Basic Biographical Details

Name: John Michael Bowley
Designation:  
Born: 24 November 1927
Died:  
Bio Notes: John Michael Bowley was born on 24 November 1927. From 1948 he studied architecture full-time at Brixton School of Building, sitting the final exam in July 1955 and his professional practice exam in December that same year. He was elected ARIBA the following year, 1956, proposed by E M Rice, A M Gear, and Clive Pascall. At the time of his election he was working in the office of Pascall.

From 1956-57 Bowley worked as an assistant in the practice of Riches & Blythin in London. However later in 1957, probably after winning the competition for Milngavie Town Hall, he set up business on his own account practising from 201 Bath Street, Glasgow. He was elected ARIAS in 1962. He spent some time in Northern Ireland during this time as his address is recorded as being in County Down in 1959. During this time he designed the modernist Northern Ireland War memorial building in Belfast's Cathedral Quarter (now the Waring Hotel). He remained in Glasgow until 1967 when he moved to Maidenhead, Kent to an assistant post with the Royal Chamberlain Association. He was project architect for an office block and undertook other small works. In 1969 he joined the practice of North & Partners and became an associate from December that year. However at the same time he carried on with his own practice practice and in 1970 completed a scheme of local authority houses in Milngavie, though they may have been commissioned prior to his appointment with North & Partners.

During an identified spell in Belfast (perhaps 1959) Bowley was a part-time lecturer in Belfast and during his stay in Glasgow, taught at Glasgow School of Art.

He was elected FRIBA on 7 October 1970, proposed by Desmond John Heuvel, Francis Lawrence Hawes and Arthur Reginald Parry. At the time of his nomination he was leading a tema within Maidenhead Civic Society to integrate ideas and various properties for redevelopment of the town.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 2Moorings, Cultra Pier, Holywood, County Down, Northern IrelandPrivate(?)1959 *  
Item 2 of 234, Crawford Road, Milngavie, Glasgow, ScotlandPrivate1962 *  

* earliest date known from documented sources.

Employment and Training

Employers

The following individuals or organisations employed or trained this (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate fromDate toPositionNotes
Item 1 of 4Clive Pascall1956 Assistant 
Item 2 of 4Riches & Blythin19661967Assistant 
Item 3 of 4North & Partners1969 Assistant 
Item 4 of 4North & PartnersDecember 1969 Associate 

RIBA

RIBA Proposers

The following individuals proposed this for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate proposedNotes
Item 1 of 6A M Gear6 March 1956For Associateship
Item 2 of 6Francis Lawrence Hawes7 October 1970For Fellowship
Item 3 of 6Desmond John Heuvel7 October 1970For Fellowship
Item 4 of 6Arthur Reginald Parry7 October 1970For Fellowship
Item 5 of 6Clive Pascall6 March 1956For Associateship
Item 6 of 6E M Rice6 March 1956For Associateship

Buildings and Designs

This was involved with the following buildings or structures from the date specified (click on an item to view details):
 Date startedBuilding nameTown, district or villageIslandCity or countyCountryNotes
Item 1 of 61959Northern Ireland War Memorial Building  BelfastNorthern Ireland 
Item 2 of 611 September 1959Town Hall, District Court and Lillie Art GalleryMilngavie DunbartonshireScotlandawarded first prize of £600 per Builder p180
Item 3 of 61970100 houses for the Burgh of MilngavieMilngavie DunbartonshireScotlandCarried out in own practice practice.
Item 4 of 6c. 1970British Mail Order Company premises  ManchesterEnglandAs associate with North & Partners
Item 5 of 6c. 1970Common Market Embassy  LondonEnglandAs associate with North & Partners
Item 6 of 6c. 1970GHS Euro Domestic Services premises  ManchesterEnglandAs associate with North & Partners

References

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this :
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 1Builder11 September 1959  'New Town Hall, Milngavie' pp180-183

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this :
 SourceArchive NameSource Catalogue No.Notes
Item 1 of 2RIAS, Rutland SquareRecords of membership  
Item 2 of 2RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert MuseumRIBA Nomination Papers A no17561; F no7196 (Combined Box 177)