Mark Foley is an architect with specialist expertise in the design of theatres, auditoria and other buildings for the performing arts and was one of the founders of Burrell Foley Fischer. He has a particular experience in the design of modern and classical dance facilities and carries out consultancy and research in this field. His work has led to numerous publications, participation on advisory bodies and teaching positions. Mark has undertaken many studies to explore cultural regeneration, working closely with arts businesses and management consultants to develop strategies and establish the feasibility of particular cultural projects.

Mark is the Principal responsible for many of the theatre, concert hall and performing arts projects in the practice including the Almeida Theatre, Islington; the Royal Hall, Harrogate; the Crucible, Sheffield; and two auditoria, designed to respond to a variety of performance types including opera, symphony concerts, music theatre, drama and dance for the Onassis Cultural Centre in Athens.

He has also designed a number of buildings for schools including the award-winning Performing Arts Centre at Frensham Heights School and the Menuhin Hall, a purpose-built, 316-seat concert hall for the Yehudi Menuhin School.  He has completed Masterplans for schools, including Kingham Hill School and Tring Park School for the Performing Arts.

His recent projects include new performing arts buildings for Hurstpierpoint College and Sherborne Girls and a new academic building for Kingham Hill School, Oxfordshire. Mark led the design of the multi-award winning refurbishment and remodelling of Cornwall Playhouse, a 1,200-seat theatre within the Grade II listed Hall for Cornwall in Truro, described as “brilliantly reimagined” by the world famous lyricist Sir Tim Rice.

Mark’s publications include the books Dance Spaces (Arts Council of England) and Dance Floors (Dance UK), both design guides for dance facilities. He has acted as a specialist consultant for the design of dance facilities including the design of a purpose built dance stage for the New Sadlers Wells Theatre and the development of the new studio and stage floors for the Royal Ballet in the redeveloped Royal Opera House in Covent Garden. Mark is a former Trustee of the Theatres Trust, which was established by Act of Parliament to promote the better protection of theatres, and is a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.