Dr Leo Moreton

Through education, research and industry I have gained expertise in architectural history, theory, and technology set against practice and academic application, which brings original perspectives to the study and interpretation of architecture and the built environment. Drawing on extensive scholarly and professional experience, my work bridges real world inquiry and technical rigour, with a commitment to advancing architectural knowledge through both critical analysis and innovative methodological practice.

Areas of Expertise

Architectural Analysis. Skilled in the systematic examination of buildings and spatial environments, this area of expertise encompasses formal, spatial, and material readings of architecture across scales and contexts. Close attention to structure, materiality, and experiential quality informs both scholarly interpretation and critical analysis.

Architectural History. Research in this domain encompasses the development of built form from antiquity to the present day, informed by direct engagement with many of the buildings and environments considered pivotal in architectural history. First-hand experience of key works examined across diverse geographic and cultural contexts has deepened understanding. This embodied knowledge complements the scholarly investigation of the cultural, social, and ideological contexts that have historically shaped architectural design and enquiry.

Adaptive Reuse. A strong knowledge of architectural history and construction technology directly informs this area of study, providing a practical and well-grounded basis for approaching the reuse and transformation of existing buildings. Understanding how buildings were designed and built across different periods makes it possible to work with existing structures confidently and sensitively, balancing the demands of contemporary use with respect for historical context.

Digital Applications in Architectural Analysis, Research, and Production. Proficient in the deployment of computational tools for the analysis and representation of architectural knowledge, this expertise includes Building Information Modelling, parametric design environments, point-cloud survey, and visualisation. Digital methodologies are applied to both historical investigation and contemporary design production, expanding the evidential and generative capacities of architectural inquiry.

Construction Technology. Time spent working in practice alongside architectural technologists has provided direct, hands-on experience of solving construction problems on site and developing the technical drawings and details for construction. This practical background sits alongside a thorough understanding of building systems, material technologies, and structural principles, giving this area of expertise a grounded, real-world perspective that connects architectural intention to constructional reality. That experience informs both research and teaching, bringing an applied sensibility to the study of building technologies across historical periods and contemporary contexts.