For as long as he can remember, Rosario Mannino has wanted to be an architect. But the New Jersey-native often found himself caught between two passions: design and construction. After studying architecture at FAU and construction project management at NYU, his path led him to designing A-list celebrity homes in Boca Raton, FL. When it came time to start his Rutherford, NJ firm Mannino Architects + Builders back in 2015, everyone told him he had to pick: design or construction. Ever the pioneer, Mannino founded his firm to do both, serving as a single source for clients to build a new home.

Mannino’s style is driven by his client’s vision, lifestyle and the environment. With a design aesthetic featuring natural materials and proper proportions, his team focuses on bringing a project together from concept to completion. “we’ll meet with a client before the even have land.” Mannino says. “We will review properties with your clients’ realtors and help shop the possibilities. We’re holding their hand all the way through the process — a one-stop-shop for the home of your dreams.”

More interesting though, is the standard of design Mannino Architects upholds. The firm has a true “design first” mentality with the mission to create beautiful homes. From sealing the first drawings to installing tile and plumbing fixtures, Mannino brings each project to life through one personalized vision. With a cabinetry design studio divisions and licensed architect at the helm. They consider details like a home’s flow and how each space transitions to the next.

“What type of experience do you want when you enter? Do you want a space with a popping view? Or one with compartmentalized rooms that are more defined? These are the details we discuss with our clients when space planning. The design should respond to its particular place, enhance a neighborhood and above all, be a natural partner with the environment.”