Architecture is not just our profession, it’s our passion
Through intelligent and imaginative design, we solve problems and we’re passionate about doing so. In fact, one of our co-founders, John Sabatini, always used to say: “There are no problems, only opportunities.” In architecture, opportunities can only be taken to their full potential through a thoughtful design process that engages clients at every juncture.
We are committed to building relationships as much as we are committed to creating effective and aesthetic designs. Please take a moment to get to know us. We look forward to meeting you as well.
John Marshall
Owner and Principal Architect
John Marshall has been an owner of Marshall Sabatini since it began in 2003. He received his Bachelor of Architecture Degree from Drexel University. John is a member of both the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB), and sits on the Haverford Township Historic Commission. John is licensed in the following 15 states: PA, NJ, DE, NY, OH, IL, MD, NC, SC, VA, WV, DC, GA, FL, and CO.
John’s 28 years of experience in the field of architecture allowed him to step into a role at Marshall Sabatini as a supervisor for all company projects, ranging from customized residential new construction and additions to large scale commercial projects. John also manages client relations as well as the firm’s day-to-day operations. He resides in Havertown, PA with his wife and has three children.
Portfolio
For over 28 years, John Marshall has worked on various aspects of residential and commercial projects. John provided architectural design, documentation, and construction administration services to hundreds of clients and thousands of projects over his professional career.
As principal for Marshall Sabatini, John has led and supervised award-winning residential projects for developers such as Centex Homes, Orleans Homebuilders, J.P. Orleans, Lennar Homes, Regal Homes, K. Hovnanian Companies, The Evergreene Companies, Larken Associates, and Pulte Home Corporation.
John has been involved with the design work and/or construction management of many custom residential projects. Some of those projects were recognized with prestigious awards including the Lower Merion Historical Architectural Review Board’s Historic Preservation Award, Pennsylvania’s Historic Preservation Award, SAM Award, Synergy Award, and a Monument Award.
John has coordinated successful healthcare projects for Penn Medicine, Shore Memorial, Lehigh Valley Health Network in Allentown, Wilmington Surgicenter for Christiana Care Health Services, Johns Hopkins at Whitemarsh Medical Office Building, and the Oncology Suite for St. Luke’s. He has led teams of industry professionals to design and build telecommunications’ facilities for AT&T, Comcast, and PF.Net / Velocita.
John’s designs helped Campus Apartments – a construction and leasing company focused on student housing — enhance the living environments for students at University of Pennsylvania, the University of North Carolina, the University of Richmond, and North Carolina State.
For several years, John and his team designed and managed multiple projects for the Philadelphia Suburban Development Corporation, including Young Scholars Charter School. He also managed projects at the Philadelphia and Georgia campuses of the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, including the School of Pharmacy and the Clinical Learning Assessment Center.
Why Architecture?
“I do feel there is something innate in those of us who choose to be architects, and we often start showing signs of this love of designing and building from an early age.
I find architecture to be a fascinating field in which I am continually in awe of the array of design work my contemporaries and I are able to produce. The late Scandinavian architect, Alvar Aalto, is someone I’ve always admired. I see the impact of his simple lines and organic details impacting our profession today.”
John DiNuovo
Senior Associate
John (Dino as many call him) acquired his Architecture Degree from Temple University and has over 30 years of experience in the architecture field. He is an asset to Marshall Sabatini because of his tenure in the profession and because of his expertise in code review, compliance, detailing, and project management. The three words he uses to describe our company are the same ones Marshall Sabatini uses to describe him: courteous, diligent, and respectful. Perhaps that’s why he has been with the company since the beginning. Dino resides in Coatesville, PA with his wife of 23 years.
Portfolio
Dino often leads projects, coordinating the design and documentation on single and multi-family plans. He also has experience on many diverse design assignments such as student housing, higher education facilities, research labs, adult congregate care, retail centers, and tenant office spaces.
Dino has been instrumental in the coordination of the design and documentation of projects for Pearl Properties, the Devereux Foundation, Melmark, Vistaloft Student Apartments, Delanco Township Municipal Building, Pulte Homes, Larken Associates, K. Hovnanian Companies, and Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine Georgia Campus and Philadelphia Campus.
