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
Graphic greatness
David Plaisant takes a look at graphic-design master Lance Wyman as a new monograph on his work, including his artwork for the Mexico 1968 Olympics, hits the shelves. We also speak to world-renowned architect Daniel Libeskind as he reveals the tower he has designed for Jerusalem. Plus: we take a…
What’s your craft?
In today’s episode we tour workshops and studios from Canada to Cornwall. In Berlin we meet maverick perfumer Geza Schön, in Toronto we talk to leather craftswoman Robin Ackitt of Ship Island Leather and in Cornwall we get a masterclass in blacksmithing from Tristan Kessel and James Kerr. But first…
When is heritage historic?
As London’s 1998 British Library is granted the highest level of protection, we ask what constitutes heritage and what makes this building so special. We also open up our summer suitcase of fashion and other beach essentials as the season hots up. Plus: as Washington DC opts for an official…
Holiday notes
We meet Barcelona-based designer Marcel Baer whose brand Octaevo is inspired by the Mediterranean. We also pop into the London concept store Wolf & Badger. Plus we go to Queens to hear the new beats of Sensory Percussion, a gadget designed for drummers.
Taking shape
As the Olympic Games in Rio approach, our correspondent dons a hard hat and takes a look at the near-completed Olympic Village. Plus we visit the ‘Disarming Design from Palestine’ exhibition in Ramallah, Josh Fehnert meets the Polish developers of new design application Tylko and we look at the history…
Modernist Los Angeles
We take a tour of iconic modernist complex Neutra VDL Studio and Residences in Los Angeles, designed by Austrian-American architect Richard Neutra. We also hear from Madrid, where an exhibition charts the history of coming second in architecture and speak to Swiss industrial designer Yves Béhar. Plus: we find out…
Designed for living
We head to the Indonesian city of Bandung where architect-turned-mayor Ridwan Kamil is redesigning the concept of public space for a new generation. We also talk men’s fashion for the season ahead with Daphné Hézard and mull over the future of Chinese architecture with Shanghai studio Neri&Hu. Plus: we visit…
Fair’s fair
Josh Fehnert meets the founders of ‘Fiera’, a new magazine that catalogues the output of the world’s design fairs. Plus Tom Morris meets design impresario Kelly Hoppen, David Plaisant goes to Battersea Power Station to check up on the progress of Phase One and we report from Toronto’s annual RAW…
Ben van Berkel
UNStudio’s founder Ben van Berkel speaks to Josh Fehnert about the Canaletto tower where London’s Islington and Shoreditch districts meet. Plus we meet Brazilian jewellery designer Monica Pondé, Copenhagen’s technology and environment mayor and discuss contemporary Norwegian design with ambassador Mona Juul.
Sheffield on show
We head to Sheffield Design Week as the city pushes itself as a centre for design in the shadow of its manufacturing heritage. We talk to designer Ilse Crawford about The Pier, a new premium lounge for Cathay Pacific, and meet CEO of Montblanc, Jerome Lambert.
