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

A Collaborative Approach to Creating Meaningful Spaces

Best of Houzz 2017 Design Award

Understanding the Design Brief Service at Laurence Associates

Why Do I Need a Professional Consultant’s Certificate?

Appeal Success Near St Ives

Laurence Associates at Stithians Show 2026 Architecture and Planning Support

Visit Laurence Associates at the Devon County Show This Week

Two Dwellings Approved in Roseland Peninsula National Landscape

Replacement Dwellings – Pushing the boundaries of Architecture

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Regen Planning Conference

Neighbourhood Plan Regulation Changes 2026

Elmhurst Energy CPD

Housing Appeal Success in West Cornwall

Architecture Vogue – Maen Valley

Laurence Associates Welcomes New Planning Director

Affordable Housing Success

Laurence Associates attending Kernow Construction Club

Laurence Associates Sponsors Rosudgeon and Kenneggy Cricket Club

Laurence Associates to Exhibit at Devon County Show 2026

Polzeath Campsite Secures Year-Round Planning Permission

Securing Planning Permission – Community Hall Poundstock

Campsite Certificate and Replacement Dwelling Approval Cornwall

Planning Approved for 5 Unrestricted Rural Homes

Contemporary Countryside Living: Reimagining Your Home in Cornwall

Planning Permission for Community Garden Redevelopment in Newquay

Laurence Associates at Groundsure Women in Property

Class Q Planning Permission

Meet Will | Architectural Assistant at Laurence Associates

Sensitive Dwelling Alterations Approved by Council

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

Laurence Associates at Groundsure Women in Property

How to Find a Building Plot

Laurence Associates Welcomes New Design Director

Laurence Associates at Stithians Show 2026

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BNG Exemption for Small Development Sites

Certificates of Lawfulness Explained

Town Planner Vacancy – Planning Careers UK

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Laurence Associates at Business Fest South West Westpoint

Four Dwellings Approved Following Outline Consent

Laurence Associates Attending Townsend Landowner Seminar

Conditional Planning Permission Secured for Five Homes in Bodmin

Laurence Associates at Stithians Show 2026

Planning Committee Reforms in England What You Need to Know

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

Outline Planning Consent Secured for Two New Dwellings

Design Appraisals UK | Site Feasibility and Planning Assessments

A Guide to Our Planning Application Process

Building Safety Act | Building Regulations Principal Designer

Barn Conversions Under Class Q and Class R

Securing Consent for 11 Bespoke Holiday Units in Mawgan Porth

Laurence Associates Attends Cornwall Council Planning Agents Forum

Happy Easter from Laurence Associates

Certificate of Lawfulness Secured for Residential Caravan Use

Grand Designs

Laurence Associates Becomes a Certified B Corporation | Cornwall

Contemporary Home Renovation

Blending Architecture into the Devon Countryside Through Materiality

Current Vacancies – Senior Landscape Architect

Sensitive Design Approach for Barn Conversion Window Proposal

Permission in Principle Success in St Austell

Meet Tait | Architectural Assistant at Laurence Associates

Housing Schemes in Cornwall That Truly Work for People

Town Planner Job Vacancy in Truro | Laurence Associates

Cornish Replacement Dwelling Submitted for Building Regulations

Every Project Has More Than One Story to Tell

Architecture Vogue – Smallridge Bros

Construction Excellence Southwest Summit 2026

Creating Seamless Indoor Outdoor Living Spaces

Laurence Associates Returning to the Royal Cornwall Show 2026

Permission in Principle Secured for Six New Dwellings in Redruth

Rural Exception Scheme Approved in Perran Downs

Laurence Associates at Groundsure Women in Property

Business Cornwall – March 2026

New Project Collection Coming Soon

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

Planning Appeal Allowed Near Helston for 6 to 9 Dwellings

Permission in Principle Secured for One Dwelling in Treleigh, Cornwall

Progress Update: Shaping a Bespoke Home

A Tailored Approach to Conceptual Design

Designing for Approval or Designing to Build?

