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

Designing for Legacy, Lifestyle and Longevity

Architecture Vogue – Enys Hill

The Built Environment Network – Westcliff

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

Replacement Dwelling in lieu of Class Q

Planning Appeal Success for Equestrian Building

A Guide to Our Planning Application Process

Unlocking Potential Through Replacement

Class Q Planning Permission

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

Committee Success Secures Permission in Principle for New Homes

Architecture Vogue – Higher Harlyn

Laurence Associates at Groundsure Women in Property

Visit Laurence Associates at the Royal Cornwall Show 2026

Small Housing Schemes

Building for Growth

Summer in the City Networking Event | Laurence Associates Exeter

Campsite Certificate and Replacement Dwelling Approval Cornwall

Successful Appeal Secured on Caravan Use and Building Definition

Laurence Associates at Kernow Construction Club

Understanding the Design Brief Service at Laurence Associates

Energy Statements: Why They Matter for Planning Applications

Replacement Dwellings – Pushing the boundaries of Architecture

A Tailored Approach to Conceptual Design

Planning Appeal Success for Permission in Principle Scheme

Architecture Vogue – Smallridge Bros

Best of Houzz 2017 Design Award

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

CESW Summit 2026

Architecture Vogue – Humble Cottage

Visit Laurence Associates at the Royal Cornwall Show 2026

Laurence Associates Sponsors Rosudgeon and Kenneggy Cricket Club

Two Dwellings Approved in Roseland Peninsula National Landscape

Non-Material Amendment Success

A Collaborative Approach to Creating Meaningful Spaces

Housing Land Supply Changes: What They Mean for Planning

Traditional Barn Conversion Approved | Building Regulations Success

Attending Women in Business Breakfast at Truro Golf Club

Laurence Associates Expands with New Office in Exeter

BNG Exemption for Small Development Sites

Progress Update: Shaping a Bespoke Home

Should I use an Architect?

Designing for Approval or Designing to Build?

Adaptive Reuse Architecture | Blending Heritage with Modern Design

Meet Ellen | Architect & Passivhaus Designer at Laurence Associates

Planning Permission Secured for Coastal Home Extension in Cornwall

Meet Tait | Architectural Assistant at Laurence Associates

Outline Approval for Three New Homes in St Keyne

Cornwall Council Housing Requirement – Laurence Associates

The Experts

Current Vacancies – Town Planners

Consent Secured for Amendments to Housing Scheme in Gweek

Planning Committee Success: Replacement Dwelling Approved

Redruth Housing Scheme Approved

Happy Easter from Laurence Associates

Permission in Principle Secured for Six New Dwellings in Redruth

Laurence Associates Attends Cornwall Council Planning Agents Forum

Laurence Associates at Groundsure Women in Property

Current Vacancies – Senior Landscape Architect

Porthcothan Site Update: Residential Planning Progress

Cornwall Local Plan Update 2028 and What It Means for Development

Laurence Associates to Exhibit at Devon County Show 2026

Contemporary Countryside Living: Reimagining Your Home in Cornwall

Laurence Associates Featured in Salt Magazine

Designing Homes Shaped by Landscape and Views in Rural Cornwall

Planning Approved for Farmhouse Extension on Bodmin Moor

National Planning Policy Framework

Building for Growth

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

Coastal Home Design in Devon & Cornwall

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

Self-Build and Custom Build Homes with Laurence Associates

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

Securing Planning Permission – Greenbank Hotel Falmouth

Commercial Outdoor Kitchen Planning Permission

Powering the Future: Repowering Wind Turbines Across the UK

Planning Permission Success for Access, Parking & Facilities

Cornwall Council ‘Call For Sites’