He has provided the leadership on design teams for urban infill affordable housing projects in Trenton and Newark, NJ.
Dino also has recent experience on several healthcare projects for Lehigh Valley Hospital, Penn Medicine, and Shore Memorial. And he managed the design team for a new 60,000 square foot office building for Jillamy (Mode Transportation).
Why Architecture?
“I specifically remember always loving the ornamentation and detailing of buildings. And I must have loved it enough to turn down the Air Force Academy and Coast Guard Academy to study architecture instead. Architecture is a field in which the bar is set high. To choose it as a profession, you have to be comfortable breaking new ground while relying on the value that those before us have provided. In my opinion there are five masters of modern architecture: Frank Lloyd Wright, Alvar Alto, Henri Renee Macintosh, Louis Kahn, and Carlo Scarpa.”
Julie Bruner
Project Architect
Julie graduated from Philadelphia University with a Bachelor of Architecture Degree and is a Registered Architect in Pennsylvania. Julie has over a decade of professional experience working on both residential and commercial projects. She has been a member of our team since its inception in 2003, and we are delighted to have someone with her talent and ability on board. Julie lives in the Philadelphia suburbs with her husband and three children.
Portfolio
Julie has managed successful single-family and townhouse projects for residential real estate development companies such as Centex Homes and The Evergreene Companies. She has also worked on a variety of residential plan designs for Pulte Homes, J.P. Orleans, Lennar, and Campus Apartments, to name a few.
As far as custom residential work, Julie has extensive experience in the Main Line Area, designing both small and large- scale renovation projects with a thorough attention to detail. Her work on a home in Havertown and collaboration with the builder yielded an award from the Homebuilders Association of Delaware & Chester Counties, and a custom project in Ardmore resulted in a beautiful blend of modern amenities and old Victorian charm that delighted the homeowners.
Julie’s recent commercial portfolio includes a new 60,000 square foot facility for Jillamy (Mode Transportation) headquarters, which required precise and careful coordination between the various disciplines involved.
Why Architecture?
“I got interested in art and the creative process at a very early age. My ambition was always to draw things as realistically as possible—portraits, landscapes, still-life arrangements, anything.
When I was about 12 years old, my family went to visit friends of my parents, who lived in a custom-built house. That visit activated a new part of my brain. When I was introduced to technical drafting during high school, I completely embraced it: precision was what I loved most about drawing. I decided to pursue architecture because it allowed me to create in a very technical/methodical way as well as an abstract/conceptual one. Architecture has become the perfect avenue for blending my passions for precision and creativity.”
Mike Opdahl
Mike joined our team in 2014 after receiving a Bachelors of Architecture degree from Philadelphia University. Mike is a project coordinator who directs both commercial and custom residential projects for our firm. He is able to create diagrams that deliver both visually and functionally for our clients; capturing the ideas and dreams they expressed in our initial conversations. Mike’s creativity, knowledge and commitment to his work make him a great team member and an asset to Marshall Sabatini.
Mike appreciates the close-knit environment of Marshall Sabatini and how he can be involved in a project from its earliest stage through to its completion. When not working he enjoys creative writing, reading, and hiking the trails around Philadelphia. He currently resides in the Roxborough neighborhood of Philadelphia with his wife Emily.
Portfolio
Mike’s portfolio includes a wide selection of residential and commercial projects. He has worked with the commercial construction company, Campus Apartments, overseeing various types of projects from start to finish including fraternities, sororities, apartments, and offices. Mike has also updated two timeshare building models for the expansion of the Split Rock Resort in the Poconos. On the residential side, he has managed and drafted several complex custom home renovations and additions.
Like all of our architects, his goal for every project is to create a space that delivers both visually and functionally. He believes a creative solution is always there to be found; one that works with clients and their budget, without sacrificing design.
Why Architecture
“It is not a surprise I became an architect. As a child, I spent many hours working with my father in his wood shop in the garage. Drawing and sketching was a big hobby of mine growing up, as was playing with Legos, Knex and Lincoln Logs.
