Mark James - Design Director & RIBA Chartered Practice Status

Mark James, a Chartered Architect, has recently joined the Practice as Design Director.

Mark has over a decade of local experience, primarily focused on residential architecture. Mark’s portfolio spans single-family homes, larger housing developments, conversions, and extensions, alongside work on commercial and mixed-use schemes.

We are also pleased to continue the RIBA Chartered Practice Status in addition to our chartered status with the RTPI and CIAT.

After graduating from Birmingham City University in 2014, Mark returned to Cornwall, where he has successfully led numerous projects from concept to completion.

Mark’s strong technical background enables him to provide expert guidance on construction methods and detailing, ensuring the highest standards of quality throughout both the design and construction process. His collaborative approach fosters effective communication among clients, consultants, and contractors, resulting in the successful achievement of project goals.

Dedicated to staying ahead of industry trends, materials, and technologies, Mark integrates innovative design solutions that enhance both functionality and aesthetic appeal. He is also committed to mentoring his team, fostering a culture of continuous learning and promoting best practices in design and project delivery.

Mark said, “I’m excited to join the team at Laurence Associates, and contribute my experience to the existing studio’s strengths. I look forward to supporting the talented design team to deliver a diverse range of projects, working closely with our expert in house planning and landscape teams. Together, we will continue to deliver innovative spaces that truly connect with the inspiring Cornish landscapes we live and work in”.

Jason Pledger said, “We are delighted to welcome Mark as the new Design Director at Laurence Associates. Mark has a wealth of experience across a wide range of sectors, especially the residential sector, which will provide excellent strength to the planning process and his strong technical knowledge and experience will provide guidance to the technical team. Mark has excellent leadership skills, and we are all very excited to see how he develops and shapes the studio in the future”.

All posts

Celebrating 20 Years of Leadership – Richard Marsden

Appeal Success Near St Ives

BNG Exemption for Small Development Sites

Understanding the Design Brief Service at Laurence Associates

Property Development Forum

Redruth Housing Scheme Approved

From sketch to reality the power of visualisation in design development

Barn Conversion Approved West Cornwall

Construction Drawings Explained: What They Include and Why They Matter

Attending Women in Business Breakfast at Truro Golf Club

Architecture Vogue – Sand Dunes

Housing Land Supply Changes: What They Mean for Planning

National Planning Policy Framework

SEC1 Compliance & Energy-Efficient Homes in Cornwall

Laurence Associates Attends Cornwall Council Planning Agents Forum

11 Bespoke Holiday Units Designed for Mawgan Porth

Town Planner Vacancy – Planning Careers UK

Laurence Associates at Business Fest South West Westpoint

Cornwall Council ‘Call For Sites’

Architecture Vogue – Higher Harlyn

Securing Consent for 11 Bespoke Holiday Units in Mawgan Porth

Appeal Success – Removing Occupancy Condition

A considered evolution of a familiar form

Grade II Listed Farmstead Planning Success

A Collaborative Approach to Creating Meaningful Spaces

James Vivian Promoted to Associate Director

Construction Excellence Southwest Summit 2026

Permission in Principle Secured for 4 to 9 Dwellings in North Hill

Residential Project Site Update | Progress on Site

Planning Appeal Success in Cornwall National Landscape

The Built Environment Network – Trevelver Farm

Appeal Success: Caravan Site Approved in Cornwall

Final Days at the Devon County Show for Laurence Associates

Current Vacancies – Planner / Senior Planner

Breaking Ground: New Project Progress

Porthcothan Site Update: Residential Planning Progress

St Piran’s Day 2026 – Celebrating Cornwall’s Heritage

Sensitive Dwelling Alterations Approved by Council

Coastal Home Design in Devon & Cornwall

A Tailored Approach to Conceptual Design

New Project Collection Coming Soon

Restronguet Point – a room with a view

Planning Permission Secured for Padstow Conservation Area Outbuildings

Laurence Associates Expands with New Office in Exeter

Design Appraisals UK | Site Feasibility and Planning Assessments

Team Attends Michelmore’s Property Development Club in Exeter

A Guide to Our Planning Application Process

Rural Outbuilding Conversion Secures Planning Consent

Contemporary Roof Extension in Cornwall | Sustainable Residential Design

Cornwall Council Housing Requirement – Laurence Associates

Grand Designs

New premises & 30 Years in the business

Current Progress on Site in Falmouth

A Busy Week of Progress Across the Practice

Cornish Replacement Dwelling Submitted for Building Regulations

Seamless Single Storey Extensions That Complement Your Home

New National Planning Policy Framework Published | Laurence Associates

Best of Houzz 2017 Design Award

Replacement Dwellings – Pushing the boundaries of Architecture

Town Planner Job Vacancy in Truro | Laurence Associates

Meet the Laurence Associates Team at Royal Cornwall Show 2026

Architecture Vogue – Enys Hill

Construction (Design & Management) Regulations 2015 – March

Padstow Conservation Area Extension Approved

Home Renovation Progress Falmouth

Vickery Holman Market Review

Architect Jobs in Cornwall | Architect Vacancy in Truro | Laurence Associates

Laurence Associates Sponsors Rosudgeon and Kenneggy Cricket Club

Planning Appeal Success for Permission in Principle Scheme

A Contemporary Coastal Home by Laurence Associates

Energy Consultancy Services at Laurence Associates

Self-Build and Custom Build Homes with Laurence Associates

Planning Consent Secured for Methane-Capture Facility

Why Do a Self Build?

