Multidisciplinary Chinese artist Ai Weiwei tells Dezeen why he thinks all objects have political significance in this exclusive interview. More about Every recognisable object is a "political work" says Ai Weiwei
The Dezeen Pinterest board for staircases is consistently one of our most popular boards. We round up eight of the most popular staircases with Dezeen's followers on Pinterest. More about Eight talking-point staircases from Dezeen's pinterest
Dezeen Showroom: a faceted modular seating system informed by Rubik's Cubes is among eight new products featured on Dezeen Showroom. More about Erno seating by GAN among eight new products on Dezeen Showroom
Scientists from Texas A&M University and Sandia National Laboratories in New Mexico have observed metal cracking and fusing back together, in a discovery that could pave the way for self-healing machines, vehicles and bridges. More about US scientists prove that metal can heal itself
US studios Starling Architecture and Emily Lindberg Design have collaborated on a minimalist home clad in blackened wood in the Hamptons village of Amagansett that starkly contrasts the surrounding dunes. More about Charred-wood beach house sits among Amagansett's dunes
Architecture studio Ksa Studený designed this trapezoidal concrete and glass house to frame views of a forest near the village of Pernek in Slovakia. More about Ksa Studený completes trapezoidal concrete home overlooking Slovakian forest
A kitchen with a statement oxblood-colour island and another with curved child-friendly counters feature in our latest lookbook, which spotlights eight worktops that are covered in tiles. More about Eight kitchens with tiled worktops that are pretty but practical
French interior designer Dorothée Meilichzon has renovated a Belle Epoque-era hotel in Biarritz, France, blending maritime and art deco motifs to add contemporary flair to the historic building. More about Dorothée Meilichzon reimagines historic Biarritz hotel with nautical nods
The American Australian Association has opened a headquarters in New York City, with interiors by architecture firm Woods Bagot designed to offer flexible spaces for events. More about Woods Bagot lines American Australian Association HQ with oak battens
Architecture practice Studio Saar has refreshed a run-down and underused park in India with an accessible landscape and a canopy resembling a murmuration. More about Studio Saar crowns Udaan Park in India with canopy of colourful birds
For our latest lookbook, we have gathered seven examples of homes where tactile and practical lime plaster walls give the interiors a natural, calming feel. More about Seven serene interiors with decorative lime plaster walls
This week on Dezeen, architecture writer Matt Shaw reflected on what went wrong with Heatherwick Studio's Vessel, two years after the 16-storey viewpoint in New York's Hudson Yards was closed. More about This week we marked two years since the closure of Heatherwick's Vessel
References to the tar pits of Los Angeles and community well-being characterise Black – Still, a pavilion by local design studio enFOLD Collective at Craft Contemporary in LA. More about Tar-like pavilion created to challenge notions of blackness in design
Black wood and asphalt shingles clad the exterior of the Polker housing block by architect and developer SinHei Kwok, who took cues from historic "pyramid cottages" while conceiving the project. More about Wood and asphalt wrap Phoenix apartment building by SinHei Kwok
Dezeen School Shows: a community-focused hospice that aims to improve people's end of care experiences is included in Dezeen's latest school show by students at Drexel University. More about Drexel University spotlights 15 architecture and design projects
The geometric patterns of Rwandan Imigongo art informed the angular, woven forms of the Komera Leadership Centre, which has been designed by architecture studio BE_Design. More about BE_Design uses angular woven screens to shelter leadership centre in Rwanda
Fashion brand Bottega Veneta has opened a store on London's Sloane Street that draws on materials, furniture and design techniques from Italy's Veneto region. More about Bottega Veneta channels Veneto design sensibilities at Sloane Street store
Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have developed a low-cost energy storage system that could be integrated into roads and building foundations to facilitate the renewable energy transition. More about MIT engineers create battery alternative using cement and carbon black
As the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup takes place in New Zealand and Australia, human rights organisation Equidem has alleged that female workers producing official FIFA merchandise are being exploited. More about Human rights group alleges "rampant exploitation" of female workers making FIFA merchandise
Architecture studio Holland Harvey has overhauled the ground-floor cafe at the Tate Modern in London so it doubles as the gallery's first late-night bar. More about Tate Modern's Corner cafe revamped to be less "Herzog & de Meuron-y"