Stuart McCall

This project deals with the endangered species - the single family detached home, and a certain stage in its life cycle. Rental House is an examination of a period in a home’s life cycle, which often predicts impending demolition.

The city of Vancouver, BC, who’s residential neighbourhoods were originally developed in the early 20th century, is not unique in North America in the fact that urban densification, real estate value, and the emergence of new aesthetics are accelerating the demolition of older architecture, nevertheless, it serves as a suitable Petri-dish in which to examine the phenomenon.

If we follow the notion of a home’s life cycle, it usually begins with pride of ownership. Eventually there follows a slow decline as ownership changes, or the original proud owners age and find maintenance more difficult. Next, the more rapid deterioration as a rental property, finally ending in demolition.

This series of photographs reflects on stage three - the rental property. These once loved homes are now inhabited by disinterested occupants. People with a lesser degree of commitment, who may only be planning to stay for a few months. Perhaps they are working long hours to pay the rent, and don’t feel motivated to keep the place up - maybe they’ll mow the lawn. They may have a feeling of animosity to the landlord. The paint peels, the roof starts to leak, junk accumulates in the driveway and backyard.

This work has an aesthetic influence from the series of images by Vancouver artist, Jim Breukelman. “Hot Properties” comprised a number of urban portraits of early 20th century bungalows in Vancouver. Whereas Breukelman’s bungalows, photographed in the 1980’s, were all meticulously maintained and presented as dispassionate portrayals of prideful home ownership, my work, something of a mirror image, presents straightforward portraits of a similar sampling of houses, 40 years later.