WOW... revit is a revolution for architecture..i must say.. plan,sections,elevations,3d and more all automatically. yet i am abit lost due to the fact that classes started yesterday so i lost out on that.
today we finalised a basic square house with a roof , windows and doors...even added some trees around it...lol.
it may in some sort have the same aspects as that of autocad...making it easier to understand.
i learnt that even though you can work on one page at things happen on the other , one has to always go back and forth to check that even drawing matches the other.
i wanted to post one of my drawings but i can not seem to get that right now.
CHEERS..: - )
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Monday, November 14, 2011
sketches of joints from the greenpoint park-in my sketch book
more information can be seen under the MIP tab above.
cheers..!
Thursday, November 10, 2011
DAY 8: ST.MICHEAL’S PRIMARY, DESIGN BUILD PROJECT
As most of the work was completed yesterday, today was a day of cleaning up and preparing for the handing over ceremony- this was also to involve the children and teachers, even us the students into the design by getting everyone to paint their hand print on the wall and also using the rocks painted by the children to decorate around the pergola.
My main learning of this day was our feedback session. John – the architect spoke about one of the things which we left out which was SITE ORGANISATION. This was us establishing where everything should be and how it would work on site. This is mainly management but enables smoother working conductions.
We spoke about site setting and accuracy of measuring, one needs to do this well and has to be checked more than once before construction occurs. Equipments have to be used correctly and also use one’s eyes to see and check things.
SUSTAINABILITY- this topic came about when we spoke about materials. The ideal conduction is any site is to source materials from the area; this boosts the economy and works well to bring about sustainability. When designing, one needs to think about such things as to design and built a sustainable building/structure. It is advice that we research and find out many materials with the best characteristics for the job.
This also showed me the difference between commercial building and design build projects. What we did in 8-9 days would have taken about 2-3 days commercially due to costs and more factors that arise. There was a great deal of attention to detail and perseverance during our project and it paid off in the end, we did great and the project was a success, everyone was happy.
UNTIL WE BUILD AGAIN...:-)
DAY 7: ST.MICHEAL’S PRIMARY, DESIGN BUILD PROJECT
This day I allowed my emotions/feelings get the better of me. I learnt my lesson only on our way back to tech which was not too late yet if only I had grown up and being more professional I would have made the most of my day.
Today was of me doing nothing much except for observing others working and only as the day was at its end did I help vanish the top stairs and platform after the cladding ws added and I also did most of the cleaning up.
Today I learnt that I have to be professional at all times at work, it is about the work and project and not my emotions, as they will impede me from been productive and gaining more knowledge. I should have an open mind and have a respectful manner of speaking and approaching people around me.
SITTING ON TOP OF THE SKYSCRAPER..!
DAY 6: ST.MICHEAL’S PRIMARY, DESIGN BUILD PROJECT
Today was a busy day and for me it seemed to be the most productive as the structures came along well, quickly and are in good condition. We were few yet the work was done super.
I worked on the top stairs and platform again today placing the cladding on the frame structure; here I learnt much about certain tools. We first set out the planks as per bay- this was more learning on planning and checking work before final construction. We set out lines for the screwing so that we created a pattern even with screwing nails- this showed attention to details. We continued with drilling holes at the marked points, then using a sunken drill to sink the marked section on the plank down as to have the screws protected from later sanding the planks.
I thought before that using such tools would be dangerous and tough for me but today I was drilling away and having fun with my team, I was using the poise bit, sunken drill, screws and more tools. I learnt that one needs to receive guidance first, to listen, observe on site and even ask before using any tools.
Our team worked so efficiently and well together, well, we had a leader who was someone respectful and gave us all something to do, learn and more.
WE WILL MEET AT THE END OF THE BRIDGE..LOL!
DAY 5: ST.MICHEAL’S PRIMARY, DESIGN BUILD PROJECT
Tuesday was a relaxed day, I helped around here and there but my main work was on the platform of the decking of the top stairs. I helped around so that I would have a feel and understanding of everything that happens on site, to learn about the materials, the construction, detailing and functions of each structure on site.
We worked in groups to screw on the timber trusses to the gum pole foundations and the wall plate. This was more exercise on using the spirit level and I even noticed that it also indicates perpendicular lines and parallel lines, this was a great discovery. After everything was connected we vanished the timber planks to protect it with from the elements using the same vanish as used on the timber trusses for the pergola, which was oil based called, pro-nature. After vanishing with one coat the frame work resembled steel in a rusty manner.
I am gaining more and more knowledge with regards to team work, this is a tough issue as everyone has their own ideas and thoughts, yet is very much a part of life and the working profession.
KEEP ON BUILDING IT!
DAY 4: ST MICHEAL’S PRIMARY, DESIGN BUILD PROJECT
Today we finalized the gum pole foundations which went faster than the day before. The wall plates were also inserted today but that was done by the guys, they just never want us ladies near them.
At the tasks of today I learnt the importance of setting out correctly and always rechecking ones setting out. At the process of inserting the gum poles and wall plates we found that our poles were not in line and many of them were not in the right distance from the wall, thus we had to remove some of the gum poles, re measure and then construct the foundations and insert the gum poles. During the days processes I understood that women still have a long way to go at times. The guys assume that we cannot do many of the things on site, we as the ladies found ourselves without much to do as guys would push us away of just re do everything we did only to end up with the same results. Here again I saw the necessity of team work at creating of system of working in order to work faster and have great results.
