THE END

The last week of work was very strange. We still had incompleted projects and new work was still coming in. I thought I was going to have to work over time for about a week. Mr Bossman took us out for a magnificent three course breakfast. I stuffed myself to make up for the year. Mr Bossman plans on letting me in on his future endervours and I am entirely grateful for the experience, the lessons and the harsh criticism at times. (Without correction- we can't improve ourselves.) Although my pockets were half empty, the amout of exposure I received was overflowing. There are still tons more that I need to learn, discovered and experience but its all in good time.

I must admit that juggling work and studies was somewhat challenging for me this year. It was't particularly difficult, just a lot of learning in unfirmiliar territory-in terms of facebook and blogging and 'office management'. Academically I was very slack, I felt like I was in a permanent holiday mode. I did okay, considering I passed. But I'll definately put my back in to it next year, with more time and efford. I kinda gave myself some leaway this year due to the hectic year we had in 2010, pretty silly idea. I consciously put myself in a relaxed state this year and that's exactly the outcome I got. So I reckon the mind is a pretty powerful thing. So its full steam ahead for 2012 and lots of excitment.

This year was a great learning experience and I look forward to the next.

May the blogging continue - Cheers!

THE END IS NEAR

This past week was pretty chilled, although there were tons of deadlines and lots of pressure-it didnt seem to phase me. It felt like I was doing ten things at once- a work mode that doesn't happen often with me. Alot was accomplished this week. Made a couple of phone calls to council for progress on drawings. Called around to building supplies stores for materials costs and delivery. Interesting exercise. One really needs to be careful when ordering materials. Companies can sell you products for good prices but may exclude delivery cost or labour. While others include all of the above at a much higher price but the quantity might be insufficient. So we need to read between the lines so to speak and negociate reasonable prices with the suppliers. Three council summissions were completed and another few more were approved. Excellent productivity for the week. I designed a metal gate for one of our previous clients and they are currently installing a mini road which we designed for cancer children to ride around on there little motor cycles in the back yard. Any design, no matter how insignificant or small always has a deeper meaning. 

I also customed designed metal flashing to go over rooflights above a closed pergola. We wanted to use and cut out a single sheet of metal to fit snuggishly over the rooflight like a puzzel but the sheets only came in certain sizes so we had no choice but to settle for a two part flashing. The pergola roof is now finally complete with flashing and all, and the windows are currently being put in place. It's a wonderful things to see your drawings being brought to 'life'. There were a number of structures that were completed- some of which I never got to see. But it sure is a satisfying feeling knowing that you had some part to do with it.

I'll soak up everything this last week has to offer, commit it to memory and try and apply it to all my future endevours.


Happy working! 

GETTING READY FOR SUMMER

This week clients were rushing to get work / drawings to council in order to get approval for construction and renovations to take place over the festive season. So far we've had to deal with lots of small spaces that were not functioning properly or working well for the household. Clients are not prepared to spend thousands of Rands on renovations, so they expect the smallest of improvements to work. However, the addition of 2-5 square metres or the cheaper flat roof they intend using is sometimes pointless, not worth the trouble or just down right not pretty looking. I've been fortunate to be given the platform to design or improve the spaces of some of these homes. Our most recent project was trying to get as much natural light into an old Victorian house. The house is south facing with plants and trees all round. They don't want to loose or demolish any of the existing building. The existing hallway and new guest loo gets no light at all and tube lights are not possible because of the loft space in the attic (which I think is quite cool). So our best options (which the clients prefers) are clerestory windows on the internal walls which will allow light to pass through from room to room. Not the most genius of ideas but certainly the most effective for the space to function well.

There were plenty of other design challenges that had to be met and I'm looking forward to the week ahead.

I've been putting my Intertior Decorating Diploma to good use for the last two weekends. Redecorating and choosing colour palates for a holiday home in Hermanus. Painting wasn't part of the course but there I was-standing on ladders for 8 hours.

I suppose the most rewarding part of the business we're in, is the foresight we have and the ability to creatively apply design solutions that will improve, enhance and liven up the spaces we move in each day- adding comfort, pleasure and value to some insignificant spaces.    

