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.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Saturday, November 19, 2011
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!
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!
Sunday, November 6, 2011
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!!
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!!
Friday, October 21, 2011
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!
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!
Friday, September 23, 2011
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!
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!
Friday, September 2, 2011
August Rush
Hello,
The past two weeks were pretty cool. Did loads
of designing and presentation drawings.
Although most of them were minor exstentions and
out-buildings, they were still fun to do. One
would think its pretty easy stuff(and it is) but
some drawings do take a while. There's a lot of
work and thought that needs to be done, what
will work and what won't, weighing your options,
the best possible solutions, affordability but
not losing sight on quality. Its the best part-
trying to create a space that is
comfortable and efficient. So the design process
is worth it-that is our job description after all.
Mr Bossman apologised for all the amendments I had
to do - he knows it sucks(I couldn't keep track of
all the projects), but I told him I loved it and
didn't mind the exploration process. He says its
better if it was your own house you were designing
and I agree. But I reckon why not share your gift
of design and allow the next person to live their
best life in the best environment?
Happy designing.
Oh, and Go Bokke!!!
The past two weeks were pretty cool. Did loads
of designing and presentation drawings.
Although most of them were minor exstentions and
out-buildings, they were still fun to do. One
would think its pretty easy stuff(and it is) but
some drawings do take a while. There's a lot of
work and thought that needs to be done, what
will work and what won't, weighing your options,
the best possible solutions, affordability but
not losing sight on quality. Its the best part-
trying to create a space that is
comfortable and efficient. So the design process
is worth it-that is our job description after all.
Mr Bossman apologised for all the amendments I had
to do - he knows it sucks(I couldn't keep track of
all the projects), but I told him I loved it and
didn't mind the exploration process. He says its
better if it was your own house you were designing
and I agree. But I reckon why not share your gift
of design and allow the next person to live their
best life in the best environment?
Happy designing.
Oh, and Go Bokke!!!
Friday, August 5, 2011
August Rush
Hi There,
This week was very tense. Focused mainly on one major job for the past 3 weeks. Simple storage units but all the changes are a nightmare. Its a fairly large site with 570 storage units (consisting of 6x3m & 3x3m vibracrete fencing), a 120 square metre abministration building and a security kiosk. We've made more that 8 changes for each one trying to find the appropriate option for the client-his very specific. So if its one thing I need to learn -its patience and trying to make amendments that doesn't take 100 years! The only upside to the week was a Council submission for an additional verandah to an existing balcony, which was approaved in only 3 days! How ever small-I was impressed. Nothing significant took place this week apart from discussing the Lutheran Complex saga, learning a thing or two about Heritage, discovering new materials i.e. Thermospan-brilliant product, apparentely its been around since 1992 (don't know where I've been?) and seen what goes on in manholes (just to understand draingage better) nothing fancy that I can tell you!
Anyway, Happy learning people
This week was very tense. Focused mainly on one major job for the past 3 weeks. Simple storage units but all the changes are a nightmare. Its a fairly large site with 570 storage units (consisting of 6x3m & 3x3m vibracrete fencing), a 120 square metre abministration building and a security kiosk. We've made more that 8 changes for each one trying to find the appropriate option for the client-his very specific. So if its one thing I need to learn -its patience and trying to make amendments that doesn't take 100 years! The only upside to the week was a Council submission for an additional verandah to an existing balcony, which was approaved in only 3 days! How ever small-I was impressed. Nothing significant took place this week apart from discussing the Lutheran Complex saga, learning a thing or two about Heritage, discovering new materials i.e. Thermospan-brilliant product, apparentely its been around since 1992 (don't know where I've been?) and seen what goes on in manholes (just to understand draingage better) nothing fancy that I can tell you!
Anyway, Happy learning people
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