Seven shelters for city-dwelling bees
As cities grow and bee populations continue to dwindle, designers are increasingly looking for ways to bring nature to urban areas. In celebration of World Bee Day, we've rounded up seven urban shelters for the vital insects. More about Seven shelters for city-dwelling bees
Space10 shares platform for people to create "dream home" for bees
IKEA's research lab Space10 has developed a series of open-source bee homes that anyone can design themselves for free before having it made using a CNC machine. More about Space10 shares platform for people to create "dream home" for bees
Rimbin is an "infection-free" playground concept designed to look like water lilies
Berlin-based designers Martin Binder and Claudio Rimmele have designed a concept for an "infection-free" playground where children could play together safely during the coronavirus pandemic. More about Rimbin is an "infection-free" playground concept designed to look like water lilies
James Dyson becomes UK's richest person and shares images of cancelled N526 electric car
Vacuum-cleaner entrepreneur James Dyson has become the UK's wealthiest person despite spending £500 million on his company's scrapped electric car, which has been revealed for the first time. More about James Dyson becomes UK's richest person and shares images of cancelled N526 electric car
Poimo is an inflatable electric-scooter that can be transported inside a backpack
Research organisation Mercari R4D and a team including students from the University of Tokyo have jointly developed an inflatable electric-scooter that riders can stash away inside their backpack. More about Poimo is an inflatable electric-scooter that can be transported inside a backpack
Studio ThusThat creates objects from "overlooked" byproducts of the copper industry
Multidisciplinary collective Studio ThusThat explored the "invisible" material of copper as a low-carbon alternative to concrete when developing its This is Copper furniture collection. More about Studio ThusThat creates objects from "overlooked" byproducts of the copper industry
Matter's Sukha concept enables women to carry out smear tests at home
Multidisciplinary design consultancy Matter has designed three conceptual cervical cancer examinations that women could carry out themselves at home to break the taboo of smear tests. More about Matter's Sukha concept enables women to carry out smear tests at home
Olafur Eliasson creates augmented-reality cabinet of curiosities
Danish-Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson is bringing rare natural matter, including a burning sun and a sprightly puffin, into people's homes with his AR Wunderkammer works. More about Olafur Eliasson creates augmented-reality cabinet of curiosities
Julius Raymund Advincula makes "provocative" typeface from cleverly positioned body parts
Filipino graphic designer Julius Raymund Advincula sat half-naked in front of a mirror looking for letters and numbers in the folds of his skin and limbs to make up this Body Type typeface. More about Julius Raymund Advincula makes "provocative" typeface from cleverly positioned body parts
Caret Studio installs gridded social-distancing system inside Italian piazza
Italian practice Caret Studio has installed the StoDistante installation in an Italian square to encourage social distancing as a temporary solution for reactivating public spaces after Covid-19 lockdown ends. More about Caret Studio installs gridded social-distancing system inside Italian piazza
Jihye Kang creates refractive furniture from rows of acrylic rods
Hongik University graduate Jihye Kang built her Purity furniture from acrylic and stainless steel as an exploration of the refractive effects that can be achieved with simple materials and shapes. More about Jihye Kang creates refractive furniture from rows of acrylic rods
Kaoi studio designs modular Ebba chairs based on Ettore Sottsass' Memphis movement
This modular chair collection by Thai design studio Kaoi takes cues from the 1980s Memphis Group, featuring four graphic armrests that can be mixed and matched to offer different aesthetic "personalities". More about Kaoi studio designs modular Ebba chairs based on Ettore Sottsass' Memphis movement
This week, designers imagined ways to socialise in a post-coronavirus world
This week on Dezeen, designers focused their efforts on creating objects for life after Covid-19 lockdown, from blankets and frames for social distancing in parks to unconventional face shields. More about This week, designers imagined ways to socialise in a post-coronavirus world
Escapist restaurant interiors could be "lasting design legacy of the pandemic" says Roar trends report
Coronavirus will lead to a rise in escapist restaurant interiors, while physical menus, cash payments and buffets will largely be abandoned, according to a trends report by Dubai-based studio Roar. More about Escapist restaurant interiors could be "lasting design legacy of the pandemic" says Roar trends report
M-Rad designs mobile Covid-19 testing unit concept from "virus-destroying" copper
California-based design and architecture studio M-Rad proposes using the natural antiviral properties of copper alloy to create a travelling Covid-19 testing unit. More about M-Rad designs mobile Covid-19 testing unit concept from "virus-destroying" copper
Plastique Fantastique makes iSphere mask informed by 1950s sci-fi comics
Berlin-based art collective Plastique Fantastique has created an open-source, retro-futuristic face shield shaped like a fish bowl to protect wearers against coronavirus. More about Plastique Fantastique makes iSphere mask informed by 1950s sci-fi comics
Paul Cocksedge designs social-distancing picnic blanket for life after lockdown
London-based designer Paul Cocksedge's Here Comes the Sun blanket would allow people to "socialise safely and confidently" outdoors once Covid-19 lockdown restrictions have been lifted. More about Paul Cocksedge designs social-distancing picnic blanket for life after lockdown
Paul Priestman makes DIY smartphone stand from an egg box for video calls
Transportation designer Paul Priestman has shared his hack for making a smartphone stand from an egg box to avoid "bad angles" and painful "phone arm" when video calling during the pandemic. More about Paul Priestman makes DIY smartphone stand from an egg box for video calls
Nynke Tynagel splits from Studio Job to start own graphics studio
Graphic designer Nynke Tynagel has launched her own practice after working alongside Job Smeets as joint owner of art and design collective Studio Job for over 20 years. More about Nynke Tynagel splits from Studio Job to start own graphics studio
Carlo Ratti's Pura-Case uses "ozone power" to sanitise clothes
Italian studio Carlo Ratti Associati has designed a concept for a battery-powered wardrobe purifier that uses ozone to remove bacteria and viruses from the user's clothes. More about Carlo Ratti's Pura-Case uses "ozone power" to sanitise clothes