St. Michaels, M.I.P - Project Diary

Project diary: DAY 1

What are my expectations of this project?

Design and build something that would benifit St. Michaels

What was i involved in today?

Today i was involved in measuring up the existing site at St micheals. Then did a base drawing.

What did i learn today?

The conditions of the site and the attitude of the community.

Other comments

Today was a good day, even when the work we could do on site was limited and i was only busy until about 2 oclock . The kids really got me interested as i am amazed by there discipline. Not one child was dusturbing us in any way, or asking questions which i thought was excellent from the school.


Project diary: DAY 2

What are my expectations of today?

To learn about safety on site
To design or partially design and get an idea of what we will be building.

How did i experience the design exercise?

It was good. Sometimes i get a bit carried away with my own ideas, but designing in a group was a good exercise. It teaches us different ways of thinking.

What did i learn today?

Designing when your materials are limited. Constraints that are limited like the materials, causes you to think about construction at the start of your design process.

Other comments

I feel that the time allowed for design was not enough, but some good designs came from that exercise.

Project diary: DAY 3

What are my expectations of today?

I dont really know as we have not been told what we are going to be building, but we might do some maintainace or clean up the site and get everything ready for when we get the design

How did i experience the on site exercise?

On site was good. i was involved in unloading equipment and apple crates as well a spainting the slats for the missing parts to the existing screen. We also had a look around and examined what need to be fixed in terms of maintainance.

What did i learn today?

I have learnt how crazy it can get on a building site. how many things need to be planned out before anything can really be done.

Other comments

It was a good day, just a pitty about the weather, but enjoyed my day on site.

Project diary: DAY 4

What are my expectations of today?

Going in to tech to do a C.T.D exercise

How did i experience the C.T.D exercise?

Although i do not do C.T.D as a subject in second year, i went along anyway. I found the exercise exciting and informative. I always like that there are more than one way of doing things when i comes to C.T.D

What did i learn today?

Sometimes for asthetic purposes and if the design calls for it, it is good to move away from the conventional and expand your knownledge of construction

Other comments

Good, thought provoking building alalysis.

Project diary: DAY 5

What are my expectations of today?

To start construction on the chosen design

How did i experience the on site exercise?

The on site exercise was great. My team and i worked on stabalizing and securing the existing deck and it went very well.

What did i learn today?

I learnt that we might take it for granted when we just casually specify "floor joist @ 450 c/c max".This line is very important and also to make sure that the material used can span the distance as well as being fixed properly.

Other comments

Day on site was productive. gaining a lot of experience for builders.

Project diary: DAY 6

What are my expectations of today?

Going in to tech to do a C.T.D exercise

How did i experience the C.T.D exercise?

The C.T.D exercise was good. I dont come into contact with steel structures to often so it was very informative to sit in on the lecture and do the exercise.

What did i learn today?

Even though steel is normally handled by the engineer, we as the architects should still know some basic "rule of thumb" things like the spans, sections and sizes as it would influence our design.

Other comments

Very informative exercise.

Project diary: DAY 7

What are my expectations of today?

To help with the main design on the container.

How did i experience the on site exercise?

On site was great. I think by now my team and i have become the decking peopleon site as we were now responsible for the deck outside the container. We did a good job and i am proud of my team. Feels good solving problems on site instead of doing it on the computer.

What did i learn today?

Almost anything can be re-used and refurbished. Our deck looks beautiful, even if imust say so myself. Best thing is that we made it completely from apple crates!

Other comments

Good day on site , very tired.

Project diary: DAY 8

What are my expectations of today?

To draw up our site at St. Michaels.

How did i experience the C.T.D exercise?

The exercise was good. Filled me in on things i wasnt aware of on site.

What did i learn today?

It is prominant to see that everyone has there own duties on site as everyone was an expert on some or other part of construction.

Other comments

Was a very good exercise. Good to see how much we learn when we do the hands on approach.

Project diary: DAY 9

What are my expectations of today?

To finish up and put on the final touches , then braai.

How did i experience the on site exercise?

Site exercise was good. I was paired with Bongani as we tried to create some kind of foundation to stabalize the loose part of the deck. We succeeded quite well, but it was very tiring.

What did i learn today?

Knowing the basics means that even when we dont have conventional materials we can still get the desired outcome.

