ensamble studio exhibits 'architecture of the earth' at TOTO GALLERY·MA in tokyo

TOTO GALLERY·MA presents ‘ensamble studio: architecture of the earth’, the first japanese solo exhibition of ensamble studio. on view until september 12, 2021, the exhibition highlights projects that were born out of the studio’s exploration of the relationship between the earth and architecture. a selection of models and videos introduce the cross-functional team’s original research, design, and construction processes, presenting projects such as ‘structures of landscape’ at the tippet rise art center in montana, USA (more here). in 2018, designboom spoke with antón garcía-abril, who founded ensamble studio together with débora mesa, in an in-depth interview, which can be read here.exhibition images © nacása & partners inc.

ensamble studio’s terrestrial-scale approach to architecture informed the exhibition’s theme, ‘architecture of the earth’. founded in 2000 in madrid, spain, the studio explores employs an earth-scale perspective, powerful forms that resonate with nature, and unique modes of construction in their projects. valuing the importance of thinking and experimenting with their own hands, the architects go beyond merely designing buildings to devise their own specialized construction methods for realizing novel works of architecture that elude comparison.

‘earth is a material,’ say antón garcía-abril & débora mesa about the exhibition’s concept. ‘it is also a place where we live, that we transform. architecture sometimes chooses to build with it. others, to exist independently. or to flatten its face. vestiges of ancient monuments carved in rock, built with it, vernacular architectures that give order to the materials around them, land art, and some earthworks as well… evidence the potential of using land and landscapes actively, beyond their understanding as sources for endless exploitation.’

the exhibition at TOTO GALLERY·MA spotlights research and projects that illustrate the relationship between the earth and architecture, bringing together a selection of models and videos. ‘though developed at different times, in different geographies and for different reasons, together they contribute to reflect upon the relation between architecture and the earth, or the print that as humans we leave in our environment,’ notes ensamble studio. ‘reading landscapes, recycling them, reinforcing their crust or using it as mold, structures are built utilizing the natural potential of places and creating synergies. learning from geological processes, analog construction methodologies are developed and new architectural languages discovered, opening our imagination to unknown territories that are worth exploring.’ the gallery offers three distinct spaces through which the theme unfolds: laboratory of ideas and garden (research & design) and audiovisual landscapes (construction).

the truffle (costa da morte, spain, 2010) © iwan baan

petrified river research (2017-) © ensamble studio

ensamble studio portrait © ensamble studio

exhibition poster

exhibition info:

name: ensamble studio: architecture of the earth

venue: TOTO GALLERY·MA (3F, TOTO nogizaka bldg., 1-24-3 minamiaoyama, minato, tokyo, japan 107-0062)

duration: june 24 – september 12, 2021

organizer: TOTO GALLERY·MA

planning: TOTO GALLERY·MA planning and management committee (special advisor: tadao ando; members: manabu chiba, yoshiharu tsukamoto, seng kuan,tsuyoshi tane)

special support: embajada de españa

support: tokyo society of architects & building engineers; tokyo association of architectural firms; japan institute of architects kanto-koshinetsu chapter; architectural institute of japan kanto chapter