News: Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto has unveiled plans for a tower block shaped like a pine cone with balconies sprouting outwards in all directions, as part of a series of "modern follies" underway in Montpellier, France (+ slideshow). More about Sou Fujimoto designs nature-inspired tower for Montpellier "modern follies" project
News: work is nearing completion on an upgraded first floor for the Eiffel Tower that will offer visitors the opportunity to walk over a glass floor or host events and conferences 57 metres above the ground. More about Eiffel Tower's first-floor overhaul nears completion
News: French studio LAN has won a competition to revamp the Grand Palais exhibition centre in Paris with plans to restore galleries around the Grand Nave and insert a new entrance court. More about LAN wins renovation of Grand Palais exhibition hall in Paris
A skin of chestnut shingles covers the facade of this multipurpose building at a school in the French town of Hostens by Dauphins (+ slideshow). More about School building clad in chestnut shingles by Dauphins
These paper headdresses have been folded into the shapes of creatures from Chinese mythology by Paris accessories designer Qi Hu for the city's Printemps department store. More about Origami headgear folded to resemble mythological creatures
Paris studio Atelier Zündel Cristea has added a glass-walled extension that projects from the rear of this hundred-year-old house in the Vincennes suburb (+ slideshow). More about Maison a Vincennes by Atelier Zündel Cristea features glass-walled extension
French designer Patrick Norguet has created the interior for a hotel in Nantes featuring compact rooms with wavy white louvred walls enclosing en suite bathrooms (+ slideshow). More about Okko hotel rooms by Patrick Norguet feature bathrooms hidden behind louvred walls
News: a swimming pool, a theatre and a restaurant are among designs by French studios Oxo Architectes and Laisné Associés to renovate abandoned Metro stations in Paris (+ slideshow). More about Plans to convert disused Paris Metro stations into swimming pools and galleries unveiled
Architecture firm Brisac Gonzalez has designed a multi-storey car park in Bordeaux where vehicles sit prominently between ground-floor shops and roof-top housing. More about Bordeaux car park by Brisac Gonzalez will "introduce activities after hours"
Dutch architecture studio OMA installed tessellated wood curtains as part of its design of the Paris flagship store for French fashion label Maison Ullens (+ slideshow). More about OMA drapes wooden curtains in Maison Ullens flagship store
News: Le Corbusier's Notre Dame du Haut chapel at Ronchamp has been vandalised, prompting calls for urgent security measures to prevent further damage to one of the Modernist architect's finest works. More about "Emergency security measures" called for after vandals sack Le Corbusier's Ronchamp
News: Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron have revealed designs for the first eight buildings of their 35-hectare masterplan for La Confluence, an extension of the city centre in Lyon, France (+ slideshow). More about Herzog & de Meuron unveil first buildings of Lyon masterplan
Toulouse architects BAST have renovated a derelict house in the French city by adding a corrugated steel extension that contrasts with the existing masonry (+ slideshow). More about M03 house renovation by BAST contrasts an old brick base with a new metal extension
French architect Paul Coudamy has converted this former butcher's shop in suburban Paris into a private residence and included mysterious figures in the photographs (+ slideshow). More about Butcher shop transformed into a home by Paul Coudamy
Anemone tentacles moving beneath the surface of the ocean influenced the latticed facade of this student housing block by French studio Atelier Fernandez & Serres at an oceanic observatory in the eastern Pyrénées (+ slideshow). More about Student housing with a coral-inspired facade by Atelier Fernandez & Serres
French studio TVK has overhauled the Place de la République in Paris to create an even larger pedestrian plaza that includes a new cafe pavilion, water features and over 150 trees (+ slideshow). More about TVK transforms Place de la République into Paris' largest pedestrian square
Black-painted timber contrasts with clean white window frames on the walls of this cube-shaped weekend home in Normandy, France, by Paris studio Beckmann-N'Thépé Architectes (+ slideshow). More about House in Normandy with blackened timber walls by Beckmann-N'Thépé Architectes
News: Rem Koolhaas' OMA has won the competition to design a new bridge across the river Garonne in Bordeaux with plans for a 44-metre-wide structure that will accommodate traffic and pedestrians, but could also be used for hosting events. More about OMA wins Bordeaux bridge competition
The interior of Dutch fashion house Viktor & Rolf's first flagship store in Paris has been covered in grey felt by French studio Architecture & Associés. More about Viktor & Rolf's first flagship boutique is covered with grey felt
Bands of light shine through the perforated metal facade of this sports hall by French studio Ateliers O-S Architectes in north-west Paris (+ slideshow). More about Parisian sports hall by Ateliers O-S Architectes with bands of light on its walls