Comments update: Italian architect Renzo Piano, designer of The Shard in London, unveiled a new skyscraper proposal for the city last week – and readers weren't impressed. Read on for more on this and explore our comments page to keep up to date with the latest discussions. More about "A national disgrace"
Dubai is undergoing its "next wave of development" after bouncing back from the 2008 financial crisis, according to architects in the region. More about Dubai experiencing "boom 2.0" as construction projects soar
Prolific Japanese design studio Nendo has created slippers shaped like wizard's hats that can be stood up and stacked one on top of another. More about Nendo designs cone-shaped stackable slippers
Munich architecture studio IFUB has overhauled a 1930s apartment in Vienna, uncovering original details like parquet flooring and adding contemporary lighting and black steel fittings (+ slideshow). More about IFUB installs bespoke black steel fittings in 1930s Art Deco apartment renovation
This restaurant and bar in the Azores comprises two buildings – a remodelled barn with volcanic stone walls, and a bulbous timber extension conceived as a cross between a whale and a wine barrel (+ slideshow). More about Cella Bar by FCC Arquitectura features a volcanic stone barn and a whale-inspired extension
World Architecture Festival 2015: British architect Will Alsop says there are more opportunities for ideas-driven architecture projects in China – like his Gao Yang development, which features a four-storey hanging restaurant – in this movie filmed in London (+ movie). More about China more open to new architecture than risk-averse UK, says Will Alsop
A material made by mixing hemp with lime and water forms a new layer of insulation around this house in Belgium, as part of a renovation by Ghent studio Martens Van Caimere Architecten (+ slideshow). More about Hemp-based render gives striated skin to renovated house by Martens Van Caimere
London-based startup Blocks has designed a smartwatch that allows wearers to choose the functionalities they need by clipping on additional modules. More about Blocks launches "world's first modular smartwatch" on Kickstarter
These glass and timber holiday cabins by Norwegian architect Snorre Stinessen overhang the coastline of Norway's Manshausen Island, providing a base for Arctic Circle explorers (+ slideshow). More about Arctic exploration cabins by Snorre Stinessen cantilever over the Norwegian shoreline
Developers of Foster + Partners' luxury residential tower in Manhattan have released new images to tempt buyers into purchasing one of the multi-million dollar apartments (+ slideshow). More about New images released of Foster's super-skinny New York skyscraper
Dutch Design Week 2015: Design Academy Eindhoven graduate Emmy Polkamp has created a concept for travelling hotel tents that can be used to create accommodation in abandoned structures (+ slideshow). More about Emmy Polkamp's To Many Places nomadic hotel can occupy empty buildings
NEXT Architects has completed its Batbridge in South Holland, which integrates spaces for bats to roost in during different seasons (+ slideshow). More about NEXT Architects completes bat-friendly bridge in the Netherlands
Designer Paul Cocksedge has unveiled photos that demonstrate the freezing techniques he used to seamlessly join metal furniture for a new gallery show opening in New York this week (+ slideshow). More about Paul Cocksedge freezes furniture together for Friedman Benda exhibition
Danish toy brand Lego, which has built a fan base among architects and designers with its colourful building bricks, has been accused of "censorship" by Chinese artist Ai Weiwei after refusing to supply an order for an exhibition in Australia. More about Ai Weiwei appeals to public after Lego refuses to provide bricks for "political" work
Dezeen is among "top news sources" available in Apple's News app, alongside the BBC, the Guardian, CNN, and the Financial Times. More about Dezeen now available in newly launched Apple News app
David Chipperfield Architects has completed a series of stone apartments raised on plinths above the surface of a water garden in Hangzhou, eastern China (+ slideshow). More about David Chipperfield creates "village" of stone dwellings in Hangzhou marshland
Dutch Design Week 2015: Design Academy Eindhoven graduate Anouk van de Sande has designed a range of patterned garments that produce visual effects as the wearer moves (+ movie). More about Anouk van de Sande's Print in Motion garments create moiré effects
Thick wooden ribs frame this extension to a family house in west London by architecture studio Tate Harmer (+ slideshow). More about Tate Harmer creates ribbed timber house extension in west London
Movie: German designer Sebastian Herkner explains why he created a seating range made from thick metal tubes in our latest movie for Italian furniture brand Moroso (+ movie). More about Sebastian Herkner's Pipe furniture collection for Moroso is "not just about function"
French studios Caractère Spécial and Parisian studio NP2F Architectes have expanded the home of a circus arts centre in France's Champagne region and added a curving outdoor staircase (+ slideshow). More about Curving concrete staircase protrudes from warehouse-like circus school in France