Dezeen Magazine

The Kingdom Tower by Adrian Smith and Gordon Gill Architecture

This week, we spoke to Bowie's graphic designer and revealed record-breaking skyscraper numbers

This week on Dezeen: the designer behind David Bowie's Blackstar album artwork revealed its true meaning in an exclusive interview and we looked ahead to the era of the "megatall" skyscraper.

Jonathan Barnbrook on David Bowie cover art
Jonathan Barnbrook on David Bowie's Blackstar album artwork

The cover of David Bowie's Blackstar album, released just days before his death, was designed to reflect the musician's mortality, according to his graphic design collaborator Jonathan Barnbrook.

Skyscrapers completed in 2015 reach record numbers
Skyscrapers completed in 2015 reach record numbers

In other news, it was revealed that a record number of towers over 200 metres tall were completed in 2015 while the number of skyscrapers over 600 metres high – known as "megatalls" – is set to more than double.

Manhattan West tower in New York by SOM
Manhattan West tower in New York by SOM

Architecture firm SOM showcased new renderings of Manhattan West – a trio of skyscrapers spanning massive rail yards in New York City – and Selldorf Architects was selected to design a mixed-use project in Washington DC on the site of an HIV treatment centre named after the actress Elizabeth Taylor.

Google driverless car
Google's driverless car

The US Department of Transportation unveiled its plan to eradicate accidents on American roads by investing in self-driving cars, and the US Treasury unleashed a series of measures to crack down on "dirty money" flowing through the luxury real-estate market.

Ikea home furnishings
We've reached "peak home furnishings" says Ikea sustainability chief

Ikea announced that the western world had reached "peak home furnishings", but also said it wanted to double sales by 2020, and British designer Jasper Conran – son of Terence – resigned from his position as head of the family business.

Rotterdam skyline with OMA's De Rotterdam and Ben van Berkel's Erasmus Bridge
Rotterdam skyline with OMA's De Rotterdam and Ben van Berkel's Erasmus Bridge

Rotterdam is fast becoming a centre for innovation, according to architects we interviewed this week. Rotterdam-based architecture firm OMA also released images of its renovation plan for Berlin's KaDeWe department store.

House of Trace by Tsuruta Architects
House of Trace by Tsuruta Architects

We also revealed the winners of the Don't Move, Improve awards for London's best new extension, including an updated south London residence that retained its original brickwork.

Apartment with a slide by KI Design Studio
Apartment with a slide by KI Design Studio

Popular projects this week on Dezeen included Rafael Viñoly's circular bridge in Uruguay, a Kiev apartment with a slide, and a dining table designed to create the appearance of a watery abyss.

Abyss Dining Table by Duffy London
Abyss Dining Table by Duffy London

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