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

Property Development Forum

Appeal Success: Caravan Site Approved in Cornwall

Barn Conversions Under Class Q and Class R

Penzance Business Breakfast

Vickery Holman Market Review

Best of Houzz 2017 Design Award

Laurence Associates at Kernow Construction Club

Seamless Single Storey Extensions That Complement Your Home

A Collaborative Approach to Creating Meaningful Spaces

Replacement Dwelling in lieu of Class Q

Laurence Associates at Stithians Show 2026

Adaptive Reuse Architecture | Blending Heritage with Modern Design

From Sketch to Reality: Architectural Visualisation

Planning Approval for Sauna in Protected Landscape

Eco development on the sand dunes at Hayle

Residential Project Site Update | Progress on Site

Contemporary Countryside Living: Reimagining Your Home in Cornwall

Meet the Laurence Associates Team at Royal Cornwall Show 2026

Building Towards a Greener Future: Our Earth Day Commitment

Should I use an Architect?

From sketch to reality the power of visualisation in design development

Breaking Ground: New Project Progress

Change of Use Approved: Takeaway to Residential in Cornwall

Creating Seamless Indoor Outdoor Living Spaces

Elmhurst Energy CPD

Outline Approval for Three New Homes in St Keyne

Bespoke Architectural Design Process

Summer in the City Networking Event | Laurence Associates Exeter

Meet the Laurence Associates Team at Devon County Show 2026

How to Find a Building Plot

Every Project Has More Than One Story to Tell

Energy Statements: Why They Matter for Planning Applications

Housing Schemes in Cornwall That Truly Work for People

Waterside Lookout

Supporting the Interior Design Journey Through Architecture

Planning Committee Success: Replacement Dwelling Approved

International Women’s Day at Laurence Associates

Small Housing Schemes

Appeal Success – Removing Occupancy Condition

New premises & 30 Years in the business

Grade II Listed Farmstead Planning Success

Cornwall Local Plan Update 2028 and What It Means for Development

Designing for Approval or Designing to Build?

Grid Connection Reform and what it means for Renewable Energy Projects

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

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

Laurence Associates – Royal Cornwall Show 2025

CESW Summit 2026

Architecture Vogue – Higher Harlyn

Designing for Legacy, Lifestyle and Longevity

Cornwall Council ‘Call For Sites’

Certificate of Lawfulness Secured for Residential Caravan Use

Restronguet Point – a room with a view

Section 73 Approval for Revised Bungalow Scheme in St Erth

Town Planner Vacancy – Planning Careers UK

Laurence Associates Attending Townsend Landowner Seminar

Consent Secured for Amendments to Housing Scheme in Gweek

Securing Planning Permission – Greenbank Hotel Falmouth

New Project Showcase | A New Collection of Laurence Associates Projects

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

Planning Permission Success for Access, Parking & Facilities

RIBA Safe & Healthy Environments CPD Completed

Architecture in Fowey | Laurence Associates

Happy Easter from Laurence Associates

Progress Update: Shaping a Bespoke Home

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

Laurence Associates at Business Fest South West Westpoint

Cornwall Building Regulations Update Event 2026

Sensitive Dwelling Alterations Approved by Council

Considering a Home Extension?

A Tailored Approach to Conceptual Design

What is the Community Infrastructure Levy?

Building for Growth

Architecture Vogue – Breakwater

3D Modelling an image speaks a thousand words

11 Bespoke Holiday Units Designed for Mawgan Porth

Feock replacement dwelling project overview

Planning Success in Tintagel

Architecture Vogue – Sand Dunes

Laurence Associates Returning to the Royal Cornwall Show 2026

Housing Appeal Success in West Cornwall

Construction Drawings Explained: What They Include and Why They Matter

Laurence Associates Expands with New Office in Exeter

Town Planner Job Vacancy in Truro | Laurence Associates

Where Design Meets Detail: The Role of Materials in Architecture

Architecture Vogue – Maen Valley

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

Architectural Technician Job in Truro Cornwall | Part 2 Architectural Assistant

SEC1 Compliance & Energy-Efficient Homes in Cornwall

Appeal Success Near St Ives

Planning Appeal Success to Building Regulations Approval

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

Laurence Associates Attending Stithians Show 2026

Laurence Associates Supports the Peloton Charity Golf Day 2026

Architectural Technician Job in Truro Cornwall | Part 2 Architectural Assistant

Planning Permission for Community Garden Redevelopment in Newquay

Laurence Associates Welcomes New Design Director

Cape Cornwall Club Redevelopment | Laurence Associates

National Planning Policy Framework

Work Experience Week: Exploring Architecture and Structural Engineering

James Vivian Promoted to Associate Director

Current Vacancies – Town Planners

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

Planning Appeals Changes from April 2026

Why Do a Self Build?

