American railroad company Amtrak has launched a fleet of new trains along the US east coast that will run 10 miles per hour faster than current models and are the "first high-speed trains built in America", according to their manufacturer. More about Amtrak launches "future of high-speed rail" on line between Boston and Washington DC
Dezeen School Shows: a playful fashion collection designed to reflect childhood nostalgia is among the projects from this year's Designblok selection. More about Fashion collection that evokes childhood nostalgia among projects from Designblok finalists
Royal Mail has given Britain's recognisable red pillar postbox the "biggest redesign in its 175-year history", integrating solar panels to power digitally activated drawers for larger parcels. More about Royal Mail introduces solar-powered postboxes
Perforated screens of reclaimed terracotta brick and metal mesh for climbing plants wrap the volumes of this home in Australia, designed by local architect Peter Besley. More about Peter Besley shelters Brisbane home with walls of perforated brickwork
The most desirable phones are no longer only the ones with the most advanced features. Here, contributing editor Rima Sabina Aouf reviews four of the best contemporary dumbphones with deliberately pared-back functionality. More about Four of the best dumbphones for a digital detox
As the world gets hotter demand for cooling systems is increasing, but energy-hungry air conditioning risks making the situation worse. Starr Charles explores whether more efficient solutions are possible. More about Can we quit our air-con addiction?
Architecture studio Snøhetta has unveiled designs for a mixed-use coastal development "reminiscent of a mountain range" in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia. More about Snøhetta designs waterfront district to echo mountain landscape in Borneo
Skincare brand Aesop's first store in Hainan Island, China, was designed to evoke an underwater cave and features oculi decorated with an algae-based film. More about Aesop illuminates cave-like Hainan store with ceiling oculi
Artist Jobe Burns has completed the renovation of a 300-year-old farmhouse in southwest England, transforming it into a home designed to celebrate its rural identity and timeworn details. More about Jobe Burns uses traditional methods and materials to revive historic West Country farmhouse
Local studio 51-1 Arquitectos has stacked a vertical convent made of pink-coloured concrete and grey brick screens onto an urban site in Lima, Peru. More about 51-1 Arquitectos creates pink concrete convent in Peru
Promotion: developer Richmind and executive architects Dewan Architects + Engineers have commissioned Zaha Hadid Architects to design the Oystra development in the UAE, which features a 40-metre curved steel truss spanning two towers. More about Zaha Hadid Architects brings Richmind's vision to life for sculptural Oystra development
Construction has begun on the Tadao Ando-designed National Museum of Uzbekistan in Tashkent, which will be comprised of interconnected concrete squares, circles and triangles. More about Interlinked geometric shapes form Tadao Ando-designed National Museum of Uzbekistan
London architecture studio Material Works has updated a Victorian home in Hackney, extending into its garden with a large double-height bay window framed with natural stone. More about Material Works extends Hackney home into an oversized bay window
British-Nigerian designer Yinka Ilori has designed three colourful watches for Swiss brand MB&F as part of its MAD Editions range. More about Yinka Ilori designs trio of watches to "make you smile every time you check the time"
American restaurant chain Cracker Barrel has announced that it will keep its "old timer" logo and abandon plans to replace it with a minimalist redesign following intense online backlash led by Donald Trump. More about Cracker Barrel scraps new logo after outrage at redesign
Olympic organisers have reportedly approached South Korea about hosting the 2029 Asian Winter Games over doubts about whether Saudi Arabia's unbuilt Trojena ski resort will be ready in time. More about Olympics considering alternatives to Neom hosting Asian Winter Games
Governments' failure to agree a treaty on curbing plastics pollution draws attention to how reliant on the material we have become but there may be a silver lining, writes Smith Mordak. More about "We need plastic to keep our economic order going"
Rustic oak from a 300-year-old wine press was used to craft the interior of Shii, a tiny Japanese restaurant in Helsinki designed by local designer Joanna Laajisto. More about Joanna Laajisto uses reclaimed oak for everything at Helsinki restaurant Shii
Tbilisi-based 10:10 Interiors has renovated part of the Lopota Lake Resort & Spa in Georgia's Kakheti wine region, introducing a colour palette that evokes the surrounding landscape and clay vessels used in traditional winemaking. More about Minimalism and Georgian craftsmanship combine in lakeside Kakheti hotel
Three weeks ahead of the launch of London Design Festival, Dezeen Events Guide has launched its digital guide and interactive map for the 23rd edition. More about Dezeen Events Guide launches digital guide to London Design Festival 2025