Just moments away from the bustling area of Bonifacio Global City is 171, a multi-level villa set on a 302-square-meter lot. M.CAL ArchitectureArchitectureThe art and science of designing and constructing buildings, structures, and spaces that are functional, safe, and aesthetically pleasing. It encompasses the planning, design, materials, and techniques used to create Design Studio, headed by Ar. Monique C. Albert-Lopez, built the residence as a minimalist modern sanctuary surrounded by landscaped gardens. This creative direction was drawn from the homeowners’ brief to create a […]
Lived-in Narratives: Trickie Lopa’s Meditation on Vision, Collection, and Life Built Around Art
The best homes tell the most compelling stories. Not merely structures of wood and stone, they are tangible records of a life lived. Every space, object, and curated corner becomes a chapter in a deeply personal narrative, revealing passions, connections, and an authentic sense of self. It is a home’s ability to evolve with its occupants, absorbing their history and reflecting their true character, that makes it truly exceptional.
Tucked away down one of the narrow streets of Bel Air, one house stands as a vivid chronicle of a deeply personal journey through art. It’s a living, breathing space where a collection of Filipino contemporary art coexists with vintage furniture, deliberately transformed into a backdrop for homeowner Trickie Lopa’s true passion: supporting the art and artists that resonate most profoundly with her.
A Living Canvas
The residents acquired the 1950s structure in 2005, a house that had been previously renovated in the 1990s. They chose to refresh the home rather than rebuild it, retaining much of its original midcentury character. Over the years, as their children grew and left for school abroad, the family felt it was time for another update.
In 2023, they enlisted the help of interior designer Rene Orosa, who implemented non-disruptive changes like painting the walls a neutral color and installing a sophisticated magnetic lighting system. Beginning last year, Norman Crisologo provided a fresh perspective to re-hang the art, giving the collection a new and dynamic arrangement. The house now serves as a canvas, its character subtly present while allowing the artworks to take center stage.
Art collecting for Lopa began from a place of accessibility and community: Art in the Park. This event became an integral part of her journey, allowing her to interact directly with emerging artists and galleries in an unintimidating setting. She recalls acquiring early works for a few thousand pesos, pieces that have since significantly appreciated in value. Although a happy consequence, it has never been the driving force behind her acquisitions.
Storied Designs
As you move through the house, you notice the thoughtful pairing of art with furniture. Many of the pieces are sourced from Midcentury Manila, a kinship that developed with the founder during the pandemic. The vintage furniture, with its own rich history and clean lines, complements the art rather than competing with it.
Between the living room and dining room is a recently acquired piece by American artist Amy Bravo, whose work the homeowner discovered at the Swivel Gallery in New York. Mounted on a plinth, the layered canvas features painted and drawn elements, with three-dimensional cutouts of two women. “I like the ballsiness of her work,” the collector admits.
Ultimately, this is a home that proves an art collection doesn’t have to be intimidating or exclusive. Instead, it is a space that celebrates both art and the community that creates it, and how the most valuable pieces are those that are truly and authentically personal.
This article has been abridged for digital publication. Read the full story behind Lived-in Narratives by ordering your copy of BluPrint Art at Sari Sari Shopping, Shopee, and Lazada. E-magazines are also available for download here or through Readly, Press Reader, and Magzter.
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Photographed by Ed Simon
Frequently Asked Questions
Intuitive collecting is an approach where acquisitions are driven by personal resonance and community connection rather than speculative investment. For Trickie Lopa, this began at Art in the Park, focusing on emerging Filipino contemporary artists. In a home environment, intuitive collecting allows the space to function as a “physical archive” of the owner’s journey, where the value of the art is measured by the personal stories and relationships it represents rather than its market appreciation.
Updating a midcentury structure without losing its character involves non-disruptive architectural changes. Key strategies include painting walls in neutral tones to create a “gallery-like” backdrop and installing modern magnetic lighting systems that offer flexibility for rotating artworks. This approach allows the original 1950s proportions to remain intact while providing the technical infrastructure necessary to highlight a dynamic and evolving collection of contemporary art.
Vintage furniture, particularly from the midcentury modern era, complements contemporary art because of its clean lines, organic materials, and historical “soul.” Unlike mass-produced modern pieces, vintage furniture possesses a storied character that bridges the gap between the architectureArchitectureThe art and science of designing and constructing buildings, structures, and spaces that are functional, safe, and aesthetically pleasing. It encompasses the planning, design, materials, and techniques used to create of the past and the avant-garde nature of contemporary art. This pairing prevents the art from feeling isolated, instead integrating it into a cohesive “lived-in narrative” where furniture and art share a dialogue of craftsmanship.
Art re-hanging is a curated process that provides a fresh perspective on an existing collection without requiring new acquisitions. By changing the arrangement and placement of works—as done by curator Norman Crisologo for the Lopa home—the spatial flow and emotional energy of the rooms are transformed. Re-hanging allows long-owned pieces to be seen in new contexts, revealing previously unnoticed dialogues between different artworks and the home’s architectural vignettes.
A “Living Canvas” philosophy views the home as a functional space where art is lived with, not just observed. In a traditional gallery, art is displayed in a sterile environment for objective viewing; in a home like Lopa’s, art coexists with daily life, children, and functional furniture. This philosophy embraces the “ballsiness” and texture of layered works—such as those by artist Amy Bravo—allowing the art to absorb the history of the occupants and evolve as a core part of the family’s domestic identity.
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