The rain is still pouring down this week and Londoners have become even more obsessed by the weather than usual, with Troika's board that lets you compare the current situation with the day before (above) and Michael Robinson's souvenir poster (below). More about This week on Dezeen
Californian architects amphibianArc have designed a shape-shifting "transformer building" for a Chinese machinery company, with a facade that flaps like the wings of a huge insect (+ movie). More about Zoomlion Headquarters Exhibition Center by amphibianArc
As the tides erode the northern coast of New Zealand, this house on a sled by architects Crosson Clarke Carnachan can be towed off the beach and out of harm's way (+ slideshow). More about Hut on Sleds by Crosson Clarke Carnachan Architects
These half-plastic, half-wicker waste paper bins by German designer Cordula Kehrer for American brand Areaware are made with the Aeta people of the Philippines. More about Bow Bins by Cordula Kehrer for Areaware
Dezeen Wire: Zurich financial services company Credit Suisse has published a report on the benefits that successful design brings to businesses, including a case study on Apple. More about "Design can turn a small company into a large one"- Credit Suisse Research
Brazilian designers Estudio Guto Requena used audio recorded on the streets of São Paulo to distort the shapes of these 3D-printed chairs (+ movie). More about Nóize chairs by Estudio Guto Requena
London design studio Troika have been poking fun at the British obsession with the weather with their lighting installation in an east London park. More about The Weather Yesterday by Troika
Shimmering brass walls surround this arts centre that Portuguese firm Pitagoras Arquitectos have just completed in Guimarães. More about International Centre for the Arts Jose de Guimarães by Pitagoras Arquitectos
British designer Michael Robinson's topical posters celebrating this summer in London are available from Dezeen Super Store at 38 Monmouth Street, London WC2. Come down to our launch party tonight from 6-9pm and remember you can print off this flyer to get 10% off at the store! More about Summer in the City by Michael Robinson at Dezeen Super Store
Dezeen Wire: applications to architecture and design courses in the UK have fallen significantly this year, according to figures published by UCAS, the University and Colleges Admission Service.
The number of students applying to study architecture fell by 12%, while applications to design courses dropped by nearly 15%.
The overall number of students applying for a degree in the UK has fallen by 9%. Last year the cap on tuition fees for English students was raised to £9,000 a year.
See the UCAS figures for student applications here.
More about Drop in applications to study architecture and design in the UK
The latest issue of Dezeen Mail leads with "breathtaking" mountain lookouts (above) and includes interviews with Steven Holl and Jaime Hayon, plus new jobs, competitions and music.
Read Dezeen Mail issue 109 | Subscribe to Dezeen Mail
More about Dezeen Mail #109
The surrounding countryside is projected onto the ceiling of this reed-covered tower that Hudson Architects and artist Ben Coode-Adams have installed in a field in Norfolk, England. More about The Great Eye by Hudson Architects and Ben Coode-Adams
We're having a party! Join us this evening to celebrate our Dezeen Super Store pop-up at 38 Monmouth Street in the Seven Dials district of Covent Garden, London WC2 from 6pm to 9pm.
Sounds will be provided by Dezeen Music Project and Big Jambox. RSVP to [email protected].
The store is open until 30 September 2012 so if you can't make the party you can visit during the Olympics or the London Design Festival. Don't forget to print out the flyer to get a 10% discount!
More about Dezeen Super Store opening party
Dezeen Wire: the shadow Olympics minister Tessa Jowell has criticised London 2012 organisers over the stringent marketing rules that will prevent architects from entering their Olympics projects into awards – The Guardian
"This kind of stricture was never the intention when the rules were designed," said Jowell. "I hope that a reasonable compromise can be found so that these great British architects can get the recognition that they deserve."
Earlier this week, Wilkinson Eyre were presented with a "protest award" at the 2012 New London Awards for their Basketball Arena designed with Sinclair Knight Merz and KSS.
See our story on Wilkinson Eyre's Basketball Arena | See all our stories on the London 2012 Olympics
More about London 2012 marketing rules damage architects - shadow Olympics Minister
FreshBritain and Campaign created a pop-up store reminiscent of factory warehouses and stockrooms for shoe brand Dr. Martens ( + slideshow). More about Pop-up store for Dr. Martens by FreshBritain and Campaign
Competition: Dezeen are giving readers a chance to win the pilot issue of Pages Of magazine as part of our series of features on new publishing ventures. More about Competition: ten copies of Pages Of magazine to be won
QR codes cover the exterior of this former mustard laboratory in Dijon that Dutch architects MVRDV have converted into a call centre (+ slideshow). More about TeleTech call centre by MVRDV
Three thin layers of wood have been overlaid to create this boxy bookcase by Dutch designer Gerard de Hoop. More about Frames Wall by Gerard de Hoop
Dezeen Wire: as the shortage of housing in the UK worsens, British architects including Charles Holland of FAT, Glenn Howells and Sarah Wigglesworth offer their opinions and solutions - The Guardian
"I'd like to see more rent regulation and buildings reused in creative ways," says Holland, while Wigglesworth suggests that "what we need is greater flexibility."
The article follows the news that New York City are seeking designs for “micro-units” to help solve the shortage of of small apartments in Manhattan.
See more stories about housing on Dezeen »
More about British architects comment on UK housing crisis
Balconies of these two apartment blocks in northwest France by architect Philippe Gazeau protrude like a set of open drawers. More about Housing in La Courrouze by Philippe Gazeau