Current Vacancies – Town Planners

Securing Planning Permission – Community Hall Poundstock

Progress Update: Shaping a Bespoke Home

Conditional Planning Permission Secured for Five Homes in Bodmin

Adaptive Reuse Architecture | Blending Heritage with Modern Design

Laurence Associates Attending Ashfords Business Breakfast

Coastal Cornish Home Design | Contemporary Architecture

Why Part T Is Changing Commercial Design More Than You Think

Laurence Associates at Groundsure Women in Property

Laurence Associates at Groundsure Women in Property

Architecture Vogue – Eyebrid

Elmhurst Energy CPD

Housing Schemes in Cornwall That Truly Work for People

Three Successful Planning Applications on One Site

Laurence Associates Welcomes New Design Director

Eco development on the sand dunes at Hayle

Planning Permission Success for Access, Parking & Facilities

Planning Approved for 5 Unrestricted Rural Homes

How to Finance a Self-Build

Laurence Associates at Kernow Construction Club

Visit Laurence Associates at the Royal Cornwall Show 2026

Grid Connection Reform and what it means for Renewable Energy Projects

Outline Planning Consent Secured for Two New Dwellings

Certificate of Lawfulness Secured for Residential Caravan Use

Planning Permission Secured for Change of Use to self-contained letting unit in Penzance

Celebrating 20 Years of Creativity and Leadership with Jason Pledger

Laurence Associates Attending Stithians Show 2026

Cornwall Local Plan Update 2028 and What It Means for Development

How to Find a Building Plot

Planning Permission Secured in Rock Cornwall

Natural Light

From Sketch to Reality: Architectural Visualisation

Laurence Associates at Stithians Show 2026 Architecture and Planning Support

New Project Showcase | A New Collection of Laurence Associates Projects

Agricultural Barn Development Advice

Summer in the City Networking Event | Laurence Associates Exeter

Building for Growth

Business Cornwall – March 2026

Planning Permission Secured for Rural Replacement Dwelling

Inside A Coastal Cornwall Residential Project

Visit Laurence Associates at the Royal Cornwall Show 2026

RIBA Safe & Healthy Environments CPD Completed

Contemporary Countryside Living: Reimagining Your Home in Cornwall

Class Q Conversions: Unlocking the Potential of Agricultural Buildings

Consent Secured for Amendments to Housing Scheme in Gweek

Principal Designer Services | CDM 2015 Compliance

Housing Land Supply Changes: What They Mean for Planning

Should I use an Architect?

Replacement Dwelling Approved Following Class Q Success

Architecture Vogue – Breakwater

Section 73 Approval for Revised Bungalow Scheme in St Erth

Cape Cornwall Club Redevelopment | Laurence Associates

Permission in Principle Success in St Austell

Building Towards a Greener Future: Our Earth Day Commitment

Planning Appeals Changes from April 2026

Laurence Associates at SLR Consulting’s Segway Olympics

Celebrating 17 Years of Dedication: James Vivian, Associate Chartered Architectural Technologist

Change of Use Approved: Takeaway to Residential in Cornwall

Planning Committee Success: Replacement Dwelling Approved

The Experts

Meet the Laurence Associates Team at Devon County Show 2026

Architecture Vogue – Smallridge Bros

Traditional Barn Conversion Approved | Building Regulations Success

Waterside Lookout

Architecture in Fowey | Laurence Associates

Laurence Associates Returning to the Royal Cornwall Show 2026

CESW Summit 2026

Exploring Contemporary Materials and Colour in Cornish Architecture

Laurence Associates Welcomes New Planning Director

River Camel Nutrient Neutrality Update 2026: Bodmin Removed

Ana Coelho promoted to Senior Chartered Architect

Rural Exception Scheme Approved in Perran Downs

Sensitive Design Approach for Barn Conversion Window Proposal

Laurence Associates prepares for Royal Cornwall Show 2026

Neighbourhood Plan Regulation Changes 2026

Considering a Home Extension?