Other comments

Was a good day. Hot and tired, but enjoyed it. Thanks Mr bus driver for forgetting about us!
Time at St. Michaels was a great experience, Thanks to all the people that put it together and the ones who made it enjoyable.

Feeling good

Hi guys,

The last time i blogged i was extremely busy, but thank god things have calmed down a bit. Just finished the construction drawing package for one of our clients and everyone is happy, so i am extremely happy. see you at assembly on Saturday for the AZA party.
Keep going!

Theraputic sounds

Good morning,

The office is quiet, but fingers are buzzing because even in silence we tend to overthink. Sometimes i always get caught telling myself "it cant be that easy" when some things just are , so new approach! if it feels like the right material, looks like the right size specified and span/size ratio is correct then it probably is right. I like these technical things , but always doubting myself , because we have to be perfect. So today im rocking some tune in the office and getting on with it , i suggest you do the same. Trust yourself youll learn more from your mistakes than any teacher can teach.

Have a good day :-)

Clean Thoughts

Good morning fellow classmates and bloggers.

Its a good thursday morning, the sun is out and work is going great, was early this morning so i started cleaning up my desk which is normally full of papers and i found that strangely enough you think better when desk is clean or maybe thats just a mind thing.

Hope everyone has had a good week.
keep on keeping on.........

patiently waiting

Long time no blog!
sorry for the delay in blogging activity. the year is going so fast i cant belive its August already. Really stressed about not knowing how im doin ,but looking forward to the update sheet. hope i can improve on how i am doin right now. I must say that i do miss campus life, work is quite hectic especially for someone thats been workin for three years already. Everything is cool at the office. Just need a break if you know what i mean. Been busy with some nice projects that i wont mention on here , but i will say that i am super excited about it . Just hope that the building work gets started while i am still here.
hope to see you guys soon

busy busy busy

Hi, this past few weeks have been really hectic at the office, just work work work and this after a week at campus. Missing that campus feeling, but you gotta do what you gotta do. Im so tired and its only Wednesday :-(

Community Hub- Final

Exercise 5
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/68697171/exercise%205/community%20hub.pdf

Thanx

LOOOOOONG TIME NO BLOG!

Hi guys,
Havent been blogging i know, had a problem with pc at work, but its all sorted now. hub project is almost at an end feeling that, but i have faith that i can pull it off. Work? ya work is and always will be work hey, nobody said its gonna be easy, but even after two years still exciting. Busy with a development at the moment and enjoying that very much.
Until next time....
chiao

STW exercise 4

Hi guys here is my stw ex4 after all the teething issues with uploading :-)
please proceed to the links below

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/68697171/EXERCISE%204/TECHNOLOGICAL%20PRECEDENT1.pdf

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/68697171/EXERCISE%204/TECHNOLOGICAL%20PRECEDENT-2.pdf

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/68697171/EXERCISE%204/TECHNOLOGICAL%20PRECEDENT-3.pdf

Pressures

The office can put you under alot of pressure, but the trick is to push through. I am workin in a small office so a lot of the responsibility gets thrown my way and in the end of the day it makes me stronger. I feel positive this morning and to anyone who reads this post i just want to say that it wont always be easy, but its the hard times that we remember and its those times that make us stronger.
Have a nice day.

Working drawing= love

Ahhh, you have to love them working drawing. I'm busy doing a working drawing/tender drawings package for a house and really loving every minute of it, because eat this stage there are no guessing involved and everything has to be accurate. i also love getting into detail whilst it is also very important to stay focused on the bigger picture while getting stuck in on on specific area. coming up with my own details also give me confidence and trusting what you can do is everything in this business.

Feeling super inspired this week!

PSS/ATR progress mark 2

1.  Comparing old and new building regulations

Most of modern day energy usage occur in buildings and if we want to become a “Green Society”, buildings/ households are the first place we need to make changes to become a more energy conscious nation. Part X is the new addition to the regulation and this is the regulation regarding energy efficiency in buildings. Even if we want to ignore it the government is now forcing us to think about energy efficiency.

An Environmental Sustainability Section is being introduced and needs to be complied by from the 10^th of April 2012. Only one section is thus far in the process of being implemented. Section A of X more commonly known as XA deals with energy efficiency within the building in the form of heat retention and loss. This will affect our way of thinking, design process even up the materials we use e.g. in Cape Town we have a costal climate thus we need to retain heat within our buildings. It is also said that most of our heat loss occurs through the roof of a building and we need to now beef up on our insulation. This along with many other considerations such as the sizes of our window will now be apart of our “chain of though”. The layout of building will also be a very important factor.

