Architect’s fuelled up over clients

London’S dynamic architectural duo David Marks and Julia Barfield are on a roll.

Their Weather Watch Centre in Bracknell, Berkshire has just received 1.5m from the Millennium Commission, and the group’s Ferris wheel, poised to tower over London in the year 2000, prompted British Airways to cough up no less than 9.5m (DW 19 April). Not to mention provoking all manner of delighted and horrified reactions.

Marks and Barfield deserve recognition. They’ve had a rotten time since last June, when British Nuclear Fuels didn’t pay them for designing features at its Sellafield nuclear centre (see numerous DW news stories since 16 June 1995).

Before starting work at Sellafied the pair were dubious about working on a nuclear power station project, and asked the advice of Greenpeace.

“They told us we still needed to eat,” says DMJB architect Malcolm Cook. “So we did it.” And rued the decision – they still haven’t received the dosh and a court case is pending.

“We don’t seem to have much luck with working for clients, it’s better to find sponsorship for our own ideas,” says Cook.

The tower and wheel should ensure the practice shoots to prominence – and provide them with at least three meals a day.