James Gowan

He was brought up by his grandparents in Partick after his parents' separation, but went to live with his mother aged 12 and attended Hyndland Secondary School.

[2] Gowan and Stirling's initial project was to design Langham House Close on Ham Common, West London, which according to the Guardian "quickly established the pair as one of the most radical practices of their generation".

This building was noted for its technological and geometric character, with glazed towers clad in red tiles evocative of the local Victorian era industrial aesthetic and a crystalline workshop roof consisting of 2,500 diamond-shaped glass panels.

Gowan did not receive the personal recognition to match the boldness of his designs and his contribution to the work with Stirling was unfairly understated.

[1] National Life Stories conducted an oral history interview (C467/101) with James Gowan in 2012-13 for its Architects Lives' collection held by the British Library.