IMMENSITY
a film trilogy by Hamid Shams
IMMENSITY VOL 1: The Beginning
Immensity: Volume 1 chronicles the formative years of Ensamble Studio. For us, the first ten years were an intense period of material exploration—a continuous experiment in giving structure to ideas. We didn't just design; we provoked. We assembled, we excavated, we solidified air and made the massive feel weightless. Each project was a question posed to the physical world. This chapter of our history is a powerful narrative that delves into the very core of our studio’s formation, revealing the soul of our most elemental constructions.
IMMENSITY VOL 2: Structures of Landscape
Immensity: Volume II delves into the next decade of our work, focusing on projects that connected us deeply to the earth and the communities they serve. From the monumental Structures of Landscape at Tippet Rise Art Center, which respond to the powerful Montana terrain, to the innovative Telcel Theater in Mexico City, a space designed for public gathering, we continued our dialogue with the physical world. This volume also hints at the story of The Petrified River, an experiment in architectural genesis that grew from the land itself. A deeply personal thread runs through this volume: the projects in Immensity: Volume II resonate with the profound influence of music—specifically, the work of Antón's father, the composer Antón García Abril. His musical compositions, with their intricate structures and profound emotional depth, offered a parallel language for our material explorations, guiding us to create forms that are both massive and melodic.
IMMENSITY VOL 3: The Architecture of the Earth
Immensity Volume III is the final chapter in director Hamid Shams’ exploration of Ensamble Studio’s journey. The conclusion of the series, titled "The Architecture of the Earth" showcases works like Can Terra in Menorca, Spain, as spaces that are forged by the convergence across times of human actions and nature. The film also highlights the special connection that the project has with Antón García Abril - renowned music composer and Antón's father- and his composition - "Seis partitas" - commissioned, and interpreted in the film, by violinist Hilary Hahn.