Films — Design

Furniture firm Carl Hansen & Søn is justly proud of its heritage and the company’s refusal to operate outside of Denmark hasn’t hampered growth. A new factory, increased output and rapidly rising exports point to a world of opportunity.

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.

For the second in our two films on the summer-long 14th Venice Architecture Biennale, Monocle investigates this year’s theme of “Fundamentals”, set by curator Rem Koolhaas. We report on the challenges facing the fundamental host nation at the Monditalia exhibition and the fundaments of building at the Elements of Architecture pavilion.

As curator of the 14th Venice Architecture Biennale, Rem Koolhaas invited curators to explore the fundamentals of architecture and analysis modernity from 1914 to 2014. Monocle films reports back on how the national pavilions responded to this year's assignment.

From a simple concept - the roll-out and upkeep of municipal street furniture in exchange for control of the advertising - JCDecaux elevates the unnoticed essentials of urban life. Monocle discovers how it helps cities run in style.

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.

Look no further than Monocle's report from this year's furniture fair in Milan to find out who's leading the way in the sector and what innovations will soon be shaping interiors across the globe.

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.

Contemporary Czech designers are embracing regional Bohemian glass-making traditions while investing in new techniques to create modern products with soul. Monocle films pays a visit to some of the country’s most clear-thinking glass alchemists.

The Czech Republic has a rich toy-making history which dedicated collectors and craftsmen are committed to keeping alive. From the atelier to the Christmas market, Monocle films discovers an inspiring toy story where art meets craft.

Italy’s motor city has long suffered from being painted with a very grey brush. However, as Monocle found out, it is Turin’s industrial heritage that is providing the inspiration and technical expertise to spur on a booming community of designers. We meet the creative minds who are playing on the city’s strengths to create a new image for Piedmont’s capital.

Cityscapes surround us and inspire us. Architecture speaks to our eyes and our minds. Monocle heads to Rotterdam's own Architecture Film Festival, to investigate the complex alchemy between real and invisible cities.

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.

Kenya Hara, Japan's most respected graphic designer, has his eyes on the future - and in particular the future of the home. For three weeks in March he staged House Vision, a Tokyo exhibition that combined the wisdom of Japan's best creative thinkers with state-of the art technology to explore new ways of urban living.

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.