I posted info on this a couple of days ago but wanted to remind you to come to the unveiling of our Vancouver Special Playhouse this Friday at 7PM at 3612 Main Street. We gave media tours to CBC's Early Edition and the Metro this morning so listen and look for those stories tomorrow. We can't wait to show this to YOU!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
VANCOUVER IS AWESOME INC NON-PROFIT RELEASES CHILDREN’S PLAYHOUSE IN THE SPIRIT
OF MALIGNED PIECE OF ARCHITECTURE, THE VANCOUVER SPECIAL
The Vancouver Special is one of the most loved (yet equally hated) forms of architecture in Vancouver. Characterized by its low-pitched roof, boxy shape and lower-level brickwork, it has the common look of a “rancher turned sideways”, a full or half-veranda on the upper level and a basement that’s entirely above ground. At 1.5 times the square footage of the average Vancouver home, the blueprints (once available for $65 from City Hall) maximized the typically small city lots that they were built on, giving them an appeal to blue collar workers.
Starting in the 1960’s, upwards of 10,000 were constructed, but as resentment towards their aesthetic grew over the decades, the City of Vancouver passed a bylaw in the 1980's that effectively prevented any more of these maligned structures from going up within the city limits.
On April 22, 2011, Vancouver Is Awesome Inc is proudly releasing a 4 foot by 8 foot children’s playhouse which gets around the constraints of zoning and celebrates an icon.
The Vancouver Special Playhouse was concepted by Vancouver Is Awesome Executive Director, Bob Kronbauer, who has worked as a creative director for companies such as Nike, Poketo, 2K, Palm Pictures and others. Collaborating with builder, Jason Sokolowski, a design was cooked up, blueprints were drafted by Joshua Jordan, and construction begun. One month later, final touches on the interior were added by local artist, Erin Marranca.
The showhome will be on display from April 22nd - 24th at the store sharing it’s name, the Vancouver Special retail store (where else?) on Main Street. The unit is not for sale but Sokolowski will be on hand to discuss custom built units. Own a miniature icon of Vancouver that doubles as a children’s playhouse for roughly 500 times less than the original, built especially for you.
Please join us as we launch the first Special to be constructed in over 20 years!
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Media contact: Bob Kronbauer, [email protected], 604-723-7540
Launch event details:
V.I.A.’S VANCOUVER SPECIAL PLAYHOUSE LAUNCH PARTY
April 22/2011, 7PM - 9PM at Vancouver Special, 3612 Main Street
This is a free event for the public, refreshments will be served.
