Qualifications:
BSC, DIPARCH

Mark completed his Diploma at the Bartlett School of Architecture in 2001, graduating with commendation in design and distinction in technical dissertation which explored the history and application of landscape in architectural design. He joined David Morley Architects in 2001 and has specialised in education, sports and leisure sector projects ever since. Mark became an associate in 2010, and is the associate lead for the sports sector. The range of projects he has worked on show an approach that reflects that of the practice; interpreting and responding to briefs and the needs of clients with beautiful buildings, often on sensitive sites. Mark has developed a portfolio of projects that feature exquisite attention to detail and quality.

This journey began with his involvement in the architectural team for the English Institute of Sport at The University of Bath. This represented a step forward in the design language of sports buildings that embraced the emergence of wholistic wellbeing, creating a street through the heart of the development that visually and physically connected the individual parts. The facility provides badminton, netball, an 8 court tennis hall (LTA Centre of Excellence), strength and conditioning facilities, dojo, indoor athletics, sports science, shooting and fencing pistes, bar and restaurant facilities and support accommodation.

His first role as Project Architect was for the Hub, a multi award-winning sports and social venue in the heart of Grade 1 listed Regent’s Park, surrounded by fine classical terraces designed by John Nash. The building is set into the ground concealing its scale (changing rooms for 300 people) and creating a 360 degree viewing terrace with a jewel-like glazed café at its centre.

The Hurlingham Club Outdoor Pool project adopted another approach to the combination of landscape with sport and recreation drawing on the traditions of English Countrified Landscape; a composition of pools and pavilions set in the historic landscape of The Hurlingham Club in west London. The completed project was awarded an RIBA Award and the Wood Awards Gold Award.

At St Hugh’s College, Oxford, Mark was the Associate responsible for the second DMA project on the campus; the Dickson Poon University of Oxford China Centre Building,  a mixed-use complex, providing a new holistic centre for the study of China across academic disciplines that supports the learning journey of students and scholars. This building was sited within the grounds enclosed within the college-owned city block, creating a series of linked gardens greater than the sum of its parts. It provides 63 Study/Bedrooms for students of St Hugh’s College, is home to the KB Chen Library (part of the world-renowned Bodleian Library’s collection of books on China) a flexible auditorium, a language lab, offices, and a café and social spaces overlooking the fine lawns.

The new sports centre and swimming pool at King’s College School Wimbledon, represents the culmination of the practice’s approach to sports, education and landscape, designing to complex briefs on sensitive sites. The building seamlessly blends new facilities with existing to provide a holistic sports centre, fully accessible from a single reception. The new facilities comprise a 25m swimming pool, six-court sports hall, studios, gym and strength and conditioning suite.

Since 2012 Mark has taught the Integrated Technology and Professional Practice course at The University of Greenwich where he now runs a design unit for the Architecture course at undergraduate level. He enjoys playing hockey, watching films, plays, musical performances and stargazing with his family, from time to time joining the Baker Street Irregular Astronomers who have made the Hub their base for exploring the night sky.