The Final Stretch

Hi all,

I cant believe 10 months have passed. A part of me feels like I have learnt alot and another part feels like there is still lots to discover and I'm running out of time. Sure you cant always exerpience everything in a year but the thought stills scares me. I was in a bit of a slump last week and was under-performing. After the MIP project in Elgin-it seemed I knew nothing about autocad. I had a slow start to the week-Mr Bossman gave me a talking too and I eventually recovered (so I think). Small projects keep rolling in, aside from the mola. What erks me is when clients rush you and demand drawings, you pull your hair out for them but they dont return the favour. So in this field or any other for that matter-ruthlessness has to come to the party- to get what you are worth. I am familiar with the admin work, council submissions and forms etc, but for future encounters I definitely need to brush up on my people skills- not that I lack any- but to establish good clientel and to have a profitable business mind.

I have a month left of my intenship-I plan to soak it all in and absorb as much as I can.

Here's to the final stretch!    

MIP- ST MICHAELS

Wow!!

What an amazing two weeks. The multi grade project in Elgin was an eventful experience. Credit to all the lecturers, supervisors and students that took part. I've experienced team building to the tenth degree-building structures and working as a collective, hence "team building". Sure there were times when students were at each other, some frustrated, others tired and over worked, some not communicating well or not understanding the task at hand but we overcame those obstacles and got the job done. And I have to say that there was more encouragement than discouragement. What we produced this week was the result of the learning that took place in the office over the last nine months, the knowledge that was gained in 1st year, and our peers for making this achievement an unforgettable one. What we've learnt might not only be theological- concerning Architecture and the built environment but life lessons too. Ones that were taught through action and not words. And by doing, we achieve so much more. We build futures, we realise dreams, we create hope and possibilities by providing a simple, positive change which improves our surroundings and environment. This altars the way we think, the way we choose to experience a space - the way forward. I am happy knowing that as children ourselves, we have the power, the means and the resources to enrich the lives of children less fortunate than ourselves with a space through which positive, creative and active learning can take place.     

Good job guys!
Now for the final home stretch!!

Rock-tober

Hi there...

What a fun month so far. Did quite a bit of interesting things, including some admin work. A number of projects have been approved by council-and more importantly buildings are going up now. One of the projects which I started earlier this year (Church of the Resurrection) is finally complete. I haven't seen the end result yet but I am particularly proud of this project. It has a lot of symbolic meaning for me considering my long discouraging search for a job at the beginning of the year. This project gave me "faith" to keep having faith. The fact that I have a family member as a parishioner is like a double whammy. As of late I've done three churches- a blessing really. I've noted with these churches that we have beautified them for a specific purpose, not just for pretty sake. We should never lose sight of why we make things auestectically pleasing or strive for perfection. To live your best life- we need to honour the space in which we occupy.

Another reason why some things look pretty is credit to their details.  Did lots of this this week, as well as some scheduling. Some details were hard to understand and complicated and others straight-forward and simple. But I definitely need some more exposure in this department. 

An eventful week and look forward to the following two.

Cant wait to start building - Hello Elgin!

OH HAPPY DAY!

Hi all.

Spring is in the air and work is great- I think. The past fews weeks were pretty cool. Some interesting projects and some not - like the usual domestic additions (how fancy!). But alas, got a few projects approved which is always good news. For the good stuff I did some industrial and commercial work which got the go ahead-just lovely isn't it!  A Butchery in Tokia and a Hotti Totti Call centre in Tygervally. Threw in some institutional work too - just for fun-such as a school and a church or two. Oh and lets not forget the Owl Night Shelter in Lansdowne for the homeless to add to the variety. Did'nt quite realise all that I was doing until I wrote this down. Some of it is not that hectic but it sure is exciting to work on buildings that function differently or that does require an addtional room with a 600 x 600 window! With the exception of the Owl Night Shelter ofcouse-that we must! And to add to the excitment -the huge storage/garage project which we completed a fews weeks ago (after a dozen changes), was cancelled. The banked is not able to fund the project. Poor client. Has to go back to the drawing board, new business proposal, new drawing plans, new engineers, new money, new everything! Oh happy days. Just what we needed to get the sunshine rolling! Yes, we like this-doing things over! and over! and over! So I'll be eating more cake to make up for lost funds and to keep me happy. But if its one thing I leant fromt this- not everything is in our control. So if we don't try and take that risk we will never know- Its called perseverance-and boy do we need it in this industry.

So like Johnny, lets keep walking people and embrace the sunshine.
Cheers!