Quiet Office Buzz

So, amongst other projects that I have been working on, there has been one in particular that I've mentioned before that I (up to now) have been working on non-stop throughout this year and it included a full set of plans for this office building of 148 squared metres that will be built from ground up in 2013. I have just plotted the entire set of plans for council submission and tendering. I know it sounds crazy that it took so long but this process was gruelling and consisted of a back-and-forth approach from the client especially...also mainly influenced by the budget.

The design was changed numerous times and that ofcourse led to me having to change EVERYTHING in accordance several times. Alot of the construction had to be changed as it could no longer work and we also added a safe and cash register rooms which was something I learnt a great deal about as the proper safety measures had to be constructed. I luckilly then explored different construction methods from this process so even though my projects in my portfolio arent as many as some, I have been working throughout on this project working with alternative methods, things that work and dont work and seeing how the budget influences a design and ways of going around that.

So, now that that's done, I dont really have anything to do but Lisa has said that she's going to be starting me on another project as she avoids me sitting without work. The only crap part is that I wont have it in my portfolio that is due friday but Im sure what I have is enough.

This is our last submission and Im feeking like a 3rd year student already. Bring it on!!

MIP project diary

Here is my inserts to the Diary that we used throughout the MIP Project on St. Michaels Multi-grade school:
MIP PROJECT DIARY

The end is near...hahaha

So our MIP project is complete...I think. What a year it has been, I recall how anxious I was before it started about the working environment and just hoping that it would be beneficial for my studies...to gain adequate experiences and knowledge to prepare myself for third year.

My contract with City of Cape Town ends the end of December and since most of our work for Tech is completed I can truly say that this year has been great, was a nice breath of fresh air to gain experiences in the industry and it actually made me miss being a student 24/7!

Our MIP was awesome!!! and it will probably be the best one to come. While I could spend time with all my friends that Ive missed while wortking on the sun screen, it also gave us so much opportunity to grow closer to one another as a class as we worked together.
It was amazing to be so hands-on, doing things that Ive never done before and for a good cause.

By the time I came back to work I wasnt too eager, just wanted to remain doing what we were doing, but I have work here to and it was waiting for me. Still stuck on this project making changes all the time, so when I came back to work, my plans were marked up and waiting for me...more changes!! I cant wait to submit and move on to the next project now, this one has been dragging all year.

Anyways, will keep you updated on the next project to follow hopefully, until then
ciao :)

The month of spring :)

When the 24th came around and our PSS portfolios were due, I was ready and happy with the work I submitted. I generally do my work as I go along to avoid last minute rush so I had all my printing done prior to the 24th and update my online portfolio as I go along here at work.

That same night I celebrated my 21st birthday with a few friends and by the end of the weekend had caught a terrible case of the flu which set me back a week from work. Luckily I had printed my necessary drawings for Lisa to take a look at and other than that, didnt have anything else at the time that needed my attention.

This week Im back at work and ready to work and now Lisa is sick haha so Im just waiting for her to get back to give me my next assignment,

Ill update you as to what comes up
see ya!

The never-ending Project

So, since the handover of the vi=ehicle taxi impoundement that I blogged about earlier last month, phase 2 had to be completed which consisted of an office and cashiers building on site.
I was given this project to do from the start of my time here and believe it or not, it has yet to be submitted to council!!
The client has been confused about it's design from the beginning as the budget never fitted and has going back and forth with ideas all the time. Ideas of which I was drawing plans for...constantly having to change. Welcome to the real world, I guess.

So this past few weeks we have made a sketch proposal and hoping with our fingers crossed that this is the final time that the design will change. Yes, I have been changing all the previous submission plans set to the new design, what a task! From construction technicalities to schedules!
I am however pleased to say that I have gained a tremendous amount of knowledge concerning construction details as Ive had to do some research on methods that is appropriate.
As a technician upon qualifying, we arwe expected to make things work and make suitable suggestions, that I have started to do.

