The vacuum, the washing machine and, now, the hand-dryer...industrial designer Sir James Dyson talks about his ongoing mission to keep ourselves and the rest of the world clean. Dennis Hathaway

The economic crash has brought a decade of lavish “icon”-building to a halt. Does this mean an architecture of “excess” will be replaced by one of “relevance?” Frances Anderton speaks with Frank Gehry and Architecture for Humanity’s Cameron Sinclair.

Los Angeles has long been a magnet for architects and designers but

The creator of fantasy cities also likes building the real thing. George Lucas, patron of the USC's School of Cinematic Arts on buildings on screen and in reality. David Rockwell, designer of the Oscars telecast, on how they'll make the show sparkle. And friends of Frank Gehry offer tributes as he meets a major milestone.

As mass-produced goods overwhelm us, people are returning to the

Barack Obama will be the first president to hail from a major metropolis in a long time. What does this mean for architecture and design? Plus, James Bond and his relationship with Modern architecture.

Shepard Fairey and Robbie Conal, who have kicked up a storm with their political posters, discuss using design to send a message. Plus, the Gamble House turns 100, a conversation with director Ted Bosley about the Greene & Greene brothers' "new and native beauty."

Angelenos are building benches for bus stops in South Los Angeles; clearing trash and landscaping neglected strips of land and covertly planting trees on sidewalks. Jay Griffith, Mr. Stamens, Roly Poly and others discuss the "guerrilla" design of public space in Los Angeles. Plus, a leading LA design company opens its doors to locals.

DnA looks at the opening next month of the new Broad Stage