{"id":631402,"date":"2026-04-26T05:13:32","date_gmt":"2026-04-26T05:13:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/631402\/"},"modified":"2026-04-26T05:13:32","modified_gmt":"2026-04-26T05:13:32","slug":"the-monocle-design-awards-2026-the-best-craftspeople-who-have-truly-mastered-their-trades","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/631402\/","title":{"rendered":"The Monocle Design Awards 2026: The best craftspeople who have truly mastered their trades"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/monocle.com\/design\/design-awards-2026-all-the-winners\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">See the full list of 25 winners here<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Best landscape and construction<br \/>Robert Plumb Collective with Dangar Barin Smith<br \/>Australia<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Landscape design is only as good as its delivery. By keeping the process in-house, this collective has been creating some of Australia\u2019s best residential and commercial spaces. <\/p>\n<p>\t\t\tNaomi Barin, Will Dangar and Tom Smith\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t(Image: Nick Bannehr)\n\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img data-splide-lazy=\"https:\/\/monocle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/251114_MONOCLE_DANGARBARINSMITH_1393_CROP_F.jpg?fit=584%2C730\" data-splide-lazy-  alt=\"Naomi Barin, Will Dangar and Tom Smith\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNaomi Barin, Will Dangar and Tom Smith\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t(Image: Nick Bannehr)\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img data-splide-lazy=\"https:\/\/monocle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/251114_MONOCLE_DANGARBARINSMITH_2341_CROP.jpg?fit=584%2C730\" data-splide-lazy-  alt=\"Sofa at Bismarck House\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIn the shade at Bismarck House\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t(Image: Nick Bannehr)\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img data-splide-lazy=\"https:\/\/monocle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/251114_MONOCLE_DANGARBARINSMITH_2113_CROP.jpg?fit=584%2C730\" data-splide-lazy-  alt=\"Work by Robert Plumb Collectiive with Dangar Barin Smith\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBlending indoors and out\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t(Image: Nick Bannehr)\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img data-splide-lazy=\"https:\/\/monocle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/251114_MONOCLE_DANGARBARINSMITH_0672_CROP.jpg?fit=584%2C730\" data-splide-lazy-  alt=\"In Cranbrook Workshop\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIn Cranbrook Workshop s\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t(Image: Nick Bannehr)\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img data-splide-lazy=\"https:\/\/monocle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/251114_MONOCLE_DANGARBARINSMITH_2086_CROP.jpg?fit=584%2C730\" data-splide-lazy-  alt=\"Outdoor hot tub\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tA hot tub at the Love Shack\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t(Image: Nick Bannehr)\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img data-splide-lazy=\"https:\/\/monocle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/251114_MONOCLE_DANGARBARINSMITH_1685_CROP.jpg?fit=584%2C730\" data-splide-lazy-  alt=\"Tools\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTools of the trade\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t(Image: Nick Bannehr)\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img data-splide-lazy=\"https:\/\/monocle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/251114_MONOCLE_DANGARBARINSMITH_2529_CROP.jpg?fit=913%2C730\" data-splide-lazy-  alt=\"Laneway landscape\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLaneway landscape\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t(Image: Nick Bannehr)\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cDangar Barin Smith started as a lawnmowing business in the 1990s and evolved into a creative practice,\u201d says Will Dangar. \u201cThen Robert Plumb was just sort of tacked on.\u201d Dangar is explaining the evolution of landscape and contracting group Robert Plumb Collective, which he established and co-owns with Bill Clifton. \u201cI was making furniture and doing some installing for Will,\u201d adds the latter. \u201cWe had the same accountant, who said that it would be a good idea to team up.\u201d <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the decades since, the creative practice \u2013 now a landscape-architecture studio run with Naomi Barin and Tom Smith \u2013 became the headline act, delivering some of Australia\u2019s best residential and commercial spaces, prioritising horticulture as much as physical construction. