News Release: NOCO-NOCO announces strategic alliance with TESNOLOGY to advance smart city initiatives

Nespresso has collaborated with Universal Design Studio to open a new boutique concept store on New York's Madison Avenue, aiming to re-establish coffee and espresso as an art form rather than just a quick caffeine fix. This is the second such boutique, following the inaugural opening in Cannes in May, and it is designed to engage all five senses in the coffee experience. The design ethos draws heavily from New York's distinctive urban landscape and artistic heritage, incorporating elements such as disc fixtures that echo the lighting found in the Met Breuer and an exposed brick wall reminiscent of a classic Manhattan walk-up apartment. The 2,500 sq ft boutique spans two floors and offers a comprehensive journey through the world of coffee. Visitors can sample limited-edition flavors, receive guidance on selecting a blend that suits their individual palate, and explore Nespresso’s signature VertuoLine machines and aluminum pods. A consistent design element throughout the store is the use of Alpi wood tables, uniquely adorned with used ground coffee, which subtly reinforces the product's origin and sustainability efforts. The lower level of the boutique houses the Lab Kitchen, a dedicated space where customers can experiment with different coffee recipes or participate in 45-minute educational classes, enhancing their understanding and appreciation of coffee preparation. In line with Nespresso's global sustainability initiatives, the Madison Avenue boutique, like all other Nespresso stores worldwide, facilitates the recycling of used coffee capsules. Adding an artistic dimension to the space, Nespresso commissioned New York artist Daniel Rozin to create an exclusive installation for the boutique. This artwork is composed of 832 tiles made from compressed aluminum, repurposed from used Nespresso pods. Rozin integrated four motion sensors into the piece, allowing it to ripple and respond dynamically to the movements of people within the store, thereby creating an interactive and fluid visual experience. Rozin expressed his intention to create an effect that conveyed fluidity, contributing to the boutique's sensory appeal. For those on a tighter schedule, the boutique features a Take Away Bar, offering a selection of lattes and pastries sourced from Aux Merveilleux de Fred. However, the comprehensive and immersive design of the store is intended to encourage visitors to linger and fully engage with the Nespresso experience. The address of this new Nespresso boutique is 935 Madison Avenue, New York. The partnership with Universal Design Studio underscores Nespresso's commitment to creating engaging retail environments that elevate the perception of coffee consumption. #NespressoBoutique #UniversalDesignStudio #NewYorkDesign #CoffeeExperience #RetailDesign #SensoryMarketing #SustainableDesign #MadisonAvenue #DanielRozinArt #CoffeeCulture

Atsushi Omatsu, President and CEO of Nikken Sekkei Ltd., a leading Japanese architectural firm with a history dating back to 1900, discusses the evolving landscape of Japan's construction market. He notes that while Japan experienced a construction boom 50 years ago, demographic shifts now necessitate a focus on maintenance, upkeep, and urban regeneration rather than solely new builds. Significant redevelopment projects, such as those around Shibuya Station and in the Shinjuku area, are complex and long-term endeavors, reflecting the need to renew aging infrastructure and adapt to changing societal demands. These demands include the growing need for data centers due to increased computer and smartphone usage, and new logistics centers driven by the evolution of supply chains. Nikken Sekkei's mission consistently involves responding to societal needs. The firm's historical projects, from the Osaka Prefectural Nakanoshima Library in its early years to iconic structures like Tokyo Tower and Tokyo Skytree, demonstrate this adaptability. The firm's portfolio diversified in the 1960s to include various public and private sector projects, and it has contributed to major transportation hubs, including international airports. Omatsu emphasizes that their approach to the future focuses on current and future societal requirements, not just declining short-term demand. Regarding urban planning, Omatsu highlights that effective solutions are tailored to each city's unique history, culture, and climate, rejecting a "one size fits all" approach. He explains that urban development can involve redevelopment, entirely new structures, or a combination, with the key being to understand what best suits a specific city. He cites the firm's work on the Spotify Camp Nou stadium overhaul, where the design incorporated open concourses without facades, inspired by Barcelona's Mediterranean climate and traditional Japanese architectural concepts of semi-outdoor spaces, allowing people to enjoy outdoor sunlight and breeze. Omatsu also elaborates on the firm's embrace of digital technologies through its Digital Design Lab (DDL). The DDL experiments with technologies like AI and Building Information Modeling (BIM) to integrate data comprehensively, from design and construction to post-construction operation and maintenance. This data-driven approach aids in informed decisions regarding renovation, renewal, and maintenance, with the aspiration for Digital Twin technology to become standard practice. Nikken Sekkei also applies digital technologies on an urban scale to predict outcomes like flood levels and analyze human behavior in public spaces, using data to inform urban interventions. The firm is actively involved in developing Zero Energy Buildings (ZEBs), exemplified by Mizunami Kita Junior High School, which utilizes photovoltaic panels and promotes natural ventilation and lighting, with students actively participating in energy conservation. Nikken Sekkei, in partnership with SoftBank, established SynapSpark in December 2023. This new company aims to automate building control processes, gather data into the cloud for themes like human wellness and energy conservation, and provide tailored recommendations through software applications. This initiative, starting domestically with SoftBank's data, may expand globally. For international growth, Nikken Sekkei focuses on regions where their expertise aligns with local needs, preferring to establish local subsidiaries for sustainable presence rather than just liaison offices. This approach ensures deep market insight and collaborative efforts. Omatsu's personal legacy ambition for the firm is to consistently respond to broader societal needs, leveraging their network beyond individual project boundaries to address significant challenges. #ArchitecturalDesign #UrbanPlanning #ConstructionMarket #SustainableArchitecture #DigitalDesignLab #BIM #ZeroEnergyBuildings #SocietalNeeds #NikkenSekkei #Japan