D5 Design Magazine

23/06/2026

Chateau La Banquière, a historic estate located in the proximity of Montpellier, has undergone a refurbishment led by Marianne Tiegen. The French villa, nestled among vineyards and centuries-old oaks, is equipped with natural fabrics colored in natural hues. The vivid nature surrounding the castle served as a direct inspiration for the interior design. Tiegen employed stone, wood, and textiles to create a dialogue with the outdoors and the natural light.

Read more about the Chateau La Banquière 👇

Marianne Tiegen Interiors created a modern expression of sustainable luxury by merging textiles and 18th-century architecture with surrounding landscapes.

23/06/2026

Decorex Joburg is coming!

From 30 July to 2 August at the Sandton Convention Centre, Decorex Joburg 2026 will open its doors, bringing together the very best in African design, interiors, architecture, decor, and craftsmanship.

This year’s theme, “The Soft Life”, is all about spaces that prioritise comfort, wellbeing, and intentional living. You will definitely see amazing installations, have a chance to check out groundbreaking products, talk to emerging talents, and listen to leading designers who are shaping the future of African design.

Highlights of the event include:
✨ Presentation of the 2026 Designer of the Year:
✨ The landmark "Ten x Ten" installation featuring 100 defining design objects
✨ Immersive exhibitions and design experiences
✨ Trend-forward furniture, lighting, textiles, and decor
✨ The latest African craft and innovation

Whether you are a design professional or simply looking for inspiration, Decorex Joburg offers a glimpse into where design is heading next.

👉 Read more abourt Decorex Joburg: https://d5mag.com/decorex-joburg-2026-embracing-the-soft-life-and-african-craft-innovation/

📸 Photo credit: Courtesy of Decorex

About D5 MAG:
D5 MAG is on a mission to support the design community and equip you with the latest knowledge, tools, and opportunities. Join us and share your designs with the world using . For more information, visit d5mag.com.

22/06/2026

Welcome to our exclusive interview with Nicole Moyo - a winner of the Architectural Designer of the Year 2026 at the Africa International Design Awards (AIDA Awards) 🗣️

Nicole Moyo’s path has been shaped by a lifelong curiosity and a desire to work across scales and disciplines. Growing up with a global upbringing rooted in African culture gave her an appreciation for the richness of identity, heritage, and storytelling. Over time, she realised that design could be a powerful vehicle for expressing those ideas. She believes that public art has a unique power to change how people experience our everyday surroundings, turning pavements and squares into spaces for shared stories and experiences that celebrate culture, inspire joy, and foster a sense of belonging.

Nicole's latest project, Pearl Jam, transforms a corner of the Miami Design District into an open-air gallery where traditional earrings are reimagined as modular, floating forms. This project challenges the boundaries between clothing, craft, and urban landscapes, inviting passersby to connect with heritage in a completely new way.

👉 Read more about how Nicole’s global upbringing shaped her approach to space, the profound feeling of gaining top recognition from her home continent, and why the international design conversation needs to make more room for African voices: https://d5mag.com/creating-spaces-that-enrich-lives-an-interview-with-nicole-moyo-on-african-heritage-and-public-art/

📸 Photo credit: Courtesy of Nicole Moyo

About D5 MAG:
D5 MAG is on a mission to support the design community and equip you with the latest knowledge, tools, and opportunities. Join us and share your designs with the world using . For more information, visit d5mag.com.

22/06/2026

Vacation time is here, and of course, we have two perfect places to stay for design lovers!

Known for its rich history, stunning beaches, healthy diet and a laid-back lifestyle, the Mediterranean attracts millions of tourists every year. If you are an architecture and design lover who hasn’t yet explored the beauty of the Mediterranean, read our article.

Continue reading👇

From a luxurious retreat alongside the Athens coastlines to the Turkish hammams in the heart of Sicily, these are award-winning hospitality venues that unveil the true spirit of the Mediterranean.

21/06/2026

The historic Director’s Villa, which opened in 1915, has been vacant for several years before prominent chef Lukas Kapeller turned it into a restaurant, small boutique hotel and a family retreat. The building that once hosted the now broken-up conglomerate features living quarters for the extended family. Two apartments on either side of a vast staircase provide enough space for four living and office spaces. With little effort, these units could be turned into more open, barrier-free spaces.

Explore the renowned facility👇

A hotel, a restaurant, and a family home - Hotel Kappler is all in one venue located in the former headquarters of a renowned Austrian automobile company.

21/06/2026

A gorgeous sanctuary hidden in the heart of São Paulo 🏡

Casa Lego is a 1,390 m² residence designed by architect Fernanda Marques for a family who wanted to feel the vibrancy of São Paulo without giving up greenery, light, and silence. The result is a home where architecture, landscape, and daily life seamlessly flow into one another. The concept takes the name from its structure - a composition of interlocking volumes that behave like Lego blocks, carefully balanced to create shaded patios, open views, and protected private spaces.

