David, who celebrated his 80th birthday on Christmas Day 2013, surrounded by his family, died in his sleep on Tuesday night.

RIAS President, Iain Connelly, said: “David Mackay’s work, as one of the pre-eminent architects of his generation, helped shape many cities and greatly influenced the evolution of European architecture and city planning. His many built projects and masterplans testify that he was an architect of consummate skill and sensitivity who was always determined that his work should serve people’s needs and improve their lives.

“David was an individual of huge talent and erudition which extended to philosophy, literature, art, history and social science. All this was allied to personal humility and gentle self-deprecation. He was undoubtedly a great architect, but more importantly, a thoroughly decent human being and someone it was a great privilege to know.

“David Mackay was a generous supporter of the Royal Incorporation and has been involved in the judging of many of our awards and competitions and a speaker at several RIAS International Conventions. His books, A Life in Cities and On Life and Architecture, both produced with the help and support of RIAS Secretary, Neil Baxter, testify to the richness of David’s life in architecture. His built projects, many masterplans, publications and architectural teaching are a legacy which will continue to benefit mankind now and in future generations.”

David Mackay, of Irish and English descent, has been practising architecture for 50 years in Barcelona with his practice partners Josep Martorell and Oriol Bohigas and since 2000 with Oriol Capdevila and Francesc Gual.

The practice is probably best known for the urban design of the Barcelona Olympic Village and Port in 1992. MBM Arquitectes were designers for Buchanan Street refurbishment. Appointed Chair of Jury for the Glasgow School of Art competition in 2009.

David Mackay has been member of the Senate Advisory Committee for the unification of Berlin. He was advisor to the Dublin City Council, and has chaired the Plymouth Design Panel for four years. He was also Senior Design Fellow (2000-01) at the London School of Economics within the City Design and Social Science Programme.

In November 2004, David was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Arts by the University of Plymouth. David Mackay is also an Honorary Member of the Bund Deutscher Architekten, Honorary Fellow of the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland as well as the RIAS.

David Mackay’s funeral will take place in his adoptive Barcelona today. He is survived by his wife Roser, their six children, thirteen grandchildren and two great grandchildren.