This week on Dezeen, we launched our latest editorial series, North American Design 2024, which will define the state of independent design across North America by spotlighting a different city each week.

Focusing on cities across Canada, Mexico and the United States, the series will feature a hand-picked selection of independent furniture and product designers from small studios who live and work within these cities.

It will spotlight designers who are pushing the boundaries of materials and forms and who are involved in their respective local design communities.

Dezeen US editor Ben Dreith introduced the series, which kicked off by showcasing ten studios creating unique objects in Detroit, Michigan.

In New York City, an interactive video installation connecting the city with Dublin, Ireland, was temporarily shut down this week following poor behaviour from the two cities.

The Portal, created by Lithuanian artist Benediktas Gylys, was to be part of design week NYCxDesign's programming and features two circular screens that cast a 24/7 live feed between the partner cities as a "bridge to cultures from around the world".

In other design news, sportswear brand Nike designed a lightweight multi-layered raincoat that can be reconfigured as a camping tent.

The Metamorph Poncho has a two-tone grey colour and is constructed as a water-repellent hooded cape that can be zipped up at its front. To turn it into a tent, users lay the poncho flat and insert poles into its various flaps, creating a simple tent or sunshade.

Also this week, a terracotta-tiled extension by Emil Eve Architects was named London's best home improvement project by Don't Move, Improve! 2024.

Named Aden Grove, the project was selected as the overall winner from a shortlist of 16 projects and was praised by the jury for its playful use of colour.

In other architecture news, British designer Thomas Heatherwick's Humanise campaign launched a master's degree at Loughborough University, which is set to start in autumn 2025.

Aiming to challenge conventional architecture education, the degree is hoped to foster a generation of architects who will "inspire joyful architecture".

This week, Dezeen also featured an opinion piece by economics professor Jason Barr, in which he discussed skyscrapers being integral to the success of cities – despite their bad rap.

Popular projects this week included a skinny metal-clad apartment building in Philadelphia by ISA, a London home extension by Collective Works that blends Scandinavian and Mediterranean influences and a ferry terminal in Riga set to be completed by Zaha Hadid Architects.

Our latest lookbooks featured minimalist kitchens where materials provide the decoration and interiors featuring pyramidal ceilings that create dramatic depth.

This week on Dezeen

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.