News: architecture firm Snøhetta has concluded the first phase of a major overhaul of New York's Times Square, continuing the initiative started in 2009 to pedestrianise large sections of the popular tourist destination. More about Snøhetta completes phase one of Times Square transformation
Dezeen and MINI World Tour: in this exclusive interview with vertical gardens pioneer Patrick Blanc, the French botanist discusses his hanging gardens for Herzog & de Meuron's new Pérez Art Museum in Miami and reflects on why vertical gardens have become so popular. More about Green wall pioneer Patrick Blanc: "Now everybody is doing vertical gardens"
The stem of this task lamp designed by Bao-Nghi Droste forms an exaggerated loop behind the conical shade (+ slideshow). More about Round Lamp with a looping stem by Bao-Nghi Droste
Architecture studio MAPA borrowed elements and colours typically used on colonial-style Chilean houses to create this bright red residence in a winemaking region near Santiago. More about WA House by MAPA references colonial-style Chilean residences
Italian architect Andrea Dragoni has extended a cemetery in an ancient Italian town by adding rows of monumental travertine walls with public plazas and artworks slotted in between (+ slideshow). More about Cemetery complex by Andrea Dragoni contains public plazas and site-specific artworks
News: online home rental brand Airbnb is to replace a set of aluminium chairs at its new San Francisco headquarters after Emeco, the company that makes the original Navy Chair, pointed out that they were fakes. More about Airbnb removes "knockoff" Navy Chairs from new headquarters
News: online design retailer Fab has changed its strategy yet again, ending its relationship with external designers and brands across Europe and instead focusing on selling its own custom-designed furniture. More about Fab "taking a break" from selling designers' work in Europe
Opinion: in her first column for Dezeen, critic Alexandra Lange argues that architects are misusing platforms like Twitter and Tumblr. "Architects need to start thinking of social media as the first draft of history," she writes. More about "It's easy to make fun of Bjarke Ingels on Instagram"
News: Google has joined up with automotive manufacturers including Honda, Audi, Hyundai and General Motors to integrate its Android smartphone operating system into cars. More about Google joins forces with major auto brands to bring Android to car dashboards
A facade of translucent plastic pillows can be pumped up to alter lighting and temperature inside this domed tropical greenhouse in Aarhus by Danish firm CF Møller (+ slideshow). More about Quilted greenhouse by CF Møller inflates to change light and temperature conditions
Dezeen and MINI World Tour: in our next movie from Miami, show director Marianne Goebl discusses the trends that emerged from Design Miami 2013, including a renewed focus on female designers such as Charlotte Perriand and Maria Pergay. More about 2013 was "a year of seminal women designers" says Design Miami director
Japanese artist Kohei Nawa filled a dark room with billowing clouds of foam for this art exhibition in Aichi, Japan (+ slideshow). More about Kohei Nawa's Foam installation created a cloud-like landscape of soapy bubbles
One of the suites at this year's Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden, features blocks of ice carved into the shape of Parisian rooftops and chimney pots by French designers Les Ateliers de Germaine (+ slideshow). More about Icehotel suite by Les Ateliers de Germaine recreates the rooftops of Paris
Bright red walls contrast with vivid green lawns at this art and culture centre in Portugal by Lisbon architecture firm Future Architecture Thinking (+ slideshow). More about Art and culture centre with bright red walls by Future Architecture Thinking
News: car brand Nissan has unveiled a revised design for its new London taxi to replace the city's famous black cabs, having altered the look of the vehicle in an attempt "to better reflect the iconic nature of the traditional black cab" (+ slideshow). More about Nissan updates its new London taxi design to make it "easier to recognise"
News: a fighter jet incorporating 3D-printed parts has successfully completed a test flight, making it the first combat aircraft produced using additive manufacturing. More about First combat aircraft with 3D-printed parts completes test flight
Japanese studio Nendo has created a succession of boutiques for New York fashion brand Theory where garments hang from geometric black frames and circulation routes are modelled on road layouts (+ slideshow). More about Nendo's store interiors for Theory are modelled on road systems
Italian office Studio Galantini has upgraded the wooden structure of a 1970s chapel in north-west Italy so that it can be used for summer services, music recitals and theatrical performances. More about Studio Galantini rebuilds wooden frame of small Italian chapel
Dutch designer Richard Hutten has created a conference table that can easily be converted for a game of ping pong. More about Richard Hutten designs combined conference and ping pong table
News: a survey of UK design and digital agencies has revealed annual increases in salaries and bonuses that indicate a recovery from the financial crisis affecting the design industry, though unpaid internships and free pitches are still on the rise. More about Pay rises and bonuses suggest better times ahead for UK designers