INITIAL STAGE OF FRANSCHHOEK CONTEXT

THESE ARE EXISTING FRANSCHHOEK BUILDINGS

TOOK 3 WEEKS TO COMPLETE

WHEN I WAS INTRODUCED TO THIS I FELT THAT I WAS BEING TORTURED UNTIL I REALISED THAT ALL CHALLANGES PAY OFF AT THE END OF THE DAY.

MY SKETCHUP SKILLS ARE GETTING BETTER BY THE DAY.

MORE IS COMING.

JUST NEEDS A LITTLE BIT OF SOME PHOTOSHOP AND A MAGIC TOUCH AND THIS CONTEXT WILL BE CLOSE TO COMPLETION.

LUMINAIRE DESIGN PROJECT

LUMINAIRE DESIGN

PRECEDENT STUDY/ INSPIRATION

DESIGN

3D MODEL

PHYSICAL MODEL

(THE PHYSICAL MODEL DOES NOT LOOK EXACTLY AS THE DESIGN BECAUSE I KIND OF RAN OUT OF SHOE LACES) 

NEST SYMBOLISM

A NEST IS SYMBOLIC OF THE FOLLOWING

• Getting ready for a new domestic life
• comfort
• safety
• protection
• new opportunities
• homeliness

Yes, everybody knows the importance of light, which makes it the reason why people place so much value on light alone, yet shadows might not seem as important but they also come into consideration too. Only then do luminaire concepts and ideas start to make sense.

So my main point is, it should be much more about just lighting a particular space, but also considering the function and impact and how shadows evoke feelings and emotions, because on the other hand light is just light like air it is just there ,yet shadows have that certain impact depending on how they cast.

• The initial idea was to use bottles and cover them with reeds giving a strong emphasis of the concept, which would have became a perfect end product if I had all the material and resources.

• The second idea was to use wire to make the pattern and perspects as a translucent cover, of which I tried and it was too complicated to construct.

• The final ideas shown on the design has a wire frame structure with shoe laces (flexibility reasons) around it creating that "Nest" pattern. The cover is a translucent sheet with bumf paper (semi-translucent). 

SUITABLE FOR

• Residential settings
• Traditional Resturaunts
• Hotels

GOODBYE TO COLLEAGUE

Had a farewell tea today, saying goodbye to one of the most friendly, social, humbled and hard-working colleagues. This man knows AutoCad like the back of his hand. He had external professionals calling him for AutoCad technical assistance. He sat right in front of my desk and when ever my supervisor wasn't around I would ask him for any assistance and he would assist with an open heart.
"Young man, you are still young and have a lot to offer to society. Goodluck for your future" (Hand shake), These were his last words powerful and touching to me. And I responded, "Same to you sir". Only to realise a couple of seconds later that all he had wished me was all that he has already achieved... But any way, I will stick to those words. Oh, in addition we had some snacks...#awesome stuff, cake, pies, cookies ...yoh, the list is endless.

With regards to work. A lot has been happening lately, making it the reason why I have not been posting on my Blog for a while now. I have been busy building a couple of SketchUp models (A Double story house for a client here in Stellenbosch and I will Post it later during the week./ A gathering space for some school somewhere as shown on the previous post). I have  been helping with the Foundary Estate as well as the Somerset (AutoCad). 
I must say work is coming alright, I now can see a major differences in  experience compared to the first time I came here in this office. I extend my gratitude to all my colleagues that helped me improve in my programs.

STELLENBERG SCHOOL CLUB HOUSE

3D MODEL BY MONGEZI...

 A CLUB HOUSE FOR STELLENBERG SCHOOL IN STELLENBOSCH

I WANT YOU...

Good day people, my week has been hectic as usual , probably even worse. Missed a deadline last week and it was postponed for today, at least I got it finished on time this time around.

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I am so exhausted today I don't feel like writing.

... Secondary School Renovation and stage Design

FINAL DESIGN

...Secondary School Renovation and stage Design.

I was challenged by my superiors (Senior Architect, Director and my Supervisor) to come up with a stage Design that would suite the... School situated in James town, Stellenbosch and they also came with their own ideas as well. We then had a meeting with the Head-Master , project manager and other staff members of the school to present to them the ideas we had of how the stage will look and function.

