The week started off with me having to finish the 'pool house' drawings for House Schrauwen, as the client was keen to have the plans submited and approved by council ASAP.
this just meant i had to add some final notes to the drawings, correct some mistakes i had made regarding line-weight, hatching style and colour. Once these were complete, the client was able to collect one set of plans, get the neighbours to sign, return the plans to us, and subit it to council. This is where the waiting game begins. I must say, it's one of the projects ive done that i feel the most proud about, and look forward to seeing the final product knowing i was involved in the design and drawing process :)
I then continued with the Carport drawings for Mr Aldera, and this too was nearing completion. before i could carry on with the drawing, i had to research the joinery details for this type of carport, to be able to understand how it works, thus enabling me to be able to put it all together on a drawing.
On Tuesday I was asked by Enrica to go with her to the site of a proposed commercial/residential building and to help her collect a few measurements that she was missing. these included locating and drawing out the positions of the existing trees, as these are milkwood trees, and almost impossible to have removed, and thus would remain on the plans of the proposed building. This was to be a 3 storey building, consisting of retail on ground floor, offices on the second, and residential on the third floor, and is situated in Table View.
Xavier, the other draughtsman, is busy with this project, and drawings are coming along pretty well. alhough the Client keeps setting deadlines, the deadlines are always pushed forward as the deadlines are impossible to make with this size project....
Because Tamryn, the receptionist, had resigned and would be leaving soon, i was told that it would be my job to take over her duty of fetching Enrica's kids from school some days of the week, and that i would have to travel all the way to Bishops in Rondebosch to fetch them.... i wasnt too sure where Bishops was, so Tamryn asked if i wanted to join her when she fetches the children again. So i went with her to get my head clear on the directions.
House McIver was an upmarket home situated in the estate "Sunset Links" which i had started drafting from original hardcopy plans, and on-site measurements. Additions were to be done to the front and back portions of the house, so i was to ensure that the measurements to the areas around the parts that were to be worked around, were accurate. There were one or two measurements i didnt have, and asked if Enrica could get those few measurements for me sometime as she lives on the same estate. After recieving those measurements, i could ammend the drawing accordingly, and have it ready for the design process :)
later in the week, i was asked to submit plans at the City of Cape Town, and this meant another scenic bus trip :) i dont mind these cause its nice time spent away from the office for a bit.
on the bus, there was this incident thal lightened my whole week. sounded alot funnier in person, but heres how it went........
shortley after having gotten on the bus, i noticed these 3 girls talking to a foreigner about Cape Town and all the touristy attractions to see. then the foreigner ( i think British ) asked the girls what there was to see in Johannesburg, the girls looked at one another and were all like "uh......." Couldnt help bu overhear and break out in laughter!! the girls then looked at me and also started laughing, knowing that i had found it quite funny how they responded.. and it was pretty true.. there isnt much to see in Jo'burg! haha
We had to get to council by 12, as the town planner we had spoken to previously and had organised to drop the plans at, was only at the counter till 12.. it was about 10 to 12, and we started shuffling towards council to ensure we dont miss the deadline which would result in a waste of a day to town... We arrived at council just as Ben Schoeman, the planner we had planned to meet, was packing up and getting ready to leave, we managed to grab him before he could, but said he wouldnt have time to look at the plans on counter, but would have a look at them in his office, and call us reg. anything further... This ended up being a quick visit town, but meant going back to the office earlier than expected... a nice walk around town woulve been nice though ;)
i was also asked to research pool table sizes, table tennis board sizes as well as the area required around them. i had to then draw these out onto the master drawing sheet so that it was available if ever needed.. Enrica was quite happy with my findings
till next week !
Monday, 5 March 2012
Tuesday, 21 February 2012
Week 6
So it's been just over a month at Linden Projects, and things are still going well.
This week i had joined up at the tennis club, and practices were from 5 on certain days, and because work only finished at 5, and still travelling an hour in traffic on my way home, i thought it best to ask Enrica(my boss), if it was possible to change my hours from 8 -5, to 7 -4. I would benefit traffice wise, and also be able to make tennis. So i spoke to her and she was realy cool about it, i didnt even have to give reason..
starting at work at 7am, meant it was still cool-ish in the morning, allowing me to enjoy a hot cup of coffee with biscuits before i am to start work.. its the routine now of how my days start :)
the week started with me having to work on House Thompson, where an existing patio was to be enclosed.. i had to redraft the house as soft-copy plans were not available.. ive also been put on phone-duty alot more often lately, because of the receptionist and her castings and errands she has to run for the boss. this has made me a lot more comfortable with the phone, i now enjoy calling clients, engineers, municipality, etc.. just helps improve my communication skills benefitting me in the long run.
one example of a phone call during the week went like this:
Brad: Linden Projects, Brad speaking, good morning..
