12 Dec - 15 Dec 2011 -All done- end of a great chapter of my life (Thank you)

Wow!!!!this has been an amazing year filled with loads of wonderful memories and amzing lessons learned. I cant believ that its all over. One thing that this past year has taught me is that working with passionate people in a happy enviroment need to be appreciated!!I have worked with a wonderfu; team and these life lessons while be cherished for years to come!!!A special thank you to all those who were apart of my success during this past year. Without you non of this would have been posssible. A special THank you to my boss Mr Gordon Hart for taking the time and having the patience to teach me throught the year. You are an amazing boss and wonderful person and i could not have asked for anyone better. Thank you for all the days that you have the time just for a chat, to make a joke and kind words of encouragement. Your humble, generous and kind ways will be remembered for years to come. Thank you for being a mentor and inspiration to me through all the tough times and the good. I wish you all the success for the future. To my collegue and friend Yaseen Mohamed thank you for everything, from learning about architecture to fun times in the park it was an awesome experience. Jenny Collins thanks for the wonderful time and for allowing me to learn so much from your presise and thorough detail in everything that you do it will definately be beneficial for me in the future. To all the lecturers, students, family and friends THANK YOU!!!!!!

28 November - 1 December 2011 No Pressure....lol

Wow!! today has been so hectic i just fealt like i needed to update my blog. I started the morning off continuing the council submission drawings and with phones constantly ringing more work was bound to start rolling in. Just as i thought clients called needing changes to site drawings... Once that was completed and printed the client come in to collect.However more changes needed to be made...Back to the pc just after i thought that job was complete....ah oh well rather busy than bored!.Completed all these changes and more clients come in to discuss their ideas for alterations...This means more work coming my way>>>shooo the week has only just begun. Now i have to sort out this council submission in the morning my deadline is the end of this week. No pressure....

21 November - 25 November 2011.....Council submission

This week started off dragging but once i got into the swing of things it just flew by. I'm currently working on a council submission for a development in Rondebosch. it has to first be subdivided before any plans can be submitted to council. It is a two double dwellings over two erven. This means I have to complete two full sets of drawings for council. Double the fun. Well that's what i was busy with for the entire week hopefully i can complete it by Monday. then its, check, check, check and print, print, print.

Oh well I need to get back to work.

Till next time.

xoxo

14 November - 18 November 2011 Another week gone by

This week hasn't been to busy but I have been focusing on the final council submission drawings for this year. It seems funny saying that because as the weeks go by I realise that my time in the office is coming to an end ....Well hopefully depending on my results @ campus. This week I have been sending emails, doing council amendments, admin work and mainly trying to get this council submission drawings completed. This project the erf is being subdivided yet it has a double dwelling on each erf.so this means that I need to do take into consideration that certain aspects are shared namely the drainage and servitude connections. This week went fairly quickly.

Oh well back to work. Till next time

xoxo

7 November - 11 November 2011..............11.11.11 - full speed ahead

This week has definitely gone by super quick. Well it was a change to be back in the office and not in Elgin....I actually miss that place and everyone too. Well I had to get into the swing of things asap as life does go on. Good news was in order as two of the plans I had done had been approved @ council while I had been away in Elgin....always good motivation to know that your work is up to standard. While that happiness lasted only just a few hours.....work was on the rise. I needed to complete site drawings, sketch plans, send some emails and get a council submission started. This meant a really hectic week back @ the office but nothing I couldn't handle. After all that hard work in Elgin,  I feel like i can conquer anything:) This weekend I need to complete all my changes for the final re- submission....hopefully I make it in time.

