Previously, James served as a Director at Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates (KPF) in London. During his tenure, he established new markets across continental Europe and led significant projects including the 2 million sqft ExTM Masterplan in Milan and the masterplanning of Covent Garden in London alongside a wider portfolio of urban regeneration schemes across Italy, The Netherlands and the UK. Before KPF, James worked with Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands, where he led award-winning projects including Fitzroy Place in London and the Jewish Community Centre (JW3), with two projects mid-listed for the Stirling Prize. 

“James’s approach focuses on creating vibrant, integrated environments that balance residential, commercial, and cultural elements while respecting historical context—making him an excellent addition to our London team,” says London Studio Chair James Taylor. “His experience across European markets and ability to work across scales and disciplines perfectly complement our studio’s capabilities and ambitions for growth.” 

James possesses the innate skill of stitching together the urban canvas of residential neighbourhoods and workplace campuses to create thriving environments. At Woods Bagot, he looks forward to expanding the studio’s portfolio across London, the UK, and Europe with projects that positively impact global cities.  

“My focus will be on strengthening our expertise in masterplanning, urban regeneration, and placemaking, especially in historic cities. The European market offers unique opportunities with its diverse urban and cultural contexts and local demands, and I’m particularly excited about building Woods Bagot’s brand and presence across the region, with special attention to Italy.” 

“A multi-disciplinary collaborative approach is precisely what’s needed to reimagine our urban environments,” James continues. “Data-informed design, sustainability expertise, urban design, landscape and architecture must work together if we’re to transform cities into integrated regenerative ecosystems that serve their inhabitants whilst embracing a wilder naturalism and maximizing ecological potential.” 

On the future of architecture, James offers perspective on both the profession and the built environment. “The role of the architect is evolving. While specialisation is increasing, the architect as a generalist—navigating scales, typologies, and project phases—is more relevant than ever. As technology and AI streamline tasks, we’ll have more space to focus on what we do best: creating beautiful solutions from complex challenges.”