Sir Frederick Gibberd designed Harlow New Town from 1945, which formed part of the new government’s policy for post-war reconstruction. It was one of several new towns built under the New Towns Act of 1946, passed after World War II to ease overcrowding in London and the surrounding areas due to the devastation caused by the bombing during the Blitz. The programme's goal was to re-house some of the people who were to be displaced from London and other towns in the south-east of England in well-designed communities with good services and amenities, while protecting and, where possible, enhancing environmental quality.

Gibberd intended Harlow to be an outstanding example of the comfortable marriage of town and country, with lots of well-integrated open space to separate residential neighbourhoods and commercial zones. Harlow is credited as having the first modern high-rise residential tower block, The Lawn, which opened in 1951.

Graham was the architect responsible for the realisation of the Harvey Centre shopping complex, in 1980, as well as Adams House retail and office block in Market Square (and its landmark clock), completed around 1956 as one of the first buildings in the town centre.

After Gibberd’s Harlow office closed in 1983, John Graham retired and devoted himself to art. He established a gallery in his former office space and became a trustee of Harlow Art Trust. For more than 30 years he helped grow the collection of sculpture, which includes works by Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth, and Elisabeth Frink, earning Harlow the title of 'Sculpture Town'. He also established the Gibberd Gallery.

John Graham was known to many to represent values that evolved after the two world wars: a pride in civic duty - the idea that, if we all work together, we can make things better for everyone - and a belief that culture, whether that be art, music, football, religion or knitting, is essential for a good life. These values underpinned the creation of new towns such as Harlow.