In the middle of the afternoon, I walk over to Sean and JY and ask 'what are we printing the BP dwgs for Springvale?'. His answer - 'now'. Good news - the client can sign off this chapter and we can move on to the construction stage.
Later this evening, I find out the Teck has been calling Sean directly about Springvale, this is a good thing. Both are training their sons to take on new responsibilities and work scope.
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| we find out the Teck is considering using a China contractor to build the hotel complex |
This morning, I wake up early and take photos of the house and the surroundings. Then I sit at various parts of the house, and sketch. Sam wakes up and we climb up in the roof.
HSY arrives and eats breakfast with us, he's still telling stories about his work. After that, we thank our host, and leave with HSY to visit the sand dunes. He is constantly talking about his work, the people he works with, the state of the country - I wonder if he is like this with other guests. We hear about his mother who leaves nearby with a few of his staff (mom gets them to spy on him, and he in return gets them to look in on her).
We finally arrive at his office, a house rented from a staff member and eventually bought over, and renovation numerous times until it has taken over a Field Office vibe internally.
Lin SF's assistant send us to the Taipei Bus Station, buys our ticket for Yilan about an hour's trip to meet HSY. The bus ride must have been comfortable because I fall asleep, and when I wake we are at the Yilan bus terminal.
The architect for the terminal is there to meet us, and immediately gives us a tour of his project. He then drives around town for a quick tour as dusk falls. Dinner is at an out of the way family restaurant, in the rice fields not far from the sea.
At 8pm, we arrive at our home in Yilan. There is another family there, who knows HSY and one of his staff, Ching Han - a fan of HSY obviously as he has stayed here several times. As the architectural tour continue, the house owner arrives and greet HSY like an old friend. He brings out two of HSY's books so that the master can brief this 2 backwater tourists.
Eric texts 'how is everything?' 'All good, eating watermelon, he's talking'. And he does - about work, life, staff, teaching, his wife, family life, succession. I realise that he and I share many common traits regarding how we work with our colleagues-
He introduces me to 小王, an old gentleman who is Sheng Feng's business partner. SF has mentioned me to him, saying I'm a good architect. This is a compliment I'm not used to hearing, and think that they are simply being gracious like how Taiwanese are.
11 am. We take the board to Taipei, no seats but it is a cheap fare. After locating our hotel CitizenM we have lunch nearby: stewed pork, fish and rice.
We enjoy our room until early dinner time, and went for walk. As usual, we cannot decide what to eat, but settle on a soupy portion rib noodle sharing a table with a local. Tomorrow, we have Lin SF at 1pm to visit his newly completed National Museum of History.
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| Talking to Yr2/3 students about 'Sufficiency' in architecture and design. Eric is helping with translation, the man on the right (seated) is the Chairman of the architecture school. |
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| handwritten lists are the best - this is from years ago, likely recorded after a site meeting or CCM. this was circulated to all members of the expansion team |
Other items are more straightforward - a matter of review and issue, or review, discuss and issue. Managing work flow and making decisions - I remind myself to save some time to draw, and think, and design.
This morning's PT focuses on legs; and I have not had my legs put through the mill this way for a long time. I really see why some people need a Personal Trainer, Even pushes me past my perceived limit and get two more out of me. Halfway through the session, he asked me how long I have been strength training. Since uni - I tell him, after which he asks if he can take a photo of me for his father.
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