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Thanks to the family of businesses formed with Clifton, however, construction remains of the highest standard. Robert Plumb Build is an evolution of Clifton\u2019s original residential building practice, with joinery studio Cranbrook Workshop creating custom furniture and Robert Plumb Fix, Landscape and Management supporting delivery and more. The collective recently added Second Edition, a research practice that minimises construction waste through material reuse. Across the group, there are carpenters, draughtspeople, horticulturalists and wood machinists too. <\/p>\n<p class=\"has-inverted-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-paragraph wp-elements-3b4d7de2da5b775a9c673460f2257855\">\u201cWe can control much of the process in-house, eliminating risk,\u201d says Clifton, pointing to projects such as Love Shack, a small dwelling that was built in a private garden, featuring materials developed by Second Edition. Bismarck House is another standout. Here, Robert Plumb Collective built a landscape defined by a Bismarck palm that provides instant visual impact \u2013 an apt metaphor for a company shaking up how our homes and landscapes are delivered. <br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/robertplumbcollective.com.au\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">robertplumbcollective.com.au<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/dangarbarinsmith.com.au\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">dangarbarinsmith.com.au<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Material matters<br \/>Evolution is essential in the landscape and construction industry, which is why the addition of Second Edition, a pioneering research-based materials company, is a boon for the collective.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"730\" width=\"584\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/251114_MONOCLE_DANGARBARINSMITH_1790_CROP.jpg\" alt=\"Person holding materials from Second Edition\" class=\"wp-image-299629\"  \/>(Image: Nick Bannehr)<\/p>\n<p>Legacy architect <br \/>Tilla Theus<br \/>Switzerland <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For architecture that stands the test of time, imbue it with character by celebrating context and culture. <\/p>\n<p>\t\t\tTilla Theus\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t(Image: Yves Bachmann)\n\t<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Swiss architect Tilla Theus has spent more than 50 years proving that architecture can be warm and inviting. She graduated from ETH Zu\u0308rich in 1969 and immediately opened her own practice, developing a distinctive approach involving the introduction of a sense of atmospheric warmth to historic buildings and new-builds alike. To discuss her continually evolving practice, Monocle meets her at Widder Hotel, a grouping of medieval townhouses dating from the 11th to 15th centuries that she turned into a cosy hospitality outpost.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You often work with heritage buildings. Tell us about your process. <br \/>Widder Hotel was a complex project that encompassed everything that defines my passion for this work: it was about understanding the substance of eight medieval townhouses and transforming them into a five-star hotel without imitating the luxury language of the time, with its arches, balustrades and brocade. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">How does this work express your broader architectural ethos? <br \/>A building has a soul. The task is to understand it and to make it visible through precise and sustained engagement. Old buildings, in particular, have souls. They must be understood and translated into the present. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What do you think should be the architecture industry\u2019s priorities? <br \/>The task today is to create buildings that not only meet current needs but can also accommodate future uses. A modern hospital must be modular so that it can adapt to new processes and technologies. The same applies to offices, industrial buildings, hospitality and housing. <br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/tillatheus.ch\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">tillatheus.ch<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Leading creative director<br \/>Pierre-Alexis Guinet<br \/>France<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Good creative directors can deliver snappy new logos but great ones \u2013 like Guinet \u2013 can help brands both tell and understand their own story.<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\tPierre-Alexis Guinet\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t(Image: Diane Betties)\n\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img data-splide-lazy=\"https:\/\/monocle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2501_DB_Monocle100_PAG_0953_CROP_4x3.jpg?fit=548%2C730\" data-splide-lazy-  alt=\"Pierre-Alexis Guinet\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPierre-Alexis Guinet\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t(Image: Diane Betties)\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img data-splide-lazy=\"https:\/\/monocle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2501_DB_Monocle100_PAG_1142_CROP.jpg?fit=548%2C730\" data-splide-lazy-  alt=\"Packaging for the&#10;likes of the Cap&#10;d\u2019Antibes Beach&#10;Hotel and Herm\u00e8s\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPackaging for the likes of the Cap d\u2019Antibes Beach<br \/>\nHotel and Herm\u00e8s\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t(Image: Diane Betties)\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img data-splide-lazy=\"https:\/\/monocle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/53_STILL_2226_DEF_CROP.jpg?fit=548%2C730\" data-splide-lazy-  alt=\"Packaging for Marie Lichtenberg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPackaging for Marie Lichtenberg\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t(Image: F\u00e9lix Dol