News: these new images by Foster + Partners reveal a pair of skyscrapers proposed by the firm for San Francisco's rapidly developing Transbay area. More about Foster + Partners unveils skyscraper duo for San Francisco's Transbay area
Los Angeles studio Bestor Architecture has completed a colourful new headquarters for Beats by Dre, following Apple's $3 billion acquisition of the headphones company (+ slideshow). More about Bestor Architecture uses primary colours in Beats by Dre headquarters
Exposed brick walls, an old-fashioned general store filled with sweet jars and vintage memorabilia including a cash register and a fluorescent sign feature in Yelp's headquarters in San Francisco by Studio O+A (+ slideshow). More about Studio O+A designs exposed brick and concrete headquarters for Yelp in San Francisco
San Francisco office Fougeron Architecture has designed a house in California that steps down the side of a cliff and projects over the edge. More about Fall House by Fougeron Architecture steps down a cliff side
A curved serving counter clad with a honeycomb pattern of white tiles occupies the front space of this cafe in San Francisco by OpenScope Studio (+ slideshow). More about OpenScope Studio converts nail salon into San Francisco cafe with tiled front counter
Corrugated cladding with different levels of opacity provides privacy for residents of this housing development in Los Angeles by local office Lorcan O’Herlihy Architects (LOHA) (+ slideshow). More about Cloverdale749 apartments by LOHA feature balconies screened by perforated metal panels
For this year's Coachella festival, American artist Phillip K Smith III created an installation of shiny cuboids that by day provided a series of mirrors, but by night were transformed into neon towers of light (+ slideshow). More about Neon mirrors by Phillip K Smith III created glowing beacons at Coachella
This skateboarding ramp floating over the clear waters of Lake Tahoe was put together in just four days by design-and-build team Jerry Blohm and Jeff King for Californian skater Bob Burnquist (+ slideshow). More about Floating skateboard ramp installed on Lake Tahoe for pro-skater Bob Burnquist
A wall of windows winches up and down to reveal the interior of this gallery renovation in Los Altos, California, by Seattle architect Tom Kundig (+ slideshow). More about Tom Kundig hoists California gallery facade using gears and pulleys
News: architecture firm OMA is working on designs for a 167-metre skyscraper on Folsom Street in San Francisco. More about OMA plans San Francisco skyscraper
A sequence of vaulted ceilings and arched openings sets up layered vistas through the interior of this beach house in Southern California by Los Angeles firm Johnston Marklee (+ slideshow). More about Johnston Marklee's Vault House frames beach views through multiple arches
The three-fingered plan of this rural Californian retreat by Mork-Ulnes Architects is oriented to frame views of a mountain ridge, vineyards and a local landmark named Eagle Rock (+ slideshow). More about Moose Road house by Mork-Ulnes Architects frames the Californian landscape
This all-black house in the Yucca Valley desert was designed by Los Angeles office Oller & Pejic to look "like a shadow" (+ slideshow). More about Oller & Pejic's Desert House designed to look "like a shadow"
The Ace Hotel chain has opened its newest outpost inside a 1920s tower in downtown Los Angeles, complete with a 1600-seat theatre. More about Ace Hotel opens latest branch in downtown Los Angeles
Employees meet in octagonal timber gazebos at the San Francisco headquarters of technology company Cisco by local interior designers Studio O+A (+ slideshow). More about Cisco offices by Studio O+A feature wooden meeting pavilions
News: scientists at the Google[x] research facility in California are working on contact lenses containing tiny electronics that could constantly monitor glucose levels in the tears of people with diabetes. More about Google's "smart contact lenses" could help diabetics monitor blood sugar levels
News: architect Frank Gehry has submitted new plans for a hotel and apartment complex to be located across the road from his Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. More about Gehry presents new proposal for site opposite his Walt Disney Concert Hall
American artist Phillip K Smith III has added mirrors to the walls of a desert shack in California to create the illusion that you can see right through the building (+ movie). More about Lucid Stead installation by Phillip K Smith III makes a desert cabin appear transparent
News: architecture firm Snøhetta has unveiled the design for a new staircase linking the existing San Francisco Museum of Modern Art with the 21,000 square-metre extension currently under construction. More about Snøhetta unveils new staircase for San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
The new San Francisco headquarters for photo-sharing website Pinterest is housed in a converted warehouse filled with two-storey white volumes. More about Pinterest's San Francisco headquarters by All of the Above and First Office