1 March 2016
Episode 229
28 minutes
What does sustainability really mean? From architecture and automobiles to product design and fashion, we tackle the issue of sustainability in design. Architect Tom Kundig and Rama Gheerawo of London’s Royal College of Art tell us what sustainability means to them and Benjamin Hubert, head of design agency Layer, explains how he balances sustainable values with commercial interests. Plus: Monocle’s Jamie Waters brings us his picks of the sustainable items found in the fashion cupboard of Midori House.
1 March 2016
Share episode
DownloadChapter 1
3 minutes
15
15
/
Chapter 2
8 minutes
15
15
/
Rama Gheerawo works at the Royal College of Art, home to the oldest vehicle-design programme in the world. We spoke to him in his office at the Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design to find out more about how sustainability has shaped the development of automotive design.
8 minutes
Share chapter 2
Chapter 3
8 minutes
15
15
/
Benjamin Hubert is a London-based designer and the founder of Layer. He thinks designers have a responsibility to produce “more than just the next nice chair” but this doesn’t stop him working with corporate clients such as Nike, Braun and BMW. Benjamin tells us what sustainability means to him and how he maintains his values while working with big brands.
8 minutes
Share chapter 3
Want more radio episodes like these in your inbox?
Sign up to Monocle’s email newsletters to stay on top of news and opinion, plus the latest from the magazine, radio, film and shop.
Monocle on Design - latest episodes
The best of 2024
The team shares this year’s highlights. Expect conversations with designers Maria Bruun and Farah Marafie, and architectural historian, Iain Borden. Also, we hear from the team behind the ‘Dwellings’ exhibition of birdho…
Highlights from the year
Monocle’s design editor, Nic Monisse, reflects on some of the conversations shared with creatives this year as 2024 comes to a close.
Christmas special
In this festive episode recorded at Monocle’s annual Christmas Market, we discuss the art of gift wrapping with author and furoshiki expert Tomoko Kakita. Plus, designer Nika Zupanc on her collaboration with Italian brand…
Contemporary architecture in Chiang Mai
Tomás Pinheiro considers how contemporary practitioners in Thailand’s second city, Chiang Mai, work with local materials and traditional construction methods.
Dafi Kühne, timelessness in design and Fernando Mendes
Swiss graphic designer Dafi Kühne explains why legibility is relative and we meet the president of the Instituto Sergio Rodrigues. Also, the architect Jeanne Autran-Edorh reflects on timelessness in architecture.
Home comforts
Monocle’s design editor, Nic Monisse, reflects on how architecture is key to a strong sense of home.
Soane Medal winner Hanif Kara, plus Rive Roshan
This year’s Soane Medal winner, Hanif Kara, joins us at Midori House. Plus, a studio visit to the Dutch artistic practice, Rive Roshan.
Family values
Giulia Molteni, part of the third generation of the Molteni family, discusses the importance of a shared vision when continuing the international legacy of the family-owned furniture business.
An architecture special
We visit a new Asif Khan-designed boardwalk in London and discuss kiosks found across Central and Eastern Europe. Plus, we preview Monocle magazine’s new special edition, ‘Monocle: The Entrepreneurs’, out now.
‘Rooted’
The first solo exhibition at London’s Gallery Fumi, from James Plumb. The British design duo, Hannah Plumb and James Russell discuss their development process for the sculptural lighting pieces featured.
Sydney special
We hear interviews from Monocle Radio’s pop-up at the UBS Australasia Conference 2024. We check-in with leading antipodean architects and interior designers on residential, hospitality and school design. Plus, how archit…
Miriam Hillawi Abraham
The Ethiopian designer and architectural researcher discusses the role of coral in her recent installation, “Material Witnesses and Narrating Lifeforms”. The project is inspired by the coral used as a construction material…
Dubai Design Week
Nic Monisse recaps highlights from the 10th iteration of Dubai Design Week, an event that continues to cement the city’s status as the region’s design hub.
‘A Present/Absent Mudhif’
The titular pavilion is on show as part of this year’s Dubai Design Week. The structure’s Iraq-based architect, Ola Saad Znad, discusses the shelter that is inspired by the floating houses found in the Mesopotamian Marshes…
November issue preview
With our latest issue set to hit newsstands this month, we preview some of our favourite stories from a design special that features interviews with industrial designers Cecilie Manz and Ini Archibong.