He chose two young architects that would come to change contemporary architecture. Jim Stewart is the most published mathematician since Euclid, a concert level violinist, calculus professor, philanthropist, and gay rights activist. He is a true polymath, a modern day renaissance man. He had a bold vision and the conviction to follow through. It took almost ten years to realize his dream, Integral House, which was completed in 2009. Designed around a stunning internal concert hall, it was hailed as a masterpiece by some of the greatest architecture and design critics in the world. Integral House, like Jim, was unlike anything else. Now confronting his inability to play violin as arthritis cripples his hands, Jim boldly faces his declining health, jumping head long into the role of impresario. But it would not be so simple. As unexpected events unfold, Jim is left to make some of the most difficult decisions of his life.
Mathematician Jim Stewart builds his dream house in Integral Man. Jim Stewart made a fortune through the sale of his mathematics textbooks, which are the most successful in the world. Stewart decides to use this fortune to build his dream house in Toronto’s Rosedale neighbourhood. Inspired by his love of curses and music, this uniquely constructed house is often used as the host of various charitable events and performances.
Integral Man is less a documentary about Jim Stewart and more a documentary about Jim Stewart’s house. The camera moves how the various halls of the house as various architects talk about the building’s very unique construction. The “Integral House” is a way for Jim Stewart to leave his lasting mark in the twilight of his life.
For lack of a better term, Integral Man is a documentary that I would define as being “architecture porn.” The bulk of the film primarily involves the camera almost sensually moving along the house, as interviews with different architects comment on the house’s design. I would have almost preferred it if this film was less about the house and more about Jim Stewart, since the film only really scratches the surface on his life and career, which to me seems more interesting than a house.
WATCHABLE
Screenings
- Tuesday, May 2, 7:15 PM – Isabel Bader Theatre
- Wednesday, May 3, 10:00 AM – TIFF Bell Lightbox 1
- Friday, May 5, 4:30 PM – Fox Theatre
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