Daily Signals 06.07.2020

Signals

Shanghai’s mood-boosting bakery, floating residencies for Filipino communities, and Generation Z carve out their own career paths.

Floating dwellings for resilient communities

Currents to Currents by DADA

Philippines – Architecture firm Dada has imagined what coastal communities will look like in the future as a result of global warming.

Having explored and analysed the impacts of climate change, population increase and future living conditions, the firm has conceptualised the Currents for Currents housing solution. Designed in The Philippines, the concept comprises highly adaptable, floating structures that are designed to combat the vulnerability of waterfront areas, and respond to the lack of reliable power infrastructures in remote regions.

The modular design of the housing and universally available material components – primarily moulded plastic – means the structures can be recreated in any coastal area around the world. Also featuring tidal wave generators, these purpose-built residencies will provide electricity to the local community and nearby power plants.

With urban spaces predicted to bear the brunt of the climate crisis, Future Cities will need to prioritise resilience as a response to environmental change.

Shanghai’s industrial luxe dessert bar

Holiland bakery by DAS Lab, Shanghai Holiland bakery by DAS Lab, Shanghai
Holiland bakery by DAS Lab, Shanghai Holiland bakery by DAS Lab, Shanghai

Shanghai – DAS Lab's Holiland bakery interiors diverge from traditional dessert bar design.

The space is envisaged as a ‘systematic manufacturing factory’, exposing the process of creating Holiland’s desserts and displaying them in a way that is reminiscent of industrial objects. With mechanical components, high conveyor belt and circulating flour containers, the concept space visually reflects the brand as an experimental lab.

The minimal space combines elevated design with futuristic elements, using stainless steel and lighting installations to show the contrast between the cool materials and warm desserts. Diverging from traditional design cues, such as soft materials and pastel colours, DAS Lab's design intends to evoke curiosity and intrigue among customers.

In a similar vein, we identify the emotion-based dining environments across Asia, and how colour, texture and lighting can inspire mood dining.

Japan strips bottle labels in recycling push

Law for Promotion of Effective Utilization of Resources, Japan Law for Promotion of Effective Utilization of Resources, Japan

Japan – Japan is focusing its sustainability efforts on removing all labels and tags on plastic bottles.

The new plastic bottles will only feature a recycling identification mark engraved directly on the PET bottle. Before the law was approved, only multipack bottles were allowed to be sold without labels. The update enables individual bottles to also be sold unlabelled.

The initiative was made under the country’s Law for Promotion of Effective Utilization of Resources, which is working towards a more circular economy for the nation. ‘The heavy use of resources [in Japan] generates an enormous amount of used products and by-products,’ explains the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry in a statement.

As consumers become more knowledgeable about their waste, bottled drinks brands are responding with a series of material innovations.

Stat: Generation Z are financially optimistic

T Levels by the Department for Education T Levels by the Department for Education

As Generation Z navigate an uncertain job market, they are displaying an increasing determination to pave their own way.

According to a recent report by Afterpay, in collaboration with The Future Laboratory, some 72% want to start their own business – with many already engaging in sidelines and trading on sites like Depop. Meanwhile, 42% expect to work for themselves, while 65% are confident they will experience more financial success than their parents.

Despite this generation often being associated with feelings of anxiety, many are channelling their emotion into intentions for their future. Workplaces and recruitment firms are also responding to this shift in mindset, being mindful to target Generation Z in a way that acknowledges their entrepreneurial spirit.

Previous Daily Signals Articles
Dutch Design Week 2025: kidult aesthetics and serious play

Daily Signals

Dutch Design Week 2025: kidult aesthetics and serious play

On a rainy day in Eindhoven, the design capital of The Netherlands, artists and designers showed us something that really makes us human, that sets...
Design : Dutch Design Week : Play
The Future Laboratory presents The Synthocene Era at TheIndustry.fashion summit

Daily Signals

The Future Laboratory presents The Synthocene Era at TheIndustry.fashion summit

At Nobu Hotel in Marylebone, London, TheIndustry.fashion’s Fashion Retail Reset Summit brought together global executives, industry experts and tho...
Fashion : Global Events : The Future Laboratory
Foresight Friday: Angus Cross, head of business development

Daily Signals

Foresight Friday: Angus Cross, head of business development

Every Friday, The Future Laboratory team offers an end-of-week wrap-up of the topics, issues, ideas and virals we’re all talking about. This week, ...
Foresight Friday : Mobility : Fashion
Stat: UK regenerative coffee sales triple as climate pressures mount

Daily Signals

Stat: UK regenerative coffee sales triple as climate pressures mount

Regenerative coffee sales in the UK have nearly tripled in 2025, signalling a shift toward sustainability in the nation’s £3.6bn ($4.8bn, €4.5...
Coffee : Food : Statistic
Dutch Design Week 2025: Digital afterlives and making space for grief

Daily Signals

Dutch Design Week 2025: Digital afterlives and making space for grief

Dutch Design Week 2025 has so far prompted visitors to question what it means to be human, and what challenges that notion more than death itself.
Dutch Design Week : Design : Global Events
ASOS Live redefines fashion shopping through creator-led video content

Daily Signals

ASOS Live redefines fashion shopping through creator-led video content

ASOS has launched ASOS Live, a new video shopping experience designed to merge inspiration, content and commerce within its app.
Fashion : Asos : Retail
Stat: Gen Alpha face stricter screen time controls at home and school

Daily Signals

Stat: Gen Alpha face stricter screen time controls at home and school

New survey data from Morning Consult reveals that technology bans are already widespread in schools across the US, with more than half of parents o...
Technology : Gen Alpha : Education
Dutch Design Week 2025: Slowing AI and fostering empathy

Daily Signals

Dutch Design Week 2025: Slowing AI and fostering empathy

The 25th edition of Dutch Design Week has kicked off in Eindhoven with this year’s anniversary theme being Past, Present, Possible. The purpose of ...
Dutch Design Week : DDW : Global Events
Oatly’s Future of Taste report spotlights flavours shaping global beverage culture

Daily Signals

Oatly’s Future of Taste report spotlights flavours shaping global beverage culture

Oatly has unveiled its first Future of Taste report, charting the flavours and formats set to influence global beverage culture.
Food : Drink : Flavour
Stat: Size inclusivity stalls on spring/summer 2026 catwalks

Daily Signals

Stat: Size inclusivity stalls on spring/summer 2026 catwalks

The Vogue Business Spring/Summer 2026 Size Inclusivity Report reveals disappointing progress on fashion’s size representation. Of 9,038 runway look...
Fashion : Identity : Stat
You have 1 free News articles remaining. Sign up to LS:N Global to get unlimited access to all articles.
BECOME A MEMBER
SIGN IN