Welcome to Origin Story, a series that chronicles the lesser-known histories of designs that have shaped how we live.
The first issue of Dwell came out in October 2000. We’re kicking off a year-long celebration of our 25th anniversary with a look back at some of the major themes and moments that have shaped the stories on our pages.
2000
The Fruit Bowl Manifesto
In Dwell’s debut issue, our first editor-in-chief spells out a vision for an honest, human-centered style of photography that we still follow today: “to demonstrate that a home is truly livable [by showing] it as it is lived in.”
2001
A Passion for Planning
The question “Does good architecture make good neighbors?” sets the tone for future explorations of everything from New Urbanism to reinventing the suburbs.
Dwell Home Design Invitational
Inspired by Case Study houses, we launch our own challenge to a group of architects: Design a prefab prototype house that can be built for $200,000. We sponsor the winning design’s construction and feature it in our Groundbreaking Ideas issue.
2005
Dwell’s Got Sole
We partner with Medium Footwear to produce limited-edition branded kicks.
National Magazine Award for General Excellence
Dwell gets the stamp of approval from its peers, winning a top industry honor.
2006
Our first modern website goes live, and we begin covering home design in totally new ways.
Moriyama House Cover
The Tokyo prefab compound by Ryue Nishizawa, who won the Pritzker Prize with his partner Kazuyo Sejima, heralds a new era of playful minimalism that influences design for years to come.
Home Office 101
Almost 15 years before the pandemic kicked off the WFH revolution, an essay explores if telecommuting—”answering emails in your underwear”—is all it’s cracked up to be. (If only we knew.)
2007
Our 50th Issue—and Some Prescient Gadgetry
Dwell travels to Las Vegas for the Consumer Electronics Show to look for innovative products. We also mention the iPhone for the first time.
2009
Unhappy Hipsters
The irreverent Tumblr launches, poking fun at the visual style of Dwell’s home tours with cutting captions and the tagline “It’s lonely in the modern world.” We’re flattered to this day.
2009–2010
Prime Time Cameos
Appearances on The Simpsons and The Office cement Dwell’s place in the pop culture firmament.
Jens Risom’s Block Island Family Retreat
Tech Booms at Home
We look into the evolution of the smart home—and ponder its future—during a Cambrian moment for appliances, when brands began connecting everything from your window blinds to your blender to the internet. Right, Alexa?
Conversation Pits Make a Comeback?
Some might say sunken seating never left, but the midcentury staple begins its current resurgence when we feature this cover story on a Cupertino, California, home by Craig Steely.
2018
Budget Breakdown
Looking at beautiful projects has its purpose, but getting under the hood, financially, makes it much more valuable. That’s why we start a recurring series that demystifies what it actually costs to realize a great design.