Marks Barfield Architects

Marks Barfield Architects is one of the UK’s most versatile and innovative architecture practices. Founded in 1989 by David Marks and Julia Barfield, the practice uses its creative approach to provide visionary, formally exciting and technically astute solutions to a broad range of project types that range from schools and offices to bridges and infrastructure. Best known as the practice that conceived and designed the world-famous London Eye, Marks Barfield Architects has grown a practice with a unique entrepreneurial experience, giving it a deep understanding of the development process facing its clients, as well as valuable insights into specialisms such as fundraising and stakeholder engagement. The bold, do-it-yourself example set by Marks Barfield is an important precursor to the adventurous, self-initiated, socially engaged work of architects of the “pop-up” generation.

In Summer 2016, Marks Barfield Architects will open British Airways i360, a 450ft observation tower originated and designed by the practice that will offer a new perspective of Brighton and Hove, England, adding to an extensive portfolio of completed leisure projects that includes the Kew Gardens treetop walkway. The practice has recently completed 82 Baker Street, a 72,000 sq ft office retrofit project in London for Lazari investments, as well as a Primary School for the University of Cambridge’s North West Cambridge development. Marks Barfield Architects’ forthcoming projects include a Mosque with an expressive engineered timber roof in Cambridge.