CIRCLE Design Studio’s award-winning body of work is the product of extensive collaboration between our hyper-creative and technically competent partners. A one-person design is limited. That is why both John and Theresa (Certified Interior Designers) are involved in your design from the concept to the final touches. And while they put a premium on collaboration, they each have their own lead roles throughout the design process. During the concept and design stages, Theresa leads the information gathering and client collaboration, encouraging you to dream big, but also not forget the small details. Both she and John create concept sketches, 3D models, and drawings that lay out every detail of your new project. John then leads the execution and oversight of the construction process. His architectural expertise and strong project management skills guarantee flawless results. Just look at our portfolio page and you'll see what that looks like!
John is co-founder of CIRCLE Design Studio and holds three Virginia licenses: Architect, Certified Interior Designer, and Class A Contractor.
He has a B.S. in Art from James Madison University, with an emphasis in interior architecture and a minor in Art History. He completed his graduate studies at Arizona State University with a Master's Degree of Architecture and Environmental Design.
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John's work at Studio Daniel Libeskind has been featured at exhibits at the Venice Biennale in 2004 and The New York Center for Architecture in 2005. From 2007-2014, John worked in VIrginia's leading firms, VMDO and RRMM, designing educational environments.
His strength is in project management and construction administration and why he established CIRCLE Design Build, our contracting division in 2015.
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Theresa is an NCIDQ, Virginia and Maryland State Certified Interior Designer with fifteen years of experience practicing in Arizona, Florida, and Virginia within residential and several areas of commercial design including corporate, educational, and hospitality. Born in New Dehli, India, her creativity is influenced by her upbringing in most parts of Asia including The Philippines, Japan, and Thailand.
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Theresa has experience teaching at university-level design programs such as Arizona State University and James Madison University. She has design interests in custom furniture, fabrication, and all media of fashion: makeup, clothing, and jewelry.
THERESA A.C. DORLINI, CID, ASID
SENIOR DESIGNER | email
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EDUCATION
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2001
Bachelor of Science in Design
emph: Interior Architecture
Arizona State University
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TEACHING
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2007-2008
Adjunct Faculty
James Madison University
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2002-2003
Faculty Associate
Arizona State University
JOHN T.H. DORLINI, CID, LEED BD+C
ARCHITECT | email
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EDUCATION
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2004
Masters of Architecture
Arizona State University
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2000
Bachelor of Science in Art
emph: Interior Design
James Madison University
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STEFANIE PENNINGTON, LEED GA
JUNIOR DESIGNER | email
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EDUCATION
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2012
Bachelor of Science in Interior Design
Virginia Polytechnic Institute
and State University
Stefanie joined CIRCLE Design Studio in July 2013 as a Junior Designer, assisting with all realms of the creative and administrative processes of our business.
She was heavily involved in the launch of CIRCLE's retail website www.StudioD6.com and maintaining our vendor accounts with the leading furniture retailers in the country.
Along with a comprehensive education from Virginia Tech, she is LEED certified. Her favorite aspect of design is giving new life to the old by restoring and repurposing.
DESIGNERS
NATALIE MONDAY
DESIGN ASSOCIATE | email
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EDUCATION
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2008
Bachelor of Architecture
VirginiaPolytechnic Institute
and State University
Natalie heads up CIRCLE's Richmond office and brings an architectural background with six years of experience in a corporate architecture and engineering firm. She supports the Roanoke office with her 3D modeling, rendering, and graphic design talents.
In her spare time, she enjoys printing on her 100-year-old letterpress to create custom, hand-made invitations, stationary, and business cards. She also refinishes furniture and sells her wares at a local artisan shop in Carytown.
