News: scientists at the Google[x] research facility in California are working on contact lenses containing tiny electronics that could constantly monitor glucose levels in the tears of people with diabetes. More about Google's "smart contact lenses" could help diabetics monitor blood sugar levels
This week's job of the week on Dezeen Jobs is a position for a visual artist with Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron, whose cylindrical skyscraper design proposed for London's Canary Wharf is pictured. Visit the ad for full details or browse other architecture and design opportunities on Dezeen Jobs.
More about Job of the week: visual artist at Herzog & de Meuron
News: surgically implanted chips that feed digital information directly into the brain will supersede wearable technology, according to the co-founder of a leading 3D imaging studio. More about "Cyborg scenario" will see computers in the brain replace wearable tech
Toulouse architects BAST have renovated a derelict house in the French city by adding a corrugated steel extension that contrasts with the existing masonry (+ slideshow). More about M03 house renovation by BAST contrasts an old brick base with a new metal extension
This movie we filmed at Dezeen's pop-up shop of the future at London department store Selfridges demonstrates how augmented reality technology could transform retail. More about Augmented reality demonstration at Dezeen's Imagine Shop for Selfridges
Cologne 2014: a grid of thin wooden strips supports the surface of this table by German designer Ruben Beckers to make it extremely lightweight (+ slideshow). More about Wooden table by Ruben Beckers weighs just 4.5 kilograms
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.
Read Dezeen Mail issue 185 | Subscribe to Dezeen Mail
More about Dezeen Mail #185
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