Lisa has set up a sort-of lecture for us on friday by one of the quantity surveyors in the office who will be taking us through the building processes and the legal side, documentation and processes thereof so Im definately looking forward to it since Ive been quite interested in the business side of the industry and I myself am interested in doing a Project management course after my BTech.
Anyways, let me get back to work and Ill update you soon on how things are going

Tataa

PSS Portfolio

Heres the link once again to my online portfolio if anyone wants to take a look at how it's coming along:

PSS Online Portfolio

Block week :)

Yeahhhh, the time has come again for our next block and I am definately excited to see my friends and be in that student environment again.
I know that I've skipped a week or two of blogging so let me fill you in on whats been happening...

Since Maitland handover, Lisa has been keeping me and collegue Kyle Williams busy with a project in Bo Kaap. It's quite interesting as we once again are touching on Heritage and that in itself comes with its own constraints.
Whats been happening is that the City will finally be handing the houses over to the residents who have been residing and looking after these houses out of their own pockets for so many years. We will be fixing what needs fixing and then price the houses at very low costs for the residents to buy and own.

A total of 14 houses has to go through this process so we started with the initial measuring up of two houses so that base plans can be established. I have since completed the existing plans of two houses together with my collegue. Heritage Western Cape has sent their requirements as far as what we need to include in the plans that has relevance to the time period that the houses were built and we then ammended them accordingly.
I made a mental note of the state that these houses were in and was quite shocked at the current lack of toilet and bath facilities as well as the apalling state that the houses are in....very sad!!
On our site visits we also became familiar with the families that occupied these houses so Im glad that we are able to fix their current living affairs.
I continue to go to site meetings on my other project every second week that follows up with plans that need to be ammended or extra things that need specifying now that we are going through the building process.

Anyways, looking forward to class and yes, even that test we'll be writing, ciao till next week!

Continuation of photos

I miss Tech!

Okay, so I really miss Tech these days ever since our last block date Ive just missed the feeling of being a student again and to just have some free time in between work, probably because all the students are on holiday now and Im still coming to work day in and day out. Dont get me wrong, I do enjoy working but I miss the atmosphere at Tech for sure.

So last week was quite interesting. I went with Lisa and a few others to handover proceedings of a project that Im busy on for the second phase. Lisa was principal architect for the first phase of the project and invited me along to the event which was really quite an honour as the Mayor, Patricia De Lille was ther as well as the minister of transport and public works and a few others.
Great experience!

So much work was put into the event as the army band was there, playing amazingly. There was so much food and proceedings in place as the builing was being handed over to the people by the City.
Ive attached some pictures below for you to see how it went:

Tiring week

This week is going by extremely slowly. I feel like the days are longer, much longer and I feel exhausted. Also I think the fact that I miss Tech is contributing to this.
I really enjoyed last week being back at Tech, feeling like a student again and seeing my friends. Im also really relieved that the Hub presentation is over and am really glad that mine went well and that I could communicate my design across to the audience successfully.

I havent doen much at work this week as Lisa has been sick and off for most of the week. Site visits are every second week for me so next week will be my next meeting as I was not present last week to attend.
I was able to print all my drawings and online portfolio out nicely for our PSS submission yesterday. After that Lisa briefed me on doing some quick ammendments of plans to be resubmitted to council.

Some exciting news is that we have had 4 students joining us this week, which lifts the spirit of the office.
Never thought I'd be saying this but I really miss being at Tech, I love working but when it starts to feel permanent, thats when I miss being a student

anyways its almost the end of the week again so thank goodness for that, really looking forward to doing nothing this weekend and relaxing a bit

Ciao

Crazy dayz

Wow, my head has been in so many places this past week that I even forgot to blog about it!

Firstly, Ive been trying to do as much work as possible for my hub project for Tech to ensure that I could d be done with atleast 90% of the work for the past submission on the 28 May. Gladly, I know that I have and I feel good about the work that Ive included in the presentation. I even built my presentation model by hand which became gruelling. It's safe to say that I'm ready for Monday, block 3.

My supervisor didnt make it any easier on me, wanting to see work from me everyday, the council submission drawings in specific. It's been quite a task because it's a much stricter approach than that of sketch proposals. We are almost ready to submit to council.
Ive also been attending site meetings every 2 weeks during this period of building, it is only the start. Im gaining alot of knowledge where that is concerned as there are so many processes that are to be followed at these meetings. These are the things that you would never fully understand until you experience it.

anyways, time is of the essence this week so I have to go, ciao

Busy busy busy

This week has started out very tiring as I was away for the weekend and only arrived home the sunday night. Waking up for work was torturous but Im managing to keep a balance between everything that Im involved in this year.

