Seattle firm Olson Kundig Architects used dynamite, chippers and saws to bore through the huge boulders of a rocky outcrop on a North American island to make room for this raw concrete house (+ slideshow). More about Concrete house by Olson Kundig Architects cuts into a rocky outcrop
Opinion: in his latest column, Sam Jacob argues that architects "might have to learn from communications agencies, advertising and design" in order to regain the social significance they once enjoyed. More about "Architecture might have to become less architectural"
Cologne 2014: French designer Philippe Nigro has created a sofa for French furniture brand Ligne Roset with rounded edges like a bar of soap (+ slideshow). More about Philippe Nigro designs rounded sofa for Ligne Roset
A cabin nestled in a former Hungarian quarry (pictured) and a doughnut-shaped skyscraper feature in this week's Dezeen Mail newsletter, along with the last news, jobs and reader comments from Dezeen.
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News: a record-breaking 53 skyscrapers over 200 metres high were completed in Asia in 2013, accounting for three-quarters of the year's tallest new buildings, according to the latest industry report. More about Asia dominates skyscraper construction with three quarters of 2013's tallest buildings
A pointed arch punctures the red concrete facade of this Portuguese visitor attraction designed by Lisbon architect Gonçalo Byrne to present the history of a fourteenth century battle between Portuguese and Castilian forces (+ slideshow). More about Red concrete visitor centre by Gonçalo Byrne tells the story of a Portuguese civil war battle
A sequence of arches creates topsy-turvy openings and curvy doorways through the spaces of this art gallery in Beijing by design collective Penda (+ slideshow). More about Beijing art gallery by Penda features topsy-turvy archways
Austrian studio Bernardo Bader Architects sourced pine and spruce from the surrounding slopes to build this picturesque chalet in a village of western Austria (+ slideshow). More about Bernardo Bader's Haus Fontanella is a chalet built from pine and spruce
British digital designer Daniel Brown has created a new series of his animated flowers that "grow" according to computer algorithms (+ slideshow). More about Digital flower animation by Daniel Brown based on exhibits at Dundee museum
Photo essay: Polish photographer Alicja Dobrucka has produced a series of images documenting the rapid growth of skyscraper construction in Mumbai, India (+ slideshow). More about Life on a New High: Mumbai skyscrapers photographed by Alicja Dobrucka
Sports brand Adidas has unveiled its latest running shoes with springy blades sticking out of the soles (+ slideshow). More about Adidas launches Springblade Razor trainers with soles made of curved pads
Japanese architect Kengo Kuma has layered wooden boards to create striations inside this workspace and cafe for an online restaurant guide based in Osaka (+ slideshow). More about Kengo Kuma stacks wooden layers inside office and cafe
Opinion: Mimi Zeiger argues that dismay over the New York Museum of Modern Art's plan to demolish the next-door American Folk Art Museum represents "a lingering sentimental belief that architecture is an exception to the rules of obsolescence." More about "We need to steel ourselves for more rapid architectural obsolescence"
News: Italian architect Renzo Piano has been commissioned to design a 27-storey residential tower beside his London skyscraper The Shard. More about Shard architect Renzo Piano to design residential tower next door
Russian studio Wowhaus has transformed a four-lane highway beside Moscow's Moskva River into the city's first year-round park, featuring rows of trees, fountains, cafes and artists' studios (+ slideshow). More about Wowhaus converts a Moscow road into a riverside park
Australian office Tribe Studio has hollowed out the centre of a 1920s house in Sydney to create angular ceilings and a wide entrance to the garden (+ slideshow). More about Hollowed-out house in Sydney by Tribe Studio
News: US publisher Riverhead has collaborated with 3D-printing firm MakerBot to create the first printed book sleeve. More about "First 3D-printed book cover" created with a MakerBot
This children's library with rammed earth walls in Burundi was built by Belgian studio BC Architects and Studies and members of the local community, according to an open-source design template (+ slideshow). More about African children's library with rammed earth walls by BC Architects and Studies
News: Google has announced it is poised to acquire domestic technology firm Nest for $3.2 billion, a move that will increase the tech giant's presence in the home. More about Google buys domestic technology firm Nest in first step towards connected home
Cologne 2014: Denmark design duo GamFratesi has combined a coffee table and pouffe to create footstools with integrated trays for French brand Ligne Roset (+ slideshow). More about Table and pouffe hybrid designed by GamFratesi for Ligne Roset