Inside, gardens extend deep into the ground floor, blurring the line between interior and exterior. Light flows through wooden brise-soleils, while discreet integrated lighting highlights textures and architectural details throughout the day and night. Natural materials like travertine marble, moledo stone, and warm timber define the atmosphere, complemented by curated works from modern Brazilian artists including Armarinhos Teixeira, Túlio Pinto, José Patrício, and Beatriz Milhazes.

👉 Explore Casa Lego: https://d5mag.com/casa-lego-urban-living-in-sao-paulo-with-a-luscious-garden/

📸 Photo credit: Fran Parente

About D5 MAG:
D5 MAG is on a mission to support the design community and equip you with the latest knowledge, tools, and opportunities. Join us and share your designs with the world using . For more information, visit d5mag.com.

20/06/2026

How Lucky Cat in Ljubljana avoids restaurant design cliches 🍜

Designed by AKSL Architects in the heart of Ljubljana's old town, the new 167-square-metre restaurant draws inspiration from Asian dining culture while adding a touch of European aesthetic. Rather than relying on predictable motifs, the design team focused on materials, textures, and spatial experiences to create a unique dining space. Everyday culinary references were transformed into architectural elements, proving that memorable hospitality spaces don't need to follow the basic patterns - character and craftsmanship define them.

Earthy terracotta tones, dark eucalyptus wood, woven-pattern ceramics inspired by dim sum baskets, and sculptural lighting work together to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Exposed concrete adds an industrial edge, softened by custom furnishings and carefully curated details throughout the place. One of the most memorable and striking features lies below ground, where a dramatic basement interior combines a bold pink freestanding sink, rich blue walls, glowing mirrors, and graphic wallpaper to create an unexpected visual experience.

👉 Read more about the new Lucky Cat restaurant now: https://d5mag.com/lucky-cat-restaurant-ljubljana-avoiding-asian-design-cliches-with-a-fresh-interior-concept/

📸 Photo credit: Ana Skobe

About D5 MAG:
D5 MAG is on a mission to support the design community and equip you with the latest knowledge, tools, and opportunities. Join us and share your designs with the world using . For more information, visit d5mag.com.

20/06/2026

What does sustainable collective living in the densified city of the future look like? That was the question behind Republica, a pioneer project in the former industrial hub of Buiksloterham in Amsterdam North, which is being transformed into a new piece of circular city. The answer? Sustainable collective living would resemble a functionally mixed and connected “urban village” with a building density of FSI 3 and a remarkably high quality of housing and public realm.

Sounds interesting? Check out our article for more details👇

Republica explores sustainable collective living, combining dense mixed-use architecture, circular systems, and public spaces within a permeable superblock.

19/06/2026

Monir was designed to be portable and simple to use: it charges by USB, therefore avoiding disposable batteries, and it is modular, with parts intended to be accessed for maintenance when needed. The designer took inspiration from moonlight held between the night sky and the earth. This unique idea can be found in three main parts: a dome stands in for the sky, a dark base marks the ground, and between them, a semi-transparent upper section represents the soft glow of the moon. An LED ring was added to the inside of the upper section so users don’t have direct contact with the bulb, enjoying only an even glow through the diffuser.

Take a closer look at the Monir lamp 👇

Monir table lamp by Rahi Seyedi for Rey Studio uses recycled aluminium, bio-based diffuser, USB recharge and modular design.

19/06/2026

LEGO honours Antoni Gaudí with a stunning new Sagrada Família set 🏛️

To mark the centennial year of Antoni Gaudí’s passing, LEGO has unveiled the LEGO Architecture Sagrada Família - an impressive tribute to one of the world’s most iconic architectural masterpieces. Designed to capture both the scale and spirit of Gaudí’s vision, the model recreates Barcelona’s famous basilica through an immersive building experience.

With an impressive 12,060 pieces, the set is the largest LEGO building set ever released by piece count. The construction sequence mirrors the real-life evolution of the Sagrada Família, guiding builders from the Apse and Crypt through the Nativity and Passion facades, soaring towers, and the grand Glory facade. Among its standout features is a beautiful stained-glass effect that echoes the way light filters through the real basilica, bringing one of architecture’s greatest landmarks to life in brick form.

👉 Take a closer look at Barcelona’s Sagrada Família: https://d5mag.com/lego-pays-tribute-to-antoni-gaudi-with-a-detailed-model-of-barcelonas-sagrada-familia/

📸 Photo credit: Courtesy of LEGO Group

About D5 MAG:
D5 MAG is on a mission to support the design community and equip you with the latest knowledge, tools, and opportunities. Join us and share your designs with the world using . For more information, visit d5mag.com.