I will however be going there tomorrow...Cant wait! I didn't design it but had some drawing work to do on this project so its cool seeing how exactly everything comes together. steel-concrete details galore. Learning a lot with this project as it forms part of next years studies (steel framed structures, we only touched on it in 1st year) so I appreciate being able to see it first hand. Cape Town will be experiencing some rain and wind tomorrow...so it'll be an interesting meeting...if its too rainy (the site is sloped) we won't be able to walk around. We seem to have clients who enjoy seeing the unfinished project as much as we do. Fortnightly site meetings are a given but the architect makes visits in between, and the clients seems to be there almost everyday...checking the progress...reporting discrepancies before the architect sees them. Be excited but don't over do it...let the contractor do his job...
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
update...
Its been a week and a half since the last block period (when we go to University for face-to-face-time), and I find myself still not settled in. My minds all over the place, when it should be in a bit of a rest period. All assignments are in and block week was good. We're currently trying to get a few sets of plans approved. Two of them need "departures"...consent from the neighbours so that we can build over the building lines. That takes time. Time on one project that we do not have. Since we got the project its been go GO gO! Client: "We need this done like yesterday?"...not their real words but you gey the picture. Not our fault you first went to an architect who didn't totally understand what you wanted.
My employer is a true problem solver-therapist-councilor-architect. Times are hard...and you take the business as it comes...trying hard not to put yourself between a rock and a hardER place. But work is scarce and you're not sure what lies ahead and around the corner. So you take jobs from very difficult clients, sometimes, not all are so difficult.
Anyway, I was really looking forward to measuring up at the new job in Llandudno...but now I have to make my way to South Peninsula for more consent forms.
Our lecturers are in Barcelona! I really hope I get the chance in my lifetime...even if you aren't a fan...like Julie (employer) says...you have to see Le Familia Segrada...Gaudi.
I hope they're taking lots of photos!
Adios :-)
*sara
My employer is a true problem solver-therapist-councilor-architect. Times are hard...and you take the business as it comes...trying hard not to put yourself between a rock and a hardER place. But work is scarce and you're not sure what lies ahead and around the corner. So you take jobs from very difficult clients, sometimes, not all are so difficult.
Anyway, I was really looking forward to measuring up at the new job in Llandudno...but now I have to make my way to South Peninsula for more consent forms.
Our lecturers are in Barcelona! I really hope I get the chance in my lifetime...even if you aren't a fan...like Julie (employer) says...you have to see Le Familia Segrada...Gaudi.
I hope they're taking lots of photos!
Adios :-)
*sara
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Block period 3
So I updated you guys up to Wednesday, so I'll continue from there.
On Thursday, we received a new assignment. There are two choices: 1- Design a whale sculpture for the Hawston community (Close to Hermanus...I didn't know it existed) to put the community on the landmark's map. A sculpture to attract more people to the area, as the community is trying to uplift its image. Which was gangsterism and poaching before. So this sculpture has to attract people to the community. I chose the second option. Which is design a luminaire...ALSO KNOWN AS a light fitting.
So far, I have sustainable/recycled materials as my base from which to progress with my design.
One lecturer said she would buy it if it were in a store *smiles* that's all any designer wants to hear!
Update soon...re work and design progress.
Have an awesome weeks guys!...readjusting to the office :)
*sara
On Thursday, we received a new assignment. There are two choices: 1- Design a whale sculpture for the Hawston community (Close to Hermanus...I didn't know it existed) to put the community on the landmark's map. A sculpture to attract more people to the area, as the community is trying to uplift its image. Which was gangsterism and poaching before. So this sculpture has to attract people to the community. I chose the second option. Which is design a luminaire...ALSO KNOWN AS a light fitting.
So far, I have sustainable/recycled materials as my base from which to progress with my design.
One lecturer said she would buy it if it were in a store *smiles* that's all any designer wants to hear!
Update soon...re work and design progress.
Have an awesome weeks guys!...readjusting to the office :)
*sara
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Block week 3: 4-8 June '12
When studying architecture you need "face time", to sit down with lecturers and discuss your assignments. We have good ones, they make time for us at least once a month (if you make an appointment and prioritize! so that you can make the sessions, I need a session or two!) and reply quite quickly to your emails.