Well I need to get back to work.....Till next time

xoxo

17 Oct - 21 Oct 2011 --Presentation time:)

This week I started doing some presentation drawings for a developement in stellenbosch....How ironic because I am busy doing all my work for CPUT, which needs to be well presented too.Our email was down this week so all the mail we expected from clients and other professionals never came through. After two days of talking to IT technicians it was all sorted!!!We were up and running:)Well after that drama was sorted I completed some amendments for council, done some admin and checked some progress on projects @ council. This week has really flown by and im super excited for BLOCK 3

See you all soon

xoxo 

10 Oct - 14 Oct 2011 - Time is just flying by

This week I completed all my drawings for the sketch plan proposal. I also drew up some site diagrams for a new property we could be doing a job on. Things from council are rolling in as the plans move from one department to the next. I’m learning so much from just doing admin work its amazing. I need to complete my assignments so luckily work is died down a bit so I could do research for my M.I.P work. Since time s flying by so quickly updating my portfolio and all outstanding work is my main priority


Till next time.

xoxo

3 Oct 2011 - 7 Oct 2011 Busy,Busy, Dead................ & Busy again.

This week was filled with lots to do. It continued from last week with the sketch plans for a development. But it didnt stop there clients were calling asking for drawings and that meant breaking away and doing those to keep the clients happy. This meant I needed to complete some site drawings, plumbing drawings and floor layouts. Emailing was definitly high priority on the things to do list. Then when all work starts to pick up again the electricity goes off!!!!The electricity department were doing maintainace on the transformers in the area from 8am - 4pm. So that meant no electricity, no pc, no work......DAY OFF:) happiness for a whole day!!but this meant working super hard to catch up for lost time. All's well that ends well this week has been hectic.

Till next time.

xoxo

26 Sep - 30 Sep 2011 - New challenges

This week i got to work on a developement that we will be doing in stellenbosch

19 Sep - 23 Sep 2011 - Getting through the week

What a week... This week i stated on a new project with two double dwellings. This is still at sketch stage so things will definitely be developing from here on. I've been doing lots of admin, filing & emailing in the office and I have been to council to check on progress on plans. Yesterday was my Boss' birthday and we had a little surprise party:) was awesome!!! So today i will be doing some admin and updating any loose ends.

Till next time

xoxo

12 Sep - 16 Sep 2011 - ADMIN, ADMIN, and more ADMIN!!!!

Well this week we sorted out the huge amount of paper that we had in the office.All the old plans had to be thrown out and we cleared the shelves, sample piles, unnecessary stationary & an all round updating of the office admin. This was an awesome experience as it allowed me to learn more about previous jobs and ask loads of questions.Now the office looks great and we have a beautiful display area. Feels so great to be in an organised space!!. On the work front I went to council and had a quick site visit!!! this definitely topped off the week as I received an all round learning experience. Council was exciting as I got to visit the various departments and meet planners & people that play an important roll in the approval of plans. This week has been an amazing learning experience for me.

Till next time!!!

xoxo

5 Sep - 9 Sep 2011 -Spring Cleaning!!!

This week we started spring cleaning the office!!! that meant lots of dust and lots of sorting!!! We sorted updating checklist for council and updating drawing folders. So it was definately an all round spring clean. Office work is on the low @ the moment so while we still have time Spring cleaning is possible. Not much to update on so thats all from me.

Till next time

xoxo

29 Aug - 2 Sep 2011 - SITE DRAWINGS!!

This week I have been working on a development which comprises of 24 units and these drawings need to be issued to site. What this means is that I have to ensure that all measurements and dimensions are correct, the layout positions and setbacks clearly marked so that the building can be setout on site correctly. As well as making sure window and door schedules are correct in order for the manufacturers to issue the correct amounts for site. These drawings make you realise the importance of your task as a draughtsperson. If any errors are found on the drawing this could result in costly mistakes on site.Something we would all much rather not deal with. This week has really taught me the importance of taking pride in your work and making sure your drawing is a clear reference or form of communication between you as the architect- "who designs " , draughtsperson " who completes the drawings" and builders "people resonsible for building the plans drawn up".


So this week has been rather interesting and a bit of pressure, nothing i could handle.