Maillot)\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img data-splide-lazy=\"https:\/\/monocle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2501_DB_Monocle100_PAG_0888_CROP.jpg?fit=548%2C730\" data-splide-lazy-  alt=\"A brand book\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tA brand book \u2013 or \u2018bible\u2019\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t(Image: Diane Betties)\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After initial meetings, clients of Paris-based studio Pierre-Alexis Guinet \u2013 which works on projects ranging from visual identities to refreshed packaging \u2013 are handed a magazine-style book. The bespoke publication is filled with visual references from snippets of historical archives and auction catalogues to travel snaps and screenshots from the internet. \u201cIt\u2019s our bible,\u201d Guinet tells Monocle from his studio in \u00cele Saint-Louis. \u201cIt outlines the story that we aim to tell.\u201d <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s an approach that makes Guinet and his team stand out. In an industry dominated by endless scrolling, the book is a welcome antidote. He encourages clients and colleagues to scribble on, earmark or even tear out pages of their copy, allowing it to evolve as a project\u2019s direction takes shape.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the seven years since founding his namesake studio, Guinet has worked with hospitality, fashion and lifestyle companies based in France and abroad. Key clients include luxury houses Balenciaga and Herm\u00e8s (he conceived the modular, block-colour packaging for the brand\u2019s haute joaillerie division), rugmaker Les Editions de Tapis and jewellers Pascale Monvoisin and Marie Lichtenberg, as well as hoteliers and restaurateurs in Saint-Tropez, Miami and beyond. The studio\u2019s services range from art directing a campaign to designing a monogram or staff uniforms that hit the mark. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While Guinet trained in graphic design, he says that his work is about more than just building an eye-catching visual identity. Instead, he seeks to create entire worlds, replete with \u201cprops\u201d that range from brand books to bathrobes, coffee cups, keyrings and even scents. \u201cThat\u2019s how to create heritage,\u201d he says. All of it, though, starts with a book \u2013 which is appropriate, given that even in a digital age, it remains one of the most effective storytelling mediums.<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/pierrealexisguinet.com\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">pierrealexisguinet.com<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Designer-maker<br \/>Andu Masebo<br \/>UK<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some of the best contemporary designers, such as Andu Masebo, know how to get their hands dirty, balancing bespoke and industrial production to deliver playful, expertly made works. <\/p>\n<p>\t\t\tAndu Masebo\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t(Image: Dan Wilton)\n\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img data-splide-lazy=\"https:\/\/monocle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DANW0426_CROP.jpg?fit=548%2C730\" data-splide-lazy-  alt=\"Andu Masebo\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAndu Masebo\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t(Image: Dan Wilton)\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img data-splide-lazy=\"https:\/\/monocle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DANW0446_CROP.jpg?fit=548%2C730\" data-splide-lazy-  alt=\"Sculptural seat\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSculptural seat\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t(Image: Dan Wilton)\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img data-splide-lazy=\"https:\/\/monocle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DANW0452_CROP.jpg?fit=548%2C730\" data-splide-lazy-  alt=\"Art piece by Andu Masebo\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tObjet d&#8217;art\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t(Image: Dan Wilton)\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In his London workshop, Andu Masebo takes a hands-on approach to design. With a background in carpentry, metalwork and ceramics, Masebo creates furniture and homeware with unexpected details for users to enjoy. Take, for example, his On the Round shelving system. The freestanding unit is made from soft douglas fir and features rotating dividers that can be tilted at will. Metal designs for the tabletop include a bent piece of tubular steel repurposed as a candleholder or an incense holder that can rock back and forth for better smoke diffusion. Masebo\u2019s applied approach to design creates a conversation between the workshop and the final destination of a piece.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">How would you describe your design style? <br \/>I see design as an excuse to insert myself into the world. I am interested in the places and the conversations that it can bring about. The interactions that I would have within the parameters that I set for a project lead to the choice of materials or a form. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">How do you approach a new project?