WEEK 41

Reality just hit me it’s November where did the year go?
SOO Tired and just really want to go home and rest. This week we worked on for projects, the Delft Community clinic project, the two primary schools one in Lotus River the other in Athlone, the low cost houses in Kanonkop as well as a small alteration on a car park. feels good thou to work on different thing everyday so as not t get bored and loose interest in the work your working hard to produce.
looking forward to my break... not sure if I'm ready for 3rd year need to do my research.

 

**********************SIGNING OUT*****************************

WEEK 40

WEEK 40 12^th – 16^th of November 2012

J I’m almost done with my inserve that’s my method of coping these days, but I’m blessed to be part of a very professional and hardworking team. Although we all tired of the small but many things still to do before our next hand in we broke the work load amongst ourselves and the Archescape team’s engine was flowing smoothly. Not much talking has been happening lately everyone was concentrating on completing our assignments.

WEEK 39

5^th – 9^th of November 2012

 

This week has been tiring just really looking forward to the week end. We had meetings with the contractors and worked from 9h00 to 18h00… really in need of sleep.

WEEK 40 12^th – 16^th of November 2012

J I’m almost done with my inserve that’s my method of coping these days, but I’m blessed to be part of a very professional and hardworking team. Although we all tired of the small but many things still to do before our next hand in we broke the work load amongst ourselves and the Archescape team’s engine was flowing smoothly. Not much talking has been happening lately everyone was concentrating on completing our assignments.

WEEK 38

29^th of October -2^nd of November 2012

1^st week back at work feels good to see my colleges, indeed the work was more than I anticipated…

There are still many amendments with the design although we set to be on site early January, but since the year is almost over the clients want everything done and ready before they leave for December break. So we are working overtime to meet the deadline. I was assigned to work on an extension on a car park. This is one of my own small projects that I was given to work on from beginning to completion. Really want to impress my boss. This week was a Archi Cad week since my computer at work didn’t have Auto Cad installed yet, found it challenging to draw council drawings on Archicad but never the less I managed and next week I should have cad and help out with the school’s drawing, I realised how Archicad actual is much faster than AutoCAD in terms of the amount of drawings one can produce within a given time frame.   

WEEK 37

22^nd – 26^th of October 2012

This week I was meant to start back at the office but I was informed that next week I need to be ready to get back to the office since there will be a lot to do, I kind of anxious but excited since I have learnt so much through working under pressure.

WEEK 36

15th- 19^th of October 2012

Yet another week of not going to work, but they hired another young architectural technologist to help with the work load since we have a delaine, for next Friday so this week I was just chilling and worked from home. Still had a small task to do.

WEEK 35

8^th – 12^th of October 2012

I didn’t go to work this week, things in the office have been hectic, and maybe having me around might slow up the work level production. So my Boss gave me time off to work on other things.

WEEK 34

 1^st – 5^th of October 2012

Enjoying being out of the office, we completed all the work on site and all the different class activities on construction and detailing. Thank you to our amazing lectures for helping and making the experience worthwhile and fun but still very educating. The party at the end was rewarding after all the work we all put in towards completing the MIP project. Was sad saying good bye to all my friends next week we all heading back to work and we all looking forward to seeing each other again next year as 3^rd year students.

WEEK 33

24th – 28^th of September 2012

First week back on campus felt good to see all my classmates, we started our MIP work.

This week was tiring but we still have a lot of work to do on the primary school, the weather this week as ok just a few rainy days but nothing stopped productivity. Being on site has never been so fun really enjoying the construction process. On campus we had two talks which were both very interesting, I learnt the various ways one could design a shelter that is both functional and still very appearing. We also had a talk about safety on site in terms of having the proper safety clothes to general site cautions, this week was really worthwhile.

WEEK 32

17th – 21^st of September 2012

I got days off this week… family crisisL.