Lisa never wasted any time with putting me on a new project so  monday and tuesday was quite busy, running around to make sure that everything is in order and playiong Lisa's right hand wo-man haha Im so glad that she relies on me more and more with tasks and responsibilities.
Since the plans of this project has been approved, the next steps before commencing of the construction are taking place. Yesterday Lisa and I met at site with everyone involved to hand the site over to the contractor. Also getting any information needed for the proceeding of construction. We will meet every second week for site meetings on Tuesdays and I will be revising the plans as we go along. Today I have a few revisions to do. Lisa has administrsation in mind for me regarding this project. Im looking forward to that
I really am finding the site activities exciting and being part of the process makes me feel important.
I am also still busy on the other hand with council submission drawings on a seperate project.

So I look forward to posting up some photos as the building goes up and taking you through the process.

Tech work is coming along but Im trying to speed up the process as the due date is around the corner. I have yet to build my final model and am busy currently with working drawings.
Anyways, let me get back to work,
Ciao

Multi-tasking

So its wednesday and I know I'm about 2 days late with this blog but mondays are seriously bad blogging days  as it's becoming more of a drag coming to work on mondays, and so early on top of it all.

Lisa is off for the entire week but has left us all with enough work to do. I am still busy preparing council submission drawings on my current project which so far isnt bad at all.

Ive been spllitting my time between my tech work, work at the office and other commitments that I have started this year, which, have nothing in common with architecture but I enjoy taking a break from it, Ive figured thats how I keep sain. Ive also come to the realisation that I want to do more with myself and this year allows me to do that.
Exercise 5 of STW and CTD is quite a vast amount of work due by the end of the month. Yes, its not that bad as we have done this project in stages and have by now almost all  info we need but right now, we only have 19 more days to have a full presentation including all we have up to now and our completed design and model. Luckily I should be about halfway done by now. I really hope that my design and presentation speaks for itself.

Today is my last day of this week that I will be at work. I had to take thursday and Friday off because Im writing my Learners licence tomorrrow and have a training camp the weekend starting friday of 1 of my other commitments. I know, you're wondering whether having another possible career on the side will clash with my studies or my work here in the office...and to answer that I'd say that it depends on you the individual. This year I have learnt to manage my time more effectively and also that one doesnt have to limit yourself to what can be achieved. So far, Im doing well, up to date with everything that Ive committed myself to. It really feels good, procrastination no longer exists to me :) :) :) and that is an accomplishment in its own

Lazy 3 day week

This week has been okay so far. The long weekend just made me lazy, so dont feel like being at work.
Yesterday I spent the day doing some Tech work and realised that I forgot to add my precedent section and details online last week with my submission so I've updated that. I've also been working on getting down to even finer details explaining my process of design and how everything I've been working on up until now has relevance in my design. I am trying to follow my feedback by adding more detail and making sure that I have everything for my final presentation for June.

Lisa has given me a list of things to do regarding the project Im currently busy on. I have to prepare a set of building survey submission drawings and do a few required details, window, door and draiage sections. She has given me the list that I would have to follow in order to submit to council.
Well thats all for this week, until next time :)

A dissapointing end to the week

When I think back on last week and what happened, all I really remember is one thing.....My phone was stolen from my desk!!! I had been running around all morning last friday and Lisa had been giving me more and more tasks that have been stressing me out to a degree so my head was buzzing with so many things when it happened.

I had been invited to a meeeting that was held by The Tile House, who came around to show us their products, demonstrate and give us their information when we need their services for our projects. It was quite interesting but when I came out I had noticed that my phone wasnt where I left it in my desk. I tried contacting my number from my work phone and it went straight to voicemail. I immediately knewe it had been stolen as my battery was full and my phone was on loud. Very upsetting news that now has the entire office having to lock up their possessions all of the time.