Lady: Hi, can I speak to Enrica?
Brad: Sorry, Enrica is in a meeting, can i take a message and she will call you back?
Lady: Ask her to phone Anita back
Brad: Sure will do
Lady: No you wont phone me back, you dont have my number?!
Brad: We do have your number on the system, right infront of me now, but i will take your number anyway.....
(this was quite a funny start to the week as i had spoken to this lady (Anita, part of the body corp of one of the projects we are working on) quite often, so how she could think we wouldnt have her number was quite strange)
i had eventually earned enough trust from my boss, when i was asked to go to council, and the post office to mail off stuff, and was told to take my boss's Audi A3... i was shocked at first, that she was allowing me to use it, but i agreed, and went with it, with these words at the back of my head "if you get a speeding fine, it's on your head..."... I drove realy cautiously and at the mall i parked miles away from the nearest car, lol, just to ensure nothing happens to the car. eventually got the feel of the car, and was up for another trip,,,, :)
The previous week, i had taken plans to the City of CT to be submitted, but because the house was quite complex, and lots of details on the plan needed to be clarrified, i couldnt submit the plan, and was asked to email the head planner and book a pre-consultation meeting between my boss and some of the head planners, just to go through the plans together, and clear any discrepencies.. I emailed the council the previous wednesday, and it was tuesday already and we had heard nothing. our client was getting realy frustrated as his plans were just standing for a week, and he wanted to ge the plans approved asap! so i decided to call the council back and find out why they arent replying to my mail, and when we'de be able to see them. i called the lady i had previously emailed, and when i told her who i was, she acted all apologetic saying she so sorry she hasnt gotten back to me, but just waiting on a planner to get back to her and will call me in 5 minutes... 24 hours had passed, and i had had it up to here with the council, i then called AGAIN!! this time i couldnt get hold of her, and just as i starting stressing on my clients behalf, the planner had phoned my boss, and eventually managed to organize a meeting for the upcoming friday.. which i was excited about as id never been to one of these meetings before... so we will see what happens
This week i was still working on The "Spearheads" project, which involved an empty office block in an office park being renovated and made suitable for an Internet Service Provider. Alot of drafting was involved, as well as the layout of drainage, and aircon onto the plan. another project House Schrauwen, was on the top of my priorities list, was quite an exciting one which i am invloved int the drafting and designing of, where a pool house was to be built in the backyard of an exsiting house. something that would change the lifestyle of the family completley! i was so excited about this project, and cant wait to see the final result built :)
Visiting council on friday ended up being one LONG story.. we ended up leaving there with no further progress than where we were last week this time! there were a few pieces of info missing, on the architect's side, and title deeds werent clear as to what the restrictions were, thus confusing the planners abit... this all had to be sorted out before we can head back to council yet again... so back to the office, and back to the phone
what a week it was indeed, and am sure next week will only get alot bussier....
till then :)
This week i had joined up at the tennis club, and practices were from 5 on certain days, and because work only finished at 5, and still travelling an hour in traffic on my way home, i thought it best to ask Enrica(my boss), if it was possible to change my hours from 8 -5, to 7 -4. I would benefit traffice wise, and also be able to make tennis. So i spoke to her and she was realy cool about it, i didnt even have to give reason..
starting at work at 7am, meant it was still cool-ish in the morning, allowing me to enjoy a hot cup of coffee with biscuits before i am to start work.. its the routine now of how my days start :)
the week started with me having to work on House Thompson, where an existing patio was to be enclosed.. i had to redraft the house as soft-copy plans were not available.. ive also been put on phone-duty alot more often lately, because of the receptionist and her castings and errands she has to run for the boss. this has made me a lot more comfortable with the phone, i now enjoy calling clients, engineers, municipality, etc.. just helps improve my communication skills benefitting me in the long run.
one example of a phone call during the week went like this:
Brad: Linden Projects, Brad speaking, good morning..
