Felix Odell
Lake life
Architect Erik Persson bought a 120-year-old barn, dismantled it and rebuilt it as a summerhouse. The result is a simple yet stunning off-grid retreat in the peaceful depths of the Swedish countryside.
Military parade
Part of the British Army for nearly 200 years, Nepalese Gurkhas are renowned for their skill and bravery. For Monocle, these Gurkhas swapped their distinctive uniforms for bold, smart civvies.
5 Loveable cities
These are the five cities that have made our pinboard and deserve our mention even if they did not appear in our Quality of Life index. Whether it be for the transformation they have…
Home Sweede home
A dream team of owner, architect, and designer created this 12-room hotel in a residence, reminding the industry what hotels should be: places that feel like home, but ten times better.
Sami side of life
The new Sami parliament building in Finland is a proud symbol of how far the indigenous people of Europe's north have come over the past century, from being a culture struggling for survival to…
Isolated state
On a trip to the northern Swedish archipelago, with just a few essentials, Monocle discovers an island bolthole perfect for recharging depleted batteries.
Making airwaves
Hilversum was the centre of Dutch broadcasting for a century, a model media city of daring architecture. Now, the city is searching for new relevance in the digital media age.
Making a noise
Carl Bildt on swapping the premiership for the foreign ministry, Sweden's outsized diplomatic ambitions, and why Belarus, Egypt and Afghanistan all demand its attention.
Expo 45: Casablanca
You won’t see many tourists in Morocco’s largest city, and infrastructure is lacking. But despite its crumbling mix of ancient and modern architecture, the locals adore Casablanca’s undeniable, if faded, glamour.
Expo 45: Rome
Rome’s citizens will tell you that too many things just don’t work in their city. But it still maintains an enviable quality of life with its markets, piazzas and architectural surprises.
