Marcus received his master's degree in Architecture from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, and a BFA in Industrial Design from the Rhode Island School of Design. In 2013, machine work by Shaffer and students in the Departments of Architecture, Dance, and Engineering was recognized nationally by the ACSA (Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture) with a Creative Achievement Award (shared with Peter Aeschbacher). Shaffer is the author of two books; Rise Tectonic Machines! Construct the Exigent City! and Architecture Machines Volume 1: Exploring, Expanding, and Transmitting Building in the Machine Age. He currently divides his time between University Park, Pennsylvania; Providence, Rhode Island; and Seoul, South Korea.