Later on in the day we set out the planks which will be used for cladding the platform and stairs at the top of the site. At this exercise it was about learning to first calculate and understand what is needed before setting the materials out and continuing with construction. This process also involved calculating and using the material wisely as not to waste materials. For a project such as ours which was mainly based on sponsorships, great care is needed in the manner in which materials, money and time is spend…thus a good deal of organizing was need from every team on site , which my team managed to do very well today.
UNTIL NEXT TIME...KEEP ON BUILDING!
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
DAY THREE: ST.MICHEAL’S PRIMARY, DESIGN BUILD PROJECT
Today there was a few of us who came to site and I think it is mainly due to the fact that it is Saturday.
I realized that it is important to be committed in what you do, every task you are given and even as a small time, with communication, planning, good organizing, hard work and respect for each other, the work will be done and it will be done well.
Today I continued working on the platform and stairs at the top of the site. We rechecked all the measurements and site setting out points which is very complicated yet needs to be done accurately to produce a stable structure. We dug up more of the holes for the foundations and placed flat rocks below to give the gum poles a strong stable base as the only force mainly acting apon the gum pole foundations would be gravity which pushes downwards. This was done because the site contains loose soil/sand, and the gum poles needed a stronger foundation.
After e compacted the sand from the site which we dug out before using force downward created by stomping poles downwards and even jumping inside the foundations and adding water and a minimal amount of cement around the gum poles.
This compaction was done after every 100mm mixed which was thrown into the hole, compacted and then more added until it was filled.
The straightness of the gum pole had to be checked regularly using the leveler as the friction of compaction often moved the gum pole. We only managed to insert 3 foundations today but seen the setting out is complete, constructing the structure will be fairly quicker.
- OBSERVATION ON SITE: today I observed the erecting of the timber trusses which were connected to the main vertical gum pole columns by means of nuts and bolts. Here the longest process again is basically setting out and checking measurements continuously to have a well and stable structure as an end result.
- I also observed the making of the foundation for the bottom stairs which if I am not mistaken was called the plinth foundation whereby they dug a path and closed it up with large rocks from the quarry. I do not know much about it but will find out on Monday and share with all.
ByE bYe...!
DAY TWO: ST.MICHEAL’S PRIMARY , DESIGN BUILD PROJECT
Today I continued with the painting of the timber beams in the morning, but it was mainly of the main beams (225mm beams).
My new job for the day was to do the measuring for the drawing of the top stairs and platform.
- This was done by measuring the centres of each bay then setting out the gum poles at each bay’s centre according to each bay’s measurement. Each bay set out to have 3 gum poles.
- We premeasured the plan for further redrawing of the final plan.
- - I used an angle and leveler with the building line rope for the first time and understanding each of the instrument’s purposes and functions, also to measure out the perpendicular line.
- This allowed me to be familiar with construction equipment and measuring equipment.
- THE PLAN:
cHeErS....!!
DAY ONE: ST.MICHEAL’S PRIMARY DESIGN BUILT PROJECT
Well this was the first of many learning and challenging experiences for all who will be taking part.
Today I started off with painting vanish on the timber wood. We used an oil based vanish which was pro-nature based. Thus protecting the wood from the elements such as wind, waterproofing and also from breaking easily. We had to apply three coats on all sides for each timber beam. One coat, allow 12hrs to dry then apply the next etc.
OBSERVATION ON SITE: today we finished up digging and setting out the holes for the foundations of the gum pole columns. The foundation was 800x800x800mm. The 150mm gum poles were inserted in the centre.
I observed that the site was set out using some type of rope, this I will ask later. The formwork was made up of timber beams to hold up the gum poles.
-crushed rocks and put in to the foundations as primary compaction.
- Added rubble= from demolished structures etc.
- The poured concrete, readymade, ratio= large rocks in the concrete- this is due to the looseness of the soil on site.
The fire place= we opened it and turned it around so that it may be outside and opened to the structure that we are building. Then we closed it off on the inside by starting to build a wall. This fire place is now turned into a braai space.
SITE SET OUT
After lunch we had a quick lesson of the site set out and how it is generally done in a typical build construction.
- Fix point to start and create a straight line(- - - - )
- Then made a right angle (3, 4, 5 triangle) this is to be able to find a right angle and a starting point for all other measurements.
- For the height reference pole, the main pole needs to be cemented into the NGL and only removed after construction is finished. This datum pole is to line up the different heights.
This day I learnt more about concrete and lime.
- Lime takes a longer period to harden (example: the London bridge build of lime) yet concrete takes longer thus will deteriorate quicker, which it does after it has hardened.
- Concrete is more natural than lime as concrete also contains parts of lime.
- Spoke more about the components of lime yet did not understand therefore will have to learn more.
Water pump = measuring correct vertical levels using gravity of water- most correct as it works with gravity.
TEAM WORK OBSERVATIONS: today I learnt that working in a group needs to be organized and be about the team working together the same goal. In the group that I was working in today, we came up with a system of painting and drying which worked very well for us as we managed to paint a large amount of timber. We worked and the job was done well, in time and we had fun.
UnTiL nExT tImE...!!!
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