Till next time.

xoxo

22 Aug - 26 Aug 2011 - Miscellaneous

What a week.....Busy with lots of little things for council & site. This week I completed amendments for previous plans submitted  to council. Very important to remember the mistakes or aspects of the drawing I had left out, to ensure the same mistakes are not made. As I do my own amendments I am able to learn and experience the things council will and will not accept.

Well I have to get back to work. Till next time

xoxo

15 Aug - 19 Aug 2011 - Baie Besig

Shoooooo!!!! What a week. Last week being @ CPUT was awesome but that meant 1 week delay on my office work. This meant no fooling around and getting straight to it! I needed to prepare my work for council submission so that meant quick drawing, fast thinking and double checking. By wednesday that was all completed. A stress lifted off the shoulders. Then I started some details for information for a client who wants alterations to an existing development. The changes definately adds more dimension to the facade of the building. So now that is all complete all thats let to do is enjoy the weekend and continue updating CPUT assignments.

PS: tech computers corrupted my flash with all those viuses so it looks like im spending time this weekend
playing catch up again.

xoxo.

1 Aug - 5 Aug 2011 - Tying up loose ends

This week has been slow and then hectic.I finished offf the sketch plans and then went onto a different project changing working drawings and making sure that the electrical layout was correct. When that was all completed printing printing printing!!!!!Then it was on to council submission from the sketch drawings that I had been working on. But wait....First the land use application departures needed to be sorted out that meant that I would have to type up addresses of the neighbours surrounding the property that would be affected. This list is usually done by council but we really needed to speed up the process so I got cracking...:) was definately a good learning experience and much knowledge was gained. Now that all those things are sorted its off to CPUT next week for some 2nd year FUN!

Till then
xoxox

25 July - 29 July 2011 Playing Catch Up

Wow! this week has ended. I cant believe how quick the time is flying. This week i was busy completing loose ends, changes to existing plans, electrical layouts and generally getting things ready for the builders. I also got to start a new project, an alteration to an existing house. This meant me drawing up existing as built plans on a pan-handle site and the completing the suggested design for the client. That all went really well the client will be in next week to go over any changes. And most of all have been working on my assignments for CPUT. really need to polish up all my work but im getting there. The office was really buzzing this morning...the phones ringing non stop & emails coming through. And a bonus I had to prepare changes to a council submisssion. So work seems to be picking up even though this week work seems to be on the slow in the office but we stay optimistic and this never stops me from learning. Exciting weekend for me .........Its my Birthday!!!!!! Well thats all from me ....

xoxo

18 July - 22 July 2011 - Handing in ahead

This week was fair quiet gave me the opportunity to complete unfinished tasks. Getting everything up to date is definitely turning out to be a mission. Wednesday I received a new task, to draw up the as built plans of an existing house, using previously approved plans. It was very exciting to be starting something new. Now its just to wait for the client to get back to us with the alterations he wants and then further sketch plans will be drawn up following with a set of council submission drawings. I look forward to that but for now focusing on the tasks are the most important thing.

xoxo

11 July - 15 July 2011 - ASSIGNMENTS & SITE VISIT.

This week has been fairly quiet, but at least I had the opportunity to catch up with all my assignments. Gordon gave me the opportunity to do so until work picks up in the office again. I have also completed a portion of the SANS 10400 summary, as we do not have access to all publications yet so that is on hold as well. However this morning was a great break away from the office as we got to go on site. The development we visited was one of the buildings I had worked on, so it was really exciting to see the progress and development on site. The buildings are at various stages and the site is super busy.


