the infinite happiness documents life inside BIG's 8 house

the infinite happiness documents life inside BIG’s 8 house
image © iwan baan

a feature-length movie documenting bjarke ingels’ famous ‘8 house’ is being screened as part of the chicago film festival. shot by ila bêka and louise lemoine, the 85 minute feature takes viewers inside the residential structure, capturing the lives of its occupants and exploring their personal relationship with the building itself.

completed in 2010, the scheme is partially influenced by the classic townhouse, but instead of using the usual block formation, the assembly follows a layered figure of eight configuration: the apartments and gardens are placed on top of commercial and trade layers, which provide services at the base of the building. the film is shown as part of the inaugural chicago architecture biennial, which runs until january 3, 2016.

apartments and gardens are placed on top of commercial and trade layers
image © BIG

the scheme is organized in a figure of eight configuration
image © jens lindhe

services are found at the base of the building
image © jens lindhe

the chicago architecture biennial provides a platform for groundbreaking architectural projects and spatial experiments that demonstrate how creativity and innovation can radically transform our lived experience.

the inaugural chicago architecture biennial, north america’s largest international survey of contemporary architecture, launched in october 2015. through its constellation of exhibitions, full-scale installations, and program of events, the biennial invites the public to engage with and think about architecture in new and unexpected ways, and to take part in a global discussion about the future of the field.

the chicago architecture biennial is the vision of mayor rahm emanuel for a major international architectural event and an outcome of the comprehensive cultural plan developed by chicago’s department of cultural affairs and special events. it is presented through the support of BP, and in partnership with the city of chicago and the graham foundation for advanced studies in the fine arts.

the chicago architecture biennial remains open to the public until january 3, 2015.