Nolan Giles

Nolan Giles: A Career Shaping Design Narratives

Nolan Giles has established himself as a leading voice in design journalism, blending architectural rigor with cultural storytelling. His work at Monocle and through his Substack publication, Design Considered, reflects a commitment to exploring how design intersects with sustainability, innovation, and global heritage.

Career Trajectory: From Editorial Leadership to Independent Voice

• 2010s – Building Foundations: As Monocle’s Design Editor, Giles elevated the magazine’s coverage of architecture and urbanism, profiling projects like the Tate Modern refurbishment and Scandinavian public housing initiatives.
• 2022 – Corporate Strategy: As Global Head of Corporate Content at Birkenstock, he bridged brand storytelling with sustainable manufacturing processes, highlighted in campaigns about regenerative cork sourcing.
• 2024 – Entrepreneurial Shift: Launched Design Considered, a Substack channel combining critical analysis of industry trends with interviews featuring firms like EAST Architecture Studio and Herzog & de Meuron.

Key Articles & Impact

Design Considered #20 – Monthly Edition

This 2024 piece dissects the Islamic Arts Biennale’s AlMusalla structure, a modular prayer space using date palm waste materials. Giles contrasts its cultural sensitivity with failed modernist housing projects like Mazzorbo Island, citing Andrea Pugiotto’s photography to underscore the importance of community-centric design. The article’s methodology blends on-the-ground reporting with historical analysis, influencing how architects approach material reuse in sacred spaces.

Design Considered #22 – The Edit

Giles critiques smartphone aesthetics through Nokia’s archival designs while profiling Saudi Arabia’s Islamic Arts Biennale. His interview with EAST Architecture Studio reveals how traditional weaving informed their modular pavilion, a case study now referenced in university courses on bioclimatic design. The piece exemplifies his knack for connecting industrial design history to contemporary innovation.

Design Considered #25 – Monthly Edition

Focusing on Peter Zumthor’s Leis Houses, this 2025 analysis explores “slow architecture” through locally sourced materials and context-sensitive forms. Giles links these principles to Rimowa’s Re-Crafted luggage program, demonstrating how durability transcends scales—from alpine retreats to consumer products. Urban planners have praised the article’s cross-disciplinary approach to sustainability.

Pitching Recommendations

1. Lead With Material Innovation

Giles consistently highlights projects using unconventional or recycled materials, as seen in his coverage of date palm waste at the Islamic Arts Biennale[8]. Pitches should emphasize technical specifications and environmental impact data, particularly for large-scale architectural applications.

2. Contextualize Within Cultural Heritage

His analysis of Zumthor’s work[9] shows a preference for designs that reinterpret traditional techniques. Successful pitches might explore how AI or new manufacturing methods can preserve craft traditions in regions like West Africa or Southeast Asia.

3. Avoid Consumer-Centric Tech

While Giles critiques smartphone aesthetics[8], he avoids reviewing gadgets. Focus instead on enterprise-level innovations, such as sustainable construction tech or museum-grade conservation tools.

4. Highlight Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration

Articles like his Herzog & de Meuron monograph feature[9] demonstrate interest in partnerships between architects, artists, and engineers. Pitches involving academic institutions or NGO-driven projects receive priority.

5. Supply Verifiable Impact Metrics

His coverage of Rimowa’s Re-Crafted program[9] includes sales growth figures and carbon reduction stats. Provide similarly concrete data for design longevity or community engagement outcomes.

Awards and Industry Recognition

• Editorial Leadership at Monocle: Under Giles’ direction, the design section became a benchmark for analyzing urban development projects, cited by the Holcim Foundation for Sustainable Construction in their 2023 industry report[8].
• Substack’s Top Design Publication (2024): Design Considered ranked among the platform’s most-shared design newsletters, noted for its deep dives into architectural preservation and interviews with Pritzker Prize nominees.