Architecture update from behind the scene

Salam and hi to all

I have many things to tell on this blog. I got plans for this blog, to organize giveaway and contest. I want to keep updating this blog while ideas keep coming into my head.

...but, I'm lack of free time to organize those things.

WHY?

I'm struggling to complete the construction and detail drawing of the sample house for Baba Nyonya Resort at Jalan Gapam, Jasin, Melaka. At the same time , I have to sit down with client and structural engineer to sort out some issues.

The part that I really hate is to amend the drawing in autoCAD. I don't have draughtman helping me since my assistant quit the job couple months ago. Now I have to draft the drawing all by myself, while  at the same time , I have to attend meetings, doing design jobs and 3D sketchup illustration. I need to work overtime to catch up everything.

.. come bro, stop complaining! Some people have worse task than what you have in hands...

hmmm.. ok, ok.. I won't complaint... but still I need to do another project queued in my folder. I have to be more accurate and improve my working skill. I need to design fast, drafting faster, less dreaming and overcome the sleepy mode problem  after lunch :p . I did mentioned to my colleague, this is probably because I'm getting older, so I had the  sleepy mode syndrome :D

I think I have to stop now. Maybe in the next entry, I'm going to share what I have in mind for big art project in this blog. I also I will share how I play with the roof design for type D bungalow as I have to change it to another look. The potential buyer really don't like the original roof pattern, based on what the developer told me.

For junior architect, maybe what I'm going to share can be useful to you guys. Or if any of you have more experience than me, please voice up your comment. I'd like to hear and learn from you guys. For me, learning process can be gain even from youngsters. It's not a big deal listen to them, if their ideas and knowledge is better.

ciao

Selamat Hari Raya Wishes 2012

Salam to all,

It's 2nd Syawal 1433H today, before too late, I'd like to wish Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri to all. Maaf Zahir Batin.

This year is very busy for me that limit my time for blogging and artwork creation. InsyaAllah, I'm trying all my best to get back to free lance artist / designer very soon. 

What I'm doing now is to establish and prepare solid base income from blogging and internet, before I can jump into this business for full time.

Wish me luck.

Used office furniture

My current job needs me to design lots of offices and commercial building. Dealing with layout plan, façade and the circulation flow, there are many aspects to consider. I also do 3D modelling using sketch up design tools and completing the working drawing in autoCAD.

In the design process, I have to draw the office wall partitions, office chairs, the table and bookshelves in layout plan to make sure it can tolerate with the circulation and flow.

I only do rough placement for the office furniture and office cubicles, as I have to pass the plan to interior department afterwards for more details.

In this business, our office also do design and built service, to make better profit. Sometimes, we suggest our client to get used office furniture instead of the new one. This really can cut cost because normally it cheaper than discount office furniture.

Cheap used office furniture doesn’t mean you won’t get comfortable office chairs. It depends on how you get the source for used office furniture. One of the best sources is to go to furniture liquidation. The furniture liquidators can get the good quality used office furniture as they also dealing with trash removal and relocation of office.

That is part of my story as a designer, I wish I can continue with another story and tips on the next entry.

Fisherman and the fish

Now I have more interest in becoming a children book's illustrator, rather than doing architect's job. I start loosing my interest working as an architect. My passion in architecture is still there but my 'shield' getting weaker for staying back at the office, meeting clients, doing amendment, scolded by bosses etc.. etc..

Damn, this is serious.. maybe this is the result as I'm holding a 'worker status' again? I keep thinking that I should work on my own again, become my own boss. Hopefully can get back to work from home status very soon.

The illustration above done when I was at the staff meeting in my office. I was bored and it was drawn on the work progress sheet given to everyone of us. The coloring done later after the meeting.

What do you think of the artwork. Can I be a children book illustrator?

Yes! The bungalows approved

Last 2 week, I went for MPHTJ OSC meeting regarding Baba Nyonya Resort Approval from MPHTJ, and today it was approved! Finally after a long wait. Thanks to Allah, thanks to everybody behind this project. Now, I have to make sure it goes smoothly.

baba nyonya resort home at gapam

p/s - Need to do some amendments before leaving for Kuala Terengganu tonight.

Baba Nyonya Resort Approval from MPHTJ

3D visualization using 3D max rendering

Yes... I'm so grateful today when I received official fax from MPHTJ. It says the status for Baba Nyonya Resort at Gapam, Jasin as 'lulus bersyarat' (conditionally approved).

Why I'm so released? This is because of the project approval was dragged from November 2011 until feb 2012. There were so many things need to be clarified on the architect's side, planner, landscape architect and others engineers (M&E and civil). Since our office just took over the job from previous architect, me and my boss need to do few adjustment and amendments.

Luckily now we only have to wait final words from TNB for approval, then the whole project will go for approved status.

I has met the architectural 3d visualization person and request them 3d design models. It is for client use for their marketing, to sell those bungalows. Making 3d models is not easy, we have to imagine the outlook to be as closest outlook with the real model house.

