| Summary: | Architectural housing styles have always been items of interest and comment in
Vancouver, but recent times have seen new twists to old concerns. In the 1970s houses on
Vancouver's East Side were dubbed 'Vancouver Specials'. These houses were described as
'boxy', Tot huggers' and 'ugly'. However, as the issue was relatively an "East Side problem" it
was not highly visible in the media or elsewhere in Vancouver society. When large houses, of
similar design to the 'Vancouver Specials', began to be built in Vancouver's more affluent and
whiter West Side in the 1980s, debate over 'Monster' houses was born. This controversy has
continued through to this decade as builders, real estate agents, architects, neighbourhood
lobbyists, and city planners debate the "normalcy" of landscape. This thesis considers the
ramifications of "urban change" to the West Side neighbourhoods in Vancouver, particularly east
Kerrisdale. In particular this project focused on the relationships of power, space and race.
From what ethnic background do the owners of these so-called 'Monster' houses and non-
'Monster' houses originate? What are the issues behind the design and landscapes of homes in
this area? This project reviewed city by-laws, past and present. At the same time, newspaper
coverage of this phenomenon was examined, looking in particular at both the content of articles
and the actual titles of these articles. Finally, interviews were conducted to reveal what various
people have to say about housing issues in Vancouver.
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