Lady: Hi, can I speak to Enrica?
Brad: Sorry, Enrica is in a meeting, can i take a message and she will call you back?
Lady: Ask her to phone Anita back
Brad: Sure will do
Lady: No you wont phone me back, you dont have my number?!
Brad: We do have your number on the system, right infront of me now, but i will take your number anyway.....
(this was quite a funny start to the week as i had spoken to this lady (Anita, part of the body corp of one of the projects we are working on) quite often, so how she could think we wouldnt have her number was quite strange)
i had eventually earned enough trust from my boss, when i was asked to go to council, and the post office to mail off stuff, and was told to take my boss's Audi A3... i was shocked at first, that she was allowing me to use it, but i agreed, and went with it, with these words at the back of my head "if you get a speeding fine, it's on your head..."... I drove realy cautiously and at the mall i parked miles away from the nearest car, lol, just to ensure nothing happens to the car. eventually got the feel of the car, and was up for another trip,,,, :)
The previous week, i had taken plans to the City of CT to be submitted, but because the house was quite complex, and lots of details on the plan needed to be clarrified, i couldnt submit the plan, and was asked to email the head planner and book a pre-consultation meeting between my boss and some of the head planners, just to go through the plans together, and clear any discrepencies.. I emailed the council the previous wednesday, and it was tuesday already and we had heard nothing. our client was getting realy frustrated as his plans were just standing for a week, and he wanted to ge the plans approved asap! so i decided to call the council back and find out why they arent replying to my mail, and when we'de be able to see them. i called the lady i had previously emailed, and when i told her who i was, she acted all apologetic saying she so sorry she hasnt gotten back to me, but just waiting on a planner to get back to her and will call me in 5 minutes... 24 hours had passed, and i had had it up to here with the council, i then called AGAIN!! this time i couldnt get hold of her, and just as i starting stressing on my clients behalf, the planner had phoned my boss, and eventually managed to organize a meeting for the upcoming friday.. which i was excited about as id never been to one of these meetings before... so we will see what happens
This week i was still working on The "Spearheads" project, which involved an empty office block in an office park being renovated and made suitable for an Internet Service Provider. Alot of drafting was involved, as well as the layout of drainage, and aircon onto the plan. another project House Schrauwen, was on the top of my priorities list, was quite an exciting one which i am invloved int the drafting and designing of, where a pool house was to be built in the backyard of an exsiting house. something that would change the lifestyle of the family completley! i was so excited about this project, and cant wait to see the final result built :)
Visiting council on friday ended up being one LONG story.. we ended up leaving there with no further progress than where we were last week this time! there were a few pieces of info missing, on the architect's side, and title deeds werent clear as to what the restrictions were, thus confusing the planners abit... this all had to be sorted out before we can head back to council yet again... so back to the office, and back to the phone
what a week it was indeed, and am sure next week will only get alot bussier....
till then :)
Monday, 13 February 2012
Monday, 6 February 2012
Week 4 - Orientation
So this was to be a short work week, because of the orientation that was going to take place from the wednesday to the Saturday on Campus...
the week started off pretty smoothley, having to draught up proposed offices to be used by an internet service provider, completing the door and window schedule, as well as pdf'ing the drawings and sending them off to the body corporate as these offices are located inside a business park..
On tuesday i was asked to double check the window and door schedule of a previous project, as the client had come back to us saying that the windows and doors on plan and elevation did not match those written in the schedule, so that took me a few minutes, and minor changes, before i could cross it off the list. For the same project, the client had asked if we can now add a basement level below the front porch which could be used for the storage of canoes, wetsuits, etc. So working together with the plan and creating a section, i tried as much as i could to get this store room onto paper. thing is, the site had quite a slope, an existing driveway was in the way, and the amount of space needed for the amount of steps needed was not enough.. So i ended up asking the main draughtsman to give me a hand, and before i knew it, it was 5'o clock, and knowing i wasnt gonna be in the office for the next few days meant this project would have to stand, and i would be falling behind, knowing that come Monday, i would have a large amount of work waiting for me on my desk.......
