last month

entering my last month on the job, the past week has been full of site visits and photo taking, been interesting seeing new sites and measuring, done little office work though, just some presentation drawings

good times

was on site this week measuring up yet another hospital, the roof is now leaking and ugly, so that needs to be replaced as soon as possible. in the office i was just drawing up a new ward plan for my boss. turns out the Italian architect, hadn't really measured the right things, so i did what i could. been a good week, until next time

M.I.P project diary

Project diary: Day 1
Tuesday 25 September
What are my expectations of this project?
Expectations are high, looks like an interesting project, different and fresh. Good to work in a group, it will test human skills, and could be a learning experience
What was I involved in today?
Measured the container and site. Examined how the site is used during the day, thought of possible solutions and took pictures.
What did I lean today?
Learned about the school, how its run. The previous work done on site by students, also about similar work examples around the earth
Other comments
None as of this moment


Project diary: Day 2
Wednesday 27 September
What are my expectations of today?
Got some knowledge, learnt about safety and the hazards of building. Gathered more knowledge about the project.
How did I experience the design exercise?
Fun and interesting. Got us thinking about the project and possible ideas.
What did I learn today?
More about container projects and a fresh way of design. Thinking out of the box, learning to put different ideas in one complete package.
Other comments
Working in groups was fun and also challenging


Project diary: Day 3
Thursday 27 September
What are my expectations of today?
Work well, and work fast, to finish all that needs to be done today, learn about the site and job fully, do full informative work
How did I experience the CTD/on site exercise?
Challenging, had to keep a cool head, full of responsibilities, keep everyone happy. Learnt new ways of operating.
What did I learn today?
Management skills
Invortory skills
Tool skills
Building methods
Other comments
Good day, except for rain delays, no accidents

Project diary: Day 4
Friday 28 September
What are my expectations of today?
Good, learning to detail and experience. The importance of structures and help us with future work
How did I experience the CTD/on site exercise?
Good, did a lot of drawing and thinking. Details from scratch, lecture was good and inspiring.
What did I learn today?
How to analyse drawings better. How to show important information on a drawing, drawing skills
Other comments
Overwhelming feel of too much work
Project diary: Day 5
Monday 1 October
What are my expectations of today?
Start seeing mass progress on site. Smooth day with no trouble. Students to be safe, clean site listen to orders and work well. Hope to see new work going up. All the tools get returned on time.
How did I experience the CTD/on site exercise?
Good, long day of moving up and down, extra group of students was challenging. Learnt new things and saw interesting things as well.
What did I learn today?
How to use an electric saw, how to deal with difficult people, a new way drilling. New information about paint
Other comments
Was a good day, although some miss communication between students, but it was sorted?

Project diary: Day 6
Tuesday 1 October
What are my expectations of today?
Learn about steel structures, the understanding and connection details
How did I experience the CTD/on site exercise?
Informative, learnt a great deal, the teaching was laid relaxed, how to different between information and drawings details.
What did I learn today?
Difference between information and drawings, connection of steel beams to foundations, and working of steel bracing and profiles.
Other comments
Good lecture, both lectures were very good and fast to respond to questions


Project diary: day 7
Wednesday 3 October
What are my expectations of today?
Move fast and leave little undone
How did I experience the CTD/on site exercise?
Was good, more workmanship, very productive day on site, we finished a lot of things we wanted to by today
What did I learn?
Just more tool use, and fixing techniques, the strength of material and how safest to use them.
Other comments
Tools were neat today, smooth day, was happy, and it was good to pass both tool inventory inspections.




