In English, there exists a clear distinction between a ‘house’, and a ‘home’. While a ‘home’ might well take the form of a house, it can be understood as a concept--free from scale, time or thresholds. Vancouver’s housing crisis is leaving us few houses, and fewer homes. If we strive--not simply to shelter but, to create places of unique meaning for society, we must address the imposing, top-down nature of government regulation, capitalist economies and detached designers on the formation of our dwellings.
Despite the apparent ‘shortage’ of housing, Vancouver has an abundance of properties awaiting development permitting, most of them vacant—often for several years. The re-appropriation of these non-precious, vacant structures, set to be demolition would provide unique opportunity for occupants to truly re-appropriate a space.
‘Casa Pronta’, is a zine which fictionally documents the occupation of the former ‘Pronto’ restaurant and neighbouring house by a group of young housing activists. It attempts to provide resources, information, and tips, encouraging similar re-appropriation of vacant properties awaiting development.
CENTRE-SPREAD AXONOMETRIC OF THE PRINT SHOP AND COMMUNAL KITCHEN
CASA PRONTA’ A HOUSING ACTIVISM ZINE — COVER