WEEK 31

10^th – 14^th of September 2012

Great week indeed submitted work this week so things in the office have been gone back to the good old days, my boss even got us all a treatJ. I really enjoy it when hard work pays off, but we all know that next week we going back to working long hours and that we work load is not getting simpler as time flies but harder we will only really relax when the construction process starts.  I really admire my boss she is s organized even thou we have so many project in the same time frame she breaks the work down skilfully so we do not neglect not one project regardless of the size of the projects. (True professional)

WEEK 29

 27^th – 31^st of August 2012

WHOOPEE end of the month and pay day, this week has been one of those weeks when you just wish you had some sickness that allowed you to get the week or even two days off. But knowing how much work is still waiting for you in the office you can’t help but get out of bed and look forward to being a step closer to completion… #signs# looking forward to the end of the year.

***************SIGNING OUT*****************

WEEK 28

WEEK 28 20^TH – 24^TH of August 2012

What a week this was, I feel like a town planner. So this week I was helping out with the designing and planning out of small low cost houses in Kanonkop Atlantis. The project was a small community development project that will consist of single standing houses and semi-detached duplex. The challenging part of this week’s assignment was planning the layouts of the small spaces that were between 40m² for the free standing ( 8.6m×4.8m) and the semi detachable duplex are 50m²  (5.6m×4.55m). So many ideas but they just don’t cut, better luck next week planning on sketching some ideas for next week.

 

******************SIGNING UT********************

WEEK 27

WEEK 27 13^th of August – 17^th of August 2012

This week @ the office we continued with the Delft project, I was in charge of phoning the various consults, which will be dealing with the construction of the Delft clinic. What I learnt was that in order for the Architect to select the perfect candidate is to contact not the construction company itself but the previous architectural companies that’s worked with them. Also an important thing TO consider is to know if they (the construction company) has worked on similar projects in the past, and whether they completed the project on time, these are very important when  it comes to selection the construction company. There are so many to choose from but we have to consider costs, reliability and quality. I really hope the constructing process may start while I’m still doing my inserve training so as to go on siteJ. Next week Zainab has to finalise the selection from the candidates we have contacted.

*******************SIGNING OUT******************

WEEK 26

LOST MY LONG IN PASSWORD SO IV BEEN KEEPING MY WEEKLY POSTS ON MY DAIRY BUT KNOW ILL JUST COPY AND PAST THEM ALL TILL CURRENT. IM REALY ENJOYING 2ND YEAR

WEEK 26 6^th of August – 10^th of August 2012

This week was a breeze we were given a break from office duties while we wait for further feedback from our clients concerning the changes and additions made the primary schools we working on.

So this week I took time to fix my school work and I managed to book classes with someone to give me lessons on how to use Archicad. Can’t wait for that….

****************SIGNING OUT******************

Week 25

Date 30^th of July 2012 – 3^rd of August 2012

New month started without me even noticing.

Haven't worked so hard and under so much pressure since last year MIP. Just this time failure to meet a deadline is savvier. Time truly just flew away like nothing. We made it (the submission).

I can confidently use Coral draw, Sketch up and now a little of Archi-Cad. So happy and the work we produced speaks for its self, the power of team work.  The skills I gained this week (wow)!

know we have to wait on the clients feedback so we can continue with the next stages.

******SIGNING OUT*******

Week 24

Week 24

Date 23^nd – 27^th of July 2012

We have come up with an initial design concept for both schools, and have done all the relevant investigations. Such as the site analysis, including researching and analysing the climate, soil and other aspects that play a role in designing process. Funny enough everything that we covered on campus. Didn’t know that those principles still apply in industry.

And we have a new member to the Archescape Architects firm, a former CPUT graduate Bulelwa, she is helping us for the next 2months so as to ease the work load. She works mostly on Archi-Cad n Zainab on Auto-Cad then me on Coral draw. The first week went well can’t wait to start next week since we have to submit the next Friday.

This week we all had to come in early and leave a bit later than usual so as to put in the necessary hours into meeting the deadline that a waits.

******SIGNING OUT******

Week 23

16^th – 20^th July 2012

Back in the office!!

The work flow has increased, and the need for more employment is high. We have 2 weeks to submit stage 1- Preparation of brief for an architect’s services.

