The College began in 1998 when a small team, led by John Paul Huguley, created the School of the Building Arts (SoBA) in Charleston, South Carolina. Inspired by legendary Charleston master artisan, Philip Simmons, SoBA was established to solve the growing problem in building preservation that became evident in 1989 when Hurricane Hugo swept through Charleston and severely damaged many of the city’s historic structures. Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr. and the citizens of Charleston sought to restore these buildings to their historic glory by using traditional building methods and materials. It was discovered that, in spite of Charleston’s commitment to historic preservation, there were only a few local craftsmen trained and qualified for the task. The lack of master craftsmen is not unique to Charleston as quality design and craftsmanship training have been steadily declining throughout the nation.
After the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education licensed the School to begin recruiting on July 8, 2004, the name of the institution was changed to the American College of the Building Arts to more accurately reflect its place in the American educational hierarchy.
Old Charleston Jail
The Old Charleston Jail is the heart of the College’s campus and home to the General Education classes and to the Masonry, Plaster Working, and Architectural Stone programs. Completed in 1802, the Jail is in the heart of Charleston and an official "Save America's Treasures" project of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the White House Millennium Council. Upon acquisition of the Jail in 2000, after it had sat vacant for 61 years, an emergency stabilization program commenced to meet the immediate needs of this historic property. Preservation efforts have been ongoing for much of the past ten years as the building takes on a new identity as a school. Part of the satisfaction in attending ACBA is the ability to directly impact your college’s campus by working on the building. In many cases, lessons can not only be applied in the classroom but to the classroom.
Trolley Barn
The Trolley Barn located on Upper Meeting Street was constructed in 1897 when the city’s horse drawn trolley system surrendered to electricity. Then known as the Charleston City Railway Car House, the building was used for mass transit purposes first by the trolleys and later by the bus system until the Interstate-26 was constructed in the 1960s. Today, ACBA is formulating plans to redevelop the building is being redeveloped and will one day be the home of the Trade Program.
James Island Workshop
Located at 1725 Signal Point Road on James Island, this workshop facility is the current home to the Carpentry, Timber Framing, and Architectural Metal Programs.
Our students are in the enviable position of being part of the growth, preservation and history of this new college.