Project diary: Day 8
Thursday 4 October
What are my expectations of today?
Learn more about fixings and the connection of materials. New lessons and new drawing methods.
How did I experience the CTD/on site exercise?
Was fun, basically a lot of drawing exercises
What did I learn today?
Learnt more about the project we doing, and how it really works.
Other comments
Good and fun way of learning


Project diary: Day 9
Friday 5 October
What are my expectations of today?
Fun, see the finished project and work
How did I experience the CTD/on site exercise?
Good, nice to see all the students having fun and working, team building
What did I learn today?
Nothing really, all the learning was done before
Other comments
Good two weeks and good project, well done to everyone

BACK AT WORK

first week back, enjoyed cape town and working with the students on site. this week just learnt google sketchup and have been doing some designing, mostly for fun, next week i will start with some presentation drawings, untill then bye

last week at work

last week. next week i will be back in cape town for the month, i have learnt a lot though and thats good. the week has been full of details and tidy drawings . looks good and im impressed . till next time

broads road site

ZACCI site with existing building

not my best week

been learning a new software namely autocad architecture 2013. which s great by the way, by it started to get annoying when it comes to multiple storey buildings, this gave me a some problems and a sore head. havent been feeling to good all week. but i managed to toughen up for work. ZACCI project is 90% complete, just some cost additions and phoning suppliers for prices, which was a major problem as English was a language burier, but i managed to get things done for the boss. im glad we made progress cause the building is across the road from the house i grow up from and knowing i had a hand in its development would mean the world to me. so this week taking it slow, mostly everyone in the office is down with something, one or two in serious conditions in hospital. wishing them all the best. until next time

GOOD WEEK

had a good week at the firm .. finished the sketch design for the zacci expansion in the show grounds, proud to be part of the project cause i grew up in the show grounds and live across from them. im healthy again, and have been promised a lot more work next week. so im going to need the rest this weekend. also our home plans have been approved so construction should start soon, thats. still finishing our new kitchen design and the new flats on our property so im very busy, but learning a lot and having fun. till next time  

ZPPA site and meeting

site visits

the last two weeks have been about visiting sites. i had completed the broads road offices, and my boss took me to the zppa site, to over see a meeting with my work mates and see the progress. the meeting its self ended off alright, but it was followed but heated arguments between the contractor Mr Nash of China Jiangxi and  Mr Witika the engineer. we stayed for an extra two hours trying to sort it out. the next day i was at the broads road site alone, taking pictures and making sure things are the way the should be

phase 1 complete

we finally finished the office buildings this week.i feel complete, it was a good project and we got most of the work done, so we have council and working drawings if need be. now i look forward to long weekend and getting my school projects done

ZPPA NEW BUILDING DESIGN MEDIA BROADCASTING AND PRESENTATION TO CONTRACTORS AND SPONSORS SHOWING WITH NDILILA ARSCHITECTS

before the big event

project sponsor

zppa owners

big shots in construction and design

our designs

the boss Dr ndilila with contractor China Jinx su

radio station reporters

television reporters with sponsor

television reporters with sponsor

TO THE ENGINEER

So we finally finished the office plan building, after losing the previous work to a virus. i managed to even design it better and found some problems that we wouldn't have noticed. my boss, was happy though she is busy with another project, she didn't have all the time needed to view the design before we sent it to the engineer. I did my first proper foundation and roof plans, I'm learning a lot here and knowing much more. The Makeni shopping mall is stop and go as we are calculating the cost of design for them, the first design i ade for them came to $1.5million which we are lowering for the client, so all the best in negotiations before a deal is struck. as for my private work we are making progress as it seems my client Mr Brux is winning hes Court case for his land. look forward to a week of rest, just finishing the university projects for Monday. until next week bye

sad week

the week started out well, i basically was like superman, on the office buildings, because i was done within two days, but the trouble only started, when i had began working on my community hub project. since that was giving me a hard time, i must have been absent mined, with the long weekend looming. the whole office project got corrupted and couldn't open. i had to rush in the office on Saturday and get the blue print to start from scratch, i defiantly wont be getting any sleep this weekend. until Monday