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

Laurence Associates Attends Cornwall Council Planning Agents Forum

Current Vacancies – Senior Landscape Architect

Master Planning That Creates Places for the Future

Principal Designer Services | CDM 2015 Compliance

Visit Laurence Associates at the Royal Cornwall Show 2026

Visit Laurence Associates at the Devon County Show This Week

Grand Designs

Work Experience Spotlight: Elsie’s Week at Laurence Associates

Architecture Vogue – Humble Cottage

Inside A Coastal Cornwall Residential Project

Agricultural Barn Development Advice

Outline Planning Consent for Hotel and Restaurant Development in Cornwall

Campsite Certificate and Replacement Dwelling Approval Cornwall

Redruth Housing Scheme Approved

Laurence Associates prepares for Royal Cornwall Show 2026

Tom Evans Promoted to Junior Planner

Construction Excellence Southwest Cornwall Summer Boat Trip

Laurence Associates at Groundsure Women in Property

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

Planning Permission Secured in Rock Cornwall

Laurence Associates to Attend Business Fest

Permission in Principle Success in St Austell

Unlocking Potential Through Replacement

Home Renovation Progress Falmouth

Rural Outbuilding Conversion Secures Planning Consent

Building Safety Act | Building Regulations Principal Designer

Planning Approved for Farmhouse Extension on Bodmin Moor

Padstow Conservation Area Extension Approved

Team Attends Michelmore’s Property Development Club in Exeter

Building for Growth

A positive appeal decision for Laurence Associates

Seaside Sensation

Coastal Cornish Home Design | Contemporary Architecture

Conditional Planning Permission Secured for Five Homes in Bodmin

Self-Build and Custom Build Homes with Laurence Associates

Conversion in the Countryside: Securing Planning for a Rural Bothy

Porthcothan Site Update: Residential Planning Progress

A Busy Week of Progress Across the Practice

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

Neighbourhood Plan Regulation Changes 2026

Town Planner Job Vacancy in Truro | Laurence Associates

Design and Placemaking PPG out now

A considered evolution of a familiar form

Architecture Vogue – Smallridge Bros

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

Community Sponsorship St Just RFC

Laurence Associates at Stithians Show 2026 Architecture and Planning Support

Planning Approved for 5 Unrestricted Rural Homes

Laurence Associates – Royal Cornwall Show 2024

Replacement Dwelling Approved Following Class Q Success

Housing Land Supply Changes: What They Mean for Planning

Why Part T Is Changing Commercial Design More Than You Think

Why Involve Landscape Architects in Biodiversity Net Gain Proposals

Building Regulations Drawings: Why Detail Matters

Final Days at the Devon County Show for Laurence Associates

Exploring Contemporary Materials and Colour in Cornish Architecture

Rural Enterprise – Helping Rural Business Flourish

Outline Planning Consent Secured for Two New Dwellings

Committee Success Secures Permission in Principle for New Homes

Construction (Design & Management) Regulations 2015 – March

Ana Coelho promoted to Senior Chartered Architect

Designing Homes Shaped by Landscape and Views in Rural Cornwall

Celebrating 20 Years of Creativity and Leadership with Jason Pledger

Property Development Forum

Understanding the Design Brief Service at Laurence Associates

Appeal Success for Agricultural Workers Dwelling Near Penzance

Planning consent secured for replacement wind turbine

BNG Exemption for Small Development Sites

Cornwall Council Housing Requirement – Laurence Associates

Securing Five Unrestricted Homes in Mawgan Porth

Why Do I Need a Professional Consultant’s Certificate?

Business Cornwall – March 2026

Planning Appeal Success for Equestrian Building

Laurence Associates Welcomes New Planning Director

Planning Consent Secured for Methane-Capture Facility

Architecture Vogue – Enys Hill

How to Finance a Self-Build

Functional Living in a Contemporary Cornish Home

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

Current Vacancies – Planner / Senior Planner

Architecture Vogue – Eyebrid

Four Dwellings Approved Following Outline Consent

Construction Excellence Southwest Summit 2026

Rural Exception Scheme Approved in Perran Downs

Replacement Dwellings – Pushing the boundaries of Architecture

Regen Planning Conference

Visit Laurence Associates at the Royal Cornwall Show 2026

Sensitive Design Approach for Barn Conversion Window Proposal

Creating Flow and Connection Within the Home

Powering the Future: Repowering Wind Turbines Across the UK

East Allington Permission in Principle success for five new homes

New Project Collection Coming Soon

Planning Appeal Success in Cornwall National Landscape

Barn Conversion Approved West Cornwall

Planning Committee Reforms in England What You Need to Know

A Guide to Our Planning Application Process

River Camel Nutrient Neutrality Update 2026: Bodmin Removed

Class Q Planning Permission

New National Planning Policy Framework Published | Laurence Associates

Affordable Housing Success

Securing Consent for 11 Bespoke Holiday Units in Mawgan Porth

Laurence Associates at Stithians Show 2026

Laurence Associates Sponsors Rosudgeon and Kenneggy Cricket Club

Laurence Associates Featured in Salt Magazine

Energy Consultancy Services at Laurence Associates

Current Progress on Site in Falmouth

Laurence Associates Attending Ashfords Business Breakfast

Attending Women in Business Breakfast at Truro Golf Club

Natural Light

The Experts

Successful Appeal Secured on Caravan Use and Building Definition

Planning Permission Success for Barn Conversion

Laurence Associates to Exhibit at Devon County Show 2026

Contemporary Roof Extension in Cornwall | Sustainable Residential Design

Certificates of Lawfulness Explained

Farm Diversification Opportunities in the Southwest

Traditional Barn Conversion Approved | Building Regulations Success

Housing Land Supply Changes: What They Mean for Planning

Non-Material Amendment Success

Cornish Replacement Dwelling Submitted for Building Regulations

Celebrating 20 Years of Leadership – Richard Marsden

Planning Approval Secured for Multi-Generational Home in Feock

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

Securing Planning Permission – Community Hall Poundstock

Laurence Associates attending Kernow Construction Club

Architecture Vogue – Greenbank Hotel

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

Class Q Conversions: Unlocking the Potential of Agricultural Buildings

Planning Permission Secured for Padstow Conservation Area Outbuildings

Navigating Building Regulations in Cornwall: A Design Led Approach

Planning Appeal Success for Permission in Principle Scheme

Coastal Home Design in Devon & Cornwall

Contemporary Countryside Living: Reimagining Your Home in Cornwall

Design Appraisals UK | Site Feasibility and Planning Assessments