This week we launched Dezeen Awards 2021

This week on Dezeen, we opened the entries to Dezeen Awards 2021 and launched new sustainability prizes for architecture, interiors and design.

Dezeen Awards is the most popular and accessible celebration of the world’s best architecture, interiors and design projects and studios. Enter before 31 March to take advantage of discounted early entry fees.

This year we’ve introduced sustainability categories for architecture, interiors and design, which will celebrate projects that strive to reduce their impact on the earth.

Amazon HQ2
NBBJ reveals spiralling glass tower topped by outdoor hiking trail as Amazon HQ2

In architecture news, international architecture firm NBBJ revealed it’s designed for the Amazon HQ2 building that is set to be built in Arlington, Virginia.

The distinctive form of the spiral-shaped glass tower, which is topped with a tree-covered walking trail, led to commenters on social media comparing the building to the poop emoji, ice cream and a Christmas tree.

Nike GO FlyEase trainer
Nike reveals hands-free GO FlyEase trainer

In trainer news, sportswear brand Nike released the handsfree Nike GO FlyEase trainers, which do not have laces or any other fastenings. Its designer told Dezeen they were to replace “antiquated” shoes with laces.

German designer Emilie Burfeind also revealed a new trainer. Named Sneature, her compostable sock sneaker is made from 3D-knitted dog hair with a mushroom mycelium sole.

Lego flowers and bonsai tree
Lego releases flower and bonsai kits to help people “switch off and relax” at home

In response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, toy brand Lego released construction kits that allow grown-ups to build flower bouquets and bonsai trees from bioplastic components.

“As adults look for new ways to switch off and relax, we saw an opportunity to help them switch off after a busy day and relax as they immerse themselves in creating these beautiful botanical builds,” Lego senior designer Anderson Ward Grubb told Dezeen.

Japandi interiors
Seven “Japandi” interiors that blend Japanese and Scandinavian design

This week’s lookbook focused on “Japandi” interiors. We rounded up seven interiors that combine design influences from Japan and Scandinavia in our latest interior design inspiration piece.

We also rounded up the growing trend for hotels that offer guests the chance to sleep in individual cabins set amid spectacular landscapes.

Coastal home in Puerto Rico
Hurricanes inform design of coastal home in Puerto Rico by Fuster + Architects

Popular projects this week included a coastal home in Puerto Rico designed to endure tropical storms, a mews house in Knightsbridge and a cross-laminated timber extension to a traditional Catalan house.

This week on Dezeen is our regular roundup of the week’s top news stories. Subscribe to our newsletters to be sure you don’t miss anything.

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