2013

The start of another academic year! 3rd year Architectural Tech. student at CPUT :)
This year will bring challenges in the shape of projects that have been done for the past few years but every year the students are different and new concepts are developed and some old re-invented. I hope to tackle all the challenges by the horn! haha
I need someone to remind me of this constantly!
Registration took place in the past week and past 3rd year students gave me some good advice.
DON'T PROCRASTINATE!!!
I was told to start a new project the moment I received it and if you feel like doing nothing, DON'T, you absolutely have to do something. Anything. You HAVE to do something. Thanks guys, I'll try not to forget that.

*sara.s

The last block period for 2012!

All went well. We finished what the design team designed and the rest of the class built. A simple screen edition to a container. (I'll upload a photo or 2 soon) Simple is always complicated because simple varies lol
Anyway I'm back at work...running around most of the first day, then day 2...got some drawing work done.

And trips to Media city building, HWC and site. Busy busy busy!!!

*saraS

week before block period 5!

It is always busiest in the office before Block period.
I measured up at a medium sized residence on Friday morning, went to South Peninsula Municipality - got plans through the first two counters...
1 - where they check the overall dimensions and other things...
2 - Zoning - Mr van Wyk, always so helpful got the departure forms for neighbours to sign.
then took them back to the office for the client to collect and tied loose ends.

The firm I work for is still quite small, but word of mouth and referrals have shown us that we will soon be needing a bigger office and more hands.
Most of our projects have been in Rondebosch and Claremont, and now we are moving into Newlands, Constantia and Llandudno :-)
So the company's definitely growing fast.
Julie Chase Architectural Design - JCAD
Look out guys, she's coming!

Can not wait to get my hands dirty in Grabouw!

*saraS

at work this week...? maybe other things

So I haven't written anything for two weeks. Work has been good, I'm doing some small council submissions and Julie (my employer) has been giving me small Design exercises...because she usually handles the design and I'll work on the council submissions, then working drawings and some detailing, window/door/shopfront schedules, admin (emails,prints, issuing to site, issue slips), layouts (bathroom, electrical, lighting, etc.), liasing with clients/contractors and consultants (lighting companies, home automation companies, electricians, joinery companies, sound exciting...? I email them dwg and pdf files of our plans hahaha!) Anyway work has been good. If you're looking for a job...hopefully I'll be in third year and you can get mine! She's looking for a female with her drivers license and preferably lives in Claremont and the surrounding areas. Email your CV...Admin@jcad.co.za :-)

The small design exercises: a covered entrance, flatlet (she changed the design lol architecture's all about learning!), and boundary walls (excellent!!!) but that's about all I can handle at the moment, so SMALL suits me just fine.
I was really shocked to be hearing about the bigger firms who let students design, present and submit plans to council...thrown in the deep end - no better way to learn, but we've been busy with projects where we've been a secondary architectural firm (meaning: clients had approved plans but now were unsure what to do with them and faced challenges with missed view possibilities etc...and from my point of view it wa like the architects weren't on site at all. Falls weren't indicated, mountain views blocked out with monstrous pillars and unnecessary brickwork...because they needed to achieve the look? And then we (Julie) makes the changes and the spaces work so much better. A house in Constantia with a bathroom window opening into a passage which takes you to the bedrooms...? What were they thinking? That's because the passage was added onto the existing house which turned out wonderfully in the end with Julie's help.

*saraS

What are Architects favourite plan notes?

-...blah blah or similar approved.
-...to Engineers details and specifications.

 and the site favourites...
First award goes to "move window/door/wall" ? hahaha

Builders pick up the wall and move it? Copy and paste on AutoCAD but on site its demolition!

*sara.s

Working while fasting...

Ramadaan's a busy month for all Muslims. You have to be on your best behaviour and try to keep it that way when the month is over. Concentrating on work is easier some times more than other...you don't need to take as much breaks...the only thing that could irritate you a little is if you had unhealthy foods at breakfast time and you regret it later...because you get hungrier sooner...

Otherwise work has been good...alot of running around and sitting on your behind, hunched in front of our pcs :)

Dropping plans, walking them through council, admin in the office (does not matter how small it is...it's admin) etc. 

day one of block 4

Architecture needs to be considerate, sensitive and should have moral values.
Eg. If your hotel (or other) gets a 6star green rating, make sure you make the small things green as well, not only the building. Sunlight dish washing liquid is green in colour but not g(ood)reen for the environment lol

pre-block 4

Before I left work today I finished off a base drawing for a new project in Fish Hoek that we measured up last week. Monday: doing bits of everything because one of the clients keep changing things back to the way they were originally, after seeing the light on site. Its easy to move a wall a few inches back on AutoCAD but doing that on site is demolishing and re-building in the correct place. So no, we can not just move the wall back a bit. Tuesday: Trip to council (SPM), Llandudno to drop plans in someones letter box and back to the office by 2:30pm. My working day ends at 4:30pm so I hardly did anything. Wednesday: finished off lighting layouts, base drawings and some admin.