Below are a few pictures of today’s site visit :)

4 July - 8 July BUSY; BUSY; BUSY

What a week this has been. I have completed a council submission for a development comprising of 247 apartments but 18 units have been changed into two bedroom units to make 9 units, so it has actually been a Rider plan to the previous approved plan that we have submitted earlier this year. Then it was on to the electrical layouts for another development with 5 units. This then led to producing individual unit layouts for clients,for the two bedroom apartments. In addition loads of emails came through which meant some admin for the week:) and to top it all off a a site visit to a almost complete developement. It looks amazing and here I had to complete a parking layout. So it has definately been an exciting and enriching week. So with all that said and done its spring cleaning again today, so I'm off:)

 

here is a seek peak of the site i visited.

xoxo

27 June - 01 July 2011 - Council on the horizon

This week has been fairly productive, been busy with council submission and working drawings for a development. I'm really enjoying it actually but I need to keep the pace going. Last week Friday we did end up going to site, will be posting the pics soon. It was an amazing experience to see a final product after hours of office work and constantly looking at drawings. The builders have done an awesome job and the block of flat has amazing views, brilliant lighting , a pop of colour and a inside-outside feel to the public spaces or pause area's a truly beautiful design. However this is not the building I worked on, that site visit will take place soon. Definitely excited to see that as it is still at the beginning stages, so fortunately I'll get to see the development. Till next time

xoxo

20 June -24 June 2011 Another week gone by

Yes...Another week has gone by. I feel like time is trully flying. This week I continued with the SANS 10400 still waiting for the other sections to be published. This assignment seems to be dragging a bit, but what else can i do. I started with council submission drawings this morning, for changes to existing flats mostly internal changes with a few windows addedand a few walls that will be demolished, so this should keep me busy the next few days. I was suppose to go on site today with Gordon & collegues but the weather is not on our side today and Gordon has other commitments so it will have to wait till next week.

Looking forward to the information session tomorrow at CPUT. Till then...

xoxo

13 June - 17 June Midweek Break

This week has come to an end once again. Lots of our plans have received approval from council so that's a great achievement for the week. Have just been trying complete the SANS 10400 summary starting to drag on.I  have completed some working drawings for a client and  basically done some admin in the office. Today is clean up day so I'm going to get started with that.

xoxo

6 June - 10 June 2011 Admin week

This week I was definitely had a variety week. I haven't done so much drawing work as what I have been reading and learning about various things like tender documents, building line departure applications & administration information. Work seems to be picking up so hopefully more work will be on the table in coming weeks. Till next time.

xoxo

30 May - 3 June 2011- Productive or Not???

The week started off slow but then it picked up. The flu bug is definately going around that meant less people in the office. This week I've done a few things: An graphic diagram & area schedule to determine whether the proposed building is less than the existing buildings on the site, I've been able to use City Map Viewer a program from government, that allows you to search for a propety by address or Erf # and measure the site and building, alot like google earth. I also completed a boundary wall plan that has been submitted to council. Then I started with working drawings of a development with two bedroom units, very basic but with sufficient information for building. These plans will soon be submitted to council as a rider plan. Now back to the SANS 10400 summary, soon I will need to present it infront of my boss and collegues. I also need to complete all exercises & assignments for CPUT.

xoxo

23 May - 27 May 2011- Hard work ahead

Well this week i didn't feel as productive as usual, I've just been doing admin in the office and continuing with the SANS 10400 summary, loads of reading! I have good intentions for the weekend tho to get up to date with all my varsity work.DEFINITELY a PRIORITY!!! Well that's all from me my quick update.

xoxo

16 May - 20 May 2011 Need to pickup the pace

The week is over and I have accomplished pretty much nothing. I've been off sick from work the entire week due to a really bad case of the flue, that's left me basically drained. This is not entirely good for my academic achievement so I'm kind of lagging behind. So I am going to pick up the pace this weekend, tie up all the lose ends and complete all the tasks thus far......Shooo!

Let the work begin....

xoxo

9 May - 13 May 2011- This & That

My apologies for the late post.. Blogger was doing some maintenance on the site.

Well last week started off slow but then things started picking up. Still busy with The Sans 10400 but I completed a Land Use Management drawing, basically a site layout indicating the coverage and use of the land. once that was completed I started a boundary wall plan, but that soon came to a hault when ammendents to a previous plan come from council .....This meant writing, writing, writing. So staring slow to a rather interesting week.

