Week 6 Homework 'Intent'

Intent could be considered as ones ideas about a project or their interpretation of a brief and what its aims are towards a particular project. It can define what a person might do or achieve throughout their working process.

‘participants work intensely with one another, observing and understanding each other’s moves, the reasoning behind them and the intentions’(Kvan 2000)

Though each person in the collaborative process could have a slightly different Intent towards approaching an idea, and therefore multiple ideas are a result of personal Intent.

So it is important that each member is informed of the others thoughts and design process, so that the work load can be distributed evenly. (Kvan 2000)

‘Part of the problem with the term ‘‘collaborative act’’ is that the activities that are undertaken in such acts may vary in intent and degrees of participation.’ (Kvan 2000)

Intent could be something that drives a project for example, a client expressing their particular intentions towards a project proposal or brief.
When the proposal is given to different disciplines it becomes clear to each member in the collaborative process what their intention should be and what approach they as an expertise in their field should take.

‘The participants have been engaged to work together because each has a particular expertise that can be contributed to the solution process.’ (Kvan 2000)

Intent means the will to do something, so each member must be on the same track and employees use their intent to encourage the collaborative process. Without this intent the collaborative process is unsuccessful and unnecessarily difficult.

'Collaborative success can therefore be said to be achieved when we have accomplished something in a group which could not be accomplished by an individual.' (Kvan 2000)

Figure 1: Intent Diagram


This image outlines the concepts of intent in a collaborative process. It could help members of the collaborative process by assisting members with their jobs by breaking down the project to create goals and assess any problems that may arise in the project and find solutions.


References:


Kvan, T 2000, ‘Collaborative Design: What is it?’ Representations of South Africa in the Sydney Morning Herald since the inauguration of Thabo Mbeki as president’, Automation in Construction, Volume 09, Issue 04, July 2000, accessed 24th April 2007, < http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6V20-406WD6W-B&_user=37161&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&view=c&_acct=C000004218&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=37161&md5=ba1f1b8959897bc20b306b9cd1bfee4b>

Image:

Figure 1: Intent Diagram. Greg Balanko-Dickson: Small Business Coaching & Transitions, 2007. Retrieved on the 24th April 2007 at URL: <http://www.smallbusinesstransitions.com/category/transitions/fertilization/>

Week 5: 'Knowledge' Post

Knowledge: 'All that a person knows..All that is known' (Oxford University Press, 1995)

Knowledge is important in the collaborative process, because it is needed for the different disciplines in an architectural office. Knowledge could be what is considered to be what defines us and makes each of us different, to bring different skills to the collaborative process. These skills do not exist unless there is some sort of underlying knowledge and tasks can not be delegated to different disciplines without. Knowledge is something that can be derived from many different areas of life and in the work space. This can be from personal experiences, for others through education by reading facts and information that assist the growth of knowledge. (Oxford University Press, 1995)

The benefit of knowledge is that it can make someone have a particular 'expertise' that another can not. Through knowledge brings understanding. (Oxford University Press, 1995) This is useful in the collaborative process so that each team member has an understanding of the tasks at hand. Knowledge must be gained and not given. This could be through a particular experience, training or study that allows one to constantly be learning and expand their knowledge. This can bring great confidence to the collaborative team as this means the task can be successfully achieved.




Figure 1: Knowledge Diagram (Oxford University Press, 1995)
The image above is significant because each circle represents something different.
The ideas circle represents your own emotional experiences that you can bring to the circle. This could be 'emotional intelligence'. Intelligence could also be considered as a form of knowledge. Where a person has the ability to 'understand' another colleague and how to connect with them on a professional level.
The second circle represents the knowledge that you have with other people, for example, work experiences gained through a mentor that you learn from to acquire the knowledge you have.
The third circle, I think refers to your own knowledge gained through individual or perhaps personal experiences that influence your own thoughts on a matter or part of the collaborative process. This could be knowledge gained through your own background or the cultural experiences you have been exposed to in life that may help develop knowledge that allows you to relate to others.


References:
Book: Oxford University Press (1995) The Australian Study Dictionary/Thesaurus. Melbourne: Oxford University Press.

