News: Here are the latest images of architect Jean Nouvel's Philharmonie de Paris, set to become the world's most expensive concert hall after surviving the French government's recent cull of major cultural projects (+ slideshow). More about Jean Nouvel's Paris concert hall spared the axe
News: Scientists at a Spanish university are developing a new type of concrete that captures rainwater to create living walls of moss and fungi. More about Researchers develop "biological concrete" for moss-covered walls
This concrete house in Tokyo by Japanese architect Hiroyuki Ito has a glazed stairwell that splits the building into two distinct halves. More about Takanawa House by Hiroyuki Ito and O.F.D.A. Associates
Product news: German designer Sebastian Scherer used sheets of coloured glass to create these tessellating tables. More about Isom tables by Sebastian Scherer
Jagged copper balconies emulate the topography of surrounding landscape as they fold around the exterior of this apartment block in north-east Italy by architects Plasma Studio (+ slideshow). More about Dolomitenblick by Plasma Studio
Dezeen's architecture and design movies had a staggering 2.2 million plays in 2012 and we've rounded up the ten most popular ones for you here. More about Dezeen's top ten movies of 2012
News: well-designed classrooms can improve the academic performance of primary school pupils by 25 percent according to a new study undertaken by the University of Salford and UK architects Nightingale Associates. More about Well-designed schools improve learning by 25 percent says new study
News: rumours are mounting that Apple is working on a wearable smartwatch that would link up to an iPhone. More about Apple rumoured to be working on "iWatch"
Los Angeles firm Lorcan O'Herlihy Architects has restored a nineteenth century coach house in Dublin, Ireland, and inserted a contemporary house in front of it (+ slideshow). More about Flynn Mews House by Lorcan O'Herlihy Architects
News: a building designed by Zaha Hadid for Beijing has been copied by a developer in Chongqing, with the two projects racing to be completed first. More about Zaha Hadid building pirated in China
Polished mosaic floors reveal the original room layout of this renovated apartment in Barcelona by local studio Vora Arquitectura (+ slideshow). More about Apartment refurbishment in Gràcia by Vora Arquitectura
Product news: this chair made from two bent plywood elements is part of the inaugural collection of furniture by new Finnish brand Poiat Products. More about Lavitta collection by Poiat Products
A spiral staircase climbs the all-timber facade of this house in Amsterdam by Dutch studio Egeon Architecten (+ slideshow). More about Villa Rieteiland-oost by Egeon Architecten
Dezeen archive: our latest roundup of stories from the Dezeen archive is full of cosy cabins, chalets, lodges and shelters - perfect places to seek refuge from the wintery weather. See all the stories »
More about Dezeen archive: winter retreats
Product News: Slovakian designer Tomas Kral has created a collection of small silicone pots for Hong Kong design brand Praxis. More about Flex silicone pots by Tomas Kral for Praxis
Happy new year from the Dezeen team! We've had a brilliant year so thanks to all our readers and we're looking forward to exciting things in 2013.
More about Happy new year from Dezeen
And finally... 2012 has been a vintage year for Dezeen, with a major award, high-profile collaborations with Apple and Google and record-breaking traffic to our website. More about Dezeen's year: our highlights of 2012
Our review of the year naturally concludes with December, when the Louvre Lens by SANAA and Imrey Culbert has been our most popular story, the architecture world paid tribute to the late Oscar Niemeyer and the fight to protect design education continued. More about 2012 review: December
November's most popular story was a set of images by Dutch architectural photographer Iwan Baan showing scenes of New York recovering from the effects of Hurricane Sandy, while design education came under threat in the UK and 3D printing was taken up by the military. More about 2012 review: November
We're now looking back at our top five stories in October and sailing into an easy first place is the yacht designed by Apple co-founder Steve Jobs before his death, while the news was dominated by architecture in China and the integration of digital and industrial design at Apple. More about 2012 review: October