Post # 26 - August block period

AND THEN CAME THE AUGUST BLOCK PERIOD! :-)

Day1

We were supposed to have done our presentations on our hub designs, but (thank goodness :D), it was postponed til later the week. I was ready for the presentation, but exhausted and tired. I was afraid I wouldn't function while delivering the presentation. 

So, the lecturers had planned for us to visit some art galleries and furniture stores in Woodstock. One in particular which we were briefed to analyze - the Stevenson Art Gallery. I really liked this walkabout, I never really knew how nice Woodstock was.

Then back at the Thomas Patulla campus, the lecturers had put together some videos for us to watch. One on the Phaeno Science Center by Zaha Hadid Architects and the other on The Thermal Baths by Peter Zumthor. I think this is two brilliant buildings to study. By the next morning we had to hand in an analysis on the "holding idea" of both buildings and it's relation to it's function, context, form and technology.

Day 2 

PRESENTING DAY! How nervous I was...

The lecturers had separated the class into two groups (A & B). First group A had gone to do their presentations, while group B had to do some brainstorming and research on the MIP. Group B (with myself) had to split in groups of 2 or 3. I had worked with Sara Savahl, it was fun, we came up with a number of ideas on how to contribute to St. Michael's Primary Multigrade School - functioning as play, seating, learning, storage areas, etc.).

Then it was Group B's chance to present. I came ready, my presentation wasn't too bad at all. The rest of the did great as well. I must say, we're pretty good for second years. :) 

Day 3 

Theory Day! 

The venue for lectures were at the Roeland Street Campus. For the morning we had just discussed a bit about the videos we had watched on Monday (Day 1), and then a bit of discussion on the MIP and any questions the class had to ask. Later the morning we had a lecture by Andre van Graan on our Studiowork; and later a lecture by Mike Rodseth on our CTD (specifically going through the booklet: "Principles of structure in buildings"). Very fruitful lectures! I learned a lot. Must say thank you to both of them. :) 

Day 4 

Symposium! :)

One of the best days of the block. Really enjoyed all of the guest speakers' presentations. I fully support 'Green Building'/ Sustainable Architecture. It's the way to go... I loved the demonstration on natural building later that day. Although I didn't get my hands dirty :-/ hehe. But it was fun to watch though..

Day 5 

"Field Trip Day"

The field trip was canceled due to the heavy rains we had. :-( However, we still managed to get some work done. We worked a bit on the MIP, where the class had to split up into groups (groups 1-4). Each of us had to decide whether we will be organizing the building materials, people providing building services, accommodation and catering or other (miscellaneous things needed for the trip to Grabouw in October/ November). I decided to join the accommodation and catering group. We had brainstormed lots of ideas. I will keep you posted on what we came up with later. Check the MIP tab for updates.

Thanks for reading,

Rukiya. :)    

Post # 25

In the office...

First week of fasting.. gone... Went so quick!

This week was focused on planning ans design. I got back onto the Sussex Street project [reminder: Noel's property (the demolition of his house to build 3 town houses)]. This time we approached it with a different design idea. The position of the townhouses were set, therefore we had to work with the inside space (figuring how the inside spaces would best relate to each other.). But this is still a working progress, no actual final decisions made. So for now we're still in the sketch plan stage...

Thanks 

Rukiya...

Post # 24

In the office...

Slowing down a bit this week. Not much work was put out. However, I got to work on the Miller road plans again, for most of the week. Tiling layouts and tiling areas had to be produced for the end of the week.

Beside the office work, I had some time to spend on University work. Had been working on the MIP.

Thanks. 

Rukiya...

Post # 23

In the office...

A new job had come in from Tokai. On Monday we had taken a look at what the client needed and addressed a verbal brief on the job. The client wants his current house altered so that he could accommodate his mother. We were to draw up the existing plan and then come up with a few sketch plans. For this week we had been thinking of ways it would suit his mother and make it a comfortable space for her to live in (especially for the fact that she is in her old age). We had thought of the orientation & position of the bedroom (where it would be warm enough for her to sleep), etc.    

We had jumped back to working on the 2nd Avenue job. Here we had to draw up new sketch plan layouts of the flats. The reason for changing the layouts was that the Heritage Western Cape council would not allow for the demolition of an old existing building on the site, therefore Noel has revised the layouts to account for this existing building - which still makes a good layout, revised to 2 blocks of flats (whereas it was 3) and accommodation to the existing old building (although alterations needed).     

Thanks. Have a good weekend :)

Rukiya.

Post # 22

In the office...

More work on the Tender Documents for Miller Road. This particular job is a bit easier than the last tenders. The 3 units for Miller Road are very similar, therefore the establishment of certain materials, sizes, etc. had already been made. The current tender documents are for the 3rd and 4th units - unit 2 had already been tendered for. Miller Road's job in general is still in the process of it being quoted for (Noel is currently handling this)

Another small job had come in from Kommetjie. A council submission for a new pool. Just a plan and section of the pool, the site plan (the position of the pool in accordance to the house and site, and the position of the house) was required.

A Good week, indeed. :)

Rukiya. 

Post # 21

In the office...

Slow week, but still productive! 

The last tender documents for Miller Road were completed (tenders on unit 2). Now we had to start on unit 3 & 4 (they are to be combined as one set of tender docs). So for the whole week we worked through a portion of tenders - importing the drawings from the council submission and enlarging them to a scale of 1:50. It has to be at this scale to show as much detail in the drawings as possible (detail shows builders exactly what they need to do). For the week we had just worked on detailing the ground and first floor plans, the sections and elevations. What still needs to be done for the first set of drawings are: the foundation, drainage and boundary wall plans; patio: plan, sections, elevations; handrail details; and general details. For the second set: bathroom layouts; kitchen layouts; electrical layout; boundary wall detail; built-in-cupboard detail. For the 3rd set: Door & window schedule; finishing schedule; sanitary ware schedule.   

Thanks, and enjoy the weekend guys. :)

Rukiya. 

Post # 20

In the office...

Had a good week... :)

Worked on the revised Constantia council submission plans. The roof design still has to be resolved, just waiting on Noel to sit down with us on that one.

For Miller Road, we're now working on the other two units (of a complex of 3 town houses). The council submission was first finalised for both the units (Units 3 & 4). 

I had worked on the Clifton Flats again - seems like the job just gets bigger everytime, from just an extension to the entire flat being altered, :) but the better! For now, I had worked on the built-in-cupboard detail drawings, they needed to be done for the client a.s.a.p.. And we had to draw up the tiling areas for the existing bathrooms so that the tiling company could work out the costs and quantities...

For the rest of the week I was working on the tenders (working drawings) for Miller Road.

Tomorrow I will be working with Mr Lamb. Currently, we're working on some residential alterations for a house situated in Ocean View.

Enjoy your weekend guys! :)

Rukiya.