Perhaps tomorrow I can discuss with the developer because the making 3d renders needed for minor modifications. Will continue in the next entry.

ciow

Architecture, design, work load

It's been a hectic life for me for past few weeks. I'm still here working on Saturday, coloring building plan for submission. The bungalow houses development proposal at Mukim Ayer Panas, Jasin, Melaka dying for last minute submission just before their permit expired next week.

I'm not doing the design proposal for the bungalows (except for type E). There are 5 types of bungalows to be fitted in the site for 310 units. The development proposal handed over to me for design stage, planning, submission and whatsoever future architecture tasks. I'm still not familiarized with the overall bungalows development.

Seriously I'm a bit struggling to do the coloring, checking drawings for errors, finalized design and understanding the authority requirements for submission. Lucky me I have office mates that really helpful to give me advice and teach me the right architectural practice.

Since I've started joining architect's office. I'm seeing some of the employees here are still 'blank' and don't really know what they are doing. I'm not blaming them for not catching the 'soul' of architecture. It just a disappointment inside of me to see them not doing the right thing and I have to do redundant on their wrong drawings done.

My advice, for high school graduate, don't simply apply for architecture course just because architect is cool profession. Get basic idea on what is the architect task, what they have to do and how is the work load. Try to expose your self with as many information about architecture and famous architect.

Architecture is about form, space and order...

Cluster house design

The other day, I mentioned about the cluster house design. Today I share some of the design done by myself. For your information, this development is for a low cost quota. There is not much I can do for the design, as it is stick to the budget, to make it cheap but profitable.

The project is for PB Realty (PBR) at Krubong Housing development in Melaka on part of 500 acres land area. Wait for another update.

Designing series of cluster house

Suddenly I was assigned for a new task yesterday, while I still haven't finish with the shop lot office design. I'm quite blur with the term of cluster house. Luckily my boss brief me with the finalized layout plan, and tell me about the details.

It was for low cost development proposal in the phase 2 of housing scheme in Krubong, Melaka by Paduwan (a subsidiary of PB Realty). I had to take over the job from Fern, since I'm the person in charge for the whole Paduwan's Krubong Housing development.

Anyway, since I 'm not practicing architecture for a long period, here I refresh my memory, and I'd like to share with you readers.

This is what I get from wikipedia:


A patio home is an American term for a type of housing, also called a cluster home. The term tends to imply a suburban setting and a unit of several houses attached to each other, typically with shared walls between units, and with exterior maintenance and landscaping provided through an association fee. Not all of these elements are present in all buildings called patio homes, as the term is used somewhat generically by the real estate industry.

The building may actually be a condo when the building's owner does not own the land, or it may be sold in fee simple. Targeted buyers are primarily those who do not want to be bothered by external maintenance typically associated with home ownership, sometimes because they only live in the patio home for part of the year.

There is not usually a legal definition of a patio home, and some houses called patio homes may alternatively be marketed as townhouses, garden homes, twin homes, or carriage homes. Most taxing jurisdictions do not have a separate classification for patio homes.

The term was first seen in print in the mid-1970s. In a more generic sense it may refer to a home with a prominent patio, such as some traditional Mediterranean-style homes.


Maybe I can share the final design in the next entry.Bye

Undermount kitchen sink

My job as a designer architect needs me to deals with lots of materials and fittings. I have to refer to supplier’s catalogue. Sometimes I have to meet them up to ensure the quality, specification and price meets our clients need.

Toilet and kitchen fittings specification are very important in the construction drawings. It will tell the contractor when they are located in the house layout plan. Normally an architect will discuss with the supplier and refer back to clients for their approval in term of budget.

A company such as Mr Direct can tell lots of information and very good for house owner to choose what they like. Even they also useful for small renovation or and replacement which can be done directly by the house owner.

For example, you can check under the undermount kitchen sink part and you’ll see lots of design with varieties in price and specification.

The best part I discovered in their undermount kitchen sinks range because they promised better business bureau accredited, offer same day shipping, and offer extremely low prices.

Interior design, interior decorating, home renovation … all in jobs architecture

It’s been a while I haven’t done any update for this blog. I had very hectic life these days since I joined the enterprise architect company. I am now working as an architect assistant, which I left the similar job about 10 years ago.

Working as an architect is a though job since I am not practising for 10 years. I have to recover all the design thinking and familiarise my self again with all materials and terms. Quite surprising is because the admin department told me that there were lots of applicants applying for the jobs architecture even they are not studying the course.

I have to learn again about replacement windows, laminate flooring, roofing or even about home renovation. Since the present architect company I joined, is an associate with an interior design office, there are lots of interior decorating and renovation kitchen job involved.

interior decorating actually is also one of an architect scope. Besides, the office also taking lots of renovation house design job. So far I can keep up with the workload and responsibility given to me. I still can find architecture inside me.. ;)

Anyway I enjoy what am I doing, even my friend told me an idea of setting up a pest control company. I have to take deep thought. I have many thing to consider before agree with the decision. pest control home is not my field. Beside, there is thousands of established pest control service in the market out there.

I still love architecture.