This time last year an orchestral academy designed by Frank Gehry opened in Florida, while architects Scott Brownrigg completed the London offices for internet giant Google.
Meanwhile, Black Eyed Peas frontman Will.i.am was appointed director of creative innovation at technology company Intel, OMA published a report claiming the world could be free from fossil fuels by 2050 and a restaurant designed by Tom Dixon opened at London's Royal Academy of Arts.
Dezeen readers debated whether designs for a power plant that will blow smoke rings and double up as a ski slope were bonkers or brilliant, but questioned the sustainable credentials of a chair carved from a tree trunk with a chain saw.
We also featured an unusual airport building in a medieval mountain town and an inflatable cycle helmet that went on to win at the 2011 INDEX: awards, plus our pick of the most interesting projects on show at imm cologne, including a 3D-printed lamp designed by Karim Rashid, a table with suction cups for feet and pendant lamps inspired by strawberries.
See all our stories from January 2011 »
See our review of last year »