<br \/>You have to establish a set of brackets, the parameters of what a project is about. A precondition could be finding out what the local shopkeepers think of how an area is changing. I\u2019ve done projects where I\u2019ve followed a bus route or started off by disassembling a car. You set yourself a task or a process of investigation. From there, the output is filtered through interactions, observations, people you\u2019ve met, places you\u2019ve gone. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">How important is it for you to have a hands-on approach and be a maker, as well as a designer? <br \/>There is meditation to be found in the act of doing. For me, it\u2019s not so much about the ritualistic elements of making. It\u2019s more that, when I design something, I want it to be considered from top to bottom \u2013 the intention for the overall object but also the way that the bolts connect to the feet that interface with the floor. I want that to be part of the object and not an afterthought. It requires going through the motions of making to really understand the process of how it comes together. <br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/andumasebo.com\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">andumasebo.com<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Printer of choice<br \/>Zu\u0308rich Print Institute<br \/>Switzerland<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This institution dedicated to printmaking is keeping traditional methods alive and working to broaden the craft\u2019s reach. <\/p>\n<p>\t\t\tManual processing\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t(Image: Philip Frowein)\n\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img data-splide-lazy=\"https:\/\/monocle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Monocle_Zurich-Print-Institute_High-Res_29_CROP.jpg?fit=548%2C730\" data-splide-lazy-  alt=\"Prints being produced by a member of staff at the Zurich Print institute\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tManual processing\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t(Image: Philip Frowein)\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img data-splide-lazy=\"https:\/\/monocle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Monocle_Zurich-Print-Institute_High-Res_17_CROP.jpg?fit=548%2C730\" data-splide-lazy-  alt=\"Print in process at the Zurich Print institute\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPrint in process\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t(Image: Philip Frowein)\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img data-splide-lazy=\"https:\/\/monocle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Monocle_Zurich-Print-Institute_High-Res_03_CROP.jpg?fit=973%2C730\" data-splide-lazy-  alt=\"Producing a print by&#10;Iranian photographer&#10;Shirana Shahbazi\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tProducing a print by<br \/>\nIranian photographer<br \/>\nShirana Shahbazi\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t(Image: Philip Frowein)\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img data-splide-lazy=\"https:\/\/monocle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Monocle_Zurich-Print-Institute_High-Res_26_CROP.jpg?fit=548%2C730\" data-splide-lazy-  alt=\"Prints from the Zurich Print institute\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTools of the trade\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t(Image: Philip Frowein)\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Zu\u0308rich Print Institute has a mission: to promote printmaking by bringing ever more people into the fold. Established in 2023 by gallerist David Khalat and master printer Thomi Wolfensberger, it offers high-end production facilities for world-class artists to practice all four processes of traditional printmaking: relief, intaglio, lithography and screen printing. \u201cOn the one hand, we\u2019re trying to keep the tradition of printmaking alive,\u201d says Khalat. \u201cBut we\u2019re also pushing the boundaries with format. The work often starts as a print, then becomes an art object.\u201d <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The institute also wants to engage with people beyond the artistic community, offering consultancy on everything from classical techniques to digital and 3D methods. It brings in the public through exhibitions and cultural programming at its location in central Zu\u0308rich too. \u201cIt\u2019s a programme that interests both the artists and the audience,\u201d says Khalat. <br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/zurichprintinstitute.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">zurichprintinstitute.com<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Keepers of the flame <br \/>The survival of traditional production methods such as printmaking is essential if we want to preserve cultural identities, maintain irreplaceable human skills and support local economies.