Design, Art, Culture: The Opposite House’s Dramatic Renovation Makes It A Place to Appreciate from Every Angle October 22, 2021 at 07:13AM

Out of Town Blog
Design, Art, Culture: The Opposite House’s Dramatic Renovation Makes It A Place to Appreciate from Every Angle

With Gallery-Like Spaces, a Collection of New Restaurants and Redesigned Guest Rooms, The House Collective’s “House of Art” Offers A Journey of Rediscovery

Team Out of Town Blog Hub (www.outoftownblog.com) – The Opposite House, recently named #1 The Top 5 Hotels in China, #1 The Top 15 Asia City Hotels, and #3 in Top Hotels in the World by Travel + Leisure, is making its relaunch after the completion of an extensive renovation of its public spaces, restaurants, and guest rooms. The first hotel under The House Collective brand by Swire Hotels, located in Beijing’s hippest neighborhood of Sanlitun, has drawn inspiration from the city’s electric creative energy for its renovations that encompass design, art, and culture. With a collection of new restaurants and social spaces, the redesign makes The House Collective’s “House of Art” into a dynamic and inspiring destination that tastemakers will appreciate from every angle.

The Oposite House Beijing

Design

Imagined as a contemporary art gallery, The Opposite House was originally designed by acclaimed Japanese architect Kengo Kuma in 2008. Its now-iconic emerald green glass exterior reflects the hotel’s setting in Taikoo Li Sanlitun and inside, the airy atrium presents it’s signature rotating art exhibitions under monumental drapes that create a screen of light.

The House’s new experience begins with Kengo Kuma’s “Origami” installation, which serves as the lobby’s new reception wall. Kengo applied Tyvek, a translucent synthetic textile resembling hand-made paper, to create a screen of light with organic texture and shades.

In the refreshed guest rooms, floor-to-ceiling windows open onto lush views of the leafy surrounds and neighboring Taikoo Li complex. Transparent partitions maximize space while lending a modern touch to the rooms for a contemporary feel. Beijing-inspired décor completes the artistic ambiance.

“We are very excited about the relaunch of our House,” said Olivier Dumonceaux, General Manager of The Opposite House. “As a space where art comes to life, The Opposite House has always been driven by the fusion of design, creativity, and culture. With the art installations and pop-ups alongside new restaurant and bar concepts, we believe that our House is a true lifestyle destination with unique experiences for every guest.”

Art

At The Opposite House, you can immerse yourself in art everywhere. Whether it’s the House’s collaboration with contemporary artists, its curation of works, or even simply a cocktail, art can be appreciated from every angle. Each season, The Opposite House presents a different series of artworks, offering guests fresh cultural insights into the world of contemporary art.

The House Collective’s biennial art program in 2019, ‘Encounters Across Cultures: Seeds of Life’, featured multidisciplinary artist Katja Loher, who collaborated with local artists and choreographers to create ‘Videoplanets’ of the Five Elements for a floating installation in the Atrium. This year, ‘Encounters Across Cultures’ returns, where contemporary dancers Yu Jinying and Li Xinmeng have joined forces to create an interactive art installation across space and time that explores The Opposite House’s architecture.

The Opposite House

As the “House of Art”, The Opposite House is a destination for the capital’s culture makers. Blending fashion and art, The House features buzzed-about happenings from fashionable high tea that takes inspiration from the designers’ creation to pop-up stores featuring sought-after luxury brands. And almost as though an haute couture runway, Superfly, Union, and the lobby’s Atrium inspire photos from The House’s worldly guests.

“Whether collaborating with artists to bring the ‘Encounters Across Cultures’ art program or hosting special events with fashion brands, it’s always exciting to partner with artists and brands to create more unique experiences for our guests,” said Ami Tsou, Director of Communications & Marketing of The Opposite House.

Culture

The Opposite House is set in the bustling Sanlitun, drawing on the area’s creative energy and a melange of cultures. At Superfly, vintage vibes, Chinese pop culture, and Sichuan’s street culture collide; at Michelin-starred Jing Yaa Tang, Chef Li Dong explores the parallels and juxtapositions of traditional and modern Chinese cuisine; Union takes inspiration from the ancient Silk Road for an array of flavors from China to the Mediterranean; and Frasca celebrates traditional Mediterranean cuisine and the authentic flavors of Italy, rounding out the House’s global culinary offerings. “Jing Yaa Tang, Superfly, Frasca, and Union are each our tribute to the past and the present, and cultures within and outside of China,” said Will Gao, Manager of Union. “Besides focusing on creative experiments on classic cocktail recipes, we also love to infuse fresh ideas which is why we often invite renowned bartenders from different cities as guest bartenders at Union.

