Reflections for the semester

I learnt quite a lot from this class. I was kind of conversant with the design process and the players involved but I hadn’t had the opportunity to observe from close quarters the interdisciplinary relationships that exist and how they are all connected. This class gave me the opportunity to see how that happens in the real design process. I had never responded to an RFP so it was a new experience but it had plenty learning moments. Making sure that the design fulfils the client’s requirements, is within code, within the client’s budget and is structurally sound. Acting in the capacity of the designer, allowed me to look at my profession not just as an architecture student but as a practicing professional. I gained fresh perspective of what it means to work in the field and how integrated the designer is at every stage of design.

Advice to anybody taking the class is to document the information and details of each week carefully. If possible start to organize the weekly material in preparation for the book. Most of us were not thinking of the book that we had to put together at the end of the semester so toward the end we had some trouble remembering what we had done earlier, the processes, lessons learnt and the roles that we each played. Working with teammates requires planning, time, patience and effort. Planning to make sure that everyone is on the same page and has the same goal in mind. Time to work together on achieving their purpose and meeting their target, collaboration takes time and teammates have to be willing to dedicate time to each other. Patience is required because tolerance for other teammates’ inadequacies will reduce instances of conflict. Each team member must be willing to commit 100% to making sure that the work gets done efficiently and on time.