Monocle on Design
Your essential guide to design, covering furniture, craft, and architecture. Discover fresh stories, rising talents, and the latest from top studios.
Latest Episodes
São Paulo’s modernist furniture
A modernist furniture trove in São Paulo and a special report from Xiamen, the city that’s changing perceptions of brand “made in China” and becoming an unlikely hub for homegrown fashion designers. Plus: what you shouldn’t miss at this year’s London Design Biennale.
Closed architecture
From space capsules to submarines and housing estates, we take a closer look at “closed” architecture. Plus: Josh Fehnert meets sir John Sorrell to talk creative education and his role in London’s forthcoming design festival and biennale.
Women in design
We take a closer look at some of the 20th century’s female design pioneers. Plus: Josh Fehnert asks how infographics and illustration can unpack complex issues with ‘Weapons of Reason’ magazine’s Paul Willoughby.
Meeting Yinka Ilori
We grab a seat with London-based furniture designer Yinka Ilori, plus consider the costs of keeping age-old buildings in good nick. Josh Fehnert also counts down the design headlines with writer Christopher Beanland.
Do we need CBDs?
We talk to the architect behind a from-scratch city centre being built in China and to Monocle’s editor about how working patterns have changed the city. Plus: Josh Fehnert talks design headlines with the editor in chief of ‘Disegno’ magazine.
Library design: turning the page
The internet has forced libraries to adapt: what was once a space that merely lent out books has had to become a bona fide meeting place. We learn a few lessons in library design from bookish Finland and find out how Brazil is boosting literacy.
Greek revival
We head to the Greek capital for a peek inside the studios of the best and brightest in design and architecture. Plus: we delve into the history of mosque design in Britain.
Reimagining architecture
We explore the work of Bodys Isek Kingelez, a late Congolese artist who reimagined his home city, and offer our take on a new architecture award keen to vaunt the work of lesser-known practices from emerging nations. Plus: Josh Fehnert talks through the design headlines with architecture critic Oliver Wainwright.
Workplace design
We forego the gimmicks and reveal the hazards of hot-desking as we imagine a more meaningful manner in which to improve office design. Josh Fehnert is joined by academic and writer Jeremy Myerson, who is working on solutions for building better a workplace.
Fashion forward
We sit down with the Tokyo-based company designing suits for blue-collar workers and visit an exhibition at London’s V&A exploring how fashion and sustainability can go hand in hand. Plus: what do we really know about enigmatic fashion designer Charles James?
