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Fig is a high-tech facial bar for clean beauty

Fig by Scott & Scott Architects, Vancouver

Vancouver – Fig offers innovative facial treatments backed by science, technology and a commitment to clean ingredients.

The skincare bar bills itself as the world’s first express destination for clean injections and high-tech beauty treatments – all administered in 30 minutes or less. These include wrinkle-relaxing injections using Xeomin, a neuromodulator generally considered to be purer than Botox; vitamin injections blending B12, minerals and amino acids; and results-driven facials using clean, top-tier ingredients and premier technology.

The highly designed space has been conceived to ensure both comfort and privacy, with treatments taking place in one of three pods that feature Japanese barber chairs and full-height velvet curtains. Throughout, calming shades of green colour the space and its fittings, including a curved shelving system that incorporates a product display, a wash basin and seating. By departing from clinical design cues and elevating convenience, Fig reflects the changing face of Modern Med Spas.

Snøhetta sets the standard for energy-positive architecture

Powerhouse Brattørkaia by Snøhetta, Norway

Trondheim, Norway – The Powerhouse Brattørkaia is the world’s northernmost energy-positive building.

Located in Trondheim, Norway, Powerhouse Brattørkaia aims to set a new standard for the construction of the buildings of tomorrow by producing more energy than it consumes. Architecture firm Snøhetta has built an office building in an area in which sunlight varies greatly between the seasons, giving the designers the chance to explore how to harvest and store solar energy under challenging conditions.

Using a series of technologies and architectural techniques that radically reduce its energy use, the building produces twice as much electricity as it consumes daily and will supply renewable energy to itself, neighbouring buildings and electric vehicles. ‘Energy-positive buildings are the buildings of the future. The mantra of the design industry should not be ‘form follows function’ but ‘form follows environment’, says founder Kjetil Trædal Thorsen.

Read our interview with Snøhetta’s Zenul Khan for more on why energy positivity is integral when designing for extreme environments.

COS is upcycling unsellable garments

Sweden – The H&M Group brand has collaborated with The Renewal Workshop to save damaged and returned garments.

The Restore Collection consists of carefully mended and cleaned pieces that have been sourced from COS’s supply chain or returned by customers. By working with The Renewal Workshop, a company that provides circular solutions for textile brands, the H&M Group can ensure all garments are cleaned using state-of-the-art waterless technology.

‘By taking care of existing garments, we want to extend the lifespan of our products and make sure to use what otherwise would be considered as excess products,’ reads the brand’s press release. In addition, COS will collect impact data to see how much water, CO2 and energy it saves by rescuing the clothing, which will be displayed publicly in stores.

With fashion industry waste set to reach 148m tons annually by 2030, according to the Pulse of the Fashion Industry 2017 report, brands such as COS are innovating with commercial programmes that drive a circular economy for the sector.

The Restore collection by COS

Stat: Britons are wasting money on unwanted subscriptions

Research from YouGov shows that nearly half of Britain has been caught out by free trial offers and have accidentally signed up for a video, music or shopping subscription because they forgot, or were unable, to cancel. In the past 12 months, unwanted subscriptions have cost consumers in the UK £800m ($996m, €898m).

Among the 47% who have forgotten to cancel subscriptions, one in eight (15%) kept paying for the subscription for over four months before finally cancelling. As a result, 68% think companies should do more to warn customers that they are about to sign up for a full subscription after a free trial, either by notifying them that their free period is over or requiring them to actively opt in.

As consumers wake up to the hidden costs of subscription services, streaming platforms such as Netflix are failing to retain their pace of growth.