James Gowan (1923-2012) was a Scottish architect and teacher. Gowan formed an architectural practice with James Stirling in 1956, who he met whilst working at Lyons Israel Ellis. They became known for their post- modernist designs and established themselves as one of the most radical practices of their generation.

After Gowan and Stirling parted ways professionally, Gowan went on to create large scale-schemes to tackle social housing problems notably in Greenwich and East Hanningfield in Essex, from which these drawings originate. He also aught renowned architects Richard Rogers, Quinlan Terry, Piers Gough ad Alex de Rijke at the Architectural Association and the Royal College of Art.

Gowan’s housing scheme was designed in a way to give each household a sense of individuality and for each one to be easily identifiable. The sense of fun and adventure that he brings to otherwise rather sterile development projects really shines through these works.

The original drawing was made with pen, ink, and green film on paper.