In future we are going to be expected to do calculation on how energy efficient our building are.

This chapter will, in future, receive more section such as, XB which will deal with water and XC which will deal with recycling.

These additions have been made as well as a few changes such as the application forms for submission to council. As boring and unnecessary we might think they the new SANS 10400 A form 1 is extremely important and it is immensely important that we understand it. The Architectural Compliance Certificate has also received a few additional columns such as the sensitivity scale which asks questions on the environmental impact of the building.

2. What is the role of the Architect?

The role of the architect is to oversee the building process from start to finish. More responsibility is thus placed on the shoulders of architects as the need to take the idea right through from start to finish liaising with other professionals such as engineers, quantity surveyors, contractors and even the client. The architect is also the principle agent in most cases and runs the project acting as the main link between all professionals and the client by chairing site meetings and so forth. 

3. What is understood by the following TERMS?

A.  tender documents

When the design process is complete and the client is happy, the plan will then be ready for council submission. This step may come with a few amendments to the original design and may need a few add-ons. After council has approved the plan the architect must then compile a set of Tender Drawings and Documents, the tender drawing are not far from construction or working drawing. Together with a quantity surveyor, they will now put the documents up for tender and invite contractors to quote on the construction of the building. The tender drawings will form the basis of any quotes and is a legally binding document thus mistakes cannot be make, because everything costs money and the smallest mistake can cost thousands.

In your tender document you will have: A timeline for the construction process

                                                                  Proper construction drawings

This will all form part of a binding contract and will be in affect as soon as the construction process starts.

b. Bill of Quantities

A bill of quantities is a document prepared by a quantity surveyor. It is a list of all the materials, quantities of the materials and labour as well as professional fees that is required for the construction process. This is an estimate and may change as the construction goes on. The client may also change their mind about a window for example or a certain tile and this will then all have cost implications and these amendments to the initial tender documents and bill of quantities are dealt with in the form of variation orders. These are documents drawn up by the quantity surveyor if there is a change or deviation from the initial bill of quantities.

c. Signing of contracts

When all the requirements have been met with regards to the construction of the building, the principle agent will prepare the contract documents for signature. This will comprise of the bill of quantities themselves and all the prices, the scope of work, all drawings required for completion of work and specifications. This ensures everyone knows their duties and after it has been signed normally the principle agent will take control of the document and he will produce it if required e.g. The contractors are late to finish the job etc. however this document may only be produced for the purpose of the agreement. Once both parties have signed the agreement there can be no variation except in writing and signed by the both of them.

PSS Portfolio

Hi guys, uploading files are quite tough, but ithink i found a way, on my PSS page i have posted my portfolio in the form of links the links will take you to an A3 size PDF of the drawing. please note that these links will not work through a search engine like google. Simply highlight the link copy it and then paste it in the search box of internet explorer and this will take u straight to it. Enjoy!

weekly update

its monday, and other than waking up its acctually a nice day at the office. i am at the moment busy with some working drawings for a house and doin some drainage sections for a scheme of houses within a development. hope all is well with the rest of you.

Regards
Lee

hud precedent study

Sorry guys had some prblems uploadig the pics are quite big

STRESS?

Good day at work as long as the musics on, feelin ancious not sure if this is about the project gonna get seriously into it tonight, design phase done, but yet to do drawings and model, lets do these things>>>>>FOCUS!

check out my concept model :-)

sometimes to get a real sense of scale and a better take on things when dealing with a sloping site and you got the contours its best to rather just build the model when its main pursose is a better understanding of what you are dealing with.

Singing"oh sumtimes i get a good feeling yeah"

ahhhhhh its thursday and a beautiful day it must be said, still quite busy in the office but theres just sumthing about thursdays hey that just sais downhill :-)

MONDAYS!!!!!!

So its monday, and in my DNA to hate it, but what can we do? acctually got to work early today, but not fresh :-( had some work to do over the weekend, so like always i left it to the last minute. anyway this is my first post so im not really sure what is to be said, works ok today bit of a rush, but if your telling me that everyday isnt a rush in this bussiness then i dont know what you're doing.

peace out and have a great day, whoever reads this