Prior to this happening, I had visited site once again and it was very informative. The building to be erected is being drawn up by me so I had to take note of all details as it pertained to me.
I am the only 1 drawing up the plans for this site so the quantity surveyors on my floor are placing alot of pressure on me to detail it as accurately as possible as they will have to draw up the costs for it at a later stage. The site is posing many issues that are surfacing now and is quite stressful.

While I have been working on these plans, Lisa also has me calling and constantly following with the plans examiner regarding a development which will be handing over site now. Today I have collected the set of plans and will also be working on site with this project.

Anticipation for the long Easter weekend

The most compelling part of last week was certainly the long weekend that lied ahead so as you can imagine, thats all everyone in the office was buzzing about and I couldnt manage to keep much concentration.

Still just wating for the plans I will be working on to be approved by council, I took the time to complete some Tech work and did a few odd jobs for Lisa.
I have completed doing the alterations on most of the Maitland plans and it is included in my portfolio for you to take a look.
Im also including with this post, some pictures of sites I have visited a while ago so here they are:

Mannenberg Housing offices- designed by Ashley Hemraj (Head architect in our department)

Ashley had designed this building to be as green as possible and managed to hit a 4 star rating on the green scale with solar paneling, sand bag walls and water tanks to name a few.

 

Westridge Traffic Department- designed by Arther Craik (Head of Department)

Wow, this week was kind if bitter sweet. Im definitely feeling myself wake up with less energy in the morning these days and sometimes I even wish that I was back at Tech haha can you believe that?!!

The week's work was less busy than usual but that increased as the days went by. I have been put on a project by my mentor and it feels really good to be working alone on it with her as she is also able to see my abilities and is starting to rely on me more, I couldnt ask for it any other way.
I've learnt while working here that while you may seek and recieve help from the workers around you, it's still your own work at the end of the day and everyone has their own personal style as to how they do things. Thats what I have been playing with while drawing up the plans for this project. I have discovered what my personal taste is as far as how my drawings are presented, the layout of my plans, line weights etc.
I have also met up with a past CPUT student who will be graduating with her BTech soon who is eager to help me with any technical issues I might be having and also teach me to use the latest softwares to help with how I do my work and is valuable to know in industry.

Earlier on in the week I was running back and forth from council with drawings that I had ammended for a different project that is to be built soon. There was some challenges in that as I had to find solutions to problems that was identified by the examiner and that we just couldnt change because of contraints of the project. I now finally know more or less how the ammendment/ re-submission process goes.

Happy its weekend, have a great weekend guys!

Okay, now my neck feels broken!

This was not the greatest week so far for me. I felt tired and lazy for the entire week and I think that the public holiday that passed added to that. I managed to get my work done though, and because of brilliant planning and time management, I was able to have my portfolio and task ready for todays submission without having to stress or worry about it.

Lisa has been giving me more tasks this week. Not only has she started me on a new project all by myself but she also ended up putting me on others. Im definitely not overworked working here but I know that Im getting the range that I need and if I need work, Lisa will provide. Great to know that I have her support.
One of our collegues has gone on maternity leave so that leaves alot of that responsibility on me where I will be assisting Lisa more closely, this is great news for me considering my current position as intern.

CAD is killing me physically! I definitely prefer working on computer because of it's conveniance and because its quicker but its definitely not agrreing with my neck...
When I read through this post, I realise that I might not have had such a bad week after all...Im getting the important things done and Im getting to actually enjoy this years learning process much more than I even thought I would.

March- week 3

So I must admit, I skipped a whole week of blogging because of last weeks's block dates that I attended Tech. Not much could be said for last week considering that I had a half week at work but something that has changed since my last blog is that we have recieved a proper and specific brief from the client of the project that we are currently busy on and we have since been working on the design. Everything existing has now been delt with and we have moved on.
My partner Gaarith has come up with a nice plan layout and has been making changes as we go along while my mentor is soon to start working on the elevation of the building. There are alot that needs to be considered when adding onto a heritage building that has a distinctive style as this 1.
I am not working on the design but I am part of the process. Ive completed a photo presentation that is needed for heritage purposes in the mean time.

Today my mentor briefed me on a new project that I will be handling alone with her during the next upcoming months. Im quite excited about it as I'll be visiting site alot because the plans are being approved and the building will be built shortly. For now though, Im just busy with ammendments of the plans.

