Critics have had mixed reactions to the Snøhetta-designed extension of Mario Botta's San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, with descriptions ranging from a "good citizen" to a "baked alaska slumped on the skyline". More about Critics compare Snøhetta's SFMOMA extension to a "gigantic meringue" and a "cruise ship"
Foster + Partners has won planning approval for a pair of glass skyscrapers in San Francisco, which will be among the tallest buildings in the city. More about Foster + Partners gets go ahead for crystalline skyscraper in San Francisco
A light palette of materials influenced by Spanish Colonial Revival architecture is used throughout the interior of Italian fashion house Bottega Veneta's shop in Beverly Hills. More about Bottega Veneta's Maison boutique in Beverly Hills features arched openings and neutral colours
This northern California cabin by Mork-Ulnes Architects is clad in tar-coated timber and sits atop a concrete plinth – measures that both help protect the structure from heavy snowfall. More about Mork-Ulnes completes California ski chalet coated in black tar
Interview: San Francisco Museum of Modern Art reopens this month with a Snøhetta-designed extension to its original Mario Botta building. In this interview, Snøhetta partner Craig Dykers explains how he tried not to step on the toes of Botta's Postmodern structure. More about "We could never recreate Mario Botta's SFMOMA" says extension architect Craig Dykers of Snøhetta
When it comes to contemporary architecture, San Francisco is a stubborn town. But could change be coming at last? Proposals by high-profile architects such as OMA, Studio Gang and Foster + Partners could bring a more dramatic skyline and a transformed waterfront – if San Francisco's notoriously persnickety planning system and pressure groups let them (+ slideshow). More about Architecture could finally break out in San Francisco, where "dreams go to die"
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is reopening after three years of renovation, including an extension by architecture firm Snøhetta that piggybacks on the original Mario Botta-designed building (+ slideshow). More about SFMOMA reopens with Snøhetta extension that triples its gallery space
The four competing proposals for the revamp of LA's Pershing Square have been finalised and revealed, by designers including Morphosis and James Corner Field Operations (+ slideshow). More about Four competing designs unveiled for Pershing Square in downtown Los Angeles
In memory of musician Prince, who died suddenly last week, LACMA has used purple lighting to turn the popular Rain Room installation into a tribute based on one of the musician's most famous tracks. More about LACMA pays tribute to Prince with Purple Rain Room
Beverly Hills City Council has unanimously approved plans for a driverless-car programme that could replace the affluent Los Angeles neighbourhood's public transport system. More about Beverly Hills to replace public transport with self-driving cars
Oregon-based ZGF Architects has used a variety of design elements to help minimise the visual impact of a new energy facility on Stanford University's scenic campus (+ slideshow). More about ZGF conceals a Stanford University power plant behind metal screens
Los Angeles-based Standard Architecture has completed a store for fashion brand Helmut Lang that features smooth plaster walls, cove lighting and a light-filled garden (+ slideshow). More about Standard Architecture creates minimal Hollywood showroom for Helmut Lang
A sinuous enclosure that doubles as seating and a shelter inspired by the yin-yang symbol are among the cat houses by Los Angeles architects that were created to benefit an animal welfare organisation (+ slideshow). More about LA architects create imaginative cat houses for charity auction
Bay Area illustrator Peter Berkowitz has constructed a tiny wooden bedroom for himself in a friend's living room to avoid paying San Francisco's "absurdly high" rents. More about Peter Berkowitz builds sleeping pod in friend's apartment to escape San Francisco rents
US design studio Brook&Lyn has used pastel-coloured panels and a huge circular mirror to create the first physical showroom for Everlane, at the online clothing retailer's San Francisco headquarters (+ slideshow). More about Brook&Lyn creates minimal fashion showroom at Everlane offices
Architecture firm OMA is one of four firms shortlisted to design the FAB Civic Center Park in Los Angeles, with a proposal that includes mirrored canopies and shaded bleacher seating under a cantilevered cafe (+ slideshow). More about OMA unveils "new type of park space" for Los Angeles' FAB Civic Center competition
BIG and Heatherwick Studio have revealed their latest plans for Google's California campus, after being forced to modify their ambitious design to fit a significantly smaller site. More about BIG and Heatherwick rework Google HQ design for smaller Mountain View site
A glass-enclosed "skyslide" is being added to the US Bank Tower in downtown Los Angeles, offering thrill seekers the opportunity to glide down the building's exterior. More about Glass Skyslide to be added to exterior of California's tallest skyscraper
Opinion: LACMA's newly inherited Sheats-Goldstein House could place classic mid-century houses at the heart of Los Angeles' cultural revival, says Mimi Zeiger. More about "What to do with old houses?"
LA studio Design, Bitches drew from influences including film noir and Postmodernism for its design of a combined Asian-fusion restaurant and video arcade, called Button Mash (+ slideshow). More about Design, Bitches creates eclectic LA restaurant filled with retro video games