Although not quite visible in the pictures, this site was one of the most lavishly outfitted buildings in our course agenda. We couldn’t help note that the users appear to be quite different from image we had of the typical squatter, and reminded us of one argument tying squatting to issues of institutionalization and gentrification.
POST-SQUAT NL is a research and design initiative which focuses on alternatives in habitation in light of the illegalization of squatting in the Netherlands. The work examines the new landscape of post-bubble economies investigating the issues of vacancy, temporary use, and reuse. The design projects explore the potential in re-examining the typical processes in the structuring of architectural projects, reconsidering the area between bottom-up and top down hierarchies, public and private realms, and the future of the role of the architect. 