John Latto B Arch(Hons)(1st Class)

Assistant Professor / UG Programme Director

John has an excellent International and UK practice background, with over 25 years practice experience as a Director, developing a specialism in health and social care design in the UK. He has led numerous significant projects from their strategic and conceptual stages, through to successful realisation.

He strongly advocates that our built environment has a positive impact on our well-being and health, together with how it can enhance the human experience. Achieving a high quality of design, where the individual is placed at the core, has always been a focus of his work, with much of this work following evidence based principles.

In parallel to professional practice, John has been teaching Architecture since 2009 at Coventry University and was a member of the Steering Board responsible for the formation of the Architecture undergraduate course, together with supporting RIBA validation. He has also been supporting studio teaching here at XJTLU since 2018, until joining the team in a full time role.

John was elected in 2020 to the China Chapter Council of the RIBA and is the Education Sub-Committee Lead. In addition he is a member of the 'Architects For Health', a sub-group of the Royal Institute of Architects, which focuses on the promotion of research, study and application of design qualities, in health facilities and Cities.


  • Bsc (Arch) - University of Dundee / Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art
  • B Arch (Hons) (First Class) - University of Dundee / Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art


  • 1994-2017 - Practice Director - Design Büro Architects (UK)
  • 2009-2016 - Visiting Lecturer - Coventry University
  • 2016-2018 - Design Studio Tutor - Coventry University
  • 2018-2020 - Design Studio Tutor - XJTLU
  • 2010-present - Design Director- Square One Design Consultants


  • Professional Practice
  • Cancer Care Environments
  • Design for Health and Well-being


  • 2020 - RIBA China Chapter, Education Sub-Committee Chair
  • 2020 - RIBA China Chapter Council Member
  • 2010-present - Director Square One Design Consultancy (UK Registered Practice)
  • 1994-2017 - Architectural Practice (UK)


  • 2021 - ongoing Assistant Professor in Architecture
  • 2020-2021 - Teaching Fellow in Architectural Design; XJTLU
  • 2019-2020 - Design Studio Tutor (Part time) XJTLU - Year 1 and 2 Design Modules
  • 2018-2019 - Design Studio Tutor (Part time) XJTLU - Year 1 and 2 Design Modules
  • 2016-2018 - Lecturer (Part time) Coventry University, Dept of Architecture - Year 1 to 3 Design Modules
  • 2009-2016 - Visiting Reviewer / Lecturer; Coventry University, Dept of Architecture - Year 1 to 3 Design Modules


  • 2020/21 - Year 4 Coordinator
  • ARC205 - Design Studio
  • ARC304 - Design Studio Final Year Project
  • ARC102 - Ambiguous Boundaries
  • ARC105 - Small Space Design
  • ARC101 - Design Thinking and Articulation
  • ARC002 - Architectural Representation and Communication
  • ARC001 - Introduction to Architecture and Visual Culture


  • Architects Registration Board (UK) (ARB)
  • Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)
  • Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (ARIAS)
John Latto