Dezeen Wire: designer sex toys are enjoying record sales thanks to the success of bestselling erotic novel Fifty Shades of Grey by E L James, according to design-led vibrator brand Jimmyjane. More about Bestselling erotic novel "driving sales of designer sex toys"
Dezeen Wire: over 300 buildings have been shortlisted for awards at this year's World Architecture Festival, which will take place from 3-5 October. More about World Building of the Year 2012 shortlist announced
Taut rope is all that holds together this furniture by Dutch design graduate Toon Welling. More about Bound Basics by Toon Welling
The stark concrete exterior of many of London's postwar housing blocks could be made more attractive with thatching, proposes architecture student James Kirk (+ movie). More about London Thatch by James Kirk
Spanish rug maker Nanimarquina celebrated its 25th anniversary earlier this month by laying dozens of rugs across Plaça de la Virreina in Barcelona (+ movie). More about Rugs in Plaça de la Virreina by Nanimarquina
German designer Johanna Schmeer has created a set of traps for catching genetically modified mice. More about Mousetraps by Johanna Schmeer
Hackney-based artist Alex Chinneck has fitted identically smashed windows into a derelict factory just a mile away from the Olympic Stadium (+ slideshow). More about Telling the Truth Through False Teeth by Alex Chinneck
Hackney design studio Very Good & Proper used glossy tiles salvaged from the London Underground in the Covent Garden branch of restaurant chain Canteen (+ slideshow). More about Canteen Covent Garden by Very Good & Proper
Walls of rough stone and concrete surround the staggered levels of this public square in Zaragoza by Spanish architects Héctor Fernández Elorza and Manuel Fernández Ramírez (+ slideshow). More about Valdefierro Park by Héctor Fernández Elorza and Manuel Fernández Ramírez
Architectural Association student Yvonne Weng has won the 2012 Foster + Partners Prize with designs that would allow scientists to live in the treetops of the Amazon rainforest. More about Explorative Canopy Trail by Yvonne Weng wins Foster + Partners Prize 2012
Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson has made these small solar-powered lamps for people who have limited access to reliable energy – almost a quarter of the world's population (+ movie). More about Little Sun by Olafur Eliasson
Foster + Partners has been shortlisted to design the Xiqu Chinese Opera Centre, the first in a series of new arts and cultural venues for the West Kowloon Cultural District in Hong Kong. More about Foster + Partners shortlisted to design Hong Kong arts venue
Dutch designers Oatmeal Studio have hacked IKEA furniture to create a pop-up restaurant where diners pick their own tableware and cut their own tablecloths (+ slideshow.) More about IkHa by Oatmeal Studio
A bird's skull inspired the hollow heel of these 3D-printed shoes by Dutch fashion designer Marieka Ratsma and American architect Kostika Spaho. More about Biomimicry Shoe by Marieka Ratsma and Kostika Spaho
Dezeen Wire: the Architects' Council of Europe has condemned the proposed exclusion of 90% of architecture firms from the public procurement market.
In their latest report, the council has urged the EU to amend drafted legislation to help small and medium-sized practices bid for and obtain work in the public sector. More about Most architects to be excluded from public procurement
Architects J Mayer H have designed a building made from scaffolding to host the collections and events of the Pinakothek der Moderne museum in Munich when it closes for renovation next year. More about Schaustelle by J Mayer H
The solid and the ephemeral combine in this collection of garments by New York designer Jin Kay, inspired by the themes of a 1930s Japanese novel. More about Silence of Shadows by Jin Kay
You can enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner on top of your sloping roof using this furniture by Lithuanian design graduate Ainė Bunikytė (+ slideshow). More about Ridged Roof Furniture by Ainė Bunikytė
Narrow glass openings provide glimpses through the rampart-like facade of this property showroom in Singapore by architects Ministry of Design (+ slideshow). More about The Edge Gallery by Ministry of Design
Dezeen Wire: The Guardian reports on a campaign to persuade high-street retailers to respect the intellectual property of independent designers following the case of English pattern designer Rachael Taylor, who last week spoke out after finding a product almost identical to her own on sale at Marks & Spencer (above and below; Taylor's designs are on the right in both photos). More about "Retailers urged to support design copyright campaign" - The Guardian