Laurent Mot

… is an architectural practice with a concern for education and cultural projects. It was founded in 2009 by Nic and Mari, who, after having worked together in different architectural practices and being good friends for a number years, chose to set up together.

We both believe in architecture for everyone; and that belief is what brought us together.

They’ve provided architectural support in the creation of Village Underground London and Lisbon, and currently are helping to set up the the Mobile Gardens in the Olympic Park, due to open in August 2015. It includes mobile workshops that they will be partly running.

Nic and Mari have been working many years as technical advisors to Hackney Council, for their school building projects. They have also designed primary schools in Newham, Derby and Thurrock that, together with their surrounding landscapes, present rich creative learning environments.

They also run workshops with schools. Their workshops often include urban visits, various creative activities, and hands-on making; they are designed to make children and young people gain better understanding of the built environment and what it means to them, and how it’s created. One of the most recent workshops Nic ran for 6th form SEN students was to design and build a pavilion using a range of up-cycled materials.

what we do

Architecture and Interior Design

We’re qualified architect and interior designer with wealth of experience. Individually and sometimes collectively, Nic and Mari have worked on schools and universities, community facilities, private residences (some luxury, some modest), retail spaces, and so on.

Design and Technical Advice

Nic is an RIBA Client Adviser (a.k.a. CDA). We have been technical advisers to the London Borough of Hackney and also to Camden Council, for their school and residential developments. We not only check drawings and technical documentations, but also help our client put together technical elements of the contract documents (e.g., Authority’s Requirements)

Working with Communities

We love working directly with people, communities, schools, general public. We have organised and facilitated a number of design workshops. We have experiences in running consultation events. We can also write up a neat report at the end of activities.

Workshop for Making

… soon, hopefully! We love the idea of setting up a workshop for making, where space, tools, support and training will be available. There will be opportunities to meet people, exchange ideas and collaborate, or simply have a chat and fun. Our workshop can be mobile and can move where demands are. We’re developing and testing ideas and making a few baby steps, so WATCH THIS SPACE! who we are

Nicolas Laurent

Nic is an architect. He’s also a committed upcycler. He’s a fine cook too.

Before setting up Laurent Mot with Mari, he has worked for a number of eminent practices in London, including Rick Mather Architects, Marks Barfield and Foreign Office Architects. His professional experience ranges from masterplanning, full design and architectural services as well as urban regeneration and public procurement processes on a wide variety of building types.

In many instances these projects brought him to be involved and consult with wide stakeholder bodies and committees.

His strength lies in his enthusiasm; his persistence to achieve the best, the closest we can get to the ideal solutions.

Mari Motomura

Originally from Japan, Mari trained as an interior designer in Britain. Before that, she did her MA in International Politics (also in the UK), and before that, BA in Japanese Literature (that was in Japan!) She’s pretty “multi-disiplinary”.

She also knits, sews, takes photos and loves theatres and anything to do with arts.

Mari has worked in a number of architectural practices and gained a variety of professional experience there; designing private homes, schools, retail spaces, running community consultation, and involving in urban regeneration and planning.

Her greatest strength is her people skills; her informal and friendly approach to people and “issues”, backed up by her careful attention to details.