The Opposite House Experience

In the heart of Sanlitun, stepping off Beijing’s bustling city streets and into The Opposite House is like setting foot in an urban oasis. A space designed for peaceful moments inspired by nature, you can brush your hands against bamboo trees, swim under the “stars” and discover your inner self at poolside yoga. Every step of the stay, from check-in to check-out, the House’s attentive team assures guests enjoy quality and personalized experience. As Guest Experience team leader Jessica Ju explains: “Our team always strives to provide guests with personalized and high-quality services. We hope to offer new experiences to every guest for a true sense of leisure and relaxation.”

To celebrate the recent honor by Travel + Leisure 2021 World’s Best Awards as #3 in Top Hotels in the World and #1 in The Top City Hotel in Asia, The Opposite House is launching “Appreciate From Every Angle”, a special offer for guests to experience the House themselves.

Just need to top up RMB 600++ to the daily rate to enjoy a stay at Studio 70, daily breakfast for two at Frasca, and a choice of two from the four dining experiences:

• Michelin Menu for two at Jing Yaa Tang
• Silk Road cocktails at Union
• Custom menu for two at Frasca
• Special menu for two at Superfly

Click here for more photos, rates, and availability

https://www.thehousecollective.com/en/the-opposite-house/special-offers/relaunch-package/

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Also read: Guide To Appreciate The Best Of Asia

Design, Art, Culture: The Opposite House’s Dramatic Renovation Makes It A Place to Appreciate from Every Angle
Melo Villareal
Out of Town Blog

Photo club Zone Five’s creative passion to benefit Bulacan children’s education foundation October 21, 2021 at 11:16PM

Out of Town Blog
Photo club Zone Five’s creative passion to benefit Bulacan children’s education foundation

Team Out of Town Blog Hub (www.outoftownblog.com) – Zone Five Camera Club (Z.V.C.C. or Zone V) is a group of individuals with a shared passion for the art of photography. Their aim is to elevate the art in its varied forms and find a community steeped in learning and camaraderie. Of late, due to the call of the times, Z.V.C.C. felt the need to help alleviate through their art. Z.V.C.C. will be holding an online exhibit and charity sale at www.zonev.org from October 23 to 31, 2021.

Called ‘Images of H.O.P.E.’ (HELPING OTHERS PROSPER & EXCEL), the week-long event will showcase some of the best still camera work by Zone V.

(L-R) Zone Five Camera Club (Z.V.C.C.) Program Committee Head and Secretary Leys Masangcay, Z.V.C.C. President Cha Pagdilao, Z.V.C.C. Special Events Committee Head and Board Director Angela Panlilio, Z.V.C.C. Exhibit Committee Head and Board Director Bern Wong, Z.V.C.C. Member and Assumption Development Foundation (A.D.F.) Graduate Ruben Castor Ranin, A.D.F. President Dr. Micorazon Olango, A.D.F. Academic Relations Officer Marvin Senobio, A.D.F. Graduate Oyo Bunag, A.D.F. Public Relations Officer Carmina Camua, and A.D.F. Person-In-Charge Minda Kelly.

Proceeds from the sale will benefit the Assumption Development Foundation (A.D.F.), a non-profit organization dedicated to the learning development of select youths of Sapang Palay, Bulacan.

For more than 40 years since its formation, Zone V has grown in membership numbers and craft skills, with many among its members receiving local and international acclaim in photography competitions.

The Club is passionate in its pursuit of photography as a pure art form and firm on the belief in the medium as a conduit for making a positive difference in people’s lives.

The A.D.F. is one of many advocacies.

by Noel Casaje – ethereal

Helping the cause of education

Established in 1966, what would become A.D.F. was borne out of necessity: a community of 20,000 informal settlers relocated from Manila to Bulacan.

Thrust into no man’s land and lacking the most basic of needs, a Carmelite Missionary and Assumption College San Lorenzo set up a school to provide, at the least, schooling for Grade 1 to 6 children.

A.D.F. later became a foundation in 1995, whose mission is to “help disadvantaged children by breaking the cycle of poverty through education.”

by Manny Inumerable – Ang Mga Pag asa Ng Bayan

An A.D.F. website post (from November 2009 data) said that more than 586 high school students and 162 college students have graduated from the program.

