking approach to his role as Partner and Director of Construction and Quality Control at Rowhouse Architects.

Raised in Charleston, SC, Shawn’s love of architecture was sparked at a career day event and solidified through his academic journey at Clemson University, where he earned both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Architecture.

Shawn’s professional experience is a testament to his dedication to the details. His time in Chicago with renowned architect, Stanley Tigerman, underscored the transformative impact of architecture on communities. At Rowhouse, Shawn uses his expertise to oversee construction documents, detailing, and specifications in addition to leading construction administration services, ensuring seamless transitions from design to reality. Notable projects he’s worked on include Asheville’s own Flat Iron Hotel, Reed Creek Greenway Apartments, and the Burton Baker Cottages.

What sets Shawn apart is his knack for spotting potential construction challenges early in the design phase. His forward-thinking approach keeps him ahead of the latest building techniques, and his collaborative style fosters strong connections between clients, design teams, and contractors. For Shawn, the best part of his job is solving complex challenges and delivering projects of which Rowhouse’s clients can truly be proud.

Outside the office, Shawn loves traveling with his wife, cheering on Clemson sports, and hanging out with his two German Shepherds, Bowman and Tillman.