Planning and Designing Padel Courts for the UK’s Fastest Growing Sport

Successful Appeal Secured on Caravan Use and Building Definition

Tom Evans Promoted to Junior Planner

Laurence Associates Featured in Salt Magazine

Work Experience Week: Exploring Architecture and Structural Engineering

Planning Permission Success for Barn Conversion

Securing Planning Permission – Greenbank Hotel Falmouth

Every Project Has More Than One Story to Tell

Penzance Business Breakfast

3D Modelling an image speaks a thousand words

Cornwall Building Regulations Update Event 2026

Master Planning That Creates Places for the Future

Four Dwellings Approved Following Outline Consent

Architecture Vogue – Maen Valley

Conversion in the Countryside: Securing Planning for a Rural Bothy

Planning Success in Tintagel

Visit Laurence Associates at the Devon County Show This Week

Energy Statements: Why They Matter for Planning Applications

Laurence Associates – Royal Cornwall Show 2025

Our First Newsletter Is Live | Latest Projects, News & Events

Planning Committee Reforms in England What You Need to Know

Property Development Forum

Outline Approval for Three New Homes in St Keyne

Laurence Associates at Stithians Show 2026

Appeal Success for Agricultural Workers Dwelling Near Penzance

Seaside Sensation

Farm Diversification Opportunities in the Southwest

Bespoke Architectural Design Process

Where Design Meets Detail: The Role of Materials in Architecture

Laurence Associates Attending Townsend Landowner Seminar

Laurence Associates at Stithians Show 2026

Planning Appeal Success to Building Regulations Approval

Graphisoft UK Awards 2024 – Small Project Of The Year: Under £5 Million

Outline Planning Consent for Hotel and Restaurant Development in Cornwall

Community Sponsorship St Just RFC

Section 73 Planning Success for Self-Build in Cornwall | Laurence Associates

Barn Conversions Under Class Q and Class R

Non-Material Amendment Success

Happy Easter from Laurence Associates

Laurence Associates to Exhibit at Devon County Show 2026

Planning Appeal Success for Equestrian Building

Designing Homes Shaped by Landscape and Views in Rural Cornwall

Building Regulations Drawings: Why Detail Matters

Planning Appeals Explained | What to Do If Your Planning Application Is Refused

What is the Community Infrastructure Levy?

Work Experience Spotlight: Elsie’s Week at Laurence Associates

Certificates of Lawfulness Explained

Housing Appeal Success in West Cornwall

Laurence Associates attending Kernow Construction Club

Designing for Approval or Designing to Build?

Committee Success Secures Permission in Principle for New Homes

Replacement Dwelling in lieu of Class Q

Planning Approval for Sauna in Protected Landscape

Planning Within Cornwall’s World Heritage Site | What You Need to Know

Class Q Planning Permission

Why Do I Need a Professional Consultant’s Certificate?

International Women’s Day at Laurence Associates

Laurence Associates – Royal Cornwall Show 2024

Laurence Associates Supports the Peloton Charity Golf Day 2026

Architecture Vogue – Humble Cottage

Architectural Technician Job in Truro Cornwall | Part 2 Architectural Assistant

Securing Five Unrestricted Homes in Mawgan Porth

Functional Living in a Contemporary Cornish Home

Why Involve Landscape Architects in Biodiversity Net Gain Proposals

Architecture Vogue – Greenbank Hotel

What does the new Part O of the Building Regulations mean for a new home?

Rural Enterprise – Helping Rural Business Flourish

A First Look: Behind the Scenes of Our Latest Completed Project

Design and Placemaking PPG out now

Feock replacement dwelling project overview

Creating Flow and Connection Within the Home

Unlocking Potential Through Replacement

Town Planner Job Vacancy in Truro | Laurence Associates

Architectural Technician Job in Truro Cornwall | Part 2 Architectural Assistant

Architect Jobs in Cornwall | Architect Vacancy in Truro | Laurence Associates

Planning Permission for Community Garden Redevelopment in Newquay

Creating Seamless Indoor Outdoor Living Spaces

Building for Growth

Campsite Certificate and Replacement Dwelling Approval Cornwall

Construction Excellence Southwest Cornwall Summer Boat Trip

Navigating Building Regulations in Cornwall: A Design Led Approach

Small Housing Schemes

A positive appeal decision for Laurence Associates

Current Vacancies – Senior Landscape Architect

Designing for Legacy, Lifestyle and Longevity

Planning changes from April 2026: why expert advice matters more than ever

Affordable Housing Success

Regen Planning Conference

Building Safety Act | Building Regulations Principal Designer

Planning consent secured for replacement wind turbine

Supporting the Interior Design Journey Through Architecture

Laurence Associates to Attend Business Fest

Powering the Future: Repowering Wind Turbines Across the UK

Contemporary Countryside Living: Reimagining Your Home in Cornwall

East Allington Permission in Principle success for five new homes

Planning Approved for Farmhouse Extension on Bodmin Moor

Planning Approval Secured for Multi-Generational Home in Feock