Planning Permission Secured for Rural Replacement Dwelling

Affordable Housing Success

Planning Approved for 5 Unrestricted Rural Homes

Securing Consent for 11 Bespoke Holiday Units in Mawgan Porth

Housing Schemes in Cornwall That Truly Work for People

Cottage Renovation & Contemporary Extension in St Austell, Cornwall

Certificates of Lawfulness Explained

Design Appraisals UK | Site Feasibility and Planning Assessments

Neighbourhood Plan Regulation Changes 2026

Current Vacancies – Planner / Senior Planner

Blending Architecture into the Devon Countryside Through Materiality

Property Development Forum

Laurence Associates at the CESW Cornwall Club Black Tie Ball

Why Involve Landscape Architects in Biodiversity Net Gain Proposals

RIBA Safe & Healthy Environments CPD Completed

Coastal Cornish Home Design | Contemporary Architecture

Planning Appeals Changes from April 2026

Securing Five Unrestricted Homes in Mawgan Porth

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

Architecture Vogue – Sand Dunes

Work Experience Week: Exploring Architecture and Structural Engineering

3D Modelling an image speaks a thousand words

Energy Consultancy Services at Laurence Associates

Laurence Associates at Stithians Show 2026

Community Sponsorship St Just RFC

Securing Planning Permission – Community Hall Poundstock

Town Planner Vacancy – Planning Careers UK

Laurence Associates Attending Ashfords Business Breakfast

How to Finance a Self-Build

Laurence Associates at Business Fest South West Westpoint

Construction Excellence Southwest Summit 2026

A considered evolution of a familiar form

Permission in Principle Secured for One Dwelling in Treleigh, Cornwall

Rural Exception Scheme Approved in Perran Downs

Sensitive Design Approach for Barn Conversion Window Proposal

Considering a Home Extension?

Ana Coelho promoted to Senior Chartered Architect

Laurence Associates Attending Townsend Landowner Seminar

Regen Planning Conference

Planning Permission Secured for Padstow Conservation Area Outbuildings

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

Planning Permission Secured in Rock Cornwall

Laurence Associates Becomes a Certified B Corporation | Cornwall

Appeal Success: Caravan Site Approved in Cornwall

Meet the Laurence Associates Team at Devon County Show 2026

Sensitive Dwelling Alterations Approved by Council

Architectural Technician Job in Truro Cornwall | Part 2 Architectural Assistant

11 Bespoke Holiday Units Designed for Mawgan Porth

Master Planning That Creates Places for the Future

International Women’s Day at Laurence Associates

James Vivian Promoted to Associate Director

Farm Diversification Opportunities in the Southwest

Contemporary Countryside Living: Reimagining Your Home in Cornwall

Waterside Lookout

Celebrating 20 Years of Creativity and Leadership with Jason Pledger

Construction Drawings Explained: What They Include and Why They Matter

Business Cornwall – March 2026

Planning Strategy & Residential Development | Laurence Associates

Permission in Principle Success in St Austell

Planning Appeal Allowed Near Helston for 6 to 9 Dwellings

Design and Placemaking PPG out now

Property Development Forum

Change of Use Approved: Takeaway to Residential in Cornwall

Planner Job Vacancy in Truro | Laurence Associates

Rural Outbuilding Conversion Secures Planning Consent

Laurence Associates at Groundsure Women in Property

New Project Collection Coming Soon

Planning consent secured for replacement wind turbine

Navigating Building Regulations in Cornwall: A Design Led Approach

Planning Approval for Sauna in Protected Landscape

A Busy Week of Progress Across the Practice

Celebrating 20 Years of Leadership – Richard Marsden

River Camel Nutrient Neutrality Update 2026: Bodmin Removed

Laurence Associates Welcomes New Design Director

Laurence Associates at the CLA Southwest AGM

Appeal Success – Removing Occupancy Condition

Architectural Technician Job in Truro Cornwall | Part 2 Architectural Assistant

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

Town Planner Job Vacancy in Truro | Laurence Associates

Building Regulations Drawings: Why Detail Matters

What is the Community Infrastructure Levy?

Contemporary Home Renovation

Architecture Vogue – Eyebrid

Meet the Laurence Associates Team at Royal Cornwall Show 2026

A positive appeal decision for Laurence Associates

Laurence Associates at SLR Consulting’s Segway Olympics

Grid Connection Reform and what it means for Renewable Energy Projects

Work Experience Spotlight: Elsie’s Week at Laurence Associates

Barn Conversions Under Class Q and Class R

Functional Living in a Contemporary Cornish Home

A Contemporary Coastal Home by Laurence Associates

Cornwall Planning Constraints & NPPF Updates | Laurence Associates

Creating Seamless Indoor Outdoor Living Spaces

Cornish Replacement Dwelling Submitted for Building Regulations

Eco development on the sand dunes at Hayle

From Sketch to Reality: Architectural Visualisation

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

Housing Appeal Success in West Cornwall

Laurence Associates to Attend Business Fest

Welcome Igor Talbot to Laurence Associates | Graduate Planner

Polzeath Campsite Secures Year-Round Planning Permission

Why Do a Self Build?