It was pretty cool going back to campus the next day, as we could hook-up with all the guys we'd made friends with last year :) i wasnt that excited at first about the orientation, as i was hoping it wasnt going to be a waste of four days and that i would regret leaving the office for it...
but it turned out okay :)
On Wednesday we were introduced to some of the 2nd year lecturers and co-ordinators, we had to stand up infront of the class and introduce ourselves, aswell as shown how the online media work and told how important it is to keep up-to-date with our online blogs. We then later watched a powerpoint on South african history and also a dvd on the Baths by Peter Zunther.
the week started off pretty smoothley, having to draught up proposed offices to be used by an internet service provider, completing the door and window schedule, as well as pdf'ing the drawings and sending them off to the body corporate as these offices are located inside a business park..
On tuesday i was asked to double check the window and door schedule of a previous project, as the client had come back to us saying that the windows and doors on plan and elevation did not match those written in the schedule, so that took me a few minutes, and minor changes, before i could cross it off the list. For the same project, the client had asked if we can now add a basement level below the front porch which could be used for the storage of canoes, wetsuits, etc. So working together with the plan and creating a section, i tried as much as i could to get this store room onto paper. thing is, the site had quite a slope, an existing driveway was in the way, and the amount of space needed for the amount of steps needed was not enough.. So i ended up asking the main draughtsman to give me a hand, and before i knew it, it was 5'o clock, and knowing i wasnt gonna be in the office for the next few days meant this project would have to stand, and i would be falling behind, knowing that come Monday, i would have a large amount of work waiting for me on my desk.......
It was pretty cool going back to campus the next day, as we could hook-up with all the guys we'd made friends with last year :) i wasnt that excited at first about the orientation, as i was hoping it wasnt going to be a waste of four days and that i would regret leaving the office for it...
but it turned out okay :)
On Wednesday we were introduced to some of the 2nd year lecturers and co-ordinators, we had to stand up infront of the class and introduce ourselves, aswell as shown how the online media work and told how important it is to keep up-to-date with our online blogs. We then later watched a powerpoint on South african history and also a dvd on the Baths by Peter Zunther.
Tuesday, 31 January 2012
Week 3
Surprisingly, week 3 had gone realy fast. now that the boss was back in the office from time to time, i was constantly given new work, thus losing track of time :) which can be good in a way...
during the week, it was time to head off to The CT council where i had to submit the building plans for an upcoming project which was to take place in Tamboerskloof. My boss had decided that we were to take the brt busses into town, as it's cheaper than your petrol, no hassle of finding parking in the middle of town, and "less cars on the road, results in less polution..." so from the office it was about a 15 minute walk to the nearest bus stop, a 35 min bus trip to town, and another 10 minute walk to Council. the bus strip was pretty scenic, drove along the beach and milnerton golf course, had realy nice views of Table Bay, with the Queen Mary 2, Table Mountain, aswell as Cape Town Stadium :) was in Town for about 2 hours before I headed back to the office. was a nice outing though
during the week I also had to get plans checked at the Milnerton Coucil. I got there as soon as they had opened so that i could be in there as quick as possible, queues arent my thing ;)
One of the projects i worked on, was the draughting of house plans from a hard Copy, onto the computer, for which a new carport is to be designed.
i was given another project of draughting out a house that's outdoor patio area was to be enclosed. this project is still in the design process...
couldnt be happier that our hours are 8 to 5 with no homework, tasks and assignments which we are to take home! have a busy schedule the weekend (socially) and wouldnt want it to be ruined by assignements, lifes alot better withouth them anyways;)
till my next post
during the week, it was time to head off to The CT council where i had to submit the building plans for an upcoming project which was to take place in Tamboerskloof. My boss had decided that we were to take the brt busses into town, as it's cheaper than your petrol, no hassle of finding parking in the middle of town, and "less cars on the road, results in less polution..." so from the office it was about a 15 minute walk to the nearest bus stop, a 35 min bus trip to town, and another 10 minute walk to Council. the bus strip was pretty scenic, drove along the beach and milnerton golf course, had realy nice views of Table Bay, with the Queen Mary 2, Table Mountain, aswell as Cape Town Stadium :) was in Town for about 2 hours before I headed back to the office. was a nice outing though
during the week I also had to get plans checked at the Milnerton Coucil. I got there as soon as they had opened so that i could be in there as quick as possible, queues arent my thing ;)
One of the projects i worked on, was the draughting of house plans from a hard Copy, onto the computer, for which a new carport is to be designed.