The school staff seemed to like my idea, which was like the design above (final design) but with access approaching from the sides as well. Since the staff also had a say they decide that we remove the access on the sides since it was going to cause untidy lines yet they wanted single and tidy straight lines when the school pupils are entering the stage for performances, presentations etc .

This a simply not so fancy stage design, yet at the same time it does have aesthetic appeal and proper function. I hope the final product becomes so exciting to the school children's eye that they would want to spend the whole day on Assembly.

As part of the Design process and renovation we had to design a new wall as to fill that space covered with translucent sheeting as shown on the two first images. And the final product will look something like the last image. The walls in between the columns positioned both sides where the stage ends will be painted white or any bright colour, to allow for a projector presentation and the brickwork on the sides will be exposed having those narrow windows in each side.

DEVELOPMENT HOUSES

Development houses. The Biggest low cost development house project yet happening in the Western Cape Province.
I have been working on the project for a while since I came to DMP assisting with some AutoCad drawings and sketchUp modelling. The images above are just to give an idea of the little I have contributed in. The Engineers on site have been having problems with understanding some of the drawings that had been drawn way before I even came, so I had to recheck the Unit type drawings to ensure that every information was correct and redesigned that Huge, welcoming and aesthetically appealing Entrance wall .

BUSIEST WEEK EVER!!!

I have came to a stage where I have realized that working in the architectural profession isn't so easy.#Not complaining though, rather appreciating the challenge# (Having an attitude of gratitude and putting away the pride because it will slide me to a position where I will feel less satisfied)
My supervisor is gone for a 3 week holiday, so most of the projects he was dealing with have been handed to my student colleague and I. 2 Directors and one Senior Architect have been relying on me most  this whole week. (I have been their Cad Monkey). What ever they wanted drawn on Cad was handed to me.
There is this Blue Downs project that is currently under construction, The contractor and Engineers have been having some problems with the understanding of some drawings and I had to fix them in addition my Director and I redesigned the Huge North Entrance wall which had to be drawn on AutoCad and Sketchup  and had to prepare detail layout including the 3D views of which I submitted today.
However, there is more than just that I also did a stage design for the Stellenzicht Sec. School which I am currently working on and also have to do the documents for the school renovation which are due sometime next week and will have to be ready for tendering.
It has been quite a busy one, but nothing can be better than experience at this stage and that is exactly what I am getting. There more the pressure, the more I grow in knowledge and the more I don't go for lunch is the more I starve...

Good day, thanks for Reading... #loving this life to bits.

Learning curve

I have to admit , I was a bit lazy this week reason being the weather. I arrived late at work for a couple of times (just 2 days) but luckily my superiors were also late so I did have any trouble with them.
On Monday we went to a school in Kayamandi Makupula High School for measuring existing toilets for staff and students and I had to draw the plans of the toilet layouts from scratch. At least I could get something done because I finished the work within a day, and my supervisor was a bit impressed. We then had a meeting with a guy from Cobra, giving us guides and advice on which sanitary products will suite this project. We then had to prepare a finishing schedule on Excel and then had to be done on the plans I had done on AutoCad. This project is not so big, so our superiors decided to hand it to us to deal with most of it so that we can learn more and be able to deal with bigger projects next time.Its has been quite a bit of a tough learning curve because some of the stuff we are dealing with are new to us as students but we getting assistance from our colleagues so far.
From yesterday till today, I have been busy with paint colour combinations of the Blue Downs Nuwe Begin project. I have been given a task to decide on which colours to use to paint the houses of the Blue Downs project. According to my supervisor I am doing well so far, there are certain rules that I have to follow though and the whole thing will come to place.
Despite the weather its was it was a great week with a huge learning curve.

Will upload images of my work soon.

To my fellow classmates. interesting article for own benefit

Surviving Architecture School without burning out! 3 things that you should know
August 29, 2009

Going through architecture school can be both a stressful and
rewarding experience.  Here are three things every architecture
student should know before embarking on that very first project!

1. Understanding Time Management.

Many people going through architecture school may be lead to believe
that pulling all-nighters on a daily basis is the price you pay for
enrolling into such a rigorous program.  This couldn't be further from
the truth.  It's actually good practice while in school to understand
that when you practice architecture in the "real world" clients won't
have exorbitant budgets for you to spend endless hours working on a
single project.  So, when you're given an assignment instead of
immediately sketching ideas and coming up with concepts, get into
Project Management mode!

