Paris architects Béal & Blanckaert have completed a Corten-clad library in the grounds of a monastery in northern France (photos by Julien Lanoo). More about Médiathèque Corbie by Béal & Blanckaert
Dezeen Wire: architecture critic Rowan Moore says that a housing development built by the UK architecture show presenter Kevin McCloud's company Hab is a positive attempt at reversing the trend for "unimaginative, overpriced, undersized" properties in the UK – The Guardian
Moore describes the scheme in Swindon, England, as "imaginative and well-designed," whilst cautioning that it will take time to determine whether McCloud's goals of creating a community and "making people happy" have been achieved. He adds that the houses themselves are "very plain-looking" and far removed from the aspirational properties that feature on McCloud's show, Grand Designs.
More about TV presenter's housing scheme is "a much better application of celebrity philanthropy than most"
The third completed house in Alain de Botton’s Living Architecture series has a faceted black upper storey that sits on top of the glass-walled ground floor like a big hat. More about Dune House by Jarmund/Vigsnæs Architects and Mole Architects
Dezeen Wire: supporters of Chinese artist Ai Weiwei have been posting photos of themselves naked on a website as a protest against the Beijing police's decision to question his assistant, who had taken nude pictures of the artist and four women – The Telegraph
Ai was detained for 81 days earlier this year by the Chinese government on charges of tax evasion, during which time he was also asked about the photographs that he says have no deeper political meaning.
More about Ai Weiwei supporters post nude photos online in protest against police
As part of Peroni Nastro Azzurro's series of talks on Italian design at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, Dezeen editor-in-chief Marcus Fairs will chair a discussion with Milan designer Fabio Novembre on 29 November. More about Peroni Collaborazioni Talks: Fabio Novembre
Dezeen in Israel: artist and designer Ehud Oren presents furniture disguised as buildings in an exhibition at the Braverman Gallery in Tel Aviv. More about Photosynthesis by Ehud Oren
Dezeen in Israel: we've noticed a big increase in interesting design coming out of Israel in recent years, so last week we visited Tel Aviv to see recent projects from both established local designers and recent graduates of schools in this up-coming design nation. We'll publish our pick of the best projects over the next few days, but in the meantime we've grouped together all our stories about furniture and products designed in Israel. See all the stories »
You can also watch Dezeen editor-in-chief Marcus Fairs and Tel Aviv-born designer Shay Alkalay discussing the rise of design in Israel in a movie we filmed in Cologne earlier this year. Watch the movie »
More about Special feature: designed in Israel
As part of our series of Dezeen Talks filmed at the Inside awards in Barcelona, Dezeen editor-in-chief Marcus Fairs talks to James Russell and Hannah Plumb of JamesPlumb about their interior for outfitters Hostem, which won the retail category. More about Inside Awards: Hostem by JamesPlumb
Fast-food giant McDonald's have commissioned designer Patrick Norguet to redesign their restaurant interiors across France. More about McDonald's by Patrick Norguet
The architect of this Portuguese residence describes it as a grey house with a black backpack (photos by Fernando Guerra). More about Frei Sebastião House by António Fernandez
Workshops clad in timber batons sit atop this children’s centre outside Paris by French architects SOA. More about Gavroche centre for children by SOA Architectes
A brightly striped facade of colour-coated windows, mirrors and coloured panels encases this nursery in north Paris (photos by Julien Lanoo). More about Crèche Binet by Béal & Blanckaert
On 17 November 2006 Dezeen published its first ever story about the Design Museum dropping the Designer of the Year award. More about Five years ago...
This extension to a north London home comprises three shed-like blocks clad in unfinished larch. More about Timber Fin House by Neil Dusheiko
This take-away packaging by Casey Ng combines a paper bag top with a rigid carton for the base. More about BoxBag by Casey Ng
This time last year Foster + Partners completed a solar-powered urban development in Abu Dhabi and unveiled plans for a museum in the same city with wing-shaped towers designed to act as thermal chimneys. More about One year ago...
Danish architects BIG and Paris studio OFF have won a competition to design a research centre for Sorbonne Université Pierre et Marie Curie in Paris. More about Research Centre for Université Pierre et Marie Curie by BIG and OFF
Dezeen launched five years ago this week and we're celebrating our birthday by looking back at our favourite stories, parties and projects over the last five years. We've travelled all over since launching in 2006 and here we've compiled the most memorable design weeks and festivals we've attended. More about Dezeen is five: most memorable festivals
Dezeen Wire: apparently, tomorrow is World Toilet Day and the latest issue of Colors magazine focuses on all things faecal, including the taboos, dangers and practical applications of excrement – Colors magazine
Inside awards: as part of our series of Dezeen Talks filmed at the Inside awards in Barcelona, Dezeen editor-in-chief Marcus Fairs talks to Andy Walker from Nike Football and Sean Pearson from RUFproject about the Football Training Centre in Soweto, which won the culture and civic category. More about Inside awards: Football Training Centre Soweto by RUFproject