Post # 11

In the office...

This week Noel had gone on holiday, so that left us to take the whole week off.

This week, however, gave me a chance to focus on projects for the university. I practically worked on my Hub project for the whole week - successful but slow. I had been sick for this week, which made it a bit difficult to work properly. However, I got my work done and ready for the lectures to give feedback.

Although we were away from work, I still made it my duty to at least learn something for the week. So I got to reading the book "Thinking Architecturally" by Paul Righini - which was very insightful. 

Now the holiday is virtually over. It's back to work in three days. I've recovered nicely and I'm ready to work. 

Rukiya...

Office # 10

In the office...

We had only worked for 4 days in this week. Sort week, yet lots to do...

Yusuf and I were still busy touching up "Miller Road's tender documents". Minor changes and additions to the drawings. However, more details were to be drawn up. So we had basically worked on details for this project for this week.

We were again assigned  together to work on some measured drawings. We had to redraw the engineer's drawings, as to check if all his drawings were correct. This was for a block of flats in Harfield, Claremont. The measured drawings included the Engineer's foundation, basement, ground and first floor plans. These were drawn on a grid. The grid is a reference to the column positions and distances apart (horizontally and vertically). We started having problems with the Engineer's drawings, as his grid lines were not consistent on all his drawings. Therefore, it confused the column's distances and positions. However, we drew it as per plans. Noel put these drawings together and is still to schedule a meeting with the engineer to discuss his mistakes. 

I learned here that it is vital to check the engineer's drawings even if it takes up more time and effort. It could be fatal to the building if the engineer's drawings and dimensions aren't correct. 

For Mr Lamb, this Saturday's office session will be canceled due to a function he has to attend. 

Thanks,

Rukiya  

STW & CTD Exercise #1

References: Grobbelaar, A. 2009. Building Construction & Graphic Standards. South Africa: Anglo-rand Publications. and Righini, P. 2009. Thinking Architecturally. Cape town: UCT Press.

Open publication - Free publishing - More architecture

Open publication - Free publishing - More architecture

Post # 9

In the office...

Mr Lamb 

For this week he assigned me to complete the Wessels' plans - complete Local Authority drawings. I was faced with completing the plans, sections, elevations, details, specifications, etc. Mr Lamb had scheduled a meeting with Mr Wessels to discuss what proceedings are to follow. 

This was the first Local Authority drawing I had to complete on my own - however, a little guidance from him as well. It is just what i need to gain more confidence in doing things on my own and using my own judgment.

Noel Botha

For Noel, Yusuf and I were assigned with the "Miller Road" tender documents and still need to do some touch-ups on them. Tender documents are basically drawn in aid for the builder. Usually drawn to a suitable scale (i.e. 1:50) so the builder can see the exact details on how to build the structure. Further details are usually blown up to a scale of 1:10 and should be annotated to the exact specification.

With this project I had definitely learned a lot. It was also good working as a team with Yusuf on one project - it eliminated a lot of time wasting which had us finish the project quicker. Like they say: "two head's are better than one" :) 

The First Skype Crit

Our lecturers (Jolanda and Hermie) had scheduled a skype crit for us on Thursday, 14 April. This was to address our 2nd Hub Model/ concept design.

They had split us into two groups - one to be grouped with Hermie and one with Jolanda. I had been grouped with Jolanda and 2 other classmates (Antonio and Yusuf). It was convenient that they had grouped Yusuf and I together, as we work in the same office, we were also both in Group 12 - meaning, we were both assigned to deal with a main function, being "meeting" and we both had a similar concept to deal with. It made it much easier on Jolanda.

The skype crit, although not planned, went well. Jolanda viewed the drawings we had sent her via email before hand. After viewing she analysed it and gave us feedback. The feedback was extremely helpful. And the best thing about it was that we could all pitch in each other's designs and also give feedback to each other - constructive criticism of course.

My crit went well. Jolanda liked my concept. However, I was to look at how I had planned my spaces - the spaces were too confined. Jolanda suggested loosen up my design and look at a landscape aspect. 

Skype is a very convenient way to communicate with the lecturers, as we don't often get to see them personally. We can chat via text which we can refer back to if we have forgotten what was said. We can also share files - which is how we able to share the drawings we had drawn and sent to Jolanda - and even video stream (which I haven't yet tried) 

Overall, the skype crit went very well.

Thanks,

Rukiya :)

Post # 8

In the office...

Busy... busy... busy!!

Definitely one of the busiest weeks this year. Also having to spend the whole weekend on work - preparing my online portfolio was a mission. And then to get to work with even more projects to do... working to jobs is not easy, but it is exciting and i learn so much from this experience.

Preparing my online portfolio was such an enormous effort - in a good way. The preparatory work i had done before finalizing my portfolio this weekend, I realized, was not enough. Therefor lots of sacrifice of sleep was definitely needed. But i managed to get my portfolio up and ready!

I just realized this is the 6th month going for my office experience... Only 4 more months and the minimum requirements for my practical experience is complete! But yes, it is always good to exceed above the minimum requirements - as I'm always told.

This Saturday, Mr lamb and I were not able to work - as I've mentioned. However he had given me a task to do during the week and complete by this Saturday. I've managed to finish half of it. So, tonight I will complete a full set of local authority drawings for the Wessels family; have him check it on Saturday and he will then have a meeting set on Wednesday with the client.

The week at Noel's office was a bit of a breather. I am assigned to two design projects which I had just started on. The one project involves changes on the property Noel currently lives on - Sussex Street. This project is to demolish his current house and to build 3 flats in its place - as I've spoken about in my previous post. The other involves a small extension to a house situated not too far from the office - 3rd Avenue, Claremont. Currently, i am still draughting up the existing plans, using plans that were requested from the council (I never knew it costs that much to request plans - R94?). By next week we'd probably get into the design and planning process.

Thanks again,

Rukiya.

Hub interim 3

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Open publication - Free publishing - More architecture

  Precedent study

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Online portfolio

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Post # 7

In the office...

A good week indeed...

My focus in the office right now is on the planning and design process. For one, I am still in the process of finalising a proposal for a farm house in Botrivier. The client's brief was to design a house that resembles the Cape Dutch style houses - a house with a façade of two gable ends. The house is to be +/- 400m^2 and should compliment the farm surroundings. 

Secondly, I am also working on another design and planning project... It is to design a block of flats. The block of flats consists of 3 flats that has three floors - including the attic. At the moment I am still trying to figure a way to fit those flats on the site with parking access to each flat. The process is a challenge. But surely, I am learning more about the design process and the problem solving aspect of this exercise - and of course with guidance from Noel! 

This Saturday Mr Lamb and I are unable to work due to a function on his side. The way we worked around this problem was to agree that I work in my own time in my own space at home. He had given me a task to do for this weekend, which has to be done by Tuesday. The task is to draw up the finalised local authority drawings for the Wessels family, which I spoke about in the previous post (post #6).

For this weekend, it's definitely going to be tight. Considering I have to make time to work on the task Mr Lamb had given me and gearing myself up for my portfolio submission on Monday... Hectic! But I'm sure I'll get through it!! 

Yours,

Rukiya... :D