After being sought after by several non-profit housing agencies, Robert left academia in 1989 to address the housing needs of rural New York. Beginning at home in a converted bedroom, the firm of Robert L. Marshall Architect, PC was born. Within a year the small firm moved into an office, and by 1995 the firm had grown to 12 people. That same year, it opened a branch office in Salt Lake City, UT. The opportunities of the Salt Lake office quickly outweighed those of the Syracuse office and the decision was made to move the office permanently to Utah. With a solid base in Utah, the firm now serves 14 other states. From its conception until today, the firm has always made the needs of the client its priority, while continuing to focus on enriching the environment.