"Foster must keep the A-team for its Apple store designs" say commenters

In this week's comments update, readers are impressed by Foster + Partners' latest Apple Store and sharing their views on other top stories.

Apple Central World in Bangkok, Thailand, is the newest Apple store designed by Foster + Partners and is situated in the capital city's largest shopping centre.

The architecture studio designed the store with "a quiet sculptural presence" to juxtapose with the lively plaza of Central World, adding a timber-clad column and overhanging roof that resembles a tree canopy.

"A breath of fresh air for retail design"

Readers are delighted with the results. "No one does it better," said A Cool Guy.

Felix Amiss agreed: "A breath of fresh air for retail design."

"Foster must keep the A-team for its Apple store designs," added Z-dog. "Always different and always superbly executed."

"The form is quite appealing," replied Benny. "But I think it's because I can't un-see this as a giant cake stand – and I do like cake!"

Do you think the Apple store resembles a cake stand? Join the discussion ›

Commenter says Soft Cabinets "are as useful as cardboard-flavoured sweets" 

Dutch designer Dewi van de Klomp has created squishy cabinets made from foam rubber in a bid to bring more attention to the "overlooked" material, but readers aren't convinced.

"As useful as cardboard-flavoured sweets," joked Rodrigo Galvan-Duque.

Heywood Floyd agreed: "I'm actually morphing and sagging in response to this content."

"I just designed a boat that sinks,"continued JW. "But hey, it's made of foam and nobody did that before!"

Are readers being hard on the designer? Join the discussion ›

Readers "wish there was a hot, steaming plate of meatballs" on IKEA T-shirts

IKEA Japan has released a 10-piece collection of clothing and accessories each branded with the company's logo and the barcode of the iconic Billy shelving system, sparking reader debate.

"I like the bar-code graphics," said Benny. "But instead of the IKEA logo I wish there was a hot, steaming plate of the meatballs, gravy and lingonberry jam."

"Does it come with its own thread, needles, fabric, and instructions on how to sew it together?" asked Apsco Radiales.

Puzzello was less comical: "I appreciate that the items are made of recycled material but there is no real sense of design or fashion here. The pieces look like they were giveaways at a retail convention."

Are you sold on the designs? Join the discussion ›

"What could go wrong?" with transparent public toilets asks reader

Commenters are amused by the Pritzker Prize-winning architect Shigeru Ban-designed public toilets in Yoyogi Fukamachi Mini Park, Tokyo, which feature transparent walls when not in use.

"What could go wrong?" asked Margot.

"What if the mechanism malfunctions?" continued Igor Pismensky. "Would anyone inform the authorities or just sit back and be entertained, like me? LOL."

"My idea of a perfect public toilet," concluded Rastermadre.

Does the idea of using a transparent toilet make you flush? Join the discussion ›

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