Oh well we will have to see what the next few weeks hold in store

XOXO

3 May - 6 May 2011- What a quick week

Wow this week went super quick......Just came back from 11day holiday and it was so awesome. However back to work and this Sans document is almost complete been working on it for weeks now, it's been endless reading wow! I hope all this knowledge stays in my brain...lol well I dont have much to update on just that i need to do some serious catching up work wise definately not up to standard and not my full potential.

Here's a little sneak peak to your right

So to everyone all the best with the upcoming exercises.

xoxo Tk

18 April - 21 April 2011 - Super long weekend!

Well this is the end of a short week for me. This week has been fairly slow in the office and i've been finishing off the SANS 10400 Reading....Reading...Reading.... That was clearly my main objective this week. Just got the most amazing news that that my amazing boss is closing the office for the 11days so il will be back then.

To all you celebrate Easter. may you have a blessed one:)

11 April - 15 April 2011- SOLVING ISSUES

This week has been quite eventfull....I've drawn up diagrams to better explain the new SANS 10400 building regulations...still in the process but all this reading has definately been an experience on its own.
So this week has been very quiet but we all need that once in a while....
However yesterday a little bomb fell when one of the plans came back from the enviromental department... Due to a canal being at the back of the site we are within the restricted area this means back to the drawing board and solving this issue. Eventually we came up with a solution and amendments were made....Now for the endless wait to see if things will progress....

Oh and I was part of the first online crit sessions...it was quite fun actually and very informative. A few ups & downs but with practise all that can be sorted.
Till then its back to the drawing board for me....

4 April - 8 April 2011 - SANS 10400

Can't believe another week is over....This week I have been fairly busy, with endless amendments but I got through it. I now realise how important checklists are and that we should not take it for granted. Plans are not just pretty pictures, drawings are a form of communication and it needs to be clear and accurate, making easy for the people reading the document to fully understand the message you bringing across. This week I also recieved the new publications of the SANS 10400 The new updated National Building Regulations. I am currently making a diagramatic representation of all the amended regulations for office. This will provide everyone with a clear understanding of what will now be expected at Council. Wow thats been a mouth full but I am trully grateful for the opportunities of learning in the office. Knowledge is a really powerful asset to have.

More importantly with knowledge you can achieve great things.

Till next time.

28 Mar - 1 April 2011- what a week!!!

Shoo....What a week, it has been filled with loads of amendments, using new programs & making changes to drawings which resulting in loads of prints (loads of paper) and just a hectic week of really making sure that your work is up to a good standard. I have really learnt so much this week. But shoo!!! am I glad I have completed it all

So that's this week gone..the weeks are just flying by

Till next time.

22 Mar - 25 Mar 2011- long week..

This week went very long thought it was suppose to be a short week. I have been working on a few things this week a bit here and a bit there mostly amendments to existing plans that I have worked on. Oh well been very busy trying my best to keep up, I feel as if I'm not doing to bad.
NB: Definitely have some catching up to do- My hub project needs to be seriously worked on!!!

Oh well that's all from me

Chat soon...

14 Mar- 18 Mar 2011....All Sick & worked up:( but long weekend ahead:)

Another week gone by ....and I don't even feel good about it! well that's life I suppose. This week we have a development we are working on and different tasks are assigned to each person in the office. My job was to complete working drawings for a Bin Store & Guard house. It was going great but then my health wasn't to great it hasn't been for a wile now think I need to just relax more....This long weekend is just going to be the breath of fresh air I need :)

To everyone well done with the hub assignment & enjoy the Long WEEKEND:)

chat soon..

