As founding partner and Studio Director of the Philadelphia-based Shiftspace, Mario helps guide the strategic direction of the studio’s work for the design of environments, experiences and lifestyle products (under the SHIFT brand). The work and research have a modern aesthetic with a focus on mass-customization, prefabrication, and sustainable design. He is a Registered Architect with an accreditation by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards. Mario is an honors graduate from the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor of Architecture degree and a Masters degree in Advanced Architectural Design from Columbia University.

Before founding Shiftspace, he worked with KieranTimberlake, Peter Marino Associates and JXN Studio in Philadelphia, and for George Ranalli Architect and Resolution 4: Architecture in New York. Mario has been involved with award winning and published residential, commercial and institutional building projects in both national and international locations. He teaches as an adjunct professor at the University of Pennsylvania and Temple University with studio work focused on urban interventions, product design and craft. He has served as guest juror and lecturer at design schools throughout the country. Most recently, Shiftspace has run a design-build studio at the Tyler School of Art and Architecture with Temple University for the Venice Biennale in 2023 and 2025. Locally, he has served on the Facilities and Horticultural Committees for Philadelphia’s Historic Bartram’s Garden and held a position on its Board of Directors along with a design committee position for the Philadelphia AIA Chapter.