Conflict areas like the West Bank offer opportunities for architects to combine their design ambitions with a desire to make a difference in the world, according to Ron Arad (+ interview). More about "Architects have a duty to do good things" says Ron Arad
Comments update: Zaha Hadid Architects director Patrik Schumacher was the fiercest critic of the decision to name Alejandro Aravena as the 2016 Pritzker laureate in Dezeen's comments section. More about "The Pritzker Prize has mutated into a prize for humanitarian work"
New photographs show the undulating form of AZPML's recently completed £750-million renovation of Birmingham New Street Station (+ slideshow). More about AZPML's Birmingham New Street Station renovation revealed in new images
Selldorf Architects has been selected to design a major mixed-use project in Washington DC on the site of the Elizabeth Taylor Medical Center, an HIV treatment centre named after the late actress. More about Selldorf Architects to redevelop Washington DC HIV clinic named after Liz Taylor
Northmodern 2016: Dutch designer David Derksen has designed a set of table trays and candle holders which, when grouped together, are reminiscent of a city skyline (+ slideshow). More about David Derksen creates an "abstract cityscape" with Table Architecture products
The US Department of Transportation has unveiled a plan to eradicate accidents on American roads by increasing the number of self-driving vehicles. More about US reveals billion plan to roll out self-driving cars within a decade
Rem Koolhaas' firm has revealed plans to overhaul continental Europe's largest department store, with the addition of a glass rooftop extension and a series of sculptural new staircases (+ slideshow). More about OMA unveils major renovation plans for Berlin's KaDeWe department store
Glasgow watch brand Instrmnt has opened its first shop, furnishing the space with pieces by brands including Vitsœ, Hay and Folk (+ slideshow). More about Minimalist watch brand Instrmnt opens first store in Glasgow city centre
Business news: UK creatives such as architect Zaha Hadid and designer Thomas Heatherwick are not given the recognition they deserve as business pioneers, according to the founder of a new website to help creative startups. More about Lack of recognition for entrepreneurial designers is "a huge lost opportunity"
Wooden hatches fold open to reveal a new loft room inside this former Victorian schoolhouse, recently renovated by London studio McLaren Excell as a holiday home. More about McLaren Excell creates "floating" loft room inside renovated schoolhouse home
Spanish studio MUT Design has created a collection of tiles for manufacturer Peronda based on the shapes of chocolate bars. More about MUT Design's Onza tiles resemble slabs of chocolate
A thick loop of concrete forms the walls, flooring and roof of this pool house, completed by Indian firm 42mm Architecture in the garden of a New Delhi residence (+ slideshow). More about Indian pool house by 42mm Architecture boasts a concrete frame and a transparent middle
Untitled Motorcycles San Francisco has stripped back a Ducati Scrambler motorcycle to highlight its trellis-like frame and reveal bare metal parts (+ slideshow). More about UMC-SF and Marin customise Ducati Scrambler to create a "provocative" motorcycle
To create a feeling of zen in this Amsterdam hotel room, designer Hanna Maring added a Japanese wooden bathtub and semi-transparent screens designed to resemble the sky at different times of day (+ slideshow). More about Hanna Maring installs wooden bathtub and colourful screens inside Volkshotel suite
New York architecture studio Stonefox has designed a collection of sculptural, faceted mirrors that distort a viewer's likeness. More about Stonefox debuts faceted Identity Check mirrors
Urban Office Architecture has unveiled plans to build a concrete church in New Jersey featuring a "sky chapel", elevated walkways and a shallow pool (+ slideshow). More about New Jersey church by Urban Office Architecture to feature "sky chapel" and reflecting pool
This dining table by British design brand Duffy London uses layers of wood and glass to create the appearance of a watery abyss (+ slideshow). More about Duffy London's latest Abyss table is designed to resemble ocean chasms
Nikolas Gregory Studio's conceptual Ripley kit encourages users to swallow and excrete their own biologically customised piece of jewellery. More about Excrete customised poo jewellery with Nikolas Gregory's Ripley kit
Business news: IKEA is aiming to double its sales by 2020 despite demand for home furnishings reaching a peak, according the company's head of sustainability. More about We've reached "peak home furnishings" says IKEA sustainability chief
London Eye designer Marks Barfield Architects has reached the final stage in its construction of the UK's highest observation tower outside the capital (+ slideshow). More about "World's first vertical cable car" to open on Brighton beach in summer 2016