RIBA Chartered Practice · Sussex and London
Providing creativesustainable solutionsto improve people’s lives.
We are architects, designers and technologists who provide clients with strategic solutions, creative flair and technological excellence in all that we do.
1983
Founded by David Cowan
100+
Adaptations and new builds for people with disabilities
Nearly 100
Educational facilities delivered over the last twenty years
3,000+
Homes under the Miflats brand we developed with Criterion Capital
Expertise
A multi-sectoredarchitectural practice.
Cowan Architects are a multi-sectored influential Architectural Design Practice, employing the best Architects, Designers and Technologists to deliver creative and energy efficient buildings and spaces.
As a RIBA Chartered Practice with accreditations including BIM Coordination, Passivhaus design, Retrofit Coordination and ISO 9001/ 14001 governance we follow the RIBA Plan of Work. We are Lead Consultants, Contract Administrators and CDM/ Building Regulation Principal Designers.
Specialisms in the 3R’s
- R1Residential
- R2Retrofit
- R3Remediation
Hover or tap the wheel to explore our sectors and services.
Architecture
Architecture forevery sector.
Cowan Architects’ projects span a range of built environment sectors, including retrofit, Build to Rent, cladding remediation, residential, education, and healthcare.
Residential
Single homes to 600+
See moreFrom single homes to new communities, with residential provider frameworks and land agents.
Build to Rent
A ‘Brand Before Building’ approach, such that the customer experience is central to the design narrative from the outset.
See moreCladding Remediation
We make your buildings safer, compliant and where opportunity arises, promote retrofit solutions to improve their thermal comfort.
See moreEducation
Projects that provide opportunities to benefit and improve the experiences of students, stakeholders and the wider community.
See moreHealthcare & Later Living
Hospitals to care homes
See moreHospitals, clinics, extra-care, care homes, supported living and doctor’s surgeries.
Heritage & Conservation
Grade II* listed studio
See moreConservation work has been an important part of the Practice since its foundation 40 years ago.
Accessible Design
We passionately believe that inclusive design does not have to look or feel institutional.
See more
Net Zero
Cowan Architects are committed to a Net Zero future. We support our clients on BREEAM and Passivhaus predicated projects.
See moreFeatured project
Our Lady and St Philip Neri School
Cowan Architects were appointed in 2021 to undertake re-cladding options for the school following an unsuccessful initial construction period that left the school unfinished and with an enforcement notice served against it in 2018.
Various cladding options were presented and considered with the school and the planning authority prior to the high-quality natural pallet of terracotta and brick tile achieving planning consent via a section 73 application in 2022.
- Client
- Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Southwark
- Location
- Lewisham, London
- RIBA Stages
- 3-6
- Consultancy
- Lead Consultant
- Blue rooftop playground
- Biodiverse living roof
- Batten cladding to the hall
- New feature signage
Recent projects
Buildings that respondto their brief.
A luxury later living development providing 60 en-suite bedrooms for residential, nursing, dementia, respite and palliative care.
- Client
- Westgate Healthcare
- RIBA
- 0-6
Chestnut Manor Care Home
Wanstead, East London
Shovelstrode Manor, built in 1906, adapted and restored to form two dwellings with a self-contained carer’s suite.
- Client
- Private Client
- RIBA
- 0-7
The Dower House
East Grinstead, West Sussex
Combustible cladding replaced with a new non-combustible system to meet A1/A2, s1, d0 across the penthouses of seven buildings.
- Client
- Guildmore
- RIBA
- 4-6
Kings Chelsea Estate
Kings Road, London
A Victorian dwelling renovated and extended to create a fully accessible ground floor apartment for our wheelchair user client.
- Client
- Private Client
- RIBA
- 0-6
Mattock Lane
Ealing, London
Inspired by traditional Essex mill buildings, a series of linked pavilions providing 40 bedrooms beside the River Brain.
- Client
- Westgate Healthcare
- RIBA
- 0-6
Riverdale Care Home
Braintree, Essex
Three social housing blocks upgraded through the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, reducing thermal heat loss by over 85%.
- Client
- Peabody
- RIBA
- 0-6
Islington Retrofit Project
Islington, London
A 19th Century cart barn repaired and converted as a ‘box within a box’. Sussex Heritage Trust Awards 2024, Highly Commended.
- Client
- Private Client
- RIBA
- 0-6
The Cart Barn at Hendall Manor
Uckfield, East Sussex
Net Zero
Committed to aNet Zero future.
We are passionate about the circular economy and provide insights for our clients to understand carbon impact, energy consumption, building performance and ESG goals.