<\/p>\n<p>Designers of the year<br \/>Formafantasma<br \/>Italy<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Drawing from manufacturing, technology and material research, this Milan-based studio has made a strength out of connecting disciplines and cultures. <\/p>\n<p>\t\t\tSimone Farresin and<br \/>\nAndrea Trimarchi\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t(Image: Andrea Pugiotto)\n\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img data-splide-lazy=\"https:\/\/monocle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/formafantasma-monocle-Andrea-Pugiotto-hr-_G250510_CROP-2.jpg?fit=584%2C730\" data-splide-lazy-  alt=\"Simone Farresin and&#10;Andrea Trimarchi\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSimone Farresin and<br \/>\nAndrea Trimarchi\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t(Image: Andrea Pugiotto)\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img data-splide-lazy=\"https:\/\/monocle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/formafantasma-monocle-Andrea-Pugiotto-hr-_G250483_CROP.jpg?fit=584%2C730\" data-splide-lazy-  alt=\"Superwire lamp for Flos\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSuperwire lamp for Flos\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t(Image: Andrea Pugiotto)\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img data-splide-lazy=\"https:\/\/monocle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/formafantasma-monocle-Andrea-Pugiotto-hr-_G250459_CROP.jpg?fit=584%2C730\" data-splide-lazy-  alt=\"Architectural model by Formafantasma\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tArchitectural model\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t(Image: Andrea Pugiotto)\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img data-splide-lazy=\"https:\/\/monocle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/FB-TEFAF-M_Formafantasma_14_CROP.jpg?fit=584%2C730\" data-splide-lazy-  alt=\"Furniture for Friedman Benda\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFurniture for Friedman Benda\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t(Image: J Vanegruiter)\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOur name includes \u2018fantasma\u2019, which means ghost,\u201d says Simone Farresin. \u201cSomeone once said that\u2019s because our work is always haunted by other things. It\u2019s a good point.\u201d The Milanese designer is one half of Formafantasma, the studio that he established with Andrea Trimarchi in 2009. The practice is renowned for drawing on influences ranging from film and art to technology, manufacturing and material research. \u201cWe don\u2019t think about our work in isolation,\u201d says Trimarchi. Recent portfolio highlights include set design for Marni, exhibition design for Fondation Cartier, staging for Cassina, repairable lighting for Flos and symposiums for Prada. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cDesign sits in between economy, ecology, the life of people and visual culture,\u201d says Farresin. \u201cSo why is it so strange that in our work we implement all those things?\u201d We\u2019re certainly not arguing.<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/formafantasma.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">formafantasma.com<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Research in action<br \/>Formafantasma\u2019s work for lighting brand Flos drew inspiration from their research project into repairable technology. The resulting Superwire light features readily replaceable LED lights.<\/p>\n<p>Best industry event <br \/>Nomad Abu Dhabi<br \/>UAE<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nomad demonstrates what a design fair can achieve by embracing the architecture, geography and culture of its setting.<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<img data-splide-lazy=\"https:\/\/monocle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/NOMAD-ABU-DHABI-25_Nilufar_Ph_CROP.jpg?fit=768%2C576\" data-splide-lazy-  alt=\"\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<img data-splide-lazy=\"https:\/\/monocle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/NOMAD-ABU-DHABI-25_Galerie-BSL_Ph_CROP.jpg?fit=768%2C576\" data-splide-lazy-  alt=\"\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t(Image: Courtesy of Nomad)\n\t<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nomad is one of the most compelling platforms in collectable design and its move into Abu Dhabi last year cemented its position as a benchmark global event for the sector. Its Middle Eastern debut in Zayed International Airport\u2019s decommissioned Terminal 1 felt almost like spatial theatre: works were staged not against neutral walls but within the emotional residue of a place once defined by movement. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThis concept is all about the experience,\u201d says Nomad\u2019s founder, Nicolas Bellavance-Lecompte. \u201cIt\u2019s not a pure fair, nor just an exhibition. It\u2019s the intersection of many things.\u201d Rather than defaulting to the white cube, every iteration of Nomad is embedded within a location that shapes the narrative. Abu Dhabi\u2019s edition shows that the future of the design fair lies not in bigger halls but in better settings. <br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/nomad-circle.com\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">nomad-circle.com<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Best design imprint<br \/>Monade<br \/>Portugal<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This publishing house produces architecture books that are accessible without shying away from deep academic enquiry \u2013 giving the discipline the respect it deserves. <\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"730\" width=\"584\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/S11_0535_v1_FINAL_RGB_CROP_237b07.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-300543\"  \/>(Image: Michael Bodiam)<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Jo\u00e3o Carmo Sim\u00f5es and Daniela S\u00e1 launched Lisbon-based publishing house Monade in 2016. Over the past 10 years, they have edited books that are neither didactic nor merely decorative, showing the breadth and depth of architecture. \u201cWe don\u2019t want our books to be siloed because architecture itself isn\u2019t that way,\u201d says S\u00e1. