Nature is a key source of inspiration for glass artist Michael Ruh, who has hand-crafted pieces for leading architects and brands, such as Fortnum &amp; Mason. We visited his south London studio as production was underway for a new commission for The Birch Hotel to hear about his design process.

Glassblowing with Michael Ruh

An electric bus service has injected a new playfulness into a borough of Tokyo in need of a revamp. We hop aboard and meet Eiji Mitooka, its creator and Japan’s foremost train designer, who explains why he puts fun at the top of his list when designing public transport. All aboard! Read more in the June issue of the magazine.

An electric bus service has injected a new playfulness into a borough of Tokyo in need of a revamp. We hop aboard and meet Eiji Mitooka, its creator and Japan’s foremost train designer, who explains why he puts fun at the top of his list when designing public transport. All aboard! <a href="https://monocle.com/shop/product/2155569/issue-154/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Read more in the June issue of the magazine.</a>

Inside Tokyo’s colourful community bus

Yinka Ilori

Designer Yinka Ilori discusses the design inspiration behind his temporary installation in London’s Canary Wharf and the importance of play in adulthood. Hear more on ‘Monocle on Design’ on Monocle 24.

Designer Yinka Ilori discusses the design inspiration behind his temporary installation in London’s Canary Wharf and the importance of play in adulthood. <a href="https://monocle.com/radio/shows/monocle-on-design/513/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hear more on ‘Monocle on Design’ on Monocle 24</a>.

Yinka Ilori’s 3D-printed basketball court

After the devastating port explosion of 4 August 2020, Beirut's creative community is battling to rebuild amid power-cuts and petrol shortages. A year on from the blast, Monocle joins its designers and architects on the streets of the city to see how they hope to make the city anew.

Rebuilding Beirut

Monocle launched its inaugural Design Awards in early 2021 to celebrate the world’s best and brightest talents in architecture, graphic design and industrial design. We invite you to meet a global cast of winners as we celebrate pioneering design projects that make our lives healthier and happier, our cities smarter and our work more creative.

Monocle Design Awards

We explore a New Zealand take on mid-century modern architecture that fused British brutalism with a Scandinavian aesthetic. The simple construction methods of the Christchurch School’s creative homes have endured changing tastes – and earthquakes too.

Christchurch School: sunny modernism

David Alhadeff

Perched above the buzz of Beverly Hills sits Casa Perfect, a gallery of contemporary design set in a spectacular modernist home. Its founder David Alhadeff shows us the wealth of remarkable art and architecture that is to be found in the varied neighbourhoods of this sunny city. Monocle Films has partnered with Beverly Hills Conference &amp; Visitors Bureau to reveal hidden gems through the eyes of local creatives.

A different view with David Alhadeff

We tour the breathtaking studios of artists’ residence Lallukka in Helsinki, which hasn’t changed its purpose since it was completed in 1933. The landmark functionalist building offers spaces at low rents so that its tenants can focus on one thing: making art.

The home of the Finnish art scene

The unassuming Shimada Gama workshop in Gotsu doubles up as an open-air museum of traditional stoneware pottery. It specialises in creating large pieces that are burnt in a sloped wood-fired kiln. We talk to the 73-year-old master Shimada Takayuki about the challenges of passing the rare skill and aesthetic sensibility down to his son and grandson.

The master craftsman: Shimada Takayuki

Japanese company Time &amp; Style knows how to inject innovative spirit into traditional crafts. Over the past two decades its founder Ryutaro Yoshida has criss-crossed Japan to woo reluctant artisans to collaborate on modern designs. We meet him in the remote region of Shimane as he develops a series of handmade washi paper lamps.

The talent-seeker: Ryutaro Yoshida

A comprehensive round-up of the design, architecture, fashion and graphics catching our eye.

Films — Design

To celebrate our book about Japan, we are presenting a film series that dives into the intriguing ecosystem that has preserved Japanese traditional skills over centuries. Meet the people who are future-proofing the age-old know-how.

To celebrate our <a href="https://monocle.com/shop/product/1684416/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">book about Japan</a>, we are presenting a film series that dives into the intriguing ecosystem that has preserved Japanese traditional skills over centuries. Meet the people who are future-proofing the age-old know-how.

The future of Japanese craftsmanship

Nestled just in from the Corsica coast sits Le Couvent de Pozzo, a converted monastery that has been brought back to life as a tranquil guesthouse by owner Emmanuelle Picon. Monocle stopped by to enjoy breathtaking views over the Tyrrhenian sea and tuck in to some of Emmanuelle’s delicious French cuisine.

