Setting up shop on your own after three decades at a leading engineering firm is a huge leap of faith. But for Cecil Balmond, who runs a nascent design company with his daughter, it seemed like the logical step.
School architecture needn’t be grey, dull and uniform. The inspired redesign of Oslo International School by architects Jarmund/Vigsnæs is not just ticking style boxes but proves that an exciting study environment has a…
As millions of students around the world head back to university digs, the residents of Casa dell’Accademia have it much better than most. Here’s a lesson in inspired design on a strict budget.
Carl Malmsten was one of Sweden’s greatest furniture designers and thanks to his grandson, Jerk Malmsten, his legacy continues. Last year at the Carl Malmsten shop, 96 per cent of sales were in Sweden.
Andreas Ferm and Jani Kristoffersen founded their practice DRD-A in 2003. Soon to relaunch as Guise, they are taking on ever more ambitious builds but also apply their ingenuity to smaller projects, such as the Stockholm…
The brains behind Clemens en August decided the best way to kick-start the brand, in the absence of a big budget, was whistle-stop tours across Europe. Now the company – whose name is a nod to its C&A pedigree – is eyeing…
From New York to Istanbul, cities are investing in street furniture that expresses their heritage and makes them look like well thought out brands. The clever bit? Thanks to companies such as Wall in Germany, they can have…
With record numbers attending Milan’s Salone Internazionale del Mobile, its reputation as the most important design fair was confirmed again. Shuttling across the city, Monocle caught up with the key industry players to get…
Schiphol, JFK and now Frankfurt airports have all turned to one Dutch designer to create the perfect signage systems. Paul Mijksenaar tells Monocle about his crusade to take the art of wayfinding in a new direction.
Schiphol, JFK and now Frankfurt airports have all turned to one Dutch designer to create the perfect signage systems. Paul Mijksenaar tells Monocle about his crusade to take the art of wayfinding in a new direction.
Tokyo Designers Week is a long-established annual event featuring two key fairs: 100% Design and DesignTide. Monocle visited at the end of last year and found a healthy ambition to champion fresh talent. Here’s our pick…
The AP Møller School in Schleswig, northern Germany, is luring design aficionados with its groundbreaking architecture. School has never been so cool, or soft power so clever.
This year’s Salone Internazionale del Mobile defied the credit crunch with an optimistic mood and a record number of visitors – 348,000 in total, 29 per cent more than 2007, 210,000 of whom came from abroad. Visitors from…
Riva may be one of the most respected brands afloat but as recently as 1999 it was sinking. Now with new owners at the helm, the brand is hoping to become the Riviera’s runabout of choice.