Dezeen

Architecture

The British public don't understand the role of the architect

Dezeen Wire: the majority of the British public have "little idea" what architects do, according to a recent survey commissioned by online architect's forum Inbuilding.org.

The results reveal that 15% of adults are unaware that architects design buildings, while as many as 72% don't know that architects apply for the planning permission required for construction. More about The British public don't understand the role of the architect

Amy Frearson | 19 July 2012 | 4 comments
News

Olympic Village furniture goes on sale

Dezeen Wire: London 2012 organisers have started selling off the furniture that will used by athletes in the Olympic Village before the games have even begun.

Items for sale range from beds and tables to clothes racks and mail sorters and can be purchased online at www.remainsofthegames.co.uk.

See all our stories about London 2012 »
More about Olympic Village furniture goes on sale
Dan Howarth | 19 July 2012 | Leave a comment
Interiors

Office for Emu Films by Studio Swine

A pegboard wall with customised pockets provides flexible storage at this tiny Soho office by London designers Studio Swine. More about Office for Emu Films by Studio Swine

Emilie Chalcraft | 19 July 2012 | 5 comments
Design

The Portal by Bureau A

Swiss architects Bureau A have created decorative steel gates to discourage nocturnal "illegal activities" in the entrance to their Geneva studio. More about The Portal by Bureau A

Amy Frearson | 19 July 2012 | 10 comments
Design

Kinetic Rain by ART+COM

German design collective ART+COM have installed over a thousand rising and falling metal raindrops in Singapore's Changi Airport (+ movie). More about Kinetic Rain by ART+COM

Emilie Chalcraft | 19 July 2012 | 10 comments
News

Bestselling erotic novel "driving sales of designer sex toys"

Dezeen Wire: designer sex toys are enjoying record sales thanks to the success of bestselling erotic novel Fifty Shades of Grey by E L James, according to design-led vibrator brand Jimmyjane. More about Bestselling erotic novel "driving sales of designer sex toys"

Marcus Fairs | 18 July 2012 | 1 comment
Architecture

World Building of the Year 2012 shortlist announced

Dezeen Wire: over 300 buildings have been shortlisted for awards at this year's World Architecture Festival, which will take place from 3-5 October. More about World Building of the Year 2012 shortlist announced

Dan Howarth | 18 July 2012 | 6 comments
Furniture

Bound Basics by Toon Welling

Taut rope is all that holds together this furniture by Dutch design graduate Toon Welling. More about Bound Basics by Toon Welling

Emilie Chalcraft | 18 July 2012 | 2 comments
Architecture

London Thatch by James Kirk

The stark concrete exterior of many of London's postwar housing blocks could be made more attractive with thatching, proposes architecture student James Kirk (+ movie). More about London Thatch by James Kirk

Amy Frearson | 18 July 2012 | 26 comments
Design

Rugs in Plaça de la Virreina by Nanimarquina

Spanish rug maker Nanimarquina celebrated its 25th anniversary earlier this month by laying dozens of rugs across Plaça de la Virreina in Barcelona (+ movie). More about Rugs in Plaça de la Virreina by Nanimarquina

Emilie Chalcraft | 18 July 2012 | 1 comment
Design

Mousetraps by Johanna Schmeer

German designer Johanna Schmeer has created a set of traps for catching genetically modified mice. More about Mousetraps by Johanna Schmeer

Amy Frearson | 18 July 2012 | 4 comments
Design

Telling the Truth Through False Teeth by Alex Chinneck

Hackney-based artist Alex Chinneck has fitted identically smashed windows into a derelict factory just a mile away from the Olympic Stadium (+ slideshow). More about Telling the Truth Through False Teeth by Alex Chinneck

Emilie Chalcraft | 18 July 2012 | 8 comments
Interiors

Canteen Covent Garden by Very Good & Proper

Hackney design studio Very Good & Proper used glossy tiles salvaged from the London Underground in the Covent Garden branch of restaurant chain Canteen (+ slideshow). More about Canteen Covent Garden by Very Good & Proper

Emilie Chalcraft | 18 July 2012 | 2 comments
Architecture

Valdefierro Park by Héctor Fernández Elorza and Manuel Fernández Ramírez

Walls of rough stone and concrete surround the staggered levels of this public square in Zaragoza by Spanish architects Héctor Fernández Elorza and Manuel Fernández Ramírez (+ slideshow). More about Valdefierro Park by Héctor Fernández Elorza and Manuel Fernández Ramírez

Amy Frearson | 18 July 2012 | 9 comments
Architecture

Explorative Canopy Trail by Yvonne Weng wins Foster + Partners Prize 2012

Architectural Association student Yvonne Weng has won the 2012 Foster + Partners Prize with designs that would allow scientists to live in the treetops of the Amazon rainforest. More about Explorative Canopy Trail by Yvonne Weng wins Foster + Partners Prize 2012

Amy Frearson | 17 July 2012 | 8 comments
Design

Little Sun by Olafur Eliasson

Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson has made these small solar-powered lamps for people who have limited access to reliable energy – almost a quarter of the world's population (+ movie). More about Little Sun by Olafur Eliasson

Emilie Chalcraft | 17 July 2012 | 6 comments
Architecture

Foster + Partners shortlisted to design Hong Kong arts venue

Foster + Partners has been shortlisted to design the Xiqu Chinese Opera Centre, the first in a series of new arts and cultural venues for the West Kowloon Cultural District in Hong Kong. More about Foster + Partners shortlisted to design Hong Kong arts venue

Dan Howarth | 17 July 2012 | Leave a comment
Interiors

IkHa by Oatmeal Studio

Dutch designers Oatmeal Studio have hacked IKEA furniture to create a pop-up restaurant where diners pick their own tableware and cut their own tablecloths (+ slideshow.) More about IkHa by Oatmeal Studio

Amy Frearson | 17 July 2012 | 8 comments
Design

Biomimicry Shoe by Marieka Ratsma and Kostika Spaho

A bird's skull inspired the hollow heel of these 3D-printed shoes by Dutch fashion designer Marieka Ratsma and American architect Kostika Spaho. More about Biomimicry Shoe by Marieka Ratsma and Kostika Spaho

Emilie Chalcraft | 17 July 2012 | 18 comments
Architecture

Most architects to be excluded from public procurement

Dezeen Wire: the Architects' Council of Europe has condemned the proposed exclusion of 90% of architecture firms from the public procurement market.

In their latest report, the council has urged the EU to amend drafted legislation to help small and medium-sized practices bid for and obtain work in the public sector. More about Most architects to be excluded from public procurement

Dan Howarth | 17 July 2012 | Leave a comment