i was given another project of draughting out a house that's outdoor patio area was to be enclosed. this project is still in the design process...
couldnt be happier that our hours are 8 to 5 with no homework, tasks and assignments which we are to take home! have a busy schedule the weekend (socially) and wouldnt want it to be ruined by assignements, lifes alot better withouth them anyways;)
till my next post
Tuesday, 24 January 2012
Week 2
After arriving at work last Monday, i was told that my boss had been in a surfing accident over the weekend and was not gooing to be in the office until further notice. Apparently it was quite bad..
because of this, the week had gone by realy slow, as i wasnt constantly given new work to do..
some of the tasks i had done during the week included the measuring up of The Smith House, where potential renovations are to take place, redesigning of the bathroom and storage area of a previous project i had worked on, as the owner had come back to us with a few changes he would like, amongst one or two other smaller jobs
Coming accross from Autocad, and now having to work on Caddie, i was a bit nerbvous, expecting it to take me a while to get the hang of the program. To my surprise, its been 2 weeks and i think I've now got the knack for it~~ causeImCoolLikeThat ;)
well hopefully this week will be a little bussier, then i can let you in on whats happening
till then
because of this, the week had gone by realy slow, as i wasnt constantly given new work to do..
some of the tasks i had done during the week included the measuring up of The Smith House, where potential renovations are to take place, redesigning of the bathroom and storage area of a previous project i had worked on, as the owner had come back to us with a few changes he would like, amongst one or two other smaller jobs
Coming accross from Autocad, and now having to work on Caddie, i was a bit nerbvous, expecting it to take me a while to get the hang of the program. To my surprise, its been 2 weeks and i think I've now got the knack for it~~ causeImCoolLikeThat ;)
well hopefully this week will be a little bussier, then i can let you in on whats happening
till then
Monday, 16 January 2012
One week and going strong...
So today marks the one week that I have been with Linden Projects which is based in Table View.
Initially i was going through mixed emotions prior to having started with them, my nerves were going haywire, yet I was realy excited to begin this adventure.
The day had finally come when I had to meet my new boss and fellow colleagues. Linden Projects is run by Willie van der Linden, who manages and overseas the construction side of things, his wife, Enrica, is the firms architect aka 'my boss,' then there is the draughtsman, Xavier, and the receptionist, Tamryn.
At the start of the week I was a bit quiet, and kept to myself, as i wasnt sure what would be expected of me, and being in a new environment, was a tad bit strrrange.
Throughout the week I was given various smaller tasks, such as adding ammendments to plans, making changes on the plans on the computer, a small amount of admin work, and was, merely just showed how things work around the office. I then attended one meeting with the client close to the end of the week, with Enrica, to confirm details of what the client's expectations of the proposed project are and to discuss one or two problems that we had encountered while drawing up of the plans. This meeting took a few hours, but was very enlightful. was made clear of what was required of the brief :)
By the time Friday had come, i was just looking forward to a weekend without homework or assignments, and especially being free from 8 - 5 office hours!
I managed to get a good rest in during the weekend, only to prepare myself for what the following week was to bring.
But im ready!
will keep you posted on how the week goes.
ciao
Initially i was going through mixed emotions prior to having started with them, my nerves were going haywire, yet I was realy excited to begin this adventure.
The day had finally come when I had to meet my new boss and fellow colleagues. Linden Projects is run by Willie van der Linden, who manages and overseas the construction side of things, his wife, Enrica, is the firms architect aka 'my boss,' then there is the draughtsman, Xavier, and the receptionist, Tamryn.
At the start of the week I was a bit quiet, and kept to myself, as i wasnt sure what would be expected of me, and being in a new environment, was a tad bit strrrange.
Throughout the week I was given various smaller tasks, such as adding ammendments to plans, making changes on the plans on the computer, a small amount of admin work, and was, merely just showed how things work around the office. I then attended one meeting with the client close to the end of the week, with Enrica, to confirm details of what the client's expectations of the proposed project are and to discuss one or two problems that we had encountered while drawing up of the plans. This meeting took a few hours, but was very enlightful. was made clear of what was required of the brief :)
By the time Friday had come, i was just looking forward to a weekend without homework or assignments, and especially being free from 8 - 5 office hours!
I managed to get a good rest in during the weekend, only to prepare myself for what the following week was to bring.
But im ready!
will keep you posted on how the week goes.
ciao
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