Venice Architecture Biennale 2014: director of Zaha Hadid Architects Patrik Schumacher has taken to Facebook to launch an attack on political correctness in architecture and a perceived trend for prioritising art over form-making. More about "Architecture is not art" says Patrik Schumacher in Venice Architecture Biennale rant
News: architecture firm OMA is working on designs for a 167-metre skyscraper on Folsom Street in San Francisco. More about OMA plans San Francisco skyscraper
News: a research team at Stanford University has developed a pocket-sized microscope that can be assembled from a sheet of paper and costs less than a pound to manufacture, intended to help in the fight against malaria. More about Disposable paper microscope developed for detecting malaria
News: the United States Mint has produced its first contact lens-shaped coins to commemorate 75 years of the National Baseball Hall of Fame. More about US Mint produces domed coins
News: IKEA has unveiled a limited-edition collection for 2014 aimed at a growing number of young, creative city-dwellers faced with small living spaces and uncertain rental terms (+ slideshow). More about IKEA targets space-poor hipsters with PS 2014 collection
News: internet-connected cars will soon be harvesting data on the weather, road conditions and traffic flow and selling it to the grid, according to panelists at the Internet of Cars session at the SXSW festival. More about Internet-connected cars will give drivers "superhuman powers"
News: Chilean architect Smiljan Radić has been named as the designer of this year's Serpentine Gallery Pavilion and is proposing a translucent domed structure of white fibreglass. More about Chilean architect Smiljan Radić designs Serpentine Gallery Pavilion 2014
News: residents of a Brutalist housing development in London have persuaded Channel 4 to screen a home-made version of the broadcaster's ident after a lengthy campaign against its "inaccurate" portrayal of life on the estate. More about Channel 4 to broadcast alternative to "insulting" Brutalist housing estate ident
Venice Architecture Biennale 2014: Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas has released more details of the Venice Architecture Biennale he is curating this year and revealed his aim to disconnect the exhibition from the current state of architecture, which he says "is not in good health". More about Venice Biennale 2014 will "sever connections with contemporary architecture" says Rem Koolhaas
News: this desk with a solar panel in the writing surface by Dutch designer Marjan van Aubel generates electricity to recharge gadgets using a process similar to photosynthesis. More about The Current Table by Marjan van Aubel features a solar panel for charging mobile phones
News: Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto has unveiled plans for a tower block shaped like a pine cone with balconies sprouting outwards in all directions, as part of a series of "modern follies" underway in Montpellier, France (+ slideshow). More about Sou Fujimoto designs nature-inspired tower for Montpellier "modern follies" project
News: people will soon have up to ten miniature devices on their bodies and clothes monitoring their health, organising their social lives and responding to their emotional needs, according to Gadi Amit, a leading designer of wearable devices (+ interview). More about Wearable technology that ignores emotional needs is a "major error"
News: a woman has been attacked in a San Francisco bar for wearing Google Glass, in the latest conflict amid increasing tension between the city's residents and the tech giants who have based their headquarters in the area. More about Google Glass wearer attacked in San Francisco and accused of "killing" the city
News: Dutch studio MVRDV has revealed its competition-winning design to create a bowl-shaped art depot for the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen in Rotterdam with a mirrored exterior and a rooftop sculpture garden. More about MVRDV unveils reflective bowl-shaped art depot for Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen
News: a British firm has unveiled the world's longest aircraft - a hybrid of airship, plane and helicopter that can stay airborne for up to three weeks. More about World’s longest aircraft combines parts from airships, planes and helicopters
News: a conductive rug that can detect movement and call for help if someone has fallen over has been developed by German firm Future-Shape. More about SensFloor conductive rug by Future-Shape turns the floor into a giant touchscreen
News: work is nearing completion on an upgraded first floor for the Eiffel Tower that will offer visitors the opportunity to walk over a glass floor or host events and conferences 57 metres above the ground. More about Eiffel Tower's first-floor overhaul nears completion
News: American supermarket giant Walmart has unveiled a prototype for a fuel-efficient truck with a streamlined cab and the first trailer made entirely of carbon fibre. More about Walmart unveils concept for energy efficient carbon-fibre truck
News: American 3D printing firm 3D Systems has created a robotic suit that combines printed parts with motorised components to help paralysed patients stand and walk. More about 3D-printed exoskeleton helps paralysed users walk again
News: American furniture brand Emeco has reached a settlement in its legal dispute with two companies that were allegedly copying the company's Navy Chair and Kong Chair. More about Emeco settles further disputes over Navy Chair and Kong Chair replicas
