Slideshow: our second project this week by Stuttgart architects Werner Sobek Design is a huge cantilevered altar that was temporarily constructed in Freiberg, Germany, for the pope’s visit last year (photographs by Zooey Braun). More about Papstbühne Freiburg by Werner Sobek
The squashy back of this sofa by Milan designer Denis Guidone can be pulled into a cosy nest or laid out to cover the upholstered platform like a duvet. More about Disfatto by Denis Guidone for D3co
Slideshow: Rotterdam studio 2by4-architects designed this gabled summer house so the walls of one corner fold open. More about Recreational Island House by 2by4-architects
This movie by Jonathan Gales of architectural animation studio Factory Fifteen imagines the whole of London as a construction site, caught in a state of change that could mean dramatic decay or intensive development. More about Megalomania by Jonathan Gales
Designed in Hackney: it's day two of our Designed in Hackney showcase and the award-winning Plumen 001 designer light bulb by Samuel Wilkinson for Hulger is our featured project from the borough today. More about Designed in Hackney: Plumen 001 by Samuel Wilkinson and Hulger
Slideshow: the glazed walls of this pavilion-like house in southern Germany are sandwiched between a roof and plinth that mirror one another (photographs by Zooey Braun). More about Haus D10 by Werner Sobek
Slideshow: none of the elongated rooms inside this curvy apartment block in Osaka are more than two metres wide. More about D-Apartment by Spacespace
Bahbak Hashemi-Nezhad's street furniture made from upturned bakers' crates forms part of an exhibition opening this evening at the Serpentine Gallery in Kensington Gardens. More about Church Street Bench by Bahbak Hashemi-Nezhad
Shiny corrugated metal clads the two cascading stacks of apartments that make up this block in Paris by architect Stephane Maupin. More about M Building by Stephane Maupin
Berlin designer Jannis Hülsen upholstered this stool by using bacteria to grow a cellulose skin over its surface. More about Xylinum by Jannis Hülsen
Designed in Hackney: we're kicking off our new Designed in Hackney initiative today, showcasing world-class architecture and design created in the borough that's home to Dezeen's offices and one of the five host boroughs for the London 2012 Olympic Games. First up is the London 2012 Olympic Torch by BarberOsgerby. More about Designed in Hackney: London 2012 Olympic Torch by BarberOsgerby
Following the popularity of our story about a Starbucks designed by Kengo Kuma, here are some images of a concept store that the coffee-shop giant has completed inside a historic bank vault in Amsterdam. More about The Bank by Liz Muller for Starbucks
The two storeys that London architects Project Orange have added to the roof of a redundant brick warehouse in Sheffield look like another building stacked on top. More about 192 Shoreham Street by Project Orange
Dezeen promotion: the 23rd Biennial of Design (BIO 23) will take place from 27 September to 11 November 2012 at the Museum of Architecture and Design in Ljubljana, Slovenia, and the organisers are accepting applications from exhibitors now. More about Call for entries to BIO 23
Slideshow: while the face of this waterside house near Amsterdam is cloaked in perforated aluminium, the rear is entirely glazed so that residents can watch the sun setting. More about Rieteiland House by Hans van Heeswijk
This bookmark designed by Oscar Lhermitte hovers over the page as you read, poised to dive between the correct pages automatically as you shut the book (+ movie). More about Albatros by Oscar Lhermitte
Dezeen today launches a new initiative to celebrate the incredible diversity of design talent in the east London borough of Hackney.
Designed in Hackney will showcase world-class architecture and design created in the borough, which is one of the five host boroughs for the London 2012 Olympic Games as well as being home to Dezeen's offices.
Each day from tomorrow until the games this summer, Dezeen will publish buildings, interiors and objects that have been designed in Hackney, creating a unique guide to the borough's rich and diverse design community.
The showcase can be accessed via www.designedinhackney.com.
If you're a Hackney designer or architect and you'd like your work featured, please drop us a line with "Designed in Hackney" in the subject line.
The Designed in Hackney logo has been developed by our Hackney neighbours Zerofee.
More about Dezeen presents: Designed in Hackney
Dezeen Wire: politician, author and barrister Lord St John of Fawsley has died aged 82 - Guardian
He was chairman of the Royal Fine Art Commission from 1985 to 1999, when it was succeeded by the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (now Design Council CABE, following a merger last year).
More about Lord St John of Fawsley (1929-2012)
French graffiti artist Tilt has swamped one half of a Marseille hotel room in decoration, while the other half remains completely blank. More about Panic Room by Tilt
Dutch designer Jólan van der Wiel has expanded his range of products shaped by magnets with this candle-holder. More about Gravity candle holder by Jólan van der Wiel