studio

About our Firm

Sebastian von Marschall Architect is a boutique residential architecture firm located in the heart of Charleston’s historic district.

Founded in 2020, the firm has completed new construction and renovation projects from Maine to Georgia. With a deep understanding of local vernacular types, the passionate team at SvMA specializes in traditional design to create comfortable spaces for modern living by incorporating classical principles, precedent research, a rigorous process, and an unwavering commitment to client satisfaction and discretion.

Interior view of a dining room with a round table and various chairs; a doorway leads to a blue room with built-in shelves, a painting of a landscape, and a chandelier. The walls have a floral wallpaper with white flowers and green leaves.

A green bookshelf filled with books and decorative objects, with a small chair stacked with books beside it, against a yellowish textured wall and a partially open white door.

A staircase with wooden handrails and spindles, carpeted steps, and framed artwork on a burnt orange wall next to a large window with multiple panes and greenery outside.

A cozy indoor patio with green walls and ceiling, decorated with tropical plants, orchids, and small tables with drinks, featuring wooden chairs and a white armchair.

A garden pathway with large stone tiles, leading through a lush garden with bushes and small trees, bordered by a black wooden building on the left and a white Victorian-style house in the background, under an overcast sky.

Porch with white columns and ceiling, decorated with potted plants, trees, and outdoor furniture, overlooking a garden with greenery and trees.

Elegant wooden staircase with white wainscoting on the walls, a large ornate gold-framed mirror on the right, a mosaic artwork on the left, and a decorative screen with floral pattern at the landing, with a chandelier hanging from the ceiling.

A dining room with floral wallpaper, red trim, a white ceiling, hardwood floors, and a white rug under a round table with a checkered tablecloth, surrounded by wooden chairs. There is a window and a door with glass panes, a mirror, and a chandelier w

Front yard with green grass, stone and brick pathway leading to a white house with a wooden door, surrounded by potted plants and flowers, and an overhanging large tree, with a larger building in the background under a clear blue sky.

View of the backyard patio area of a three-story house with beige siding, black shutters, and numerous windows. The patio has a small table with chairs, a potted plant, and garden beds with plants and flowers. There is a garden with trees and shrubs

Interior view of a home with high dark paneled walls, a large ornate chandelier hanging from the ceiling, a mounted buffalo head with horns, stained glass windows, and cozy seating area with orange and beige sofas and a round coffee table.

A bathroom with marble walls, a walk-in shower with a glass door, metallic fixtures, and a window with a plant on a nearby cabinet.

Interior view of a staircase with wooden steps, a dark handrail, and white balusters, viewed from below.

A Decade of Craft,
Rooted in Timeless Design

With a decade of experience in residential, small-scale commercial, and historical work around the country, Sebastian founded his eponymous firm in 2020 to pursue his passion for traditional architecture and design. The firm offers turnkey architectural and design services, creating timeless architecture for a contemporary lifestyle.

The firm's involvement from start to finish guarantees an uncompromising, comprehensive level of service for each project. Working closely with some of the most talented craftsmen, builders and designers, Sebastian’s team strives to make a lasting contribution to the rich architectural fabric of Charleston and beyond.

A cozy dining room with a dark gray fireplace, two orange upholstered chairs around a black table with pink flowers, gray built-in cabinets with glass doors, and a chandelier hanging from the ceiling.

Sebastian von Marschall

Principal

Sebastian received both a Bachelor's and a Master's degree in Architecture from the University of Virginia. His design aesthetic was shaped by his experience working at Peter Pennoyer Architects in New York, where his involvement with the Institute of Classical Architecture and Art further broadened his understanding of classical design principles.

He moved to Charleston, his wife's hometown, where he founded his eponymous firm in 2020. Sebastian is passionate about traditional architecture, infusing his work with classical design principles while creating exceptional spaces for contemporary living.

Sebastian is licensed in New York, Virginia, South Carolina, and Georgia.

Our Team

Ben Hess

Senior Associate

Equipped with more than 20 years of experience in custom residential design and construction in the Lowcountry and beyond, Ben contributes a unique skill set to his role as Senior Associate at Sebastian von Marschall Architect. He cherishes becoming acquainted with clients, absorbing their design vision, assisting them through the decision-making process, and sharing in the joy of that vision coming to fruition. Daily job satisfaction occurs from space planning, detail design, and communication and coordination with various project partners.

In his spare time, Ben and his wife of over 20 years, Stephanie, enjoy spending time with their daughter, shuttling her between various activities and events, and enjoying Charleston as enthusiastic city residents.

A man in a suit with a green tie stands in front of a wooden cabinet in a room with wood-paneled walls, framed pictures, and a decorative blue vase on top of the cabinet.

Will McKeachie

Associate

Will joined Sebastian von Marschall Architect after studying classical architecture and design at the American College of the Building Arts. Previously, he was a sales agent with Carolina One Real Estate. His appreciation for beautiful places and curiosity about what makes them so drew him to the world of architecture.

He enjoys his multi-faceted role at SvMA as a designer and project manager. Will received a B.S. in Mathematics from the University of Richmond.

Claire Andrew

Associate

Claire began her design studies at Virginia Tech, where she received a Bachelor of Architecture degree. She went on to receive a Master of Architecture degree from the University of Notre Dame where she studied under Duncan G. Stroik. During her graduate studies, Claire travelled in Europe and especially enjoyed documenting old churches.

She went to work in Houston, Texas where she contributed to the portfolio of a nationally-recognized traditional firm and received exceptional professional mentorship. After refining her skills in Texas, Claire returned to her native South Carolina to join the team at Sebastian von Marschall Architect.

Kate Wells

Associate

Kate received her undergraduate degree in Historic Preservation and Community Planning from the College of Charleston before attending the University of Notre Dame for her Master of Architecture degree. She lived in Rome for a semester during her graduate studies and completed a survey of Italian architecture.

She later attended the Ax:son Johnson Centre for the Study of Classical Architecture Summer School at the University of Cambridge to solidify her understanding of the English use of the classical design, which dominates the colonial American landscape. These experiences fostered a devotion to beauty and a passion for traditional design. Kate joined the SvMA team upon completing her Master’s degree.