back to the drawing board

so OK the office project was almost 50% done, but my boss was not happy with what she designed, so she said delete all the previous work and start from scratch, we phoned the right people and put ideas together, before she had a late night at the office, on Friday she pitched the latest plan to me. that means on Monday after she develops  it a little bit more, i must take over, and get it done. on another note the makeni project clients are in the country, luckily for us i moved fast in the design, now its all about square meters and cost, my boss was impressed with the plan and possible elevation i pitched her, but we argued on the fact that the client has such a low budget, but we will push ahead and try to reduce cost in need be, I'm hopping the client does not change her mind on the before brief, because the plan is suited for that brief. except for contractors on the battle front with us, we also manage to submit the bid for the new bank of Zambia that all the firms are fighting for, although our package was small, size doesnt matter compared to quality, and  fi did her best on that project even though shes new. so until next week

Architectural process in practice

well started working on the elevations of the office building again, we trying out new looks, and been in constant talks with our suppliers on materials. the makeni shopping mall has had to take a back seat for now. after i finished the four types of elevations it was back to the makeni project where we hard run into some trouble concerning the roof support that runs through the clinic, one one side, the flats are good to go, just some changes here and there and we good to go, enjoy work now, but i want more, cant wait for next week

learning week

the week started off fantastic. the makeni shopping complex is coming along very well. just some concerns on the roof and how it will come about, since its a low cost project, i would prefer to use a more modern way of construction. learned some interesting ways of construction, hopefully the next week we can proceed to the full sections and elevations

stw community hub

Community Hub - Naphtali Mphaisha

Concept- Natural geometric shapes, that co-respond to their function and context. Making it easier for a community to unit and co-exist freely.

Design- The geometric shapes allow the construction technology to become subdue and clear to construct. The concept consists of five (5) individual components that come together to form one unit. Firstly, the internet tower. The tower is accessible through-out the day and night, including a safety gate. It will allow seating for social gatherings and networking. The second and third parts are made up of curved structures that resemble arms, and are positioned on either side of the tower. These structures act as an open plan seating area that allows visible sight all around the main structure. The idea for this structure is to enforce a logical social gathering during functions such as performances that could possible take place or too just casually sit and have lunch. The fourth structure is the stage. It is carefully placed in such a way that you can view it from the tower or curved seating area. This makes sure that the area is served as a public space. The fifth and last structure resembles a sort of chalet, but with semi open wall structures. This will be known as the meeting or studying area, as the noise level will be buffered by the brick tower. Making sure that if there is a performance on stage, you can still have a little privacy. The whole structure is designed in such a way as to allow as much seating as possible, using building material as furniture, while providing protection from the elements. The roofs are held up by gum poles and connectors. This will provide the addition to the urban fabric, a tower simple in its design and construction, that it is suitable for any environment.

concept model, advanced.

stwv community hub precedent study

Community hub precedent study

Naphtali Mphaisha 211038547

CPUT 2^nd year STW and CTD project

COMMUNITY HUB –PHILIP DANIEL CONRADE

POAD 2010                            REF NO. 207006717

Concept/ Plan/ Joinery and Development.

Sections and Elevations

 Working models

FUNCTIONAL PRECEDENT

-          What is the main technological idea of the structure/building

   Conradie used gum poles, concrete, and brick to create an outdoor like experience for this community hub. The poles are connecting with the use of pole connecters to provide the primary structure. The secondary structure is connected in such a way that it provides stability, but also acts as a roof, floor and natural furniture. Concrete foundations lay underground, which the bottom of the primary poles are casted into. The walkway is concrete and leads to the brick tower. The size of the whole hub is important as it relates to scale of the concept and idea of my own community hub.

-          How does the technological idea contribute to the overall idea of the structure

   Intent- Philip Daniel Conradie:” The project requests the creation of a community hub, a place promoting social interaction, education and entertainment. The intent is to create a place where this culmination of different functions can merge into an interesting addition to the urban fabric an addition which blends into context”.

   Concept- Philip Daniel Conradie:” An epicentre, a landmark, a knot in the contextual fabric from where information bulges and explodes outwards. Always learning. Always growing.