One half of the husband and wife team which designed the i360 has passed away aged 64 following a long illness.
David Marks, who founded the architectural practice Marks Barfield with his wife Julia Barfield, died on Friday morning after a batle with cancer.
David spent his last days at home with his family, including Julia Barfield, and their children Benjamin, Maya and Sarah.
As well as the i360, Mr Marks designed the London Eye and the Treetop Walkway at Kew.
David and Julia founded Brighton i360 Ltd in 2005 and are its majority shareholders. Together with a tight-knit group of trusted consultants and companies, many of whom worked with them at the London Eye, they secured the planning permission, partners, land and funding for British Airways i360, before finally building and then opening the attraction in August 2016.
British Airways i360 has won nine awards to date for design and innovation, including a RIBA National Award.
David’s role as chair of Brighton i360 Ltd will pass to Julia Barfield and the attraction will continue to operate under the remaining board of directors and the executive directorship of Steve Bax.
Speaking to The Sunday Times in July 2016, Marks said: “Architects don’t stop, they just go on building things until they run out of breath.”
He added: “Julia and I never get sick of each other. We’ve been married for 35 years and I can’t put into words how much I love her.”
The Architects Journal quotes Hanif Kara of engineers AKT II as saying: “David was a gentle giant and, though we will mostly remember him for putting the UK on the global map with the London Eye and i360 tower. He gifted us with his patience and determination to change the value of our industry.”
However distressed I may be about the existence if the i360 and how it came to be built, I read this news with huge sadness.
A great marriage and the creation of the London Eye were towering achievements.
I am so shocked and saddened to hear that David has passed away. He was such a lovely man. My heart goes out to Julia and his children. Very, very sad.