Could biodegradable plastics made from natural substances such as algae replace fossil-fuel polymers? Here are 10 examples of designers that are experimenting with environmentally friendly alternatives.
More about 10 bioplastic projects made from algae, corn starch and other natural materials
Dutch designer Daan Roosegaarde has created a large-scale light performance that follows pieces of junk floating around in outer space, to mark the launch of an initiative to highlight the issue of space waste. More about Daan Roosegaarde's UFO-like light installation tracks pieces of space waste in real time
An area of reclaimed land in Shenzhen, China, is to be transformed into an "urban living room", with a linear raised garden designed by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners. More about Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners plans 1,200-metre-long raised garden in Shenzhen
The traditional craft of weaving is experiencing a modern revival, as makers experiment with digital technologies and taboo topics. Here are six individuals who are leading the movement. More about Six contemporary weavers who are bringing innovation to textile craft
Sameep Padora & Associates looked at the forms of vaulted brick ceilings found in Catalonia to develop the complex curved roof of this extension to a children's library in the Indian town of Kopargaon. More about Sameep Padora creates undulating brick roof to cover school library in India
Northumbria University design graduate Will de Brett has redesigned the everyday electrical plug, making it pin-less and stackable to accommodate numerous devices. More about Pin-free Mi Plug project reimagines power outlets for the 21st century
Design Academy Eindhoven graduate Anna Aagaard Jensen has designed a series of chairs to challenge social norms and encourage women to claim more space with their bodies. More about Anna Aagaard Jensen's A Basic Instinct chairs reinvent "manspreading" for women
Biennale Interieur kicks off in Kortrijk next week with a new focus on young talent. Anna Winston picks out five of the best up-and-coming Belgian designers to keep an eye out for. More about Five talented young Belgian designers to look out for at Biennale Interieur 2018
Layer's first wireless tech product for new brand Nolii is a lamp that charges your phone and also functions as a "digital sunrise" alarm clock. More about Nolii's wireless Rise lamp also functions as a charger and an alarm clock
Neri Oxman and her Mediated Matter group at MIT have created a swarm of robots designed to rapidly build high-strength tubular structures by winding fibreglass filament around themselves. More about Neri Oxman's swarm of Fiberbots autonomously build architectural structures
London-based architect Peter Barber is developing 365 urban masterplans, in a project called One Year 365 Cities, to prove that it should be possible "to design a city in 10 minutes". More about Peter Barber is designing a city every day for a year
Eindhoven University of Technology graduate Elzelinde van Doleweerd has teamed up with a China-based technology company to create food products 3D-printed from leftover food. More about Elzelinde van Doleweerd creates 3D-printed snacks from food waste
Zaha Hadid Architects has won a competition to design the Sverdlovsk Philharmonic Concert Hall in Yekaterinburg, Russia. More about Zaha Hadid Architects to design concert hall for Ural Philharmonic Orchestra
MAD, Penda and Open Architecture are among 10 Asian studios that have built futuristic concept homes in Beijing, including a living garden, a nomadic Martian pod and a modular home inspired by Beijing's hutongs. More about 10 architects imagine the Chinese home of the future for China House Vision exhibition
Architecture studio TDO has transformed a disused church hall in London into a versatile office for estate agent The Modern House, which feature lofty ceilings and modular furniture. More about TDO designs office for The Modern House inside 20th-century church hall
The Royal Academy of Arts in London is exhibiting a design for a city island, populated entirely with buildings designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano. More about Renzo Piano's studio designs "imaginary island" containing 102 of the architect's projects
This mini version of Apple's Cupertino campus is made entirely of Lego, and was modelled on drone footage taken during construction. More about Lego Apple Park took its builder two years to complete
Map enthusiast and researcher Kerim Bayer has drawn from his collection of 1,366 maps to create a graphic-design book containing 5,180 thumbnail images. More about Kerim Bayer deconstructs 1,366 maps to create "atlas of atlases"
Zaha Hadid Design has unveiled carpet designs inspired by the projects of its late founder, including MAXXI and the Nanjing International Youth Cultural Centre. More about Zaha Hadid's architecture translated into 22 carpet designs
Toys created by Czech designers over the past century are on show in London, including inflatable animals, wooden flowers and colourful totems. More about Czech toys from the past 100 years showcased for London Design Festival