In this week's comments update, readers are discussing the Happy Cow collection of conceptual sex toys as well as other top architecture and design stories.

Central Saint Martins graduate Ece Tan designed the products to make invasive yet routine practices in the dairy industry, such as milking and artificial insemination, more pleasurable for the cows.

"Shouldn't sex toys only should be used with the cow's consent?"

The products, which are meant to serve as "critical and provocative tools" to remind desensitised consumers of the range of emotions that animals can feel, have sparked debate among readers.

It's a school project designed to provoke a reaction... I'd give it a pass," said Clarencesomerset.

However, others were not so impressed. "Intended or not, I don't believe a 'designer' is actually equipped to know what a cow finds pleasurable or not," said Jay C. White Cloud. "Please show me her credentials and research in Bovidae ethology to correct my presumption."

"Lol! This is the craziest thing I've ever heard," added Chris Brown. "Maybe see what the sheep think!"

Prbslv thought the idea "bizarre and arbitrary".

"Shouldn't sex toys only should be used with the cow's consent?" wondered Scooterpie.

What are your thoughts on the Happy Cow collection? Join the discussion ›

"A little silly, and quite extravagant"

Readers have very mixed feelings about BIG and Barcode Architects' angular Sluishuis housing block situated above a lake in Amsterdam.

"Beautiful building and some really surprising moments, like the photo looking through the courtyard to the lake and the one of the people on the balcony floating in air," said Archi.

In Zea Newland's opinion, the building was "probably more fun to design than to live in it".

Chazz had a different point of view: "A little silly, and quite extravagant. But it's fun and interesting and I'd probably like living there."

Would you consider living in the Sluishuis housing block? Join the discussion ›

"Nothing like steel and concrete to really give that cottage feel"

Readers can't see the "cottagey" side of Project Dove, which was designed by Toronto studio Agathom Co to replicate the feeling of a "cottage in the city".

Ken Steffes thought that the project "looks more like an estate designed to show off."

"Looks like a large carbon footprint for a "cottage"," said Boreal.

"Nothing like steel and concrete to really give that cottage feel," added Goods. "Not sure who they think they are kidding here."

Do you think Project Drove has the feel of a cottage? Join the discussion ›

"Why don't we just consume less?"

The roundup of 10 innovations that aim to reduce the carbon impact of the food industry and our diets has sparked conversation.

"Good Lord – really? Actually, the ramen noodle package concept is intriguing," said Eric Morehouse. But the rest of this garbage – no thank you."

JZ is not a fan either: "I, for one, would benefit if these were available," he joked. "I'd lose a lot of weight simply by not eating."

Vanessa appreciated the "creative and technical effort made to propose alternatives" but wondered why we don't just "consume less". "Fewer eggs, fewer avocados, less take-away food, less furniture, fewer clothes. I think part of the solution to the actual tension point lies in less," she added.

Would you try any of these food alternatives? Join the discussion ›

Comments update

Dezeen is the world's most commented architecture and design magazine, receiving thousands of comments each month from readers. Keep up to date on the latest discussions on our comments page.