Dezeen is finally launching an opinion column. The first piece by our new columnist Sam Jacob will run tomorrow; here, Dezeen editor-in-chief Marcus Fairs, whose own column will alternate with Jacob's, explains why it's taken us so long to take a stance. More about At last, Dezeen has an opinion
Pools of water separate offices from archives at a new building for the National Archives of France by Italian architects Massimiliano and Doriana Fuksas (+ slideshow). More about New National Archives of France by Massimiliano and Doriana Fuksas
Designer Gitta Gschwendtner explains how historic underground tunnels inspired her installation of seven ladders bridging the street in this movie we filmed about the Seven Designers for Seven Dials aerial installations curated by Dezeen. More about "My ladders provide an imaginative route across the road" - Gitta Gschwendtner
Shimmering aluminium skin and a gaping mouth give this ice rink in Belgium by architects L'Escaut the look of a whale (+ slideshow). More about Olympic Ice Rink of Liège by L'Escaut
This conceptual see-through bike by German studio Designaffairs would be made from the same strong and lightweight plastic used in fighter jet canopies. More about Clarity Bike by Designaffairs
Maison&Objet 2013: these ice-cream coloured poufs and rugs by Spanish designer Patricia Urquiola for Spanish textile brand Gan were launched at Maison&Objet design fair in Paris this week. More about Lana Mangas by Patricia Urquiola for Gan
Our featured architect this week is Steven Holl, whose recent buildings in China include the completed Sliced Porosity Block cluster of towers in Chengdu and designs for a pair of museums in a new city quarter of Tianjin. See all our stories about architecture by Steven Holl »
More about Featured architect: Steven Holl
News: Nokia has become the first major manufacturer to give consumers access to its 3D design files so they can create their own versions of products, according to open design pioneer Ronen Kadushin. More about Nokia is "first global company to embrace open design"
A tapered concrete roof oversails glazed laboratories at this research and innovation centre that American firm Richard Meier & Partners has completed for Italian cement manufacturer Italcementi. More about Italcementi i.lab by Richard Meier & Partners
Cologne 2013: Swiss industrial designer Lucien Gumy has won the [D3] Contest at imm cologne trade fair with his interlocking wooden shelving. More about L'étagère-en-bois by Lucien Gumy
Competition: Dezeen and Ostføld have teamed up to give readers the chance to win one of five felt and leather cases for mobile devices. More about Competition: five Ostføld smartphone, tablet or laptop cases to be won
Dutch designer Iris van Herpen debuted two 3D-printed outfits made in collaboration with US-based designer Neri Oxman and Austrian architect Julia Koerner during her runway show at Paris Fashion Week yesterday. More about Voltage by Iris van Herpen with Neri Oxman and Julia Koerner
News: the University of Minnesota has launched a new programme that could halve the time it takes for students to gain a licence to practise architecture in the United States. More about New course fast-tracks architectural education in USA
Designer Dominic Wilcox describes why he chose to hang a row of bird cages above a street in London in the next movie we filmed about the Seven Designers for Seven Dials aerial installations curated by Dezeen. More about "I brought bird cages back to the Seven Dials area" - Dominic Wilcox
As 2013 gets underway, here's a look at the ten tallest skyscrapers set to complete around the globe this year (+ interactive image). More about Top ten tallest skyscrapers completing in 2013
Cologne 2013: Italian designer Luca Nichetto has created a lounge chair with a folding backrest for Finnish design brand One Nordic. More about Hai by Luca Nichetto for One Nordic
Wooden clothes feature in Iceland-based fashion designer Sruli Recht's Autumn Winter 2013 menswear collection. More about Concentrated by Sruli Recht
Maison&Objet 2013: French design duo Colonel present furniture inspired by camping at Maison&Objet design fair in Paris, which concludes tomorrow. More about Collection #2 by Colonel
Cologne 2013: French brand Ligne Roset has launched a storage box and mirror hanging either end of a leather strap by design collective Outofstock. More about Vanity Shelf by Outofstock for Ligne Roset
News: America's first fully digital public library without a single book is set to open this autumn in San Antonio, Texas, and will be based on the design of an Apple store. More about America's first bookless library to open in Texas