This is an aspect of the preparation of the scope of work to be provided to an architect to define the nature of the project when prepared by an architect. This warrants a specific fee.

And stage 2 - The Design Concept

This is when the architect has to advice the clients on:

·         The technical and functional characteristics of the project as proposed.

·         The estimated costs in relation to the budget.

·         The anticipated project programme.

·         The architects is to prepare a submit a site development plan to the local authority.

I have also started learning how to use coral draw since I’ve been assigned to do help with the presentation side of the drawings. Hopefully we will be hiring someone to help out soon.

#death by work# but always a learning experience.

Week 22

9^th – 15^th July 2012

In Botswana on short term church mission. Wow the architecture in Botswana is not bad not bad at all. There isn’t much of a demand for architects since the people are very creative and hire locals to design and construct their houses. But in institutions the architectural work speaks for itself.

Week 21

2^nd – 6^th July 2012

Not @ the office this week I was in Johannesburg for the USSA (University Sports South Africa) Hockey Tournament. Playing for CPUT Hockey woman’s A side. What fun

Week 20

25^th – 29^th of June 2012

Great news Archescape Architects have been awarded a new tender in the Cape Flats district whoopee. This means I get to help with a new project from scratch it’s going to be cool. Don’t have much information as yet on the whole project but briefly. We are redesigning two Primary schools Buck road Primary and Hazendale Primary. Cannot wait to start designing.

The joys of having a cool boss I am given a holiday in July for 2weeks.

*******SIGNING OUT*********

Week 19

18^th – 22^nd of June 2012

Nothing new happened this week just the usual, admin then correction on drawings and going to council. It was a good week thou. One more week till pay day J

*********SIGNING OUT***********

Week 18

11^th – 15th of June 2012

Holidays are creeping in!!!!!

This week we worked on small renovations and alterations on residential projects. And I made two visits to counsel, that’s always an experience, since I get to see the process of submission, checking and receiving work to council.

In the office I had to do the colour corrections on the council submission that was new to me didn’t think so much mattered.

I am really enjoying life in industry J

week 17

4^th   – 8^th of June 2012

Wow one thing that is always evident is that working under pressure is always a learning experience in Architecture, and it is always a test breaking or making time in one’s life.

So the due date is creeping in and plans and report have to be submitted. So the Architect as the Lead agent (Zainab) has to check all the Engineers and QS’s (Quantity Surveyor) work to see if there needs to be changes and then combine them with her work and research into one final report.

And like always there is that one person in a team who slakes and doesn’t produce the work required in time. In our team that’s our QS. All has been done know we waiting on him to give his work to us for final checks and mends. I really didn’t think so much work is done by the Architect. It’s not all drawing but a lot of research and admin goes into projects.

Eager to start next week on a fresh note…..

Week 16

It’s been a while since I last updated online on my work progress. But good thing I’ve been keeping note on my diary.

 (28^th of May till the 1^st of June) 2012

This week was a full on admin work week, I was helping Zainab with research and compiling of reports that will be submitted along with our stage 2 submission which is Design Concept.

This stage is when the Architect is to prepare a design concept in broad outline showing intended space provisions, planning relationships, materials and services intended to be used.

So all our drawings still await a final confirmation from the client. Stating any necessary changes, this included additions and in some cases even subtractions to the design for the Delft Clinic.

SIGNING OUT

week 15

wow its almost mid year

So this week I worked mainly on Local authority drawings on the
Delft project. My duty was to plan out the ceiling layout, This was
my first encounter with ceiling layout but never the less with Zainab's
good explanation skills I had no major issues with it. I even had the
opportunity to meet the electrical engineers from whom I learnt how
to actual start my planning. And at the end they had calculated the light
fittings so the ceiling layout had to work around their design. This
showed me really how important it is to have good communication skills
in this industry. And Through good communication we were able to complete
the work much faster...
 :)

