Neo-Pop SUPERFLY Opens at The Opposite House
Retro-futuristic eatery SUPERFLY channels the history of Sichuan cuisine and the energy of China’s youth culture. We spoke with AvroKO founding partner William Harris to find out more about the his firm’s approach to blending iconic historic typologies with a vision towards the future in this intriguing new space
Design Anthology: How did you first meet the client?
William Harris: We met the leadership of Swire Hotels many years ago, when they enlisted us to design three signature food and beverage venues for The Temple House hotel in Chengdu. We’ve remained great friends and stayed in close contact ever since.
What was the brief to you for the project?
We were asked to create two signature F&B experiences to redefine and balance the hotel’s entry sequence and programmatic offering. To that end, we created one luxurious and plush cocktail bar and lounge, called Union and to counterbalance its high-end refinement, SUPERFLY became an approachable foil, geared towards a younger clientele with a more casual environment and friendly price point.
Brand Bureau, our sister strategy and branding agency, worked in collaboration with Swire to create the concept and branding for both venues. SUPERFLY was to be a cool, local Chinese bistro roughly based on Beijing’s ‘fly’ restaurants (small roadside restaurants that serve delicious and affordable local food), but in keeping with the progressive and artistic values of The House Collective.
What’s unique about the building and the location?
The building is a striking emerald glass structure designed by Kengo Kuma. Its multihued monolithic design is inspired by traditional Chinese lattice work but evokes an extraordinary mix of old and new. It also incorporates definitively modernist moves that sit in harmony with a selection of reclaimed materials, most notably the massive, highly textured antique Chinese doors at the entrance. The Opposite House’s name directly suggests that it is a place of contrasts, further inspiring us to create the experiential duality of Union and SUPERFLY. The hotel is located in the heart of Beijing, in Taikoo Li Sanlitun, amongst a wide variety of restaurants, shopping spots and nightlife.
How did you approach the project — what design references did you try to incorporate into the space?
SUPERFLY was conceptualised as a casual, neo-pop Chinese bistro that channels the energy and eclecticism of China’s youth culture. The design and branding sought to evoke a retro-futuristic space, blending iconic historic typologies with a vision towards the future.
Our references included the colours and textures of Chinese street life, including humble hutong shophouse interiors, neighbourhood cafes and other tapestries of local life.
We also referenced the energy and spirit of Chinese creativity and artistic exploration by decontextualising and re-presenting graphic novels and pop culture posters. A signature video art installation with a multiscreen display of early martial arts videos and quirky, old-school children’s cartoons create an animated visual tapestry that feels at once familiar and strangely new. The bold graphics and branding are influenced by street art and joss paper, also known as ‘ghost money’. These highly decorative sheets of paper are traditionally burned as sacrificial offerings in Chinese ancestral worship.
Please tell us a little about the material choices for the space.
We took cues from neighbourhood cafes in selecting the ceramic tiles in greens, blues, oranges and whites, as well as the terrazzo tables. Vintage floral wallpaper hints at the comfort of domestic life, which contrasts with the pops of neon and eclectic lighting.
We incorporated Pullman booth seating in brass and fabric-wrapped niches, and forest-green and chartreuse banquettes and chairs are complemented by the hand-blown cherry-coloured chandeliers overhead.
Which of the pieces are custom designed?
Our signature chandeliers incorporate subtle references to a variety of standard household appliances, like fans and kitchen gadgets, reimagined through a futuristic lens. Swooping brass blades radiate out from a central point to hold hand-blown glass globes.
We designed the salmon and white terrazzo tabletops and in the banquette niches next to the open kitchen, our custom blue terrazzo base moulding frames the perimeter of the venue and reaches up to form table bases with curved edges and inset brass trim.
Do you have a favourite element or design detail?
We particularly love the video art installation wall. The unique juxtapositions of contrasting imagery lend a really quirky and engaging vibe to the space and the content glues the multiple concept layers together. Plus, it’s just spectacularly fun!
Images / Sheng Yun Ren
