A dramatic oak staircase with a sweeping handrail connects the five storeys of this Victorian convent building in south London, which has been converted into four homes by John Smart Architects (+ slideshow). More about Curvaceous oak staircase ascends through converted convent by John Smart Architects
Objects designed to support political activism including a graffiti-writing robot and a giant inflatable cobblestone made to be thrown at police will form the focus of an exhibition opening this summer at London's V&A museum. More about V&A exhibition to celebrate objects designed for political protests
Competition: Dezeen has teamed up with London's Design Museum to give readers the chance to win five pairs of tickets for the upcoming Designs of the Year 2014 exhibition. More about Competition: five pairs of Designs of the Year exhibition tickets to be won
News: Chilean architect Smiljan Radić has been named as the designer of this year's Serpentine Gallery Pavilion and is proposing a translucent domed structure of white fibreglass. More about Chilean architect Smiljan Radić designs Serpentine Gallery Pavilion 2014
News: residents of a Brutalist housing development in London have persuaded Channel 4 to screen a home-made version of the broadcaster's ident after a lengthy campaign against its "inaccurate" portrayal of life on the estate. More about Channel 4 to broadcast alternative to "insulting" Brutalist housing estate ident
London architecture firm DH Liberty has added an installation of reclaimed bottles to this figure-of-eight shaped office in a converted Shoreditch warehouse (+ slideshow). More about Industrial-style offices by DH Liberty mix reclaimed objects with minimal aesthetic
British architect Richard Owers has converted a deserted bakery in Cambridge, England, into a modern home for his family (+ slideshow). More about Cambridge bakery converted into family home by NRAP Architects
London studio Patalab Architecture made the most of the space inside this awkward-shaped residence in the north of the city by running a staircase along the entire rear wall and adding a door that folds around a corner (+ slideshow). More about Long staircase spans converted London apartment by Patalab Architecture
British studio Hugh Strange Architects has transformed an agricultural barn in Somerset, England, into a family archive building by inserting a new timber structure within the dilapidated brick and stone shell. More about Hugh Strange Architects slots architectural archive inside old farmyard barn
These new shots by London photographer Rory Gardiner show the tapered form of The Leadenhall Building by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, which is nearing completion in the City of London (+ slideshow). More about New photographs show Rogers' Leadenhall Building nearing completion
London studio Levitate have reinstated access to a sixteenth-century English castle by repairing stonework and slotting a continuous oak walkway into the ruined shell. More about Oak walkway by Levitate inserted into ruined castle
Hidden at the bottom of a London garden, this glowing shed by British studio Weston, Surman & Deane was designed as a writing retreat for an author (+ slideshow). More about Light glows through the cedar facade of Writer's Shed by Weston Surman & Deane
Pale bricks are arranged in a herringbone pattern on the outer walls of this compact house in north-east London that architect Zoe Chan designed and built for herself (+ slideshow). More about Patterned brickwork surrounds Atelier ChanChan's Herringbone House
Glazed panels create views between the floors of these two Edwardian townhouses in London that have been renovated by local architects Studio Octopi to accommodate resident artists (+ slideshow). More about Studio Octopi renovates Edwardian townhouses for the Delfina Foundation
These photographs show the newly converted aquatics centre by Zaha Hadid Architects for the London 2012 Olympics, which will open to the public next week without the controversial wings that housed additional seating during the Games. More about Zaha Hadid's Olympic aquatics centre due to open in its completed form
Fashion house Saint Laurent's creative director Hedi Slimane has designed a new store for the brand in London, with a marbled and mirrored interior similar to the label's flagship retail outlet in Paris (+ slideshow). More about Hedi Slimane opens Saint Laurent store in London
Six British architecture studios including Zaha Hadid Architects, Hopkins Architects and Studio Weave have come up with designs for water fountains for different sites across London. More about Zaha Hadid and Hopkins among architects to design London water fountains
Graffiti depicting gangly imaginary creatures by street artist Phlegm is currently on show at an east London gallery (+ slideshow). More about Graffiti fantasy creatures by Phlegm exhibited in east London
News: two British entrepreneurs are constructing a hydroponic farm in a network of tunnels under south London that could supply local restaurants and retailers with fresh herbs and vegetables. More about Underground farm built in abandoned tunnels beneath London
The floors of this open-plan apartment in London by local studio Form Design Architecture are covered with timber boards salvaged from an old Welsh chapel (+ slideshow). More about Warehouse loft by Form Design Architecture with floorboards salvaged from a chapel