David Marks, who suffered a long battle with cancer, passed away Friday morning at the age of 64. The Jewish architect was the innovative visionary behind fanciful projects such as the London Eye, the British Airways i360 observation tower, the Treetop Walkway at Kew Gardens, and the University of Cambridge Primary School among others. 

Born in Stockholm in 1952, Marks grew up in Geneva and moved to London in 1972 to attend the Architectural Association School (AA). There he met Julia Barfield, whom he married in 1981. Following a stint working for Richard Rogers, the couple formed their own practice—Marks Barfield Architects—in 1989.

Marks was known for his entrepreneurial spirit. After winning a competition entry that came to nothing for his and Barfield's Ferris Wheel design, the two famously remortgaged their home and spent six patient years gathering support for what would soon become the most-popular attraction in the UK, the London Eye. 

This dedication to going above and beyond to see his visions realized has come to characterize Marks and his practice, known for investing in their own projects. Marks believed deeply in the power and tools possessed by architects—a sentiment best expressed in his own words, "architects don’t stop, they just go on building things until they run out of breath." He will be missed.