
Monocle on Design
Everything you need to know about the world of design, from furniture to fashion and craft to architecture. Expect fresh stories, new finds and designers and all the latest news from the world’s most exciting studios.
Latest episodes

Jul 3, 2025 • 8min
Extra: How cars shaped modern architecture
In this conversation, writer Christopher Beanland, author of 'Architecture for Cars,' dives into the fascinating relationship between cars and modern architecture. He explores how automobiles have influenced urban planning, coining the term 'car-citecture.' Listeners will discover quirky architectural examples like Berlin's 'Snake' and Australia's humorous roadside attractions, showcasing how these car-centric designs reflect cultural shifts and shape experiences for both drivers and pedestrians.

Jul 1, 2025 • 31min
Timber: Darren Appiagyei, Material Cultures and Oregon lumber
We visit the studio of wood artist Darren Appiagyei, find out why Portland, Oregon, has become a mass-timber hub and design organisation Material Cultures shares why timber isn’t the only vital woodland resource.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 26, 2025 • 9min
Extra: Lahti International Poster Triennial
First held in 1975, the event has grown into one of the world’s most respected poster-design competitions, drawing submissions from top talent across the globe. Petri Burtsoff reports.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 24, 2025 • 29min
3 Days of Design: Area Luce, Nau, Forma and ‘Home from Home’
We hear from a global cohort of creatives at Copenhagen’s de facto design week, 3 Days of Design. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 19, 2025 • 9min
Extra: ‘Eastern Blocks II: Concrete Landscapes of the Former Eastern Bloc’
The second photographic survey from independent publishing house Zupagrafika considers the building style that dominates much of Eastern Europe. Architectural historian Kateryna Malaia tells us more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 17, 2025 • 32min
‘The Shakers: A World in the Making’, Falé and the Hannah Ryggen Triennale
The Vitra Design Museum considers how Shakers have inspired designers. Then: we head to Senegal to meet the co-founder of Falé, a brand focusing on hand-spun cotton. Finally, the Hannah Ryggen Triennale in Norway. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 12, 2025 • 8min
Extra: ‘Across the Spooniverse’
In San Diego the Mingei International Museum’s latest exhibition explores how the humble spoon is a vessel for human creativity across the world. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 10, 2025 • 31min
London Design Biennale, Finnish Glass Biennale, Art Deco in Shanghai
The London Design Biennale’s director, Victoria Broackes, and experiential designer and author Rachel Botsman discuss this year’s event and the latter’s “Roots of Trust” installation, which reimagines a historical design artefact.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 5, 2025 • 6min
Extra: Mariana Ralo
As part of this year’s Lisbon Design Week, artist Mariana Ralo produced a vast tapestry crafted from nautical rope and rubber for the courtyard at Locke da Santa Joanna hotel. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 3, 2025 • 33min
Marina Tabassum, Lisbon Design Week, Dan Thawley
Architect Marina Tabassum discusses her inspiration for this year’s Serpentine Pavilion. Then: a report from the third edition of Lisbon Design Week. Plus: we meet Dan Thawley, artistic director of Matter and Shape.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.