Open Collections

Duncan, Lucas

This study explores the cultural and spatial features of rave events, as well as the physical and intangible aspects of rave spaces and their role in embodying radical political subjectivities. It argues that raves are temporary utopian spaces that challenge dominant power structures by promoting pleasure and collective interactions. As an underground phenomenon, rave spaces are provisional programs where conformity is questioned and transgression is possible. These spaces have a significant impact on contemporary culture, social movements, and serve as hubs for community-building and popular culture incubation. The study also examines the commercialization and commodification of rave subcultures and nightlife, proposing ways to incorporate the rave spaces’ conceptual and programmatic precedent into an architectural curriculum and positively impact Vancouver’s urban fabric. The research provides an architectural and ethnographic perspective to the academic, policy, and cultural discourse on rave culture and emphasizes the positive role of these underground spaces in enabling people to connect, express themselves, and be human. The study’s findings inspire the development of a software and mobile application that enables future students, architects, facilitators, and the public to conduct geo-spatial research on vacancies and underused properties in the Vancouver area. This initiative also aims to establish a legal framework that permits the underground to occur and facilitates an embodiment of “otherness.” These proposals may inform policy, zoning, and permitting decisions by Vancouver City Council.

Graduating Project

eng

2023-05-09

Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International

http://hdl.handle.net/2429/84588

UBCV

Graduate

DSpace