Dystopian desert community that copes with rising heat among Academy of Art University projects

Dezeen School Shows: a proposal informed by video games that examines how society might adapt to living in a desert is among the architecture projects from Academy of Art University.

Also featured is a community centre in Texas to bring together grieving families and an outdoor school in California to promote sustainability.

Institution: Academy of Art University
School: School of Architecture
Courses: NAAB Accredited M Arch 1, M Arch 2, B Arch MA, BA M Arch and B Arch IPAL programmes
Tutors: Mark Mueckenheim, Karen Seong, Sameena Sitabkhan, Aurgho Jyoti, Eric Reeder, Diego Romero Evans, Simon McKenzie, Antonio Lao and Jason Austin

School statement:

"We...

Delicate fabric lights and fantastic ceramics among furniture trends from NYCxDesign

Following NYCxDesign, we've selected some materials and forms that featured heavily in the exhibitions throughout the week, including lights shrouded in linen and furniture covered in tiny bulbs.

In addition to other trends highlighted during the week, such as caged lighting and seating covered in ornate fabrics, a few other trends emerged from the showcases of decorative furniture held during New York's design week this May.

Below are three trends that stood out.

Fabric light coverings

Lamps and...

"Barbie goes glamping" in this week's Dezeen Debate

The latest edition of our Dezeen Debate newsletter features an all-pink concept car by Swedish designer Gustaf Westman for Mercedes-Benz. Subscribe to Dezeen Debate now.

Westman has unveiled a pink reinterpretation of Mercedes-Benz's CLA model, designed with "all the features that you need for a day in nature", including a built-in tent.

Commenters were amused by the design, with one saying, "Barbie goes glamping," and another calling it "fun," but suggesting that it "may have been more impactful as a generic car".

Other stories in this week's newsletter that fired up the comments section included...

Barbora Vokac Taylor includes viewfinder windows on black Ontario cabin

Toronto studio Barbora Vokac Taylor Architect has wrapped a gabled house in blackened wood and included wedge-shaped clerestory windows to respond to the lakeside landscape in the Muskoka Region of Ontario.

Completed in 2024, the four-bedroom home, nestled in a maple grove, has three levels with an additional loft space. It was designed to accommodate multiple people in an extended family without losing the cosiness of a vacation home.

Barbora Vokac Taylor Architect worked to place the cottage as close to the water as possible while adhering to the strict guidelines of building...

The Design Intelligence Awards are Open for Entry

The Design Intelligence Awards are Open for Entry

The DIA, an international design competition, founded in 2015 by the China Academy of Art in collaboration with other organizations, has a mission to connect cultures through design by recognizing innovative, forward-thinking, and sustainable solutions to real-world problems.

DIA brings together a global network of entrepreneurs, creatives, and innovators to address major societal challenges. It is considered one of the most prestigious international design awards, despite its relatively recent inception.

It's time to submit your entry which is free until June 20th!

Cultural Innovation Focus: Culture as a...

A.R.M. Holding set to develop masterplan around Dubai's historic Jebel Ali Racecourse

Promotion: UAE-investment firm A.R.M. Holding has announced a partnership with international architecture practice Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) to undertake a major transformative masterplan in the heart of Dubai.

The collaboration will see the surroundings of historic Jebel Ali Racecourse "brought to life" in a scheme that aims to refine Dubai's urban landscape.

The masterplan presents a blend of residential innovation with community-centric design principles and is focused on four key objectives: modern living, community and culture, wellness and lifestyle, and sustainability and environment.

Central to the project is its green space,...

In ‘The Junior Classic,’ Michael Ezzell Builds an Uncanny World from Vintage Books

It’s not too often that a high school art project morphs into a through-line in an artist’s professional practice, but for illustrator and printmaker Michael Ezzell, that’s exactly how his ongoing series The Junior Classic was born. Tearing pages from vintage books, he experiments with a range of media, compositional elements, and narratives that then inspire further paintings and prints.

“When I was starting out, I would just paint over the text of the page and create something brand new from some mundane book I had,” Ezzell tells Colossal. “Eventually, it evolved into using the page’s illustration or ornate chapter headings...

The Newave: A Modular Surfboard that Breaks Down for Transport

https://invidious.privacyredirect.com/watch?v=wTM6e8pPxAA

For dedicated surfers, surfboards are wonderful things—when you're riding them. At every other point in time, they're a hassle. You have to have the room in your home to store them. The need to transport them influences your choice of vehicle. If you want to transport one on a plane or a train, be prepared to pay extra fees, and keep your fingers crossed that they don't get destroyed during the baggage handling process.

Ewen Mahévas and Hadrien Nauroy are two French surfers who met in engineering school. Frustrated with the hassles of transporting their boards, the two spent...

Billo seating system by Adam Goodrum for Nau

Dezeen Showroom: designer Adam Goodrum took inspiration from vintage Italian sofas to create a pillowy modular seating system for Australian brand Nau.

Named for its billowing forms, the Billo seating system features relaxed and inviting shapes reminiscent of a series of plumped pillows.

It is designed to be exceedingly comfortable, offering an embracing experience for the sitter and the bonus of a built-in bolster positioned at lower back level.

"I have a deep appreciation for vintage Italian sofas, which significantly influenced the design of this collection," said Goodrum. "I wanted to capture the essence of...

Esme upholstery fabric by Skopos

Dezeen Showroom: British brand Skopos combined boucle and chenille material textures in this hardwearing upholstery fabric created for busy commercial environments.

Available in a choice of 20 colours, Esme is made of fuzzy, twisted yarns that give it a rich texture.

The fabric is designed to withstand the rigorous requirements of the world of contract interiors and is flame-retardant as standard. It also has a stain-resistant finish.

According to Skopos, the textile's multiple tones make it good for matching to other elements within a scheme, and it works particularly well paired with the brand's velvet fabrics for...