*sara

Friday the 13th

this day considered to be unlucky for some... almost for me too today!
Walking plans has  not been easy lately. One of the submissions - a boundary, new pool and moving a door to line up with the pedestrian access...needs "departures"? Why?, you ask, because its an old house that exceeds the 50% coverage allowed for it in the Title deeds! Yes, so now we have to get neighbours to sign (well we let the clients do that bit), but it gets delayed when clients are on holiday and then still need to get Conveyancer's certificates...simply to state that there are restrictive conditions in the title deeds but they don't see what? I'm not quite sure. Its just another way of local authority covering their tracks. Like a few years later they can say but your lawyer/conveyancer had a look at it and okay'ed it.

And on site today, "the steel-glass house is starting to take shape and you can get a better feel for the spaces" (Julie, Architect).
A slab was suppose to be cast today (FRIDAY THE 13TH), but it seams that the concrete guys were a bit superstitious, not wanting to cast it on Friday the 13th! On this particular day there was an incident with supports "giving in" and the slab above coming down with it AND the client being on site at that moment when things came tumbling down...

And why my day turned out to be not that bad...I called Ward 59's councillor and thought that I would be able to pop in after 2pm today, because he'd be in his office. When I got there, I told the receptionist that I was there to see Mr Iversen...so she calls him and there's no answer...but she says that his in the building...next thing I know a man asks me if I'm his 2 o'clock meeting..."Oh Mr Iversen" and apologise, I was under the impression that it was for anytime after 2pm and he had me down for a meeting at 2pm! And I came strolling in at 2:45PM! So we walk into a small boardroom and he starts looking at the plans and says "Oh I can;t sign this...I don't have a pen" and I immediately feel a little less nervous because I left him waiting for FORTY FIVE MINUTES! I always have a pen with me...obviously. So I hand him mine and he signs the plan. Yeah!

That was my day...and the week was pretty much the same...we're trying to finish off the little bits of work that take a lot of time so that we can concentrate on the new bigger project...First small Llandudno alteration goes to Council on Monday...and the second Llandudno project is in design phase...but its really hard designing a house for a group of people who have set ideas that don't exactly gel well together...and if you're willing to spend  money on your property shouldn't you make it count so that if you decide to relocate for whatever reason that you'll get good returns on your investment?

A good architect is not only an architect...but many others things...get to that at a later stage hahaha

*saraS

I haven't been to site in a while... and the "glass-steel" house is starting to take shape.

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...

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

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

Hi Lecturers, please check my STW tab for uploaded exercises.

*sara

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

Work has been great, still working on a few small projects and just finished (98%... almost done-ish) two sets of council submissions.

So site visits: Kinda having some issues on one site where everyone's not totally cooperative and 100% into the project. Which leads to unhappy clients, structural drawings not being issued, irate contractor. . .Irritated architect.

Work seams to be picking up we will soon be starting a residence in Llandudno. : )  Can not wait for that to start. First of many for the company I hope. 

*sara

Yes, this is what Dubai is planning an underwater hotel!

What a week!

After learning about different glass types and applications for one of the residences (we're currently on site), the client decides to  change all the glass to one type. Lesson of the story "Architecture is a process within a process," (A. VanGraan).
 worked on base drawings, working drawings, changes to schedules and bathroom layouts.

*Sara

Chocolate weekend!

I hope everyone enjoyed their long Easter weekend. I did! :)


Feels like I have not posted in a long time...it's only been just over a week.
We have been rather busy in our quaint office. Last week: I went to site, worked on working drawings, details, bathroom layouts, electrical and lighting layouts, a sketch design (being presented today as I...uhm type :) ), I missed a meeting because our drawings were not ready at the printing place in Claremont that's usually on time (but the architect made it) and some admin. 


And today...filing and continuing with bathroom layouts and some printing :) .


*Sara

Pay day!

This week in the JCAD office...- made changes to aluminium and door schedules, made some phone calls (HWC and SPM), set up a Presentation drawing for a new Residence, dropped off revised drawings on site (only way to get anywhere was to climb up mounds of soil,dirt and rubble, so naturally I passed that one off and just dropped off the plan), palisade-conc footing detail, changed glazing specs (from four different types to everything being the same...Solar Low E 8.7mm thick Hahaha), sketch design for a tiny renovation (a bathroom!), took plans to SPM (South Peninsula Municipality-PBDM) and saw Mishaal there!!! waiting for her turn to see a zoning consultant. Sometimes they just take forever to see you, and then finally picked up our APPROVED demolition permit for a dilapidated cottage in Worcester...now I have to start the council submissions. Wonder who will be running these plans through council...kilometers away!

Jumua Mubarak and enjoy your weekend guys. Its PAY DAY!!!!

Adios
*Sara

this week in the office...

we have been quite busy lately. We're thankful for the work we have but sometimes it gets way to hectic. Had our fortnightly site visit to the "glass-steel" house. Foundations are being poured into 2m excavations. The engineer says he does not know how the building was standing on that ground because of the underlying soil conditions. A digger was carving out the new CWC and my All stars paid! Had sand between my toes when I got home!
I worked on a restaurant layout, working drawings (changes to schedules and plans), timber and aluminium head details showing the weephole above the plaster band, and worked on a small office council submission set of plans.

Went in to work on 21st March, just for a few hours (Exercising my human right to learn! :) )

That's all from me.
*Sara