First, know your deadline; plan on finishing your work before that
date, this leaves time for contingencies.  Second, to avoid becoming
overwhelmed take time to fully understand what needs to be
accomplished for that deadline.  Lastly, write a simple 'to do' list
to help organize your thoughts, then begin to prioritize, and estimate
how much time you think it will take to complete each task.  This is a
sure-fire way not to show up burnt out in your pajamas come
presentation day!

 2. Start Conceptualizing!

Now comes the fun part.  Designing!  Once you have gotten an idea of
deadlines and timelines, start sketching!  Always be original -
remember this is architecture school so no idea is too zany!  If
you're having trouble getting started the best thing to do is start
pulling together precedents to help give you ideas and inspiration.

 3. sell, Sell, SELL!

I've witnessed first hand how students can become so enthralled in
their ideas, the architecture, and the design that they never set
enough time away for presentation, marketing, and selling their idea
to the jurors.  This last piece of information is of the utmost
importance because even if you have a strong solid concept and design
if jurors can't see that in the presentation - it won't matter.  Take
graphic design courses and become extremely proficient in graphic
programs such as Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign (Having
knowledge of these programs also comes in handy when seeking design
internships because for most firms knowing these programs is a
necessity!).  Make sure you set aside an appropriate amount of time to
pull together your presentation.  Think about it!  Everything in your
presentation from images, to fonts, to the color palette should
support your concept.  This will make your idea easier to sell if you
don't have the gift of gab!

Did I leave anything out?  If so please let me know - write a comment
and contribute to this piece!

Written by Dominique Wilmore

Cad Monkey

Great week it was, and a lot of experience has been gained within a short period of these 5 days. We went to site for measuring some existing structures to be renovated in Boschendal for some fancy Client. However we currently making AutoCad drawings of stables and Arenas of the same client as part of a different phase of the project.
The guy says he is ready to spend hundreds of millions of rands to make the project a success... Good news for the company (;... He has came to the right place, we are going to make his dream a reality.
I feel that our superiors have seen potential ,gain of enough experience to trust us enough to deal with serious projects such as this one. All the designs are done by the Architects though, we are just given the technical stuff and be Cad monkeys all day.

...

Last week was a bit relaxed. I took a break from the office work a bit and had to go back to being a student again... fortunately I didnt write any test or exam (I hate the most),which makes architecture my favourite because most of the time it is just practicals. But we visited a school that we are  going to be doing our MIP reality project as the class of CPUT 2nd year over the mountains of Strand a couple of Ks from George. I was the first to get to the site which which gave me an oppotunity to take clear pictures of the school(site) without my fellow classmate's funny faces all over the show, All I did was take pics of the little  disadvantaged kids rather (:
However, the presentation of my hub didnt go so bad. I just have to include some ideas from my lecturers for my portfolio submission and then all will be up to point.
Home is where my mind is right now, and the good part is I got atleast a two days leave to attend some important ceremony back home... 'there aint no place like home' ...
This week at the office has been good, I learnt a lot and got my supervisor to sign my logsheet for the first time in 3 months...'great'... I'm glad he could still write good comments about me though ,yet I have not been so much of an impact at the firm as yet but soon to be. I leant how to use a Tripod today (feeling like aprofessional already). My colleagues are the best. Big Up to Allen Darren, Ian Gordan and Asiphe Ntanjana... You guys are the Best...

Cheers.

THE HUB EXERCISE 5

BY 

MONGEZI N MSOMI

MAIN IDEA

• Tree concept (symbolic of humanity and brings about togetherness and give human oxygen) 
• A place to meet/ socialise
• A place where one can get information and support ( WI-FI as one of the focuses)
• A place where people with learning disabilities and support can meet up.
• Relaxation , exciting and appealing space
• Sustainability ( the use of economical and low cost material)

The green title block also emphasises the Tree Concept and 'Green' is sustainable.

PROCESS SKETCHES

SketchUp Model for my Hub Design

H

Great week it was. For the fact that there was so much pressure and no lunch at all. Its an advantage experiencing such at the work place at times, because one tends to learn more and faster.
*went to site for measuring existing buildings and made/built sketchup models of the buildings.
*built models of  double storey houses at Someset
*did boundary wall deatail drawings of the Blue downs development
*...
And it was a hell of a hectic week.

