Intelligence

During Milan Design Week 2024, German bathroom brand Grohe transformed water into a multisensory narrative with its Aqua Gallery—an immersive installation that married high-end design with deep environmental awareness. Held from 8 to 13 April, the exhibition invited visitors to engage with water not just as a resource, but as a source of sensory pleasure, emotional well-being, and thoughtful innovation.

A color dispute sparked a striking design solution in this renovated Marylebone penthouse, where London-based studio Wendover crafted a luxurious, dual-toned bathroom using pink and green marble. Located in a 350-square-meter apartment on Portland Place, the early-20th-century home has been reimagined as a harmonious blend of classic structure and modern materiality—equal parts elegance and play.

Lagos-based Oshinowo Studio has revealed an evocative new design for a war memorial in Freetown, Sierra Leone, dedicated to the overlooked members of the Sierra Leone Carrier Corps who died during World War I. Commissioned by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, the project pairs the historic gravitas of an original Edwin Lutyens-designed stone plinth with a soaring new glass addition etched with the names of 946 fallen men, illuminating a long-silenced chapter of African history.

At the 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale, Australia’s first all-Indigenous curatorial team has created a pavilion unlike any before it. Centered around the theme of Home, the installation offers a space for reflection, connection, and inclusivity. Avoiding stereotypical representations of "Australiana," the curators have grounded their work in First Nations practices, introducing international audiences to a culturally rich, relational way of thinking about design.

Swedish furniture giant IKEA has launched a formal investigation into allegations of design plagiarism after industrial designer Jessica Signell accused the company of copying her 2005 creation, the Eve drinks table. The accusation, published in a leading Swedish newspaper, has ignited a conversation about design ethics, originality and corporate accountability within the global design community.

In a captivating blend of craft, material innovation, and coastal inspiration, furniture designer Brogan Cox and marbling artist Nat Maks have unveiled the Tides table collection, which transforms sycamore wood into fluid, painterly pieces of functional art. Debuted during London Craft Week, the collaboration draws on traditional ink marbling techniques and applies them in unexpected ways—onto carved wood rather than paper—pushing the boundaries of both surface treatment and sustainable design.

Elizabeth Tower, the Neo-Gothic landmark home to the famed Big Ben bell, has been honoured with a RIBA London Award following an ambitious and meticulous renovation by architectural conservation studio Purcell. Described by the jury as “a masterclass in conservation and craftsmanship,” the project represents the most extensive overhaul of the tower in its 160-year history—reaffirming its place as a treasured symbol of British heritage and architectural resilience.

From 3D-printed lighting to modular furniture, students at Thomas Jefferson University are reimagining the future of design through experimental materials, real-world collaborations, and thoughtful craftsmanship. This showcase of student projects from the School of Design and Engineering spans a wide range of applications—from healthcare to home interiors—highlighting the creativity and ingenuity of the next generation of industrial designers.

This week in architecture and design, innovation took center stage—from a wind turbine reborn as a micro home to subtle yet symbolic rebrands by tech giants. As the Venice Architecture Biennale continued to spark global dialogue, we also spotlighted surreal houses, museum transformations, and the latest design trends shaping our built environment.

Isamu Noguchi’s Akari lamps have transcended time and trend to become iconic objects of soft sculpture and ambient light. First created in 1951 and still handcrafted today in Japan’s Gifu region using traditional washi paper techniques, these luminaires are both functional and poetic. In this curated look at eight diverse interiors from around the world, the Akari lamps not only illuminate spaces but also shape their mood, character, and artistry.