Eye: The Story Behind the London Eye

by Steve Rose

Sweeping one of the world's most famous skylines at 135 metres in height, the London Eye is the largest observational wheel in the world, and provides a spectacular 30 minute 'flight' over the capital. But if it had not been for the vision, commitment and sheer persistence of David Marks and Julia Barfield, the husband and wife team of architects behind the project, the London Eye might never have been built. Eye tells the various stories behind the conception, development, realisation and construction of the capital's newest landmark, including personal and political dramas, corporate conflicts, doubts, risks, obstacles and accidents. Against the backdrop of New Labour's pre-millennium Britain, prominent public figures attacked and defended the project, there were unprecedented design and construction problems to overcome, and Marks and Barfield had to fight every inch of the way to maintain the integrity of their vision.

This seminal moment in British architecture is celebrated through the dazzling photography of Marcus Robinson, insightful writing by The Guardian journalist Steve Rose, with an introduction by Richard Rogers and the clean and modern design of Neville Brody's Research Studios.

191 pages, Hardcover

First published November 13, 2007

Reviews

[Brian Vaughn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The architectural photography within this book was very striking, I particularly appreciated the infrared images, they make movement into drama. Text was engaging, and there are anecdotes that every professional designer & architect will relate to or be inspired by. Marks & Barfield created a work of architecture that was "designed to signify progress and to advance new architectural possibilities". I'm glad that I read this before I visit next month, or I would've rested on my preconceived notion that it was a gimmicky tourist trap devoid of meaning and intrigue - a'la the Daytona Beach Slingshot.