Dezeen Magazine

Xinhee Design Centre by MAD

This week, Ai Weiwei slammed China's approach to architecture but Herzog defended it

This week on Dezeen: artist and political activist Ai Weiwei accused China's government of restricting architectural discussion this week, while architect Jacques Herzog declared his support for the administration's plans to curb "weird" buildings in the country.

Ai Weiwei says valid architectural talk is "dangerous" to China's power
Chinese government sees architectural discussion as "dangerous" threat, says Ai Weiwei

Speaking during a panel discussion in Switzerland, Ai Weiwei said the Chinese government sees open discussion about architecture as a "very dangerous" threat to the country's leadership.

I understand why China is banning "weird" architecture, says Jacques Herzog
I understand why China is banning "weird" architecture, says Jacques Herzog

In what appeared to be a contrary stance, Herzog – who worked with the artist on the Bird's Nest stadium in Beijing and the 2012 Serpentine Gallery Pavilion – came out in support for the government's attempt to limit the number of flamboyant projects being built.

MAD architects designs Xinhee Design Centre
MAD designs "building with skin and bones" for Chinese fashion brand

Despite the ongoing debate about "weird" architecture in China, construction started on a human-body-inspired headquarters for Chinese fashion group Xinhee, designed by architecture studio MAD.

North Korean builders are using crystal meth to speed skyscraper progress
North Korean builders use crystal meth to speed up skyscraper progress

In other news, reports emerged that North Korean construction workers are being given drugs in an attempt to speed up the construction of a skyscraper in the secretive nation's capital Pyongyang.

refugee-flag-for-rio-olympics-2016-amnesty-international-_dezeen_sq
Refugees create alternative flag for their Rio 2016 Olympic team

With the Rio Olympics in full swing, we reported on an orange and black flag designed for the Refugee Olympic Team and picked out five of the best outfits worn by athletes at the opening ceremony.

Rio 2016 logo by Tatil
Rio 2016 motif is "first 3D logo in the history of the Olympics" says designer

We also published the story behind the event's graphic identity, looked closer at the design of the Olympic cauldron, and covered the uniforms worn by South Korea's athletes designed to protect them from the Zika virus. See all our architecture and design coverage of the Rio Olympics »

London-based Grimshaw is shedding staff after a number of projects were delayed due to the results of the EU Referendum
More architects hit by Brexit slowdown as construction heads for recession

In the UK, the uncertainty caused by Brexit was attributed to a slowdown in construction and the scaling back of jobs in major architecture firms, while architect Ben Derbyshire was elected to become the president of the Royal Institute of British Architects.

RCA Battersea extension
Herzog & de Meuron and Studio Gang on shortlist for new RCA campus

Herzog & de Meuron, Studio Gang and Diller Scofidio + Renfro were announced as contenders in a star-studded list of architects competing to design a new campus for London's Royal College of Art. In the same week, Stanton Williams and Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands were selected to design the first buildings at University College London's proposed Olympic Park campus.

Oceanwide Center San Francisco by Foster + Partners
Foster + Partners reveals new images of Oceanwide Center skyscrapers for San Francisco

Elsewhere, Foster + Partners released a fresh set of renderings showing its Oceanwide Center development for San Francisco, Snøhetta won a competition to design the headquarters for a bank in Beirut and Peter Zumthor revealed images showing his design for the new Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

World's largest aircraft leaves its hangar for first time
World's largest aircraft "the Flying Bum" prepares for first flight

In design news, the world's largest aircraft – dubbed the Flying Bum – was prepared for a test flight, while a Tesla Model X safely delivered its owner to a hospital following a potentially fatal blood clot.

Oscar Tusquets Blanca says Salvador Dalí was the most exciting and clever person I've met
Dalí was "the most exciting and clever person I've met" says collaborator Oscar Tusquets Blanca

Popular stories this week included our interview with architect and designer Oscar Tusquets Blanca about his friendship and collaboration with Salvador Dalí, a concrete summer house near Buenos Aires and a prefabricated house that was transported 200 kilometres before being craned into position.

Retreat in Finca Aguy by MAPA
MAPA designs prefabricated house then ships it 200 kilometres to Uruguayan olive grove

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