@ Month 3 things are still flowing smooth

Its been a month and a half since I have posted... Whatsupbeautiful people!!!
A special/humbled greeting to any lecturer reading this. Yes, Im still well behave.

The last month and half  has been really busy at the office. My collegues and I went for site visits plenty of times, to measure up and take photographs of new projects we are to work on. Did 3D models on sketchup for Boschendal Estate existing buldings, Melkstroom and Cradock. It was quite a challenge and fun at the same time. however, we also did drainage calculations of the all the houses of the Bluedowns Nuwe Begin development project, went for a couple of interesting presentations of companies introducing the interesting Architectural products to the firm.

To those that read my previous post, I got a bit carried away and promises to show images of the work on my next post. Unfortunately due to technical reasons, I could not upload files on my Blog. As soon as they are resolved, I will then upload my work.

Thank you for following

Pay Day Week (PDW)

Everybody was all smiles this week. Its probably because they got payed... Oh, not forgetting myself too... First paysleep (Im going to have to treasure this one) ;). It couldnt have been a better week than payday week .
We can be all excited for the money in the bank but the effort we put in to earn it can be an other storey. Ask an architect and you will know.
My first month at Dennis Moss Partnership has been one of the most exciting and challenging experiences I've ever had to face. I got used to working in a team of people with different Attitudes ,mentality, characteristics and of various races. I got a chance that I have always wished for, to work on real projects in an Architectural studio. However I am still finding my place in this type of working environment. 
Putting in mind a couple of my friends and fellow classmates that have not yet received internship brings about empathy to my system. Hang in there guys, you had your plans but the man above is doing it his way, something better is coming ur way. Oppotunities are to be seized, and that is what I am striving to do. I appreciate all of those Architectural Firms that didnt hire me, I cant imagine them being any better than the company I work for now.
This week we have been busy with the Melkstroom Master plane, we are assisting Ian (Architectural technologist) draw it on Autocad and export it to make models of it on sketchup. I have been indoors all week, no site visites or client meetings but stiil there is a lot that I have done even my eyes hurt bcause of sketchup and AutoCad.

Login next time for a preview of more work I have done in the office.(with Images included)

Week 3 at work

This week was my first week working 5 full working days in the office. Monday we visited a site of a project tht has been recently proposed to the company and the site is at Kayamnandi, so we were invited to the site by our supevisor to take pictures and measurements of the existing buildings that are to be renovated. And the existing plan had to be edited since there were some changes that occured over the years (renovation and removal of walls) which means the plan was not up to date, hovever there are also some new ideas tht were to be put on plan.
On Tuesday iI had to edit the autocad darwing of the site and continue wth my sketchup exercise.
We also visited the Blue Dawns New Begining Project, a project that the company is currently busy wth and has been taking place for the last 3 years. A colour selection choice was to be made , as in which colours are going to be used in what type of houses.We learnt a lot from the site visit since we were also given an oppotunity to ask questions and our supervisor also explained the construction process and why certain things are done.
Its was a bit of a busy week because on thursday we were also invited to a meeting/presentation at the Kayelitsha Municipality. Our supervisor was discussing a proposal he had made to the municipality of development housing in the area. So he was going to fully satisfy them and give them an idea of the changes and ideas the other architects have changed .
Friday... The wooozah  weekend day also went well, we started AutoCad Drawings of the BleDawns project.
Dennis Moss Partneship is the Best...

Sketchup 3D models I built for a low cost Housing project

2ND YEAR ARCITECTURAL TECHNOLOGY GREEN POINT PARK EXERCISE

Welcome to my blog.
On the 1st March 2012 was my first day working at Dennis Moss Partnership. the exciting part if it is that one of my collegues is my class mate from first year and we are getting along well, however the stuff is very friendly too.
So during day one at work, our superior gave us an exercise to test our potential and ideas. We had to come up with ideas on how to renovate an existing old building in Kayamnandi (small township near Stellenbosch), it was indeed a very exciting exercise. After that we attended a Smart Glass presentation by a company from Joburg introducing different types of glasses used fo different needs.
later during the day we were taken to a site for inspection on a project on low cost houses that the company is currently busy with and were given an oppotunity to ask questions, it was a great experience and we learnt a lot.