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.