Meet the Laurence Associates Team at Royal Cornwall Show 2026

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

Building Regulations Approval for a Contemporary Home

Powering the Future: Repowering Wind Turbines Across the UK

Architectural Technician Job in Truro Cornwall | Part 2 Architectural Assistant

Property Development Forum

RIBA Safe & Healthy Environments CPD Completed

Seaside Sensation

Cottage Renovation & Contemporary Extension in St Austell, Cornwall

Securing Planning Permission – Greenbank Hotel Falmouth

Cornwall Council ‘Call For Sites’

Considering a Home Extension?

Planning Appeal Success in Cornwall National Landscape

Creating Flow and Connection Within the Home

Planning Permission Secured for Padstow Conservation Area Outbuildings

Unlocking Potential Through Replacement

Designing for Legacy, Lifestyle and Longevity

Bespoke Architectural Design Process

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Design and Placemaking PPG out now

Laurence Associates – Royal Cornwall Show 2024

CESW Summit 2026

Planning Permission Secured for Rural Replacement Dwelling

A considered evolution of a familiar form

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Summer in the City Networking Event | Laurence Associates Exeter

Penzance Business Breakfast

Residential Project Site Update | Progress on Site

Planning Success in Tintagel

East Allington Permission in Principle success for five new homes

International Women’s Day at Laurence Associates

The Experts

Laurence Associates at SLR Consulting’s Segway Olympics

Laurence Associates Expands with New Office in Exeter

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Housing Land Supply Changes: What They Mean for Planning

Cornwall Planning Constraints & NPPF Updates | Laurence Associates

Planning Appeal Success for Equestrian Building

Farm Diversification Opportunities in the Southwest

Coastal Cornish Home Design | Contemporary Architecture

A Contemporary Coastal Home by Laurence Associates

Laurence Associates at the CLA Southwest AGM

New Project Showcase | A New Collection of Laurence Associates Projects

River Camel Nutrient Neutrality Update 2026: Bodmin Removed

From Sketch to Reality: Architectural Visualisation

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

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

Waterside Lookout

Supporting the Interior Design Journey Through Architecture

Principal Designer Services | CDM 2015 Compliance

Porthcothan Site Update: Residential Planning Progress

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

Cornwall Council Housing Requirement – Laurence Associates

Architecture Vogue – Eyebrid

Attending Women in Business Breakfast at Truro Golf Club

Tom Evans Promoted to Junior Planner

Architecture Vogue – Humble Cottage

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

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Planning Permission Success for Barn Conversion

Welcome Igor Talbot to Laurence Associates | Graduate Planner

Planning consent secured for replacement wind turbine

Planning Appeal Success to Building Regulations Approval

Grade II Listed Farmstead Planning Success

Class Q Conversions: Unlocking the Potential of Agricultural Buildings

Replacement Dwelling in lieu of Class Q

Laurence Associates at the CESW Cornwall Club Black Tie Ball

Laurence Associates to Attend Business Fest

Cornwall Local Plan Update 2028 and What It Means for Development

Consent Secured for Amendments to Housing Scheme in Gweek

New Project Collection Coming Soon

Ana Coelho promoted to Senior Chartered Architect

Meet the Laurence Associates Team at Devon County Show 2026

Cape Cornwall Club Redevelopment | Laurence Associates

Three Successful Planning Applications on One Site

Community Sponsorship St Just RFC

Barn Conversion Approved West Cornwall

Small Housing Schemes

Planning Approval Secured for Multi-Generational Home in Feock

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Seamless Single Storey Extensions That Complement Your Home

Designing Homes Shaped by Landscape and Views in Rural Cornwall

Appeal Success – Removing Occupancy Condition

Celebrating 20 Years of Leadership – Richard Marsden

3D Modelling an image speaks a thousand words

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Adaptive Reuse Architecture | Blending Heritage with Modern Design

