This week MVRDV defended its role in Marble Arch Mound fiasco

This week on Dezeen we launched Dezeen Awards 2022 while Dutch architecture studio MVRDV told its side of the Marble Arch Mound fiasco.

MVRDV defended its design for the Marble Arch Mound and placed the blame for the debacle on Westminster City Council's "nonchalance and laxity".

"We have rarely seen such a loveless execution of our designs," said the Dutch studio, adding that its design fee was 0.8 per cent of the total project cost.

After completion in July 2021, the attraction was widely criticised for the quality of the planting with Westminster City Council forced to temporarily close it and issue visitor refunds.

Dezeen Awards 2022 is open for entries

This week also saw the launch of the fifth edition of Dezeen Awards, a celebration of the world's best architecture, interiors and design projects and studios.

Entrants who submit projects before 30 March can take advantage of discounted early entry fees.

Putting beehives in cities is "very dangerous" to other pollinators says bee expert Paula Carnell

Continuing our coverage of urban bees, honeybee specialist Paula Carnell argued that architects should stop putting beehives in urban spaces and instead create wild areas to encourage biodiversity.

"What's been happening in cities is people have been bringing in beehives and it has starved out the native bees," she said in an interview with Dezeen.

Rolls-Royce updates the Spirit of Ecstasy figurine to be "more streamlined and graceful than ever"

In design news, British car brand Rolls-Royce revealed a new design for its bonnet figurine, as part of its effort to make its electric vehicles more aerodynamic.

The latest Spirit of Ecstasy figurine that comes on the hood of every Rolls-Royce car has been shortened and slimmed with the model now cast in a lower position.

Six architecturally significant ski jumps from around the world

As the 2022 Winter Olympics enters its second week, we rounded up six ski jumps designed by architects.

Included in the list are structures designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, Julien De Smedt and two new ski jumps that are being used at this year's games.

This gabled home by Butler Armsden Architects sits on a bluff in northern California

Popular projects on Dezeen this week included a Victorian house renovation, a white house in Los Angeles and a gabled home in northern California.

Our lookbooks this week focused on retro eateries and homes with mirrors that give the illusion of more space.

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.

The post This week MVRDV defended its role in Marble Arch Mound fiasco appeared first on Dezeen.

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