(Blackberry sucks. You don't have to go into your office to check your emails...people always bothering you. It's good for work I guess, but when people start emailing late at night because they can...seriously...office hours are over. It's your bedtime! )
Block week...Day 1 - A brief introduction to a project and accompanying essay due within block week. Then who wants to present their Hub project first. I jump up to be first. Well that did not exactly happen. So we mark our names on a class list to see who actually pitched. Then decide from there on that the first twenty names will have to present. My last name starts with an S, so I'm always safe. I fell into the second group, which should have given me more time to perfect my presentation, but the nerves got the best of me yet again. The lecturer overseeing the presentations was really great in trying to make it seam not as bad, by asking questions and making encouraging comments.
*Thanks Hermie :) *
Day 2 - Site visits galore...well 3 of them in 6 hours. Khayelitsha, Harare (No, not Zimbabwe, off Spine rd somewhere) and Elgin (Grabouw)
The first school was very hard and cold looking. The only space that had some comfort was the school library, which was too small to cater to all the children in my opinion. It was suppose to "green", sustainable, low maintenance. Who said low maintenance had to be that low? Unpainted concrete, unpainted steel sheeting, low circular planters in "courtyards" that were not very well distinguished or defined. The spaces do not flow and if you're designing for children mostly shouldn't certain features be scaled so that children could make use of it...Good thing I didn't mention the name of it in the beginning. The people in the community are grateful for the building but the building does not respond to the community and it's needs.
Next one!
A library that caters for toddlers to adults, like all good libraries should!
With an excellent kids play/reading room with a partly enclosed play area just outside, with faux grass :) Huge laminated timber beams, mosaics made by the community, really useful spaces created unlike the first place on our list. It was good to see the building being used the way it should be, adults and children occupying the space.
Lastly, St. Michaels Multi-grade school. I've been there before, but saw it differently because we were looking to solve a different problem. The school will be given a new kitchen area because they need the class currently occupied as a kitchen. On site today, we had to measure up 2 areas that were not really being used and will hopefully in future be given a new function. Current main ideas would be creating adequate seating and sheltered areas.
Anyway, back to writing my essay!
*sara
(Blackberry sucks. You don't have to go into your office to check your emails...people always bothering you. It's good for work I guess, but when people start emailing late at night because they can...seriously...office hours are over. It's your bedtime! )
Block week...Day 1 - A brief introduction to a project and accompanying essay due within block week. Then who wants to present their Hub project first. I jump up to be first. Well that did not exactly happen. So we mark our names on a class list to see who actually pitched. Then decide from there on that the first twenty names will have to present. My last name starts with an S, so I'm always safe. I fell into the second group, which should have given me more time to perfect my presentation, but the nerves got the best of me yet again. The lecturer overseeing the presentations was really great in trying to make it seam not as bad, by asking questions and making encouraging comments.
*Thanks Hermie :) *
Day 2 - Site visits galore...well 3 of them in 6 hours. Khayelitsha, Harare (No, not Zimbabwe, off Spine rd somewhere) and Elgin (Grabouw)
The first school was very hard and cold looking. The only space that had some comfort was the school library, which was too small to cater to all the children in my opinion. It was suppose to "green", sustainable, low maintenance. Who said low maintenance had to be that low? Unpainted concrete, unpainted steel sheeting, low circular planters in "courtyards" that were not very well distinguished or defined. The spaces do not flow and if you're designing for children mostly shouldn't certain features be scaled so that children could make use of it...Good thing I didn't mention the name of it in the beginning. The people in the community are grateful for the building but the building does not respond to the community and it's needs.
Next one!
A library that caters for toddlers to adults, like all good libraries should!
With an excellent kids play/reading room with a partly enclosed play area just outside, with faux grass :) Huge laminated timber beams, mosaics made by the community, really useful spaces created unlike the first place on our list. It was good to see the building being used the way it should be, adults and children occupying the space.
Lastly, St. Michaels Multi-grade school. I've been there before, but saw it differently because we were looking to solve a different problem. The school will be given a new kitchen area because they need the class currently occupied as a kitchen. On site today, we had to measure up 2 areas that were not really being used and will hopefully in future be given a new function. Current main ideas would be creating adequate seating and sheltered areas.
Anyway, back to writing my essay!
*sara
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