Design
Architects in Iceland are showing us how to build with molten lava
Iceland’s volcanoes might have an unexpected new purpose. An architect duo want to harness eruptions to shape the houses and cities of the future.
Latest in Monocle Radio
Latest
Three new branding projects raising the bar for graphic design
Having a strong graphic identity and clear visual language matters for everyone from small design brands and independent restaurants, to whole neighbourhoods. Here are three new, standout projects setting today’s design standard.
Why ‘Perfection’ will be the most-discussed design book of the summer
In just 120 pages, Perfection captures millennial malaise, design lust and the inevitable disappointment when the perfect home — or life — proves impossible to achieve.
Not your typical Greek villas: The coastal residences mixing art and architecture
On the dramatic coastline of the Saronic Gulf, a pair of new guesthouses showcase the best of the region’s past and present.
How informal “architectural bastards” could shape Thailand’s urban future
How can architecture better reflect a country’s real character? Thai designer Chatpong Chuenrudeemol shares how shanty towns, love motels and street carts reshaped his practice, and his vision for Southeast Asia.
Pulling up a bistro seat in Paris means you’ll be sitting on a piece of Maison Drucker history
Maison Drucker’s rattan chairs don’t just furnish Paris – they define it. These icons of the terrasse have outlived trends since 1985.
Preserving Lomé’s modernist legacy: A call to protect Togo’s architectural heritage
Abandoned buildings are a common feature of cities in West Africa. But there are ways to protect and celebrate the region’s lively architectural heritage too.
What Japanese design can teach us about decent communication
A new London exhibition explores how clever visual design – from Olympic pictograms to global fonts – helps us communicate better across borders, cultures and even political divides.
The London home that helped shape a new lighting design
Where do you look when your piece of industrial design, in this case a lamp, gets stuck in the development phase?
The five architecture and design books you should be reading this summer
Top up your design knowledge and spruce up your coffee table with these five Monocle-recommended monographs.
Why we all need to learn how to “speak architecture”
Buildings shape our world – so why don’t we discuss them?
