Mark Parsons

Since qualifying from the University of Sheffield I worked in a number of London practices before returning to Sheffield in 2005.

I am one of the founders and directors of Studio Polpo, the UK's first architectural practice to be set up as a social enterprise in 2008, producing research, initiating projects and working with the third sector. Studio Polpo are also one of the organisations behind Chopshop, a CNC design and fabrication facility. I have also worked for, and with, Architype for a number of years, an award winning practice with a strong reputation for sustainable architecture and particular expertise in the design of educational environments. Projects with them have included a Passivhaus school near Leeds, a Passivhaus church building in Sheffield, and a Sheffield co-housing development in partnership with Studio Polpo.