Extra: On the Sq

Extra: On the Sq

Author: Monocle May 1, 2025 Duration: 9:28

In east London a four-storey house has been renovated and transformed into a design wonderland, with bespoke works made in response to the site. The project’s curator, Irenie Cossey, tells us more.

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There's a conversation happening about the objects, spaces, and systems that shape our lives, and Monocle on Design is right in the middle of it. This isn't just a survey of pretty things; it's a thoughtful exploration of how design intersects with commerce, culture, and daily living. Each episode feels like a dispatch from a global network of creators, offering a tangible sense of place whether reporting from a bustling Milan studio, a quiet Japanese workshop, or a forward-thinking urban planning office. You'll hear directly from the people behind the products and buildings, understanding the business decisions and cultural currents that inform their work. The scope is refreshingly broad, treating a finely crafted chair, a revolutionary fabric, and the layout of a city park with equal seriousness. By weaving together elements of art, entrepreneurship, and society, this Monocle podcast provides a nuanced, on-the-ground perspective. It’s for anyone curious about why our world looks and feels the way it does, and who believes that thoughtful design is fundamental to a better, more enjoyable life. The discussions go beyond aesthetics to consider function, sustainability, and the stories embedded in everything from furniture to fashion.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Monocle on Design
Podcast Episodes
Obin, haptic feedback and the conclusion to our summer series  [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:24
Indonesian textile and fashion powerhouse Obin discusses bringing batik to contemporary audiences. Plus: Sam Hecht of Industrial Facility discusses haptic feedback and the last instalment of our summer series.See omnystu…
Extra: Cabin Fever 2025 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:30
We visit the architectural summer school run by the studio Hello Wood. Helena Kardová reports from this year’s one-of-a-kind adventure, which took place in a former textile factory in the town of Česká Kamenice, Czechia.…
Summer schools [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:05
We hear from Alexander von Vegesack, founder of Domaine de Boisbuchet – an international research centre for design and architecture in southwest France that hosts workshops for students and professionals.See omnystudio.…
Extra: ‘Perfection’ [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:32
Vincenzo Latronico’s new novel ‘Perfection’ is a launchpad for Monocle’s associate editor, Grace Charlton, to explore ideas of materialism. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Extra: Who was Lorenzo Homar? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:08
The printmaker and poster designer is celebrated at the Poster House in New York in an exhibition that charts the pioneering work of the creative.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
‘Pictograms’ at Japan House and Robert Wilson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:21
A review of the ‘Pictograms’ exhibition at Japan House in London. Then: we remember the late, great Robert Wilson. And: we kick off our summer series highlighting design essentials for the season. See omnystudio.com/list…
Extra: Bora  [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:08
We head to Portugal to meet João Xará, one of the co-founders of this design collective, to discuss why the group formed and the power of experimentation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
‘More Than Human’, Marco Sousa Santos and Bolaji Teniola [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:15
The Design Museum in London explores how we might design beyond human needs in its latest exhibition. Then we visit the showroom of Portuguese furniture brand Branca and sit down with interdisciplinary designer Bolaji Te…
Extra: On performing good taste [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:44
Monocle’s associate editor of design and fashion, Grace Charlton, muses on the importance of enjoying good design rather than the performance of merely owning it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.