7 Mar -11 Mar 2011 FIRE AWAY......

So the week's come to an end again.....Wow they really flying by...This week I worked on some more fire plans, I really enjoy those actually. I have done some amendments for council & few emails to clients generally it has be quite a productive week. This weekend it is definitely down to business to complete my tasks for CPUT

Well that all from me....Good luck to everyone for the upcoming submissions:)

28 Feb - 4 Mar 2011....Slow & steady....great weekend ahead:)

This week was kind of slow, I am currently busy with sketch plans for a housing development made up of different house types with various elevations. Glad to had completed my tech work...with a little hiccups..lol

as well as being up to date with my office work.

This week just dragged but at least its over now. I'm so looking forward to the weekend as its my special person's birthday:)

Till next time:)

21 Feb - 25 Feb 2011 First submission...handling the pressure

What a week.....the weeks just keep passing by...This week I managed to complete my first plan for the year and it was submitted to council, a great start to the week! I then started with sketch plans for a cottage on a farm/wine estate. It has been a bit challenging & stressful as my health wasn't really that good, really tested whether I was able to withstand the stress....but I made it through the week!

Until next time...

14 Feb - 18 Feb 2011...KEEPING MOTIVATED

Its me again……..wow this week was hectic, I started working on alterations to an existing house. This allowed me to follow a brief, namely the client’s needs but its been endless changes. I would take the list and complete the changes and then more would pop up. I am busy preparing for council submission and the checklists are endless. Oh well I got through it!!!! I really enjoy working to a deadline as it keeps me motivated.

Till next time ……

I’m so looking forward to the weekend!!!

7 Feb- 11 Feb 2011 NEW ADVENTURES

What a week...glad its the weekend.This has been a non-stop learning week for me. One of our colleagues left to explore work on her own and now we have a new colleague. Jenny is an interior designer as well as a technologist, she walks plans @ council and is very actively involved the the process of drawing & council submissions. I will be working closely with her and look forward to all the great experiences & knowledge I will gain. This week was once again amendments, however I'm working on a new project that is allowing me to test my knowledge on what is acceptable for council according to national building regulations.

So that all from me....catch me again next week.

PS: Enjoy Valentines day...spread the love....THIS WORLD DEFINITELY NEEDS MORE OF IT!:)

31 Jan - 4 Feb 2011 A little this & that!

This week has been quite interesting...I have learned how to do a landscape plan as well as mechanical ventilation. Things are fairly slow however amendments are very often rolling in.So I guess I'm becoming more accustomed to council requirements and needs. This week has gone by fairly quickly. Look forward to next week and what challenges I may face:)

Work environment update

Work environment update

Week 1, Block 1.....the rest is History

What a week..! Academic block 1 started off with registration it was very organized this year, got my papers sorted, signed my forms, off to data capturing then straight  to checkout point with student card in hand ….Now that  it was sorted I could begin my year. Started with a short intro & an inspirational presentation, then a DESIGN WORKSHOP creating of our very own community hub. This group work definitely provided loads of entertainment as well as some much learning opportunities. Those were definitely fun times.

The road trips included visits to

The AFRIKAANSE TAAL MONUMENT- a representation of symbolism and heritage,

DIE POORT- bring the rich heritage of the wagons of Paarl to life.

The OLD MAC DADDY TRAILER PARK , where beautiful designs and artistic talents were shown using enviromentally friendly materials. THE SOLMS DELTA WINE ESTATE where students took part in an amazing wine tasting session. Beautiful,serene landscape great picnic spots.

The knowledge and understanding that I gained was awesome and the views & beautiful weather, what more could we ask for. We also travelled to a School for Multigrade learning which will form part of our M.I.P this year. It is truly exciting to know that we be making an active contribution to the upliftment of our communities. The smiles on the children's faces even though they are at as privileged as many other students just melted my heart. Definitely inspiration to continue with community development.

Then a few more presentations from our lecturers as well as other practicing architects’ to give us that extra excitement factor. This week was simply awesome.  My journey ended with a train ride home, what great memories and a wonderful start to the year & new friendships were made.

A special thank you to Hermie and Jolanda. Great start to the year!

1st post------Look at me...hehehe

Wow!!!my 1st post!!!:)2011 here I come!!