Mankind has always used architecture to display power and primacy, and this film explores a concept that we call "Algorithmic Architecture". This is an invented genre of ever-evolving architectural forms that confronts and expands the viewer's notions of scale and power.

The opening shots of different building details at first seem static, but as the acts of the film progress the buildings are shown to not only be in constant flux, but interconnected. As we move through this silent civilisation a monolithic structure of massive scale and incredible detail is revealed.

Since the dawn of time, mankind has used whatever tools they had to portray power through architecture. It seemed only natural that we would use mankind’s most up-to-date tool, the iMac Pro, to create a new genre of ever-evolving architecture that pushed the notion of power to a colossal scale.

An important note is that the film had to be created using iMac Pros exclusively, so Apple gave us four high-spec machines. In Apple stores worldwide the film had to be shown at 5k on their proprietary retail screens. At this incredibly high resolution you can actually see the tiniest details within each scene.

Our solution to this brief was threefold. First, the creative concept expressed the power of combined human effort to create vast civilisations. We then did one better by supercharging our megacity with procedural, algorithmic-driven animation. Finally, the delivery specs for in-store demanded 5k resolution; making the final renders truly beastly, and the perfect expression of the power of the Pro.

We created a base algorithmic structure that served as a blueprint for each form and movement in the film. The CGI architectural structures were covered in high-resolution photographic textures and embellished using a custom-designed system that controls the foliage, architectural details, and other nuances.

Procedural animation was central to both the concept and the execution. Viewed at 5k on the Apple store screens, you can actually see the wind disturbing the hanging laundry and birds landing on wires as the camera zooms further and further out.