6.2.2025 Thursday - a good day overall

I send out the proposal for Block 3, this has been delayed by some weeks because I have not found time to refine it. But the delay turns out to be useful; we now have a 1:20 vehicular ramp which doubles as a exercise route through the apartment complex. We also have 'landed' luxury units next to the river, which I discover is Sungai Sarawak (and not a tributary). We settled the fire fighting access and was able to have dedicated facilities block and club house. Most importantly, we developed an interesting undulating facade created by adjusting the balconies' profiles. 

We have lunch with Yale, he is keen to chat about 'what to do in the next three years' - Sam gives him sound advice 'be generous when you plan to court a woman'. 

Sean's latest plans for Toorak House is accepted by the owner and our ID scheme for the hotel was largely accepted. We have to re-do the rooms; our scheme is too soju and gin while the client was looking more for whisky and cigars.

Later that evening, squash goes well playing many games with my sore arm. It is getting better but I think tennis is still out of reach. I think Kok is starting to fall along the wayside, his fitness and mobility is the problem. I can sense that he is getting frustrated mid-way through the games - I can't help but feel a wicked twitch of satisfaction.

4.2.2025 Tuesday - coming down with something

It is always good to chat with PH and Freddie, because they are 'off-site' we catch up to update each other on the latest updates and things to do, and who to do them. This morning, I am a little late because I spend an hour catching up with Yale; talking about future plans, to return to work with dad or be his own man. I tell him that the main deciding factor is his own woman, and wherever he might find her. Yale agrees. I have time for him, we talk about how we practice as a firm, it seems that folks outside are curious. They wonder how I deal with working with Sean (I don't, Freddie deals with Sean) and how we deal with money (very openly, folks get a fee share) and how we deal with people, they seem to stay with us for the long term (Sam plays a big role). 

Freddie and I plan the week, see Teck next Thursday, meet our own ppl this Thursday to finalise the planning set for Springvale, we sort out Au's chalets, Ricco to update for next week. I mention that we want to do the Sime Darby one, and will use Melvin with PH's help. All ticking along nicely.

I ring PH and wonder aloud why AS is being such as ASS - all of the above says PH; AS wants me to deal with his problems with buyers instead of settling them himself, and is being a little helpless when ppl confront him. We also talk about BLOCK 3, he prefers the 'quieter' facade treatment - I bring it to the team who voted for the flamboyant one. I ll proceed to finish this by Wednesday and send off. 

I am coming down with something; feeling a little cold and sniffly. Squash still hampered a bit by sore forearm/elbow. Luckily legs are able to make up for it, Kok, Samuel, Daphne, Catherine.
 

17.1.2025 Friday - Steel-lifting Stage 2

 I finally get to work on Block 3, and this morning I have what Ricco would call a good chat with JY. We discuss the practical aspects; Fire-fighting access, circulation, land in front of the river, we also talk about the key concepts which differentiate this with our other schemes for this client - the green link connecting all levels with pauses at every floor, views of the river, architectural language. After this, she sets off to calculate the building volume to work out the extend of the fire -fighting access. 

Block 3 apartments

26.3.2024 Tuesday - finishing an idea

Last week, we presented a housing scheme to our client. PH did one and I prepared a second Option.

Both were quite received, although that the client slightly preferred mine, for its simplicity in planning (and perhaps the symmetry as well). We promised to revert after tidying up some loose ends.

Today I arrive at work early, looking forward to draw up the site layout. Fiona had suggested swapping the condo and terrace units location on site. The landed housing fronts the road/street, to continue the the streetscape which is occupied by some recently completed semi detached houses. The condominiums are located along the river, where it is safer from creatures crawling on to the site from the river. The ground floor of the condo is mostly for car parking.

This morning, I realise soon after I arrive that I do not have the time to sketch the revised site layouts and update the 3D as well. So I ring George who agrees to help, he does the 3D and I the layout plans. 

We complete our joint effort at 430 p.m. when I cycle to the club, and he sends it to the client. 

I'll call the client tomorrow.