Made in Ilima


In the center of Equator Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Ilima community remains one of the most isolated in the world. They have coexisted with endangered wildlife in their surrounding forest for generations, but as the pace of development has increased, this fragile ecosystem has suffered. 

They partnered with the African Wildlife Foundation and our architecture firm, MASS Design Group, in 2012 to create a new conservation focused primary school and community center. This film documents our collective building process - one aimed at leveraging local craft and ecological knowledge towards education, preservation, and beauty.

MASS’ in house production company has created the film, Produced by Alan Ricks and Michael Murphy, Directed and Edited by Thatcher Bean, with Cinematography by Rachel Brose. The film premiered on Friday, November 3rd 2017, at The Architecture & Design Film Festival (ADFF).

Upcoming Screening Dates will be available soon.