The beauty of Japanese design has won fans around the world but it takes great panache to translate it to large-scale projects. We sit down with architect Kengo Kuma in his Tokyo office to talk about his National Stadium for this year’s Olympics. It’s a building that has given a new lease of life to traditional craftsmanship and stimulated local economies.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/monocle_d/~4/e5Rnm1gIy-4" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>

The beauty of Japanese design has won fans around the world but it takes great panache to translate it to large-scale projects. We sit down with architect Kengo Kuma in his Tokyo office to talk about his National Stadium for this year’s Olympics. It’s a building that has given a new lease of life to traditional craftsmanship and stimulated local economies.

Films — Design

The international icon: Kengo Kuma

In 1928 Maruni Wood Industry was born out of a fascination with the masterful carpentry in ancient shrines. Today its furniture is found in the Californian headquarters of Apple as well as airport lounges, galleries and restaurants around the world. We meet the company’s president to talk about the challenges of managing a family-run business.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/monocle_d/~4/rd0HWuIKnkE" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>

In 1928 Maruni Wood Industry was born out of a fascination with the masterful carpentry in ancient shrines. Today its furniture is found in the Californian headquarters of Apple as well as airport lounges, galleries and restaurants around the world. We meet the company’s president to talk about the challenges of managing a family-run business.

The bold business owner: Takeshi Yamanaka

To celebrate our forthcoming [book about Japan](https://monocle.com/shop/product/1684416/), we are presenting a new 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.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/monocle_d/~4/GWvSYG-nLl0" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>

To celebrate our forthcoming [book about Japan](https://monocle.com/shop/product/1684416/), we are presenting a new 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

We visit a Kengo Kuma-designed art museum in Eskisehir that’s set to become Turkey’s new cultural hotspot.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/monocle_d/~4/XWEXKZreZ14" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>

We visit a Kengo Kuma-designed art museum in Eskisehir that’s set to become Turkey’s new cultural hotspot.

Building a place for culture

“Foster independent thinking” is a key phrase in modern education but few places get it right. We visit Madrid’s Colegio Estudio to meet the enlightened teachers and alumni.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/monocle_d/~4/ZOiiwZTWi20" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>

“Foster independent thinking” is a key phrase in modern education but few places get it right. We visit Madrid’s Colegio Estudio to meet the enlightened teachers and alumni.

Campus of creativity

Rather than erase all evidence of Georgia’s Soviet past, the country’s architectural community is keen to preserve its history and give its once-foreboding buildings another – happier – lease of life.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/monocle_d/~4/SjneCujkBxY" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>

Rather than erase all evidence of Georgia’s Soviet past, the country’s architectural community is keen to preserve its history and give its once-foreboding buildings another – happier – lease of life.

Tbilisi’s architectural revival

We head to Mehr als Wohnen, a unique mixed-use development housing a happy and healthy community.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/monocle_d/~4/SW0p4Zxoso8" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>

We head to Mehr als Wohnen, a unique mixed-use development housing a happy and healthy community.

Zürich: co-operative living

To celebrate the collaboration between Swiss watchmaker TAG Heuer and Japanese designer Hiroshi Fujiwara, we contemplate the pursuit of perfection to achieve timeless appeal.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/monocle_d/~4/8CPSirUF-OY" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>

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

To celebrate the launch of A. Lange & Söhne's limited-edition timepiece Datograph Up/Down Lumen, we speak to architect Joe Morris and photographer Polly Tootal about their creative processes – and how light informs their practice. Find out more about the watch [here](https://alange-soehne.com/en/unlimited-facettes).<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/monocle_d/~4/OZfNp7GkwAE" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>

To celebrate the launch of A. Lange & Söhne's limited-edition timepiece Datograph Up/Down Lumen, we speak to architect Joe Morris and photographer Polly Tootal about their creative processes – and how light informs their practice. Find out more about the watch [here](https://alange-soehne.com/en/unlimited-facettes).

Day and night

Kenya’s Karura Forest offers not only respite from the bustling capital but also a sense of pride for its citizens.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/monocle_d/~4/Npwh9bEK5Dk" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>

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

Brazil’s business capital has reinvented its city centre through clever urbanism. We meet the architects, gallery owners and transport visionaries powering this change.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/monocle_d/~4/ZWNivgOOTLU" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>

Brazil’s business capital has reinvented its city centre through clever urbanism. We meet the architects, gallery owners and transport visionaries powering this change.

São Paulo: building better cities

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.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/monocle_d/~4/yYNqtfpiTp8" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>

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

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.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/monocle_d/~4/9nrpy_6iJuQ" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>

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

We tour the stunning studios and recording halls of Funkhaus, east Berlin’s former communist broadcasting house.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/monocle_d/~4/Itq2jzhwI4k" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>

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

Funkhaus: on the same wavelength

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.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/monocle_d/~4/7v3AKuOfjyc" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>

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

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

hubhopper

Films — Design

hubhopper