AUGUST 2026 EDITION

When seeds are planted, we hope they take root, stretch toward the light, and bloom, sometimes into something more striking than we ever imagined. Like the orchid, ancient, resilient and endlessly evolving, love carries that same quiet strength and grace. Yesterday was National Girlfriends Day, a small reminder to celebrate the women who encourage us, challenge us and make the journey a little lighter.

The conical villas draw directly from the form of Rwanda's traditional royal palace, reinterpreting it for contemporary hospitality. Rather than copying history, the architecture borrows its silhouette and spatial memory, allowing cultural identity to remain visible while responding to modern ways of living.

The deeply textured thatched roofs are far more than a visual gesture. Their generous thickness softens the buildings against the landscape while providing excellent insulation for the cool volcanic climate. Combined with locally sourced stone and timber, the material palette feels entirely rooted in place, demonstrating how traditional building knowledge continues to shape contemporary African architecture.

Rather than dominating the landscape, Bisate Lodge settles into it. The villas step gently across the volcanic hillside, following the contours of the land instead of forcing a new geometry onto it. From a distance, the architecture almost disappears into the forest, becoming part of the landscape rather than something placed upon it.

At the heart of every villa sits a fireplace, quietly organising the room around warmth and gathering. It transforms the large open interiors into intimate living spaces, responding to the surprisingly cool climate of Rwanda's volcanic highlands while reinforcing the feeling of home within the wilderness.

Nearly every surface contributes to a sense of comfort. Timber, woven fibres, handmade brick and natural stone layer together to create interiors that feel tactile and deeply grounded. Rather than polished perfection, the beauty comes from texture, craftsmanship and materials that quietly reveal how they were made.

Every villa turns towards Mount Bisoke. The orientation is very deliberate. Large openings, generous decks and carefully positioned living spaces frame the volcano as part of everyday life. The landscape becomes the artwork, while the architecture quietly steps back and lets nature take centre stage.

Most of us think of cork as something reserved for wine bottles or insulation. Wiid Design asks us to see it differently. Across furniture, lighting and sculptural objects, the material takes on an entirely new character, revealing a warmth and versatility that's not easy to overlook.

Wiid Design has done more than experiment with cork. It has expanded what the material can be. From oversized pendant lights and collectible furniture to architectural applications, the studio continues to prove that innovation doesn't always require new materials, only a fresh way of thinking about familiar ones.

Although the work is technically accomplished, it never feels overly serious. Rounded legs, bold silhouettes and softened edges bring a sense of lightness to the collection. There's confidence in the design, but also a playfulness that makes each piece feel inviting rather than untouchable.

This evening, I'll be flying to Dar es Salaam for our EC(h)OTONING book retreat. Over the next two weeks, researchers from Pretoria, Berlin, Tanzania and the University of Nairobi will be working together on Wicked Urban Problems, bringing together our different strands of research into a single publication.
My chapter explores the Nairobi River and its silent, often overlooked soft white underbelly, drawing from months of fieldwork, workshops and conversations along the river corridor. I'm looking forward to stepping away from the day-to-day and spending time thinking, writing and shaping the manuscript with the rest of the team.

Click on the image to check out our latest studio obsession.
Until next week. X