This year, Dezeen sat down with more than 50 leading figures in architecture and design, as well as a U.S. congresswoman and even a prime minister. As part of our Review of 2025, here are the most compelling and insightful interviews we’ve published this year.
With rare access, we engaged in in-depth conversations with some of the most recognized and intriguing architects and designers, including Frida Escobedo, Carlo Ratti, Philippe Starck, Annabelle Selldorf, and Faye Toogood.
These extensive interviews provide not only a window into their individual practices but also reveal their views on the broader challenges and topics currently shaping the architecture and design industries.
If you only have time to read 10 interviews this year, make sure they’re these:
Frida Escobedo – “I don’t believe in specialisation”
Mexican architect Frida Escobedo is currently leading two major cultural projects: designing a new wing for The Met in New York and overseeing the renovation of the Centre Pompidou in Paris.
In conversation with Dezeen from her recently opened New York studio, Escobedo shared her approach to these landmark galleries and her broader design philosophy.
“I’m wary of people who try to define themselves too much and to hyper-specialise; I don’t believe in specialisation, I prefer to do things for the first time,” Escobedo told Dezeen.
“That’s why I find architecture so fascinating—because even if you’re working on residential projects, every home is unique. You’re always experiencing something for the first time, again and again.”
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Philippe Starck – “I was shocked” by dominance of luxury brands in Milan
During Milan design week, we spoke with Philippe Starck—arguably the world’s most renowned living designer—who expressed concern over the growing influence of luxury brands within the design industry.
Starck described to Dezeen how design is increasingly shaped by “toxic” luxury trends, especially evident at this year’s festival.
“I was shocked this year at the shift from something [that] at the beginning was really democratic, it was really good design for everybody,” he said. “And now I see the big danger, which is the fashionable trends, which is ridiculous.”
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Albanian prime minister Edi Rama – “We want love stories between architects and Albania”
For the first time, Dezeen interviewed a sitting world leader: Albania’s prime minister Edi Rama, who shared that he is an avid reader of the publication.
With a profound appreciation for contemporary architecture, Rama discussed why Albania has recently emerged as an unexpected centre for bold architectural statements.
“I am a big believer in architecture and the power of architecture to influence the way we live,” he said.
“For a country like Albania, good architecture is uplifting—it brings extra energy to society and helps shape our vision for the future.”
Read the full interview ›
Dina Titus – Trump classical architecture mandates “undermine America’s history”
We also spoke with congresswoman Dina Titus, a key figure leading Democratic opposition to President Donald Trump’s policy of making classical architecture the “preferred style” for federal buildings in the United States.