“There are two architects I admire and try to emulate in my work. The first is architect Peter Zumthor for his use of material and lighting to create intimate engaging spaces out of simplified architecture. I also appreciate John Lautner for his use of organic, geometric forms and his idea that each work should have a ‘total concept’. This means each piece works together to create a singular experience. I try to emulate both in my work.”
Kevin Peters
In addition to his design work, Kevin specializes in project coordination and client relations for Marshall Sabatini. He received a Bachelors of Architecture from Philadelphia University and joined our team in December of 2013. Kevin’s work ethic and ability to meet client needs and deadlines are exceptional; and make him a key addition to our company.
Kevin believes how Marshall Sabatini approaches complex problems and solves them as a team, is the best part of working here. Playing hockey since the age of 5 has made him view life, particularly his professional life as a team endeavor. He currently resides in Bridgeport, PA.
Portfolio
Kevin has managed several projects for two of our commercial construction partners: Lennar and J.P. Orleans. These projects include numerous townhome and single-family designs. He also assisted in the design of a clubhouse for one of these townhome communities. From schematic design to construction administration, Kevin has managed all aspects of the Pyramid Electric Lofts project in Philadelphia. On the residential side, he worked alongside one of our clients creating their dream outdoor living space: a pavilion next to their pool that includes a TV, bar and outdoor kitchen.
Kevin describes our team of architects as fearless problem solvers who always keep the end user and purpose in mind; provide clients with a space they will enjoy now; and give the community a building that will be treasured for generations.
Why Architecture
“My passion for the construction of buildings led me to take several classes in high school that ultimately took me in this direction. When a client approaches us, it isn’t just another project, it is an opportunity for us to have an effect on another life. The fact that people will be spending so much of their time interacting within a space I helped design is an honor and a privilege.
“Le Corbusier was one of the first architects I studied. His philosophies and five points of architecture have stayed with me, and undoubtedly influence the work I do everyday.”
Chris Marucci
Chris has been a part of Marshall Sabatini since 2019 when he was brought on as a summer intern. After graduating with a Bachelors of Architecture degree from Jefferson University in 2020, he became a full-time member of the team. Chris is an exceptional project coordinator, and he is currently working towards becoming a licensed architect in the state of Pennsylvania.
Portfolio
Despite being the team’s most recent addition, Chris has already experienced a wide variety of project types ranging from additions and renovations to single-family homes to large scale multi-family apartment buildings. He also has experience in building information modeling (BIM) stemming from his previous work with an MEP coordination firm.
Why Architecture
“Believe it or not, I got into architecture as an accident. I signed up for an AutoCAD class in high school thinking that it was something completely different. Instead of switching classes, I saw it as an opportunity to branch out and learn about an entirely new subject. Through that class I ended up developing a passion for the profession, and I’m still driven to learn more.”
Jason Szor
Jason joined the team in 2018 as our Director of Operations. Originally from Connecticut, Jason transitioned to Philadelphia for school where he received his Bachelor of Architecture Degree from Temple University. Jason is a member of the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) and a LEED accredited professional. He is licensed in the states of PA, NJ, DE, NY, VA, NC, and SC.
Jason brings over 20 years of experience to the Marshall Sabatini team. He has previously worked for two award winning architectural firms as well as an award winning national homebuilder. This diverse experience has given him an insight into what is important to both small custom builders and large national builders as well as their clients and home buyers. Jason resides in Northeastern Philadelphia with his wife Amy and their two children.
Portfolio
Jason has a wide range of experience in both residential and commercial design. He previously served as the in-house architect for Orleans Homebuilders where he managed the design development and production of all the residential architecture nationwide. At his own firm Jason was able to meet his clients’ needs for a variety of project types ranging from custom single family homes to mid-rise multi-family housing.
As the previous owner of a small architectural firm, Jason has the mindset of an owner as well as a producer of design and construction documentation. His experience provides an additional level of management and oversight to the team as a whole.
Why Architecture
“I became involved in the residential construction industry at a very young age. It’s somewhat of a family business as I am the son of a custom home builder and remodeler. While I was visiting colleges I had the opportunity to visit I.M. Pei’s architecture office. His design work and the collaborative atmosphere of his studio left a lasting impression that led me to pursue a career in architecture.”
