Rowan Moore: the best architecture of 2015

From dumb towers to cool interventions, 2015 saw the gap widen between the big and brainless and the small and thoughtful

Observer critics’ reviews of the year in full

Bicester Village: top UK tourist attraction and shopping Shangri-la

Bargains, glamour and its own railway station – no wonder Bicester is one of Britain’s top tourist attractions, says Eva Wiseman

The ideal shopping experience: can technology deliver?

Virtual-reality shops, magic dressing room mirrors, 3D printing … the choice for consumers is huge, but can technology alone create a retail Utopia?

1 Undershaft, the tallest skyscraper in the City of London, revealed

Architect Eric Parry unveils plans for tallest skyscraper in the City – but the orgy of billion-pound towers doesn’t stop there

Ulysse Nardin Executive Lady is for the woman who knows she has it all

Swiss Watch Manufacturer Ulysse Nardin announced its newest monobrand boutique opening in Miami, Florida. Located in the heart of the Miami Design District at 140 NE 39th Street, the 1,000 square foot store features the entire scope of Ulysse Nardin’s collection, from its signature Marine Chronometers, to the coveted FreakLab, Haute Horlogerie, and the latest … Read more

Brand new ultra-luxury St. Regis Dubai unveiled first Bentley Suite in the Middle East alongside Rooftop Gardens

The doors to a new opulent St. Regis opened this week within Dubai’s Al Habtoor City. The Dubai outpost offers a custom Bentley Suite inspired by the luxury carmaker, 234 guestrooms, 8 restaurants, a luxurious Iridium spa, and a Las Vegas-style entertainment venue. The St. Regis Dubai is located within the highly anticipated Al Habtoor … Read more