Need to Know
06 : 07 : 20

By Abi Buller and Rumi Josephs

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

In today's news:

Floating dwellings for resilient communities

Shanghai’s industrial luxe dessert bar

Japan strips bottle labels in recycling push

Stat: Generation Z are financially optimistic

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

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

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

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.