- Passivhaus
- Retrofit EnerPHit
- PHPP analysis
- BREEAM
- ASHP and MVHR
- Living roofs
85%
Reduction in thermal heat loss
Islington Retrofit Project
54%
Energy savings over a typical sports building
Millfield School
0.11 W/m²K
Wall U-value, airtight timber frame
Little Millbrook, Sussex
Awards
Recognised fordesign and care.
- 2024The Cart Barn at Hendall ManorSussex Heritage Trust AwardsHighly Commended
- 2022St. Nicholas ChurchSussex Heritage Trust AwardsEcclesiastical Award, Winner
- 2021The Dower HouseSussex Heritage Trust AwardsHeritage Restoration Award, Winner
- 2019Millfield School Cricket + Golf CentreLABC Building Excellence AwardsBest Public Service or Educational Building, Highly Commended
- 2019Cowan Expert Witness TeamLawyer Monthly AwardsBest Expert Witness Team
- 2018Cowan Architects TeamBuild Magazine AwardsArchitect Practice of the Year, Winner
- 2018Cowan Expert Witness TeamThe Globals, Senior Housing AwardsOutstanding Bespoke Care Design Team in the World, Winner
Expert Witness
Our ExpertWitness team.
Cowan Architects’ Expert Witness team takes pride in a professional and punctual approach to Expert Witness services. All of our Expert Witnesses obtain the Cardiff University Bond Solon (CUBS) Expert Witness Certificate.
We accept Expert Witness and Expert Advisor instructions from both Claimant and Defendant Solicitors, giving an unbiased and impartial assessment of the facts.
Best Expert Witness Team, Lawyer Monthly Awards 2019
- 01
Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence
Quantum reports on the accommodation needs for people who have been injured and become disabled.
- 02
Property Search and Suitability
Quantum report on costs for purchasing and adapting specific properties within a given location, outlining the costs for our client and/or the Court of Protection.
- 03
Design Negligence and Building Defects
Liability and causation reports relating to architectural design, construction contracts and building defects.
Cases reported on in
Client testimonials
What ourclients say.
On time and in fact under budget!
The design team lead by Cowan Architects came up with an excellent design and delivered a functional solution to our needs, on time and in fact under budget!
Designed the living spaces cleverly and with empathy
We wanted to use architects that got the big picture and really cared about the needs of our residents. They’ve designed the living spaces cleverly and with empathy.
Good levels of communication
This was a complicated project with a sequence of phases where timely execution of each impacted on the next. Good levels of communication throughout meant that all these phases ran smoothly and to time. The finished design and quality of build is excellent.
The highest level of professionalism and dedication
I have dealt with Cowan Architects now for many years and have always felt that, whoever I was dealing with, they were giving my clients the highest level of professionalism and dedication.
Innovative, empathetic and highly professional
Throughout the process we worked together to achieve an outcome that is practical but homely. I found Cowan’s approach to be innovative, sympathetic and highly professional.
They always go the extra mile
From concept to completion, they always go that extra mile for you.
People
The team behindthe drawings.
Architects, designers and technologists, led by directors who stay involved from strategic brief to completion.
David CallinManaging Director | Architect | Expert Witness
Simon SpiteriDirector | Architect
Jonathan StewartDirector | Architect | Building Regs Principal Designer (HRB)
Gary HarwinDirector | Legal Advisor
Gary HuxleyAssociate Director
Gavin HillAssociate Director | Architect | Expert Witness
David CowanFounder | Architect | Expert Witness
Micah OakArchitect
Trusted by
Accredited & certified
News & Insights
Latest news.
Explore the most recent updates from Cowan Architects. Discover new architecture projects, awards and media features.
All news & insights
InsightExtra Funding to Speed Up Building Safety Regulator Approvals
The UK government has announced an additional £2 million in funding to accelerate Building Safety Regulator (BSR) approvals, a move welcomed by the construction and architecture sectors.
Read more
InsightThe Slow Progress of Cladding Remediation
Following the 2017 Grenfell disaster, the UK Government introduced several initiatives to address unsafe cladding in residential buildings.
Read more
NewsDriving Excellence in Construction and Design: Cowan Architects and Higgins Group
Cowan Architects has been appointed to the Higgins Partnerships 2025–26 Consultant Framework.
Read more
Get in touch
Planning yournext project?
We are always available to answer any queries or questions you have on your potential project.
East Grinstead studio
9-10 Old Stone LinkShip Street
East Grinstead
West Sussex
RH19 4EF
Our office is based in the Grade II * listed Old Stone House in East Grinstead, which we repaired and adapted in 2016.