Im so proud of last weeks block date submission and presentation because, even though I wasnt present at the time that the feedback was given as a class, I was told that my work was spot on with the entire concept and information. It was seriously pleasing to see my work being passed around the class for the others to see. This motivates me even more to always analyse and put in the needed effort for these tasks for this year and the ones to come.
anyways, im off to enjoy my weekend, ciao :) 

Week 4- First month completed

This past week started off busier than what it's ending...I have finally completed all existing plans of our current project and have moved on to the slightly more presentation part of things. Since I'm not too familiar with the use of Google Sketchup, my partner has started a 3D model of the building while I have been doing a powerpoint presentation combined with photo's. We have been to 2 different sites this week as well and will be attending the official opening of the building later in this month where the Mayor will also be attending to hand over the newly developed building to the city. *Exciting stuff*

This week has allowed me to complete and do alot of work for Tech without feeling rushed and overworked. I am quite pleased with the work that Ove done so far and continue to do. I particularly struggled however with finding precedent for our hub project for Studiowork but thankfully, after searching all week, Ive found meaningful and proper precedent that has already played a big role in my design development so far.

We might be given a new project to start in next week because we are still waiting for a proper briefing from the client on this current project so it automatically postpones the design process.

Anyways, so glad it's the weekend. I need lot's of sleep, I'm out :)

Things are getting hectic...

This week things have really turned up at the office. My partner and I spent all week drawing up existing plans of the heritage building of last week, making sure that they are as accurate as possible. After working on this project up to now, the building comes across to be more and more perculiar in design. Good news is that my mentor is starting to give me more work and seems to have more confidence in my abilities than when I started which is why I'm constantly working hard on proving myself in the workplace and with the tasks that I have to carry out.

We have 1 of the senior Technicians in the office taking us out to site whenever he goes and this week we were taken to two different developements that are almost completely built and are being visited to observe and ensure that everything is being done correctly. Both buildings were designed by two architects on our floor. I admire both building designs and even more the lengths that the architects go to be as environmentally friendly as possible.

Most of the projects that we do here in the office is soley community based and allows me to see first hand the problems and challenges that need to be addressed for projects odf these kinds.

I continue to learning daily especially from my intern buddy who has been through it all before. It's great to know that I have resources and people helping me along.

Until next week, cherio! enjoy the weekend!!

The project goes on..

This week went well overall although for some reason, the days at work seem as if they going by longer than before. I'm setting in nicely here in the office and also getting more aquainted with my mentor.

Since starting the heritage extension project, my partner and I had visited the building thrice to ensure that our measurements are as accurate as possible as there are no existing plans for us to work from. We have also begun drawing up the plans which has brought on numerous roblems that had to be straightened out. The construction of the building cannot be completedly figured out as we cannot see through the existing walls. The plans that we are drawing up  therefore only contain the information that we are certain of. This building was built in the 60's and it shows stylistically and the building material was used in abundance.

Being in this office environment helps me be a part of an order of how things are being run and executed, which is something that I'm greatful for as it can work for me personally as well. I'm learning so much from  my intern partner and everyone else the office. it really helps to be on the same floor as the employees who all play individual roles in the design and execution of a building.

First week at work

So I've just been through 5 full days of work and so far its been quite interesting. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday were spent getting to know everyone on my floor, getting settled in and setting up my accounts and information needed here. I have 2 mentors who are professional architects in the office and I've made them aware of the type of wrk thatsneeds to b included in my portfolio.

Everyone seems to be very nice here and are always willing to help, which is very useful to me in this position. I am lucky enough to be paired with a UCT student, having just completed his BAS and is just as new to the office as I am. The head of department and head architect is by far the friendliest and most approachable person here. He has already inspired me loads since starting.

My very first project started Thursday with my partner and I having to measure up an existing Heritage building were n extension will be done. if the client approves tthen it will also have to be approved by the heritage office.

Something that has particularly stuck out for me is that many of the employees as well as employers are not aware of the vast amount of work that we were exposed to and the amount that we have covered in first year. Most are under the impression that we have only been exposed to technical drawings as opposed to design at CPUT. I will however try my best to prove that stereotype wrong.

I look forward to the rest of the year and experiences....Later!