Design Considered #01
A grave Argentinian architecture story, why good design is too much for social media, and prize pieces for your home or project.
#01 - Opening Thought
Is it fortuitous to open a new newsletter with a descent into a necropolis? Hopefully, it’s a while before Design Considered finds its way into a digital crypt, but when I came across work as wonderful and unknown to me as Ítala Fulvia Villa’s brutalist concrete Sexto Panteón - a maze of funerary tunnels in the Argentine capital - I wanted to share the story. The tale of the largely unknown female architect, urbanist and pioneer of South American modernism behind the work is available through this beautiful research project, entitled Chacarita Moderna, from Léa Namer. It’s also launching in book form this month.
#02 - Words With The Editor
1.5x-speed Instagram-Reels are not the mode of media for me. I recently endured a sensory bombardment set to this pace, where interviews with what seemed like all of one creative city’s designers were sped up and rendered squeaky to squeeze as much story as possible into a 30-second social clip. Laced with flashing text, funky design features and B-roll film, it failed to leave an impression - name, product or person - in my mind.
We should not tell stories about something as precious or permanent as good design by flooding feeds with rushed-out, poorly-produced films with typo-riddled subtitles. So, rather than complaining about it (rant notwithstanding), I propose a bite-size alternative.
Each week I’ll author a simple Substack newsletter offering minimal fuss and more consideration in showcasing good design. The platform has been developed with clarity-focused art direction (thanks, Hyo Jung Lee!) and storytelling that keeps the reader’s time in mind. The focus here is to provide a subjective snapshot of a vast industry spanning graphic design to urban development, plucking out stories that have caught my eye that I feel are worthy of your consideration.
I look forward to checking in with you each Friday, distilling the editorial essence of a subject I’ve spent over a decade examining into something engaging for you to enjoy. Story ideas, tips, feedback or friendly encouragement can be emailed to me here. Feel free to share this newsletter too!
#03 - Design Selection
For those like me who enjoy a frosty beer, nothing is more elegant to crack a cold one with than this new (1) Prise Bronze Bottle Opener from Sydney. Using the centuries-old technique of lost wax casting it’s another fine and handy creation from Henry Wilson. While a (2) hand-painted Neo Lobmeyr glass from Austria might be too precious to pour your Fosters into, these eye-catching pieces available from Abask and Monocle’s Merano Shop are designed by Martino Gamper and deserve pride in place in your kitchen. Another semi-transparent beauty is this (3) fine glass and granite stone table, tailored by Sabine Marcelis for a project with Reflect Architecture in Canada. Look out for Marcelis’ new releases with Vitra next week, as she unveils a refresh of the VitraHaus Loft in Basel.
Those looking to refresh their abode should explore the fantastic colour shades made possible by the new Danish paint brand and ‘colour house’ (4) Blēo - with tones chosen by legends including Marcelis, John Pawson, Industrial Facility and (as pictured) David Chipperfield. The packaging is also superb. To round up this weekly round-up, Abask has increased its range of (5) lacquered, eco-friendly ‘Ottchil’ timber bowls from Korean craft talent Suk Keun Kang (full disclosure these are imported by my partner!).
#04 - For Your Consideration
Despite not loving the medium, I've developed a soft spot for short social media films of smart architects touring beautiful buildings. Archimarathon from Kevin Hui and Austin Maynard does it best, check them out exploring Frank Lloyd Wright’s 1937 Jacob’s House.
Staying with maestro mid-century American designers, The Fondation d’entreprise Martell in Cognac, France this weekend launches the first retrospective exhibition in Europe of the American sculptor JB Blunk.
Back on the Gram (and continuing to contradict my comment above), Loewe Foundations' studio visit series on its Craft Prize finalists shows the level of commitment the brand goes to in championing artisanal talent.
While I’ve got no intention of putting a paywall on this fledgling newsletter, the Business of Home’s comprehensive article on design Substack publishing is worth reading to get a better grip on this growing medium.
Business struggles in Europe aside, Muji has turned designing for affordable travel into an art. The compelling illustrations add to the enjoyment of these products.
#05 - Through The Lens
A World Heritage Site and work of Gaudi, Barcelona's Park Güell was the spot Louis Vuitton chose to show its 2025 cruise collection last month. For the campaign photography, the French fashion house worked with Romain Laprade. “I wanted to give the architecture a very monumental effect,” explains Laprade to Design Considered. “Shooting from the very low level and pointing to the top distorts the perspective and makes it monumental. I also shot it a sunrise, with the first warm and soft light of the morning.”