Comments update: the use of taxidermy in design was thrust into the spotlight this week after we re-posted a 2010 project by BrewDog to our Instagram account as part of a Halloween-themed weekend of content. The controversial post attracted over 600 comments, sparking a debate about the use of dead animals in the creation of decorative objects.
Stuffed: all the animals used in BrewDog's collection, called The End of History, died of natural causes. But this fact didn't alter the opinion of many readers who expressed their distaste at real animals – dead or alive – being used for packaging.
"No matter how they died, to display and use animals in this way is beyond disrespectful and completely disgusting," wrote Pinecrowprints.
Many of our Instagram followers agreed. "Shocking to see Dezeen promote something like this," said Cheeders, while Williams described the post on Instagram as "social roadkill".
"All of you are so quick to call this 'disgusting'," retorted Vevahu. "Most of you eat animals slaughtered and tortured all their lives just to feed you."
"I love the picture almost as much as I love the torrent of outrage underneath it," added Southtopia. Read the comments on Instagram »
Architects vs Eek: Dutch furniture designer Piet Hein Eek waded into the ongoing debate about whether non-architects should design buildings. Eek, who is currently working on a number of architectural projects, said many architects do little more than produce drawings.
"Architects are interested and involved in everything associated with how buildings come together," replied one angry reader. "That first line about how architects just make pretty pictures and then [leave] the rest to engineers is not true and, frankly, offensive."
Some described Eek's comments as "disappointing" and "simplistic", while others defended the Dutch designer's claim.
"Well, he is partially right," wrote a guest commenter calling themselves MRA, who suggested that architecture schools should place more emphasis on teaching construction techniques. "If we don't do this, it's going to end up being the end of the profession thanks to non-architects doing what an architect should be doing." Read the comments on this story »
School of Hard Knocks: the exposed concrete interior of this Swiss kindergarten surprised lots of readers who felt the interior design was too austere for children.
"Is the architect aware that a kindergarten is for kids?" asked Anna. "As in kids only a few years old, who like colour and drawings on walls, and who haven't already got a degree in interior design."
"Why does architecture for children always have to default to the circus?" replied C Fay. "Surely kids add all the colour and life."
"There is concrete evidence that tells us young children need very neutral spaces in which to learn," added Rosie. "I would love the opportunity to teach and learn in a setting like this one." Read the comments on this story »