Work sketches from last week 14-21 May

 Architectural Journal entry No. 1 this year - as a record of things that happened at work this week. The first was a 3 hour exercise to see how we can fit 150 people in a new open plan - the client rang up at 1030 'are you in the office, I'll swing by at 11 to talk to you about a new project'. He dropped by, we chatted about raised access flooring, toilet provisions, time frame and when he wanted the first round of layout plans. 'This afternoon, 230 would be perfect'

For many of our houses, we designed the landscape as well - trying to fit the poetic with the utilitarian; laundry can dry out of sight behind a garden wall, the edge of a pool doubles as a bench and base for water spout. I find these sketches very useful as conversation starters with the client.

The end of the living space is enlarged with the introduction of a window seat; to collect people for conversation, without outside views to interrupt the chit chat.

View of the conversation area from the atrium

Laying the ground work

These are supplementary construction drawings for a renovation to a small boutique hotel. I often find it easier to add my intended details by hand to the CAD drafted 'frame-work' - I feel that it gives me better exploration and control, and it is also a way to double check the design.

For small practices, this is perhaps an efficient way to releasing construction drawings to the contractor - photocopied in A3, emailed as PDF files, with peace of mind that I have looked through and provided input.

work in progress

A fellow architect dropped by the office one Saturday morning. Another senior practitioner, another one who has made a more than comfortable living from his trade. One who has stopped drawing perhaps, for he expressed surprise when he saw our drawing boards - 'wah, still draugthing ah?, who?, you ah?'

Actually, not all these are drawn at the draughting board. Some were drawn at home, on the coffee table in front of the telly. Others are details and ideas drawn on CAD printouts. I feel better after having made my mark on it. It is my way of assuring myself that I have vetted the drawing, it is ready to go. It is also a way of personalising computer generated drawings. The hand drawn lines say to the viewer - it's OK, someone put thought to my design.