Conversion in the Countryside: Securing Planning for a Rural Bothy

Natural Light

Laurence Associates Featured in Salt Magazine

Restronguet Point – a room with a view

Coastal Home Design in Devon & Cornwall

Planning Approval for Sauna in Protected Landscape

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Architecture Vogue – Greenbank Hotel

Outline Approval for Three New Homes in St Keyne

Securing Five Unrestricted Homes in Mawgan Porth

Outline Planning Consent for Hotel and Restaurant Development in Cornwall

From sketch to reality the power of visualisation in design development

Agricultural Barn Development Advice

New premises & 30 Years in the business

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

Appeal Success for Agricultural Workers Dwelling Near Penzance

Functional Living in a Contemporary Cornish Home

Visit Laurence Associates at the Royal Cornwall Show 2026

SEC1 Compliance & Energy-Efficient Homes in Cornwall

Traditional Barn Conversion Approved | Building Regulations Success

Final Days at the Devon County Show for Laurence Associates

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A Busy Week of Progress Across the Practice

Architecture Vogue – Sand Dunes

Planning Permission Success for Access, Parking & Facilities

Current Vacancies – Planner / Senior Planner

Vickery Holman Market Review

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

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Building Regulations Drawings: Why Detail Matters

Eco development on the sand dunes at Hayle

Property Development Forum

11 Bespoke Holiday Units Designed for Mawgan Porth

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James Vivian Promoted to Associate Director

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Architecture Vogue – Breakwater

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

Change of Use Approved: Takeaway to Residential in Cornwall

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Laurence Associates Attending Stithians Show 2026

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

RIBA Stage 4 Part 2: Taking Your Design from Approval to Construction

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Construction (Design & Management) Regulations 2015 – March

Work Experience Week: Exploring Architecture and Structural Engineering

Committee Success Secures Permission in Principle for New Homes

Inside A Coastal Cornwall Residential Project

Laurence Associates Attending Ashfords Business Breakfast

Padstow Conservation Area Extension Approved

Appeal Success: Caravan Site Approved in Cornwall

Planning Appeals Changes from April 2026

Laurence Associates at Kernow Construction Club

Planning Consent Secured for Methane-Capture Facility

Construction Excellence Southwest Cornwall Summer Boat Trip

Redruth Housing Scheme Approved

Laurence Associates – Royal Cornwall Show 2025

Planning Committee Success: Replacement Dwelling Approved

Non-Material Amendment Success

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

Exploring Contemporary Materials and Colour in Cornish Architecture

Planning Permission Secured in Rock Cornwall

New National Planning Policy Framework Published | Laurence Associates

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Planning Appeal Success for Permission in Principle Scheme

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The Built Environment Network – Trevelver Farm

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Replacement Dwelling Approved Following Class Q Success

Construction Drawings Explained: What They Include and Why They Matter

Visit Laurence Associates at the Royal Cornwall Show 2026

Rural Outbuilding Conversion Secures Planning Consent

Laurence Associates prepares for Royal Cornwall Show 2026

Contemporary Countryside Living: Reimagining Your Home in Cornwall

Laurence Associates Supports the Peloton Charity Golf Day 2026

Planning Approved for Farmhouse Extension on Bodmin Moor

Section 73 Approval for Revised Bungalow Scheme in St Erth

The Built Environment Network – Westcliff

Cornwall Building Regulations Update Event 2026

Architecture Vogue – Enys Hill

Energy Statements: Why They Matter for Planning Applications

Rural Enterprise – Helping Rural Business Flourish

Self-Build and Custom Build Homes with Laurence Associates

Building for Growth

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Energy Consultancy Services at Laurence Associates

Feock replacement dwelling project overview

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National Planning Policy Framework

Grid Connection Reform and what it means for Renewable Energy Projects

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Architecture Vogue – Higher Harlyn

A positive appeal decision for Laurence Associates

Home Renovation Progress Falmouth

Planning Permission Secured for Coastal Home Extension in Cornwall

Team Attends Michelmore’s Property Development Club in Exeter

Section 106 Agreement Revoked Near Porthtowan

Successful Appeal Secured on Caravan Use and Building Definition