This week we reported that Neom has already cost "more than $50 billion"

This week on Dezeen, we reported that Saudi Arabia had already spent $50 billion "building the basic infrastructure" of the Neom mega project. Speaking at the World Economic Forum conference in Davos, the project's deputy CEO Rayan Fayez gave an update of progress on the project, which includes the planned The Line city. "It's important The post This week we reported that Neom has already cost "more than $50 billion" appeared first on Dezeen.

This week we reported that Neom has already cost "more than $50 billion"

The Line in Saudi Arabia 170-kilometre-long mirrored skyscraper

This week on Dezeen, we reported that Saudi Arabia had already spent $50 billion "building the basic infrastructure" of the Neom mega project.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum conference in Davos, the project's deputy CEO Rayan Fayez gave an update of progress on the project, which includes the planned The Line city.

"It's important to highlight where we are today," he said. "More than $50 billion has been spent so far building the basic infrastructure."

Skanderbeg Building — We asked why so many unusual skyscrapers are being built in Tirana

We also turned our attention to developments happening in Albania, where we investigated why so many unusual skyscrapers are being built in Tirana?

As part of the trend, Ricardo Bofill Taller de Arquitectura unveiled a silo-like skyscraper in the city, which was informed by its La Fábrica headquarters.

Plastic straw ban — Donald Trump signed an executive order to end the federal use of paper straws

In the USA, president Donald Trump signed an executive order that would end the federal use of paper straws and encourage consumers to switch back to plastic.

Following the announcement, we rounded up ten plastic alternatives, including a type of clingfilm made from potato peels and edible packaging made from seaweed.

The King's Hat by Nick Ross and Contem from Stockholm Design Week 2025 — We rounded up the highlights from Stockholm Design Week 2025

We also looked back to last week's Stockholm Design Week, with the Dezeen team picking our favourite products from the event in the Swedish capital.

Among the 12 standout launches we selected were a demountable sofa, a "future classic" lamp and furniture made from the pruned branches of historic 300-year-old Linden trees (pictured).

Carlo Ratti portrait — Carlo Ratt announced details of Venice Architecture Biennale 2025

In Italy, Venice Architecture Biennale 2025 curator Carlo Ratti announced details of the upcoming event, saying that "there's going to be a lot of science".

It was also announced that Qatar will create a permanent pavilion within the Giardini della Biennale – the first new national pavilion in the gardens for 30 years.