*********SIGNING OUT*********

week 14

The high light of my week was having to go to council all by myself.
I was briefed on how to go about the process of submitting work
to council, and the various steps. For the past weeks i have been
working on a project that had missing information which was submitted
to council and was not approved. So I then had to implement the
additions and go submit it. So Zainab (my boss) checked the drawings
prior to my journey but one couldn't help but think what if I let something
out. So I waited in line Thursday morning and the man behind the desk
checked and told me to add an annotation (nothing hectic). Then all was
done, i had successfully submitted with all the corrections done. it felt so
to tell my boss my mission was successfully. Know I will continue with
the Delft Project and wait for a responce from counsel in regards to my submission

**********SIGNING OUT***********

week 13

week 13 wow

its been long since i updated you all on my life as an intern.
this being my 13th week in industry I KNOW SEE HOW MUCH I HAVE GROWN.
this week again i worked in the Delt project, we upgraded the pharmacy and making additions
where need be. my skills on Auto Cad are slowly increasing and I'm very much in tuned with waking
up everyday to come to the office, Archiscape Architects really offers a healthy working environment.

looking forward to week 14.

*********SIGNING OUT********

studio 5 working progress

to be continued :)

Week 12

yeaaaa week 12 is over

Greetings readers
This week I was still working on the shedules this is how they look so far

And I have started planning the ceiling didn't really do much but hoping by next week,

things will look up.

**********SIGNING OUT********

Week 11

OH WHAT A WEEK....

Greeting to those who read my ish :)

Well at Archescape we are still trying to finish up stage 3 of the Delft project.
So know I truly understand what stage 3 in tales, it is titled "THE DESIGN DEVELOPMENT STAGE"
We working on local authority drawings full time know from April till May well Zainab is tring to push
and have us complete it by the end of May but its due in June some time I think the end of \june.
But that's cause she says that Will give her enough time with the engineers should any problems,
with the drawings arise (smart hey).
So there is still lots to do, so far I'm still on the shedules. Since there has been changes on the plan there for
I had to change the schedules that I have been working on for days. But because i already understand how its done correcting them was faster. next week I will be starting on ceiling layouts (Don"t ask me how its done cause I honestly don't know but ill just wait and see next week).

*********SIGNING OUT********

WEEK 10

Week ten

Started this week on a good note n i would say it ended pretty well too.
I feel the break from work helped me freshen up and get ready to learn.

So this week I started working on schedules... Not one of my favorites well
up until this week, Zainab really knows Hope to explain things. I honestly didn't
really fully understand how one complied windows and door schedules, and I
think another thing that had me hesitating was know I am required to do windows and
door schedules for the Delt Clinic project ahhhhhh (I thort). Cause last year was my
first encounter with schedules and that didn't go well. But after a usual pep talk and
briefing with Zainab. I manged really well. By the end of the week I have become
a pro at schedules this will make my MIP life much easier :)

*******SIGNING OUT*******

week 9

Week nine I got the chance to go home.

Although I was home i was still given some work to do, nothing hectic though.
I had to research what the term BBBEE meant, at first i thort Zainab had mistakanly
said BBBEE when she meant BEE whis is just BLACK ECCONOMIC
EMPOWERMENT.
So BBBEE-BROAD-BASED BLACK ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT

The new term came about so that After the end of Apartheid in 1994 and with the advent of majority rule, control of big business in both the public and private sectors still rested primarily in the hands of white individuals. According to Statistics South Africa, Whites comprise just under 10% of the population, meaning that most of the country's economy was controlled by a very small minority. BEE is intended to transform the economy to be representative of the demographic make-up of the country. Successful implementers of BEE also see it as a means to create economic growth in South Africa, and a vital huhiug their enterprises' strategy.

wow cant wait to let my Boss know.

**********SIGNING OUT**********

Week 8

This week in the office was slow, So I had no major job to do. But i reported back to Zainab(my Boss) about the tender meeting I had attended last week, we went over some of the questions I didn't understand, she explained them and also went on to explain the following stages of applying for such a tender should we (Archescape) were interested.

I still came into to the office although there was not much work for me.
This week I had the chance to practise how to use Corel Draw, and also I went on the net doing research for Zainab. I was assigned to find a heritage consultant and landscape designers for another project zainab was working on. This gave me a chance to also sign up with a network called "LINKED IN" , this network allows one to research for businesses, professional people and even companies. If they are all registered with link in. And surprisingly most were, so this made researching for them very easy and some what fun.