Image:
Figure 1: Knowledge Diagram. Martin Roell: E- Business Consultant, 2004.Retrieved on the 21st April at URL: http://www.roell.net/publikationen/distributedkm.shtml

Week 4: Hierarchy Post

Hierarchy: 'Organisation that ranks people one above the another according to the power or authority that they hold.' (Oxford University Press, 1995)

I feel that I have covered my views on 'Hierarchy' mostly in the google docs. So I wont go too much into what the word 'Hierarchy' means to me, because I feel that I gave a very descriptive explanation of it earlier. So in this blog I am going to say how I think 'Hierarchy' will we used according to our project.
I think Hierarchy can be identified as a theme in many ways in our 'unbuilt building' as Jeff stated last night. Hierarchy could be considered as grouping parts of the modelling construction stage by prioritising what parts are important to model first. Looking at particular rooms in detail and representing those things of less prioirity by simple modelling. I was also thinking of listing other elements in the assignment that we might catergorise and group. These could also be considered as 'Hierarchy'. Things like the grouping of materials or textures we might collate or use for the model. Also the gathering of images that relate to either Hierarchy or in relation to the interior images we intend to collect to help 'visualise' or model the interior or furtniture of the building.
Hierarchy, could also be indentified in our group work as the 'leader' or someone taking the 'leadership' role. This person can group or prioritise the tasks to keep on track the aim of the project.

Figure 1: Lady Filing

References:

Book:

Oxford University Press (1995) The Australian Study Dictionary/Thesaurus. Melbourne: Oxford University Press.

Images:

Figure 1: Lady Filing Figure number: 56400759. Retrieved on 3rd April 2008 at:
URL:http://www.gettyimages.com/Search/Detail.aspx?axd=DetailPaging.Search1&axs=0564007590&id=56400759

Week 3 Homework: Disciplines and Collaboration

Discipline: ' a person who accepts the teachings of another whom he or she regards as a leader' (Oxford University Press, 1995)

In my opinion the term ‘Architectural Collaboration’ was given to describe the process of many different people with different skills and knowledge working together in an Architectural Office.
Collaboration is important in order to get the job done satisfactorily and effectively.
Some of the disciplines that make up the collaborative process are the Architect, Engineers whether it they be Structural, Hydraulic or Electrical. Town Planners, Landscape Architects, Quantity Surveyors and construction managers. These are just some of the few that make up the Collaborative process.
Each team member participates in the final product even though each plays quite a different role and they rely on each other’s different skills to achieve a result.
It is well known what an Architect’s job is. He or she ‘designs the building fabric and coordinates the input of the specialist consultants in the team. This team may consist of the following consultants.(RAIA Website, 2007)
The general objective of the structural Engineer is to ‘Provide a safe load path during any stage of construction; lifespan and demolition, under all possible loads and effects and within acceptable risk limits set up by society and which are set out in different regulations, by-laws, codes.’ (Author Unknown, Date Unknown)
An Electrical Engineer’s role is to ‘design and develop electrical systems and/or component to high specifications, focusing on; economy, safety, reliability, quality, sustainability.’ (Author Unknown, 2008) While a mechanical engineer will ‘design the heating, cooling and ventilation of the building’. (RAIA Website, 2007)
The hydraulic Engineer’s role is to ‘design the water and sewerage requirements’. (RAIA Website, 2007)
For most all projects a quantity Surveyor should be employed to save time and money. Although, in my opinion it seems that on smaller projects they are not always used.
A Quantity Surveyors job is to ‘guide the cost of the design.’ (RAIA Website, 2007)
A Town Planner could be considered for large areas of construction where a project could interfere with neighbouring areas or major roads and parks.
The Town Planner can ‘design entirely new urban areas (suburbs and garden cities), or develop ways to reform and reorder existing ones to provide plenty of space and light, clean water and adequate drainage.’(An Ideal City Website, date Unknown)
The role of a construction manager is to ‘plan, direct, and coordinate a wide variety of construction projects. They schedule and coordinate all design and construction processes, including the selection, hiring, and oversight of specialty trade contractors... They ‘supervise the construction process... making sure that the project gets done on time and within budget.’ (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2007)
Collaboration is important for Architectural businesses to meet their deadlines. The disciplines listed above all contribute to this process. Each member of the team uses their skills and knowledge to draw and construct plans to the final construction phase. These plans may be drawn at first individually, before they are reintroduced back to the team for to revision. Once the plans get past the concept stage they could be then entered into a CAD system where team members can collaborate on several drawings. Collaboration in relation to computers has assisted Architectural firms and advanced technologies in this could assist save time and problems.
‘The Computer-Aided Design System should be capable of carrying on conversations with, and performing computations for several designers at several consoles substantially all at once. In this way each designer can be immediately aware of what the other designers are doing, and thus avoid one of the truly severe problems of intercommunication that designers face today.’ (CAD Collaboration website)

Figure 1: Disciplines

References:

Book:

Oxford University Press (1995) The Australian Study Dictionary/Thesaurus. Melbourne: Oxford University Press.

Websites:

Royal Australian Institute of Architects (2007) Royal Australian Institute of Architects Website. Retrieved on 7 of April 2008 at: URL: http://www.architecture.com.au/i-cms?page=778

An Ideal City (2007) An Ideal City Website. Retrieved on 7 of April 2008 at: URL: http://www.idealcity.org.au/town_planning-6-what_planners_do.html

Author Unknown (date unknown) The Building Design Process- A Creative Collaboration