SEC1 Compliance & Energy-Efficient Homes in Cornwall

Laurence Associates at Stithians Show 2026

Architecture Vogue – Maen Valley

Architecture in Fowey | Laurence Associates

Inside A Coastal Cornwall Residential Project

The Built Environment Network – Trevelver Farm

Current Progress on Site in Falmouth

Rural Enterprise – Helping Rural Business Flourish

Planning Success in Tintagel

Meet Will | Architectural Assistant at Laurence Associates

Feock replacement dwelling project overview

Planning Consent Secured for Methane-Capture Facility

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

From sketch to reality the power of visualisation in design development

Bespoke Architectural Design Process

Principal Designer Services | CDM 2015 Compliance

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

Laurence Associates Supports the Peloton Charity Golf Day 2026

Construction Excellence Southwest Cornwall Summer Boat Trip

Why Do I Need a Professional Consultant’s Certificate?

Cornwall Building Regulations Update Event 2026

Laurence Associates Attending Stithians Show 2026

Section 73 Approval for Revised Bungalow Scheme in St Erth

Cape Cornwall Club Redevelopment | Laurence Associates

Outline Planning Consent for Hotel and Restaurant Development in Cornwall

Padstow Conservation Area Extension Approved

Town Planner Job Vacancy in Truro | Laurence Associates

Conversion in the Countryside: Securing Planning for a Rural Bothy

Creating Flow and Connection Within the Home

Seaside Sensation

Penzance Business Breakfast

Planning Approval Secured for Multi-Generational Home in Feock

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

Team Attends Michelmore’s Property Development Club in Exeter

Agricultural Barn Development Advice

Section 106 Agreement Revoked Near Porthtowan

Vickery Holman Market Review

Appeal Success for Agricultural Workers Dwelling Near Penzance

Building Safety Act | Building Regulations Principal Designer

Seamless Single Storey Extensions That Complement Your Home

Residential Project Site Update | Progress on Site

Final Days at the Devon County Show for Laurence Associates

New National Planning Policy Framework Published | Laurence Associates

Outline Planning Consent Secured for Two New Dwellings

Conditional Planning Permission Secured for Five Homes in Bodmin

Supporting the Interior Design Journey Through Architecture

Laurence Associates prepares for Royal Cornwall Show 2026

Building Towards a Greener Future: Our Earth Day Commitment

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

Appeal Success Near St Ives

Visit Laurence Associates at the Devon County Show This Week

Why Part T Is Changing Commercial Design More Than You Think

Laurence Associates – Royal Cornwall Show 2025

Replacement Dwelling Approved Following Class Q Success

Certificate of Lawfulness Secured for Residential Caravan Use

Planning Permission Success for Barn Conversion

Laurence Associates – Royal Cornwall Show 2024

Planning Committee Reforms in England What You Need to Know

Tom Evans Promoted to Junior Planner

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

Architecture Vogue – Greenbank Hotel

Four Dwellings Approved Following Outline Consent

Breaking Ground: New Project Progress

Planning Appeal Success to Building Regulations Approval

New Project Collection Coming Soon

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

Housing Land Supply Changes: What They Mean for Planning

Planning Permission for Community Garden Redevelopment in Newquay

Exploring Contemporary Materials and Colour in Cornish Architecture

Building Regulations Approval for a Contemporary Home

Architecture Vogue – Breakwater

Restronguet Point – a room with a view

Laurence Associates Welcomes New Planning Director

New premises & 30 Years in the business

New Project Showcase | A New Collection of Laurence Associates Projects

Three Successful Planning Applications on One Site

Every Project Has More Than One Story to Tell

Elmhurst Energy CPD

Construction (Design & Management) Regulations 2015 – March

Contemporary Roof Extension in Cornwall | Sustainable Residential Design

Class Q Conversions: Unlocking the Potential of Agricultural Buildings

Planning Appeal Success in Cornwall National Landscape

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

Barn Conversion Approved West Cornwall

Home Renovation Progress Falmouth

Laurence Associates attending Kernow Construction Club

Laurence Associates Returning to the Royal Cornwall Show 2026

How to Find a Building Plot

Grade II Listed Farmstead Planning Success

Where Design Meets Detail: The Role of Materials in Architecture

East Allington Permission in Principle success for five new homes

Grand Designs

Natural Light

Laurence Associates at Stithians Show 2026 Architecture and Planning Support