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With 12 titles to date, Monade offers an insightful window into the discipline. One of its books might delve into the creative mind of a celebrated designer through sketches and journal entries or turn the lens on a single building through layered photography. <br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/monadebooks.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">monadebooks.com<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Best material development<br \/>Hydro Circal 100R<br \/>Norway<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hydro\u2019s commitment to circularity offers a shining example of what real progress looks like in the materials sector. <\/p>\n<p>\t\t\tSafety first\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t(Image: Melissa Schriek)\n\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img data-splide-lazy=\"https:\/\/monocle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Melissa-Schriek-Monocle-Hydro-Factory-08_CROP.jpg?fit=548%2C730\" data-splide-lazy-  alt=\"Person in protective clothing at Hydro Circal processing facility \"\/><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSafety first\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t(Image: Melissa Schriek)\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img data-splide-lazy=\"https:\/\/monocle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Melissa-Schriek-Monocle-Hydro-Factory-02_CROP.jpg?fit=548%2C730\" data-splide-lazy-  alt=\"The Orbit light by Sabine Marcelis\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe Orbit light by Sabine Marcelis\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t(Image: Melissa Schriek)\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img data-splide-lazy=\"https:\/\/monocle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Melissa-Schriek-Monocle-Hydro-exhibition-01_CROP.jpg?fit=548%2C730\" data-splide-lazy-  alt=\"\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t(Image: Melissa Schriek)\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img data-splide-lazy=\"https:\/\/monocle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Melissa-Schriek-Monocle-Hydro-Factory-65_CROP.jpg?fit=548%2C730\" data-splide-lazy-  alt=\"A Hydro aluminium&#10;processing facility\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tA Hydro aluminium processing facility\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t(Image: Melissa Schriek)\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Norwegian raw-materials supplier Hydro\u2019s Circal 100R initiative seeks to elevate the status of aluminium and build more circular economies. It also showcases how a global manufacturer can both recycle and produce on a local scale. Scrap is refined into Hydro Circal aluminium, made from 75 per cent post-consumer waste, and turned into bespoke furniture and lighting pieces constructed within a 100km radius of one of the Norwegian firm\u2019s European manufacturing facilities. <\/p>\n<p class=\"has-inverted-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-paragraph wp-elements-c6cb0dd1d21671106192e501f90c259b\">\u201cWe had to find new partners for bending and anodising within that radius,\u201d says Hydro\u2019s business-development manager for the Benelux region, Yon van den Oever, when he shows Monocle around one of the firm\u2019s facilities in the Dutch city of Drunen, just ahead of the country\u2019s annual design week in Eindhoven. Here, everything from crushed window frames to streetlight poles are being melted, purified and extruded into aluminium profiles before designers turn them into covetable wares. The result, presented at Dutch Design Week, is a model for how materials industries can evolve to have a bigger focus on tighter supply chains, closer partnerships and designing for reuse from the start.<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/hydro.com\" type=\"link\" id=\"hydro.com\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">hydro.com<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/r-100.no\" type=\"link\" id=\"r-100.no\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">r-100.no<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/monocle.com\/design\/design-awards-2026-all-the-winners\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">See the full list of 25 winners here<\/a> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"See the full list of 25 winners here Best landscape and constructionRobert Plumb Collective with Dangar Barin SmithAustralia&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":631403,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[449,458,459,64,63,305857,460,305858,134],"class_list":["post-631402","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-arts-and-design","tag-arts","tag-arts-and-design","tag-artsanddesign","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-crafts","tag-design","tag-design-awards","tag-entertainment"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/631402","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=631402"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/631402\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/631403"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=631402"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=631402"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=631402"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}