That was my week hoping next week will be better.

**********SIGNING OUT***********

THE SIX STAGES

STAGE 1: APPRAISAL AND DEFINITION  OF PROJECT
STAGE 2: DESIGN CONCEPT AND SKETCH PLANS
STAGE 3: DESIGN DEVELOPMENT ( LOCAL AUTHORITY)
STAGE 4: TECHNICAL DOCUMENTATION AND APPROVALS( WORKING DRAWINGS)
STAGE 5: CONSTRUCTIONS PHASE
STAGE 6: POST CONTRACT ACTIVITIES.

This steps are the basic principle and Architect follows when dealing with a fairly large project
:)

Week 7

Greeting reader....:)

week seven wow!

This week went by very slow but never the less its over. Well this week again Monday till Thursday i was doing the usually, finishing off drawings, i was also able to answer the office phone when Zainab (my Boss) was out. It is always so nerve recking when one has to say "ARCHESCAPE ARCHITECTS HELLO". That's going to take a while to get used to. the highlight of my week this week was going to attended a tender briefing all by myself. Wow i have never been so scared, i really thort that my Boss has Fed me to the sharks but little did i know that a tender briefing is not all that serious and as scary as my wild imagination had pointed it out to be. The meeting was set on the 22nd floor at the Civic Centre in town. I got there 30mins early so as to familiarise myself with the venue. The waiting room filled up fast, with engineers, urban designers, landscape designers and more I felt so out of place. Just when I had concluded that i was the youngest person there, a familiar face popped in. A friend of my from Hockey who like me happened to to an intern, and was attending the meeting for her boss so we networked. This made my feel much better and at ease. I signed the register which i learnt was important when applying for a tender. I learnt so much about the tender process, i was taking notes of the whole meeting and the questions the other attendances were asking. Besides taking notes i was smiling and nodding my head as thou i know what they were talking about when they started asking things i had no clue of. lol But over all it was great. I cant wait to report back to Zainab first thing Monday morning.

***********signing out***********

Week 6

Week six

Wow its hard to believe i have been working for so long...

This week was an ordinary week at the office, I was indoors again finishing of drawing for Zainab.
But i must say the my auto cad skills have improved, I feel I'm much faster then i used to be and less afraid to work on it. Oh Zainab(my Boss) showed me how to use Corel Draw, up until this week I didn't know of such a program from what I have seen so far it doesn't seem that complex. Also with the help of Zainab i should be a Pro by the end of my internship. I really  enjoy working with her, she explains everything in such a manner that's comes across so well. I really look up to her with only 2 years in practise on her own she has grown so fast and knows so much about the industry. And she is always willing to answer all my questions :)

Corel draw we used for our presentation, with the program we were able to upload our drawings and add really cool graphics that enhance the overall presentation. So when we pin up the drawing to the clients they are presented in a elegant and professional manner.

Can not wait to for next week, yep I'm still very happy with the company I work for :)

***********SIGNING OUT***********

Week 5

Greeting reader :)

This week was really interesting for me. This week was like no other that i have had at Archescape Architects, i was just getting used to working with auto cad everyday. When this week Zainab (my Boss) showed me how to do some admin work in the office.

For a while I didn't understand why we as Architectural students had to do CAT (computer application technology) but after this week, I am grateful to my lecture's.

So this week I was working on alot on excel, inputting data, extracting data the works. Even abit of calculations of areas on the drawings we have been working on. this let me understand how broad the architectural field is, and how important a good and strong 1st year foundation is vital to ones growth in this field.

