‘A Present/Absent Mudhif’

The Ethiopian designer and architectural researcher discusses the role of coral in her recent installation, “Material Witnesses and Narrating Lifeforms”. The project is inspired by the coral used as a construction material on the coast of East Africa and in the Gulf.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nic Monisse recaps highlights from the 10th iteration of Dubai Design Week, an event that continues to cement the city’s status as the region’s design hub. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The titular pavilion is on show as part of this year’s Dubai Design Week. The structure’s Iraq-based architect, Ola Saad Znad, discusses the shelter that is inspired by the floating houses found in the Mesopotamian Marshes of southern Iraq. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With our latest issue set to hit newsstands this month, we preview some of our favourite stories from a design special that features interviews with industrial designers Cecilie Manz and Ini Archibong. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The interior-and-lighting designer, Sheryl Leysner, discusses her approach to upcycled materials and reuse in her East Amsterdam studio.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We report from the Tallinn Architecture Biennale and meet one of the designers behind Cathay Pacific’s new Business Class suites. Plus: an exhibition in London explores the role of ceramics in furniture design.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Boaz Cohen, co-founder of Amsterdam-based studio BCXSY, shares the development process behind the Tubelight, the practice’s playful, award-winning take on fluorescent lights. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We visit a design practice in Tbilisi, take a tour of faded signs of east London with Sam Roberts and learn about paper models at the Zaha Hadid Foundation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We meet the co-founder of the virtual Mobile Phone Museum to discuss the rich history and design diversity of these portable devices.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our recap of the Monocle Quality of Life Conference in Istanbul. We meet Maltese architect Richard England, and talk to the founders of fashion label Nackiyé and design studio Autoban. Plus: the creative force behind Hungarian brand Nanushka. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.