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We need to provoke discussion, not anger, when it comes to talking about diversity, says Michelle Ogundehin, who shares her personal experiences with racism, views on positive discrimination and ways in which individuals can make a difference. Read more View the full article

Interview: after completing Europe's largest public library in Birmingham, architect Francine Houben of Dutch studio Mecanoo spoke to Dezeen about the role of the library in the digital age and claims libraries are as central to society as cathedrals once were. (more...) View the full article

Underwhelmed by BIG and Heatherwick's latest plans for Google's new California headquarters, readers are describing the design as "dystopian" and "oppressive" in this week's comments update. Read more View the full article

In this week's comments update, readers are in disagreement over Christine Murray's statement that designers have a responsibility to help prevent a myriad of issues facing society. Read more

Readers are debating architect Alison Brooks' claims that coronavirus will lead to a "value shift" in housing design and sharing their thoughts on other top stories in this week's comments update. Read more View the full article

Breaking news: Brazilian architect Paulo Mendes da Rocha has been named as the 2017 recipient of the Royal Gold Medal for architecture, after winning both the Praemium Imperiale prize and the Venice Architecture Biennale Golden Lion this year. (more…) View the full article

As David Chipperfield begins the next stage of the restoration of the Procuratie Vecchie on Piazza San Marco in Venice, James Imam asks if architects can save cities straining to deal with increasing tourist numbers. Read more

Dezeen and MINI World Tour: in this movie filmed during London Design Festival, leading figures from London and abroad explore the pros and cons of working in the city and discuss the threats to its status as one of the major design centres of the world. (more...) View the full article

Comments update: interior designer and TV presenter Naomi Cleaver provoked a strong response from Dezeen readers this week after identifying student-style accommodation for adults as a potential solution to London's housing crisis. (more…) View the full article

Speakers and attendees have been giving their feedback on the inaugural Dezeen Day conference in London last week, with BBC radio presenter LionHeart describing it as "the best design conference I've been to". Read more View the full article

Opinion: Kieran Long responds to the recent closure of ten London fire stations, arguing that architecture built for a specific purpose and location is far more valuable to a city's sense of place than generic, pragmatic solutions. (more...) View the full article

In this week's comments update, readers aren't sure about the interior design of an apartment in Madrid, but have fallen for the dog who lives there. Read more

News: Loughborough University graduate James Roberts has won this year's James Dyson Award for a baby incubator that costs a fraction of the price of current technologies and "could save thousands of lives" in developing countries. (more...) View the full article

Dezeen promotion: Ermenegildo Zegna has launched My Cesare, its first customisable sneaker collection "where the worlds of luxury and streetwear meet". Read more

Opinion: crowdfunding platforms have rules about pitching for money to make products that haven't been developed to prototype stage – the same rules should apply to crowdfunding campaigns for civic projects, says Alexandra Lange. (more...) View the full article

Opinion: Manhattan's rash of skinny towers for the super rich is helping turn New York into an extreme work of art. It's a Capitalist Jerusalem made real, says Aaron Betsky. (more…) View the full article

Milan 2014: the material of the moment at this year's Milan design week was marble, with the streaky stone often associated with classical sculpture and architecture enjoying a revival in contemporary design, says Dezeen style editor Dan Howarth (+ slideshow). (more...) View the full article

Opinion: more and more design weeks take place around the world each year, but as brands flock in to woo designers, these are in danger of losing sight of their purpose, warns Lucas Verweij. (more…) View the full article

Opinion: show flats for residential developments don't just tell us about a developer's dream demographic – they have the potential to turn a sales fantasy into part of the city's built fabric, says Sam Jacob. (more...) View the full article

Opinion: when the Tour Montparnasse was built in Paris, its residents were so appalled they banned all high-rises. Londoners should do something similar in the wake of Rafael Viñoly's walkie talkie, says Owen Hatherley. (more…) View the full article

University of Pennsylvania engineers have altered a sheet of nickel to produce a material they call "metallic wood", which is extremely strong and light. Read more

Mexico's luxury resort boom is leading to a surge in demand for locally sourced products, according to Mexican design brand Luteca. (more…) View the full article

Comments update: the editor of one of Italy's leading design magazines told Dezeen that Milan was still the "international capital of design", adding fresh fuel to the fiery debate about Italy's significance in the design industry. (more...) View the full article

Dezeen and MINI World Tour: in our next movie from Milan, architect and designer Fabio Novembre takes us to a converted farm near the city centre and explains why he sees the project as an important response to Italy's ongoing economic crisis. (more...) View the full article

Opinion: as the Bank of England unveils the design of its new £5 note, Sam Jacob ponders the historic and cultural symbolism of money in this week's opinion column. (more...) View the full article