18 October 2016
Episode 262
30 minutes
This week we bring you a very special edition of ‘Section D’ recorded live from Midori House in London’s Marylebone. Typographer and designer Erik Spiekermann, ‘Disegno’ founder and V&A curator Johanna Agerman Ross and architecture critic Peter Murray join host Josh Fehnert to reflect on their careers, consider London’s status as a design city and mull over that age-old question: what is good design?
18 October 2016
Share episode
DownloadWant 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
Extra: What should a hospital sound like?
When Helsinki’s new children’s hospital was designed, its sound and acoustics were a major consideration. We hear how good sound design can make a huge difference for patients and staff in a stressful environment.
Los Angeles special
This special edition of the programme is hosted by Monocle’s Carlota Rebelo in Los Angeles. She reports on what defines the Southern California aesthetic, a new streetlight competition and textiles from BlockShop.
Extra: Perth Stadium
From Rotterdam to Milan, new stadiums are nearing completion. But can a stadium structure reflect its location? We look to western Australia to find out how Perth Stadium’s new parkland embraces its city.
Toronto special
This special edition of the programme is hosted by our team in Toronto, unpicking Canada’s design credentials, from graphic design and architecture to the country’s fine roster of design festivals.
Extra: In praise of shade
The planet is getting warmer and city residents are starting to feel the heat in buildings designed for cooler climes. Air conditioning is one – somewhat wasteful – solution but should architects and designers consider…
Greek revival
The Greek economy is improving despite a ruinous financial crisis, and today more Athenians are heading home and looking to help shape the city for the better. Our Athens-themed dispatch delves into three industries (from…
Extra: City security: Oslo’s new neighbourhood
Oslo is currently redesigning its government quarter. The administrative buildings here were damaged by a terror attack in 2011 and are set to be demolished to make way for shiny new replacements and large public parks to…
London with Simon Jenkins
Author and historian Simon Jenkins talks to Josh Fehnert about how London came to look the way it does. Plus: Architectural historian Elain Harwood on the UK’s overlooked art deco buildings.
Extra: Show stoppers
How do you redesign the familiar and the everyday? We visit London’s Ace Hotel, which recently invited Diego Faivre, Boaz Cohen and Shay Alkalay to refresh objects such as doorstops and rugs as part of the ‘Custom Exercise’…
Keeping it natural
We meet celebrated architect Tom Kundig, co-owner and design principal of Seattle-based partnership Olson Kundig, to discuss how his enthusiasm for natural materials flows into his work. Plus: Maria Cheung of London-based…
Extra: Game changers
Mattel have released a new braille edition of classic card game Uno. Games expert Dr Michael James Heron explains design choices encouraging wider accessibility for the visually impaired in board games and card games.
Bold futures
We head to Eindhoven to check out the best of Dutch Design Week. Plus: how the Cold War shaped Vienna’s architecture and Rob Dickins introduces The Architects Underground at the Royal Institute of British Architects.
Extra: Seeing double
We visit Baltimore’s Post Typography to learn how founders Nolen Strals and Bruce Willen grew a successful design and branding agency from their beginnings as collaborators in the city’s music scene.
The politics of pattern
We discuss the politics of pattern design with writer and curator Priya Khanchandani and architect Sam Jacob, whose exhibition at the Lisbon Architecture Triennale challenges established norms. Plus: staying in Portugal,…
Extra: Best seats in the house
We speak to Russell Pinch and Oona Bannon of London’s Pinch Design about how to create furniture that’s elegant yet homely.
