Dezeen Magazine

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen
The EU will create a new bauhaus says Ursula von der Leyen

This week, the EU made plans for a new Bauhaus after coronavirus

This week on Dezeen, the European Union unveiled plans to fund a Bauhaus-style design school as part of a €750 billion coronavirus recovery scheme.

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen outlined the plans as part of her State of the Union address.

"We will set up a new European Bauhaus," said Von der Leyen. "A co-creation space where architects, artists, students, engineers, designers work together."

The (Un)finished Showcase by Royal College of Art graduates at London Design Festival 2020
RCA students question "absurdity" of traditional supply chains in (Un)finished showcase

Coronavirus was the subject of creative debate at this year's London Design Festival (LDF), which drew to a close this week.

Graduates from the Royal College of Art embraced the disruption to supply chains as a result of the pandemic and explored how designers can work with local materials and communities in London in their (Un)finished exhibition, which took place during the event.

Identity for the London Design Festival 2020 designed by Pentagram
Designers and brands explore ways to "change things up" at low-key London Design Festival

Designers and brands exhibiting during LDF took stock of how the constraints of the pandemic had encouraged them to try new things.

"As designers, we work well with boundaries and restrictions: they enhance your work rather than limit it," said designer Lee Broom, who presented his new Maestro Chair with a cinematic small film.

Mikiya Kobayashi designs electric ILY-Ai scooter made from wood
Mikiya Kobayashi designs electric ILY-Ai scooter made from wood

In this week's transport news, Airbus revealed three concepts for zero-emission passenger planes. The ZEROe planes could use hydrogen-powered electricity to help reduce the environmental damage caused by the aviation industry.

Japanese designer Mikiya Kobayashi also designed an electric scooter made from wood in a bid to make the mode of transport seem "warmer" than usual.

Paris 2024 Olympics Aquatic Centre by VenhoevenCS and Ateliers 2/3/4/
VenhoevenCS and Ateliers 2/3/4/ reveal timber aquatic centre for Paris 2024 Olympics

Wood is also the material of choice for the upcoming aquatics centre for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Dutch studio VenhoevenCS and French practice Ateliers 2/3/4/ are building the timber swimming pool complex, which will be the only permanent venue erected as part of the sporting event.

Study lined with wood in Kew Residence by John Wardle Architects in Melbourne, Australia
Architect John Wardle renovates his own house in Australia

Readers went wild on Dezeen this week for John Wardle's renovation of his own house in Melbourne, a house renovation with a blue spiral slide in Toronto, and an extension with a music-themed metal facade is Aspen.

This week on Dezeen is our regular roundup of the week's top news stories. Subscribe to our newsletters to be sure you don't miss anything.