Keeping the faith

New architecture is a powerful way to brand a location but it’s not without risk when the local area is already rich in tradition and natural beauty. Monocle films journeyed to the remote island of Fogo in Newfoundland to find a balance created in the building designs of Todd Saunders’ art studios and hotel.

Fogo Island - Part 2: Architecture

Karl Lagerfeld

Fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld talks to Monocle’s editor in chief Tyler Brûlé about the industry, the media and why Berlin isn’t as good as it used to be.

The Big Interview:  Karl Lagerfeld

There's a budding entrepreneurial scene in Amman, Jordan's charming capital. We profile the young people who are making things happen, whether it's by starting design studios, cafés, galleries or small businesses.

Jordan's creative scene

For Monocle’s Homeware Top 25 we present our round-up of the simply designed and yet endlessly useful things – from coat hooks to ceramics and cooking utensils to kettles – that make a home not just a location to escape to and enjoy, but a place to show off and share, too.

Homeware Top 25

Cape Town's reign as World Design Capital for 2014 focuses on the problem-solving potential of design: an approach that’s more gritty than pretty. As South Africa celebrates 20 years of independence, Gillian Dobias explores the city's design-for-social-change agenda.

Live Design. Transform Life.

As part of our 'Secret to...' series we visit the architecture practice of Andreas Martin-Löf, which is reinventing residential housing in Stockholm.

The secret to building affordable homes

We tour the stunning studios and recording halls of Funkhaus, east Berlin’s former communist broadcasting house.

Funkhaus: on the same wavelength

In the first of two films to celebrate the publication of The Monocle Guide to Cosy Homes, we visit the residence of Knud Erik Hansen, managing director of Carl Hansen &amp; Søn and grandson of the company's iconic founder. Hansen has transformed an impressive Danish estate into a comfortable family home, filling it with beautiful furniture and preserving the property’s charm.

In the first of two films to celebrate the publication of <a href="https://monocle.com/shop/books/books/the-monocle-guide-to-cosy-homes/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Monocle Guide to Cosy Homes</a>, we visit the residence of Knud Erik Hansen, managing director of Carl Hansen &amp; Søn and grandson of the company's iconic founder. Hansen has transformed an impressive Danish estate into a comfortable family home, filling it with beautiful furniture and preserving the property’s charm.

Cosy Homes: Hellerup Estate

Look up as you stroll Zürich’s streets and you’ll see these outdoor living rooms everywhere. Monocle Films visited the city to outline this architectural feature and how it improves quality of life.

In praise of balconies

“Fostering independent thinking” is a key phrase in modern education but it’s not easy to do. We visit Madrid’s Colegio Estudio to meet its enlightened teachers and alumni.

Campus of creativity 

As Design Miami celebrates its 10th anniversary, Monocle films explores new themes in the collectable design market.

Design Miami 2014

South African architects Gawie and Gwen Fagan designed and built their family home on a dramatic spot between Table Mountain and the Atlantic Ocean. Die Es is an ode to vernacular architecture with a difference. To celebrate the publication of The Monocle Guide to Cosy Homes, Monocle films explores the sculpted forms, palpable materiality and harmony with nature that make this eclectic residence stand out.

Cosy Homes: Die Es

Monocle editor Andrew Tuck navigates the Arsenale to find out how architects have responded to the curatorial theme of this year’s Venice Biennale of Architecture.

Venice: finding Freespace

Northamptonshire’s shoemaking legacy has stood strong for well over a century and De Fursac’s dapper Derbys and eye-catching Oxfords will keep you in step with the times.  We meet the team behind De Fursac’s first footwear collection.

A man's shoe

Home to a diverse creative community, architect Kazuyo Sejima's housing complex is designed to enlighten residents with its sense of serenity.

Residence - Nishinoyama House

To celebrate the collaboration between Swiss watchmaker TAG Heuer and Japanese designer Hiroshi Fujiwara, we contemplate the pursuit of perfection to achieve timeless appeal.

On design

Japanese design icon Kenya Hara’s House Vision exhibition gathered some of the nation’s most creative thinkers in Tokyo to explore new possibilities for urban living.

House Vision

Kenya’s Karura Forest offers not only respite from the bustling capital but also a sense of pride for its citizens.

Nairobi: building better cities

The best philosophy podcast episodes. Asking questions about how to live a better life, what it means to be and do good, to the idea of God. This topic includes episodes that bring about important questions that everyone should be asking themselves. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!

Best Episodes on Practical Philosophy & How To Live

The best podcast episodes on global issues affecting everyone. Covering topics such as the #metoo movement, climate change, the impact of technology and some of the biggest global issues facing us right now. For anyone interested in learning more about the world, and some of the issues we're facing, pick an episode below and start listening! Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!