The Design Labo creates shell-shaped pavilion for Expo 2025 Osaka

The shell of a prehistoric marine mollusc informed the spiral shape of the Pasona Natureverse Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, created by local architecture studio The Design Labo.

Designed for staffing company Pasona Group, the pavilion comprises two shell-shaped structures containing a series of interactive exhibition spaces that explore physical, mental and social health, informed by the Expo's theme, Designing Future Society for Our Lives.

The Design Labo modelled the main part of the pavilion on the spiralling shell of an ammonite, a type of prehistoric marine mollusc, which CEO Satoshi Itasaka describes as representing "the connection between humans and nature".

October

Is the Stirling Prize too London-centric?

This year's Stirling Prize shortlist has again raised concerns about London bias. Ahead of the winner announcement this week, Dezeen editor Tom Ravenscroft crunches the numbers on whether the award for Britain's best new building unfairly favours the capital.

With four of the six buildings shortlisted for the 2025 Stirling Prize in London, and the other two within 60 miles of the capital (pictured above), this is the most closely grouped shortlist in history.

The all-south-east shortlist has again raised questions about the Royal Institute of British Architects' (RIBA) prize for the UK's best new building – specifically, claims that it is...

Apple spotlights Designers of Tomorrow in debut exhibition at Design Miami.Paris

Technology brand Apple is collaborating with Design Miami on an exhibition highlighting the work of four emerging designers as part of the fair's Paris edition, which opens next week.

Curated by AGO Projects co-founder Rodman Primack, the exhibition will showcase the work of four as-yet-unnamed designers selected by a jury including Apple's VP of human interface design Alan Dye and VP of industrial design Molly Anderson.

"Designers of Tomorrow is about showcasing creativity amongst an emerging cohort of international designers," Primack told Dezeen.

"The nascent program allows Design Miami, together with Apple, to shine a light on fresh perspectives in design," he continued....

"Recognition is long overdue for the local architects of tropical modernism"

The prevailing story of tropical modernism in the Global South has long overlooked the contributions of local architects and engineers, writes Mohamed Ismail.

Growing up on Mount Makiling in Los Baños, Philippines, each day I would drive by a strange, enchanting open-air structure called St Marc's Chapel. What always struck me was the concrete roof: bisected by a long, narrow skylight and practically floating in midair, its only support is a single crucifix column.

Beneath the concrete canopy were concrete benches that seemed to have grown from the earth, full of local shell and stone aggregate. An organic web of water channels...

Johannesburg design brand Daily transforms standard plywood panels into upscale furniture

South African sensibilities meet Scandi minimalism in the furniture of Johannesburg brand Daily, which just opened its first showroom as part of Design Week South Africa.

Originally launched in 2023, the brand uses traditional joinery techniques, combined with specially developed stains and sealants, to turn plain pine plywood sheets into a broad range of affordable yet aspirational furniture.

The aim is to cater to the country's middle class, which has to pay out-of-pocket for many services that would elsewhere be subsidised by the state, according to Daily founder Joey Khuvutlu.

"We're living in a country where we...

Lay's rebrand roots identity in "real, farm-grown potatoes"

American crisp brand Lay's has updated its classic red and yellow logo with sunbeams to celebrate the almost 100-year-old brand's agricultural heritage.

Created by the in-house design team of Lay's parent company, PepsiCo, the new logo is a subtle update from the crisp giant's last rebrand in 2019.

The updated logo maintains the brand's recognisable yellow, sun-like circle emblazoned with a red ribbon and the word Lay's, but finished in flatter shapes with a new typeface.

The logo's main difference is the inclusion of "Lay's Rays" – sunbeams protruding from the ribbon, designed to...

Dezeen Awards 2025 Bentley Lighthouse Award shortlist announced

Dezeen has announced the Bentley Lighthouse Awards shortlist for this year's Dezeen Awards, which includes EcoLogicStudio's Claudia Pasquero and Marco Poletto, and Morrama's Jo Barnard.

The Bentley Lighthouse Award recognises those who have had an overwhelmingly beneficial impact on social and environmental sustainability, inclusivity or community empowerment.

The six individuals who are shortlisted for the prestigious award are behind projects such as an algae-powered air purifier that also produces material used to create furniture and accessories, and regenerative architectural surfaces applied in a cave-like store with ceiling oculi.

Other initiatives from shortlisted studios include a concept for an AI-tailored pill subscription service for...

Casa das Histórias Paula Rego I Eduardo Souto de Moura

Henry Holland's debut furniture collection "embraces the wobble"

London designer Henry Holland has unveiled his first furniture pieces, handcrafted from wiggly ceramic spheres, amorphous mohair seats and patinated bronze.

The launch marks Holland's first foray into furniture, following the designer's move from fashion to ceramics in 2020.

"This is a capsule collection of statement pieces featuring sculptural forms that combine a graphic playfulness, all anchored in meticulous hand craftsmanship," explained Holland, who runs the Hackney-based Henry Holland Studio.

The five-piece collection follows a similar bold style to the studio's existing ceramics and homeware.

Among the furniture is a spindly...