A minimal arch frames the entrance to this former farmhouse that architect Manuel Aires Mateus has transformed into a modern retreat in the rural landscape of Portugal's Alentejo region (+ slideshow). More about Manuel Aires Mateus revives a Portuguese farmhouse to create Casa no Tempo
Designer Gerard Rubio has created an open source robotic loom that is able to knit entire seamless garments in less than one hour (+ movie). More about OpenKnit is an open source 3D-knitting machine that creates garments in just one hour
London Design Festival 2014: architecture studios have collaborated with retailers to create 15 bespoke shop window installations on London's Regent Street (+ movie). More about RIBA Regent Street Windows Project 2014 returns with 15 new installations
Allies and Morrison Architects pays tribute to the Brutalist architecture of London's South Bank with this new home for the Rambert Dance Company, which conceals double-height studios behind a precast concrete facade (+ slideshow). More about Allies and Morrison references Brutalism with concrete-clad studio for Rambert Dance Company
London Design Festival 2014: London designers Matteo Fogale and Laetitia de Allegri have designed a range of furniture and tableware that looks like stone, but is in fact made from composite materials comprising recycled denim, cotton and paper (+ slideshow). More about Matteo Fogale and Laetitia de Allegri present furniture made from old jeans, paper and cotton
Japanese architect Kazunori Fujimoto used the golden ratio to generate the proportions of this raw concrete house on the seafront of Fukuyama, Japan (+ slideshow). More about House in Tajiri by Kazunori Fujimoto is a raw concrete home facing out to sea
A series of cat houses designed by Los Angeles-based architects were created for Architects for Animals "Giving Shelter" fundraiser this month (+ slideshow). More about Architects design cat shelters for animal charity fundraiser
London Design Festival 2014: this copper pendant light by London-based Paul Crofts Studio alludes to pastry-cutting utensils, a reference to the patisserie it was originally designed for. More about Paul Crofts launches Cu29 pendant light based on copper pastry-cutting tools
Opinion: Apple's latest launches show it has become reactive rather than innovative, but after leading the market for 30 years it could still have an important role to play, says Karim Rashid. More about "Apple has taken the minimal aesthetic too far"
News: Japanese architect Shigeru Ban has won a competition to create a museum of fine art and culture in Taiwan's oldest city. More about Shigeru Ban wins contest to design Tainan Museum of Fine Arts
Competition: we've teamed up with MINI to offer one lucky UK-based reader the chance to win a weekend away to Milan for two people, plus a loan of the new MINI Hatch during the trip. More about Competition: win a trip to Milan courtesy of MINI
Maison&Objet 2014: Roger Arquer has updated an object from his childhood to create Nut Hammer – a nutcracker with a soft silicone head that fits over the end of a hammer – for Danish design brand Menu (+ movie). More about Roger Arquer designs a nutcracker to "tickle the soul"
London Design Festival: French designers Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec have been awarded this year's London Design Medal, with British architect Richard Rogers receiving the lifetime achievement prize. More about Bouroullec brothers and Richard Rogers honoured with London Design Medal awards
Dezeen promotion: Tokyo Designers Week will present work by emerging Japanese artists and designers during its debut appearance at Tent London during the London Design Festival this week. More about Tokyo Designers Week to make Tent London debut at London Design Festival 2014
Vo Trong Nghia Architects has revealed its second-phase prototype for an affordable and low-maintenance dwelling for Vietnam, as part of a project aimed at solving the country's housing crisis (+ slideshow). More about Vo Trong Nghia unveils second prototype for low-cost Vietnamese housing
News: Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners has revealed its first-ever project in the Middle East – a row of four waterfront skyscrapers underway in Abu Dhabi. More about Rogers Stirk Harbour unveils waterfront skyscrapers for first Middle East job
News: a company that claims to have developed the first electric car powered by salt water says the vehicle has now been approved for testing on public roads in Germany and the EU (+ slideshow). More about Salt water-powered electric car approved for roads in Europe
The distinctive grey and yellow colour palette of this nursery school in Germany, by Ecker Architekten, extends to lighting fixtures, storage closets, doors and staircases (+ slideshow). More about Kindergarten by Ecker Architekten features an austere colour palette and a spiral staircase
London Design Festival 2014: Italian design duo Formafantasma has installed a range of unusual timepieces in the showroom of British furniture brand Established & Sons. More about Formafantasma uses saxophones and a brass pendulum to track the passing of time
Brutalism: Le Corbusier's first Unité d'Habitation is arguably the most influential Brutalist building of all time. With its human proportions, chunky pilotis and interior "streets", it redefined high-density housing by reimagining a city inside an 18-storey slab block. More about Brutalist buildings: Unité d'Habitation, Marseille by Le Corbusier