A normal time, a normal day, the journey started in a normal way. I met with my contemporaries for a meeting with the principal architect under the dim-lit lights of the tower lobby, so far, none of us knew what to expect. Coming in early, you get to know them more. Whether small chit-chats or long talks, whether listening or participating, you see a side and understand. Entering the scene, the meeting began. Normal-normal, it was a fruitful start, nonetheless. Events picked up when project distribution portion came to be. An opportunity, an opportunity to pick one’s work. To pick role I know well or a role I know not and personally, I feel conflicted. However, what one thinks, the others think the same. It was a game of lying in wait, the first to pounce grabs the meat. I wouldn’t dare participate in choosing and let whatever is left be mine but then again conflict rain my mind.
Should I or should I not? How would fate run it?
Maybe it was because it’s the first meeting but then again, I should be better at this.
Risk Management. I was to create a video educating the viewers about the troubles and problems present in cost and budgetary talks. I may be no stranger to the premiere software nor am I to video editing, but we aren’t friends either. The shallowness of what I know haunts me furthermore the video examples online further belittles me. As if I have sunk to the bottom but in a way, I’m glad it happened because now, all I know is up. Playing to my what I know, I began thinking, I began planning, I began rising. It takes a few pushes to get my gears rolling, however I face another problem, whether I keep it animated or filmed? On one hand, it would take long yet rewarding and on the other, short yet unnerving. At a crossroads again.
Should I or should I not?
Two weeks pass and my view on the project got brighter. It may have a rocky start but alas, here I am. I learned more about video editing, I learned more about Premiere, I learned more about Photoshop, I learned more about architecture, I learned more about apprenticeship, and I learned more about myself. The product, a video. Checked and reviewed. To anyone watching, it was just a video to them, and I beg to differ. I mean, on the surface and in all technicality, it’s just a video but on a deeper scale, it means so much more. The adventure that intertwined and the lessons that gathered made it more than what it is, and I am proud to say that I crossed this path.
“Everyone has the chance to join the site visit” words spoken by the principal architect. My schedule falls on July, about a month after. Even so 4 weeks is long time, the principal architect relayed safety measures. He tends to lecture us apprentices and teach with the notion of a mentor rather a boss. Therefore, even if my software programs aren’t the typical Autodesk setup, I learn more about the profession instead. But sometimes, the dog bites. The early morning on the 3rd of July, situated in the border of Laguna, was the location of the site visit. I and the other apprentices got front row seats to an Architect-Client meeting. Usually, expectations were focused more on design matters but what was present is an intense back and forth pertaining to technicalities, materials, and permits. Though the Focal point is the site visit, I could consider the site meeting the highlight.
Building Technology is a frightening foe, but with knowledge, can be a powerful ally. With the same fate, it is neither my foe nor ally. Bill of Quantities. The next project assigned was a headache and confusing. Where do I get this? Where do I get that? No clue rang up my head however with given examples and a short description, “Maybe I could get away with this?”. Pricing of the materials are tedious. Due to competing companies hauling clients, they never post prices online. Furthermore, even with full specifications, I am limited on whether it had a cost or not. Though area calculation is not hard albeit taking long hours to compute, the main problem lies in the form of two files with different facades and faces. What do I pick? Which one? A 3D file complete with materials or a 2D file with measurements. If I screw up here then time’s the wasting, if not, a better output is assured. Should I or should I not? With a stroke of luck, I went with my gut. Wrong… and so is my gut. It turns out, I just made it harder for myself. The path I chose was a rocky road that led nowhere. The Bill of quantities require the area needed for the materials only, not pricing and such. It was my mistake. To top it off, the file I used was wrong too. Heads or Tails, I chose heads, coin choose tails. I should feel terrible for my choices, but I took it to myself to learn from my mistakes. On that day, I changed my work.
Decisions could be fatal; It is up to us to pick it up. The adventure ahead is unknown so it’s best to gather the small trinkets along the road. The lessons I learned from my apprenticeship is important for my future in the profession. To all the future apprentices of the firm, pile up your experiences, whether it lives up to your expectations or not. Use this time to learn and not color your resume. The business in architecture varies so don’t just stick to the typical CADD and 3D software. In the end, learn something new.
Should you do it?
Yes