‘Images of H.O.P.E.’ aims to sell 200 prints and raise at least P300,000, which will be used to buy computer equipment for A.D.F. scholars.

The prevalence of remote learning in the new normal makes computers a critical and indispensable education tool.

Z.V.C.C.’s ultimate goal is to build a learning hub at A.D.F. Earlier in the year, the Club partnered with P.L.D.T. to connect the A.D.F. facility with fiber connectivity.

With the coming addition of the computer sets, A.D.F. scholars soon have a fully functioning digital learning center.

by Jun Bongat – Dried Sapsap

The transition to virtual

Z.V.C.C. members stay sharp by holding friendly competitions as a way of recreation and of challenging one another every month.

From its regular meetings and photo contests held at the Old Swiss Inn at Makati, the Club reached an impressive milestone when it transitioned onto online platforms in the first quarter last year due to pandemic lockdowns.

The onset of COVID-19 shifted most everything to the virtual world; thus, Zone V developed ZHub, the Club’s website www.zonev.org to serve as its virtual hub.

It catalogs all Club activities, namely monthly contest winners, newsletters, the Z Academy – a learning platform consisting of artist talks and workshops headed by Jeff Dytuco, and member’s galleries – all of which are collectively designed to drive traffic into the Z-hub website.

ZHub will serve as the stage for the ‘Images of H.O.P.E.’ exhibit/charity sale.

Featured will be color and black & white prints from its 50 members, including the Club’s Ambassadors of Zone Five; a group composed of Jay Camus, Manny Inumerable, Cha Pagdilao, James Singlador, Danny Yu, and Ruben Castor Ranin, who was himself a recipient of an A.D.F. scholarship.

by former Zone Five Club President Allin Santiago – Landscape

Z.V.C.C. Ambassadors

Combined with his discerning eye for visual arts, photography became Jay’s platform to create beauty. Though he came across Zone Five at a 1993 exhibit, it wasn’t until about a decade later that he officially joined, later becoming Club president. Jay enjoys macro shooting the most, especially creating experimental, conceptual, and abstract images.

Another former Z.V.C.C. president, Manny, was introduced to photography when he was 12 years old with an inherited Royal 35M rangefinder. His favorite subjects are landscapes and human interest. Manny’s biggest pride is his collection of amazing antique cameras housed at their ancestral home turned museum, the “Galleria Taal” in Batangas.

Photography has been profoundly transformative for Cha, making simple everyday experiences fuller because of newfound keenness to details and the realization that there is beauty all around. She is the current chair of the Federation of Photographers of the Philippines Foundation Photo (F.P.P.F.) World Cup 2021, and is on her second term as president of Z.V.C.C.

A recipient of the “Ani ng Dangal,” a prestigious award given out by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, James’ images represent his advocacy for environmental and nature conservation and a passion for travel and mountaineering. He has also won numerous awards from international photography competitions and was once the president of the F.P.P.F. Photo World Cup.

Danny had been shooting since the days of film before settling down to start a family. Now that he’s retired, his interest in photography was rekindled as a hobby. His favorite genres are travel and street photography. Danny is the former president of Copacabana Apartment Hotel and chairman of Copa Holdings, and also a former president of Zone Five.

As mentioned, Ruben is a proud scholar and product of the Assumption Development Foundation.

by Bong Benavent – Silhouette

Ruben indulges in photography as a hobby, and his interest in landscape and travel photography began during his mountaineering days in 2012. Ruben’s images have received numerous accolades, and he founded a couple of photography clubs before joining Z.V.C.C. as part of his personal advocacy.

“At Zone V, we believe that photography as a creative outlet is not a means to an end. And so we’re using our passion to contribute to change,” said current Club president Cha Pagdilao. “Yes, ‘Images of H.O.P.E.’ is a showcase for the talents of Z.V.C.C.’s membership. But more than that, it’s a way for us to use these talents in helping the community.”

At the moment, A.D.F. has 287 high school students in four high schools at Sapang Palay. It also provides assistance to 173 college students attending different universities, state colleges, and institutes.

“Zone V invites all art buffs, collectors, and photography enthusiasts to please join us in this worthy cause. Together, we can push to make a change for the good one print at a time,” Pagdilao closed.

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Photo club Zone Five’s creative passion to benefit Bulacan children’s education foundation
Melo Villareal
Out of Town Blog