(ATR) The reputation of USA House precedes it and the Rio 2016 edition meets all expectations.
Taking over all seven stories of a school on the exclusive Ipanema beachfront, USA House is much more than just a place to chill out and have a Budweiser – although you can surely do that too.
The venue provides USA athletes, their family and friends, sponsors, donors and members of the Olympic family, an oasis of space with a comforting bright and airy beach theme throughout.
Upon entering the venue the first thing you see is a huge photo on the wall of the USA team marching into the Opening Ceremony. As athletes filter through the house, the photo is gathering more and more autographs. Just round the corner in a private function space, another imposing wall displays a photo of every one of the team’s 554 athletes.
Throughout the venue there is artwork created by kids from the school, as well as three Brazilian mosaic inspired murals of athletes that will be gifted the school after the Games. Brightly painted surfboards also appear on every level – an innovative form of sponsor recognition. Through sponsor Nike, who in turn own surf brand Hurley, each USOC sponsor was given a surfboard to decorate in their own branding to display at the house - a vast improvement on a standard sponsor board.
So what does USA House have to offer?
Food and Drink
You will not go hungry or thirsty at USA House, that’s a promise. With multiple bars and food stalls you can grab a snack or smoothie; or enjoy some barbecue on the rooftop and wash it down with some cold beers while appreciating the unimpeded views of Ipanema beach.
LA 2024 Experience
One of the coolest rooms at USA House is the LA 2024 Experience, designed to take visitors on a unique journey into what Los Angeles would look like if it were to successfully win the 2024 bid. The experience features three walls of video and totally interactive projections on not just the screens but a 3D model of the city showing proposed venues, transport options and other attractions. Taking just over six months from conception, the impressive digital display will take up residence in LA following the Games.
Digital Media Interaction
The purpose-built ‘Red, White and #BlueRoom’ is run by social media giant Twitter and generates behind the scenes exclusive content with USA athletes that is pushed out through Team USA’s social media accounts.
Legacy
USA House’s hosts, Colégio São Paulo, is a local elementary school with about 600 children, who will find their school much improved when they return from vacation. The USOC has extensively renovated the school, also injecting much needed employment into the region by using all local workers over the past months. Upgrades include fresh paint, air conditioning, improved WiFi connectivity and an upgraded kitchen. The improvements will ensure a great education space for the students for a long time to come.
Click here to view more photos of the USA House.
Written by Alice Wheeler in Rio de Janeiro.
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