Between 1998 and 2002 I was responsible for creating and delivering the Magna science centre, which against all the odds won the Stirling Prize for architecture in 2001. I selected Chris Wilkinson’s practice Wilkinson Eyre for the project, and I never regretted it; Chris was an outstanding designer, leader and a deeply creative man. And a great human being who sadly and shockingly died at the end of 2021. In this extract from the Architect’s Journal Chris is remembered by me and others and honoured alongside one of his heroes Richard Rogers who also left us at the end of 2021.

This a reminder that, in our lives, we can make a small difference to a large number of people and a big difference to a small number of people.

Marc Barron

I’ve been pleased recently to reconnect with Marc Barron, who was the architect lead for Wilkinson Eyre. He was, in effect, Chris Wilkinson and Jim Eyre’s first hire when they started the practice. He has developed a successful career in New Zealand, being a principal of Jerram Tocker Barron Architects in New Zealand. I couldn’t have done Magna with him.