News 20.03.2020

Need to Know

A lush lagoon in urban Taiwan, testosterone-led male medicare from Vault Health and China’s CO2 levels decrease as a result of Covid-19.

Tainan Spring is a lagoon for Taiwanese city-dwellers

Tainan Spring by MVRDV, Taiwan Tainan Spring by MVRDV, Taiwan
Tainan Spring by MVRDV, Taiwan Tainan Spring by MVRDV, Taiwan
Tainan Spring by MVRDV, Taiwan Tainan Spring by MVRDV, Taiwan

Taiwan – Architecture studio MVRDV has transformed an unused shopping centre into Tainan Spring, a sunken park and public pool.

Described as a ‘lush lagoon’, the project has r-worked the vacant Chinatown mall as part of plans to rejuvenate the area. Combining a lagoon for families to play and lounge in, as well as plants, playgrounds, gathering spaces and arcades, MVRDV has retained some of the existing architecture of the mall.

Built into the shopping centre’s former underground car park, the Tainan Spring aims to demonstrate how unused facilities can be transformed into more beneficial public spaces. Winy Maas, founding partner of MVRDV, says: ‘In Tainan Spring, people can bathe in the overgrown remains of a shopping mall. Inspired by the history of the city, both the original jungle and the water were important sources of inspiration.’

While cityscapes were initially built to facilitate a growth-centric system, as we shift towards a Post-growth Society new models are emerging and redfining consumption.

A testosterone-led approach to male wellbeing

Vault Health, US Vault Health, US
Vault Health, US Vault Health, US

US – Vault Health is introducing a telemedicine service for Generation X men, offering testosterone-led treatments for overall wellbeing.

Targeting issues such as sex drive, sleep and mental clarity, Vault offers a series of monthly medical plans built from testosterone therapy, as well as kits that target more specific health concerns. Targeting Generation X men, the brand uses accessible, offbeat communication combined with clear medical explanations.

Tapping into the rise of Certified Wellness, Vault is initially launching with more than 100 nurses and doctors on its books to provide a seamless brand experience. After signing up, customers receive an in-person examination and blood tests, after which a personalised treatment plan is delivered to their door, supported by ongoing virtual check-ups.

With many men lacking education about their hormones, Vault Health hopes to raise awareness of the body’s natural decline in testosterone levels, encouraging more open conversation in order to normalise men's common health issues.

Like Hims and Ro, Vault is helping to change the rhetoric on Modern Male Medicare, providing products and services to further destigmatise visits to the doctor.

Covid-19: JD.com takes clubbing online for self-isolators

China – E-commerce giant JD.com is collaborating with a series of alcohol brands to create a virtual nightclub experience for self-isolators.

Each week, JD.com will host a three-hour show with musicians from local record label Taihe Music, allowing people in isolation to enjoy a virtual night out.

Elevating the experience, a series of alcohol brands including Budweiser, Rémy Martin, Carlsberg and Pernod Ricard, are offering alcohol deliveries tied to the service – and have already experienced an increase in alcohol sales of almost 70% and 40% during some shows.

Launched to combat the negative impact of staying inside for long periods, the project is intended to continue as a long-term programme to enrich JD.com’s retail experience, with plans to open up the offering to categories beyond liquor.

‘By combining the online shopping experience and entertainment, JD not only provides customers with a new way to shop but also drives sales for liquor brands that are affected by the shutdown of offline channels,’ says Rachel Liu, a spokesperson for JD.com.

With brands and consumers feeling challenged by the impact of Covid-19, concepts such as this highlight the potential for live-streamed retailtainment.

 JD.com and Taihe Music, China JD.com and Taihe Music, China

Stat: China’s CO2 emissions fall amid Covid-19 lockdown

According to China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the average number of good-quality air days in China’s Hubei province increased by 21.5% in February 2020, compared to the same month last year.

As reported by CNN, across China, carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions released by burning fossil fuels such as coal have fallen by at least 25% because of measures taken by the country to contain the Covid-19 coronavirus, according to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA).

China accounts for 30% of the world’s CO2 emissions annually, which means the overall global impact is significant even for a short period, with CREA estimating that China's reduction is the equivalent of 200m tons of carbon dioxide.

As we explore in our Smog Life series, the air we breathe is a growing consumer concern, with businesses and brands innovating to tackle the negative effects of pollution in urban enclaves.

Previous News Articles
MAD//Fest 2025: Delayed adulthood, algorithmic segregation and Gen Z hippies

News

MAD//Fest 2025: Delayed adulthood, algorithmic segregation and Gen Z hippies

MAD//Fest returned to Shoreditch on 1 July 2025, with this year’s theme Be Less Boring challenging brands to rethink how to engage with new audiences.
Global Events : Advertising & Marketing : Gen Z
Promo - Together Group report and microsite

News

Promo - Together Group report and microsite

xxx
Together Group
Insight - mystery at the grooms': hermès brings interactive installation to NYC (copy)

News

Insight - mystery at the grooms': hermès brings interactive installation to NYC (copy)

xxx
Interactive Installation
Habitat and Pinterest unveil immersive campaign putting emotion into home design

News

Habitat and Pinterest unveil immersive campaign putting emotion into home design

Habitat has teamed up with Pinterest for an immersive storytelling campaign that repositions homeware as a tool for emotional re-invention and shop...
Retail : Design : Technology
Stat: Young adults are redefining romantic relationships on their terms

News

Stat: Young adults are redefining romantic relationships on their terms

As romantic norms fragment, 20% of people are now unknowingly practising ‘relationship anarchy’, according to the latest State of Dating repor...
Statistic : Stat : Dating
AI billboard visualises real-time sun damage in UV awareness campaign

News

AI billboard visualises real-time sun damage in UV awareness campaign

A new study by the British Skin Foundation reveals that 38% of Britons have already been sunburnt in 2025 – with Gen Z (35%) and Millennials (30%) ...
Advertising : Health And Wellness : Beauty
Wimbledon elevates fan engagement with AI-powered digital experiences

News

Wimbledon elevates fan engagement with AI-powered digital experiences

The All England Lawn Tennis Club and IBM have unveiled an AI-powered experience designed to deepen audience engagement and enhance match under...
Wimbledon : Sports : Entertainment
Stat: Gen Alpha lead the charge in back-to-school shopping

News

Stat: Gen Alpha lead the charge in back-to-school shopping

Children and teenagers are now the primary decision-makers in back-to-school shopping, according to a new global study by SuperAwesome.
Retail : Gen Alpha : Statistic
The Fashion Innovation Agency debuts 3D garment volumetric capture service

News

The Fashion Innovation Agency debuts 3D garment volumetric capture service

The Fashion Innovation Agency at London College of Fashion has launched Reskinning Reality, the UK’s first 3D garment volumetric capture service ai...
Fashion : Technology : Virtual Fashion
Elemis brings beauty trackside with new Aston Martin F1 collection

News

Elemis brings beauty trackside with new Aston Martin F1 collection

Premium beauty brand Elemis is stepping further into the world of Formula 1 with the launch of four exclusive skincare collections in partnership w...
Aston Martin : Elemis : Formula 1
You have 2 free News articles remaining. Sign up to LS:N Global to get unlimited access to all articles.
BECOME A MEMBER
SIGN IN