***********SIGNING OUT**********

week 4

Greetings readers :)

Well this week my boss gave me time off... yea yeah seem hard to believe but no the thing is that, after we had submitted stage 3 of the Delft project we had to await, the clients response so we can move on to the next step.

so i didn't quite understand the whole stages thing so Zainab(my Boss) explain... that with ever project especially with large building, the design and construction of the building is divide into 6 stages. all in which i will post up so that others might truly understand what we dealing with here. So during my week off i came to the office to read some of Zainab's (my Boss) interesting Architectural books, one that stood out that week was THE ARCHITECT'S GUIDE TO RUNNING A JOB (sixth edition) - by RONALD GREEN
Really helpful tips and methods, the whole book this in basic English with very common Architectural terminologies that even i could make out. So I really enjoyed the book and it helped me understand some of the things my boss.
                                           MY ARCHITECTURALLY KNOWLEDGE IS INCREASING
*******week 4 signing out******

week 3

Wow no truly time flys when u having fun

week three already and I am being use to the whole waking up business.

So this week in the office there was not much work to do just mainly organising the office re-arranging it to allow for a more practical space, Zainab (my Boss) has worked on interior decorating project, as she also has qualifications in the design side of Architecture. The office is divided into three parts the main working area then the kitchen and ablutions. this project really allowed me to truly understand how space can be manipulated to seem larger even with the help of ones technology and colours with various textures. i look forward to week 4 at Archescape Architects.

**********signing out*********

STW2

PS2

DELFT PROJECT BY : ARCHESCAPE ARCHITECTS

COMPANY BACKGROUND

žArchescape Architects cc is a registered architectural practice that offers more than a decade of architectural experience. We are an architectural practice with a fresh, innovative eye for excellent design incorporating a practical attitude that makes good business sense. Our aim is to provide a high standard of architectural services that looks after our clients expectations.  We believe in building relationships with our clients & professional consultants in order to procure a continued service in the long term.  Our commitment is to create captivating spaces that is appropriate to its context and its time, in which we provide sound design & technical solutions that reflect in the final product .

On a broader view, we are strongly committed to understanding the developmental & social needs of the unique South African context. It is important that our knowledge is constructively applied  to reflect this commitment.  We optimize design opportunities that make sense within a South African environment in order to create sustainable and robust buildings that enhance the activities of the inhabitants, making a positive impact on Society at large.

Mr Jacksons handin part A

Mr Jacksons handin part B

Precedent study

Week 2 of my life as an intern @ Archescape Architects

Amongst the many projects that Archescape Architects were awarded, was a project in delft the project was to work on the Community Health Center. The projects consist of the renovating/upgrading of the pharmacy, as well as designing and constructing a new ARV treatment unit.

So on my first week we (my boss Mrs. Zainab Fakier and I) prepared for the stage two meeting with the client (Department of Health) so we had to pin up work in a boardroom in Parliament (for a major crit session)

Zainab (my boss) presented her work and the clients were very impressed and I was blown away. Now I understand the importance of the crit sessions we endued in 1^st year. And surprisingly she too had to follow similar steps as we did in 1^st year namely, reading and understanding brief, researching precedent and compiling a site analysis then concept and design concept then present it all for her clients and get their input then back to the drawing board n prepare for stage 3 submission. Wow funny how one didn’t think such small detail in a project was so important in industry.

That was the highlight of week 1 in industry I feel im going to learn soo much from Zainab, because she handles the whole company on her own so I have the opportunity to get one an one explanation and teachings on activities around the office. I am not only exposed to the basic architectural drawing skills but also the business aspect side, setting meetings, meeting clients, working on data bases and sending emails n formal letters to companies, and not to mention going to site.

I cant wait for week 2 J

Green point

My first week in the Architectural industry

My journey to becoming an Architectural intern began on the 10^th of Feb 2012.

I received an unexpected phone call from Mrs. Zainab Fakier of Archecsape Architects

in Kenilworth.

I was so excited to know she was urgently seeking an Architectural student a.s.a.p so

she set up an appointment for an interview on the 13^th of Feb at 9h00.

The day of the interview came with me as nervous as ever, the interview lasted close to

an hour. Mrs. Zainab proved to be a remarkable woman, which made me really want

to be a part of the Archecsape team.

I was excited to know that she wished to employ me!! J

I started work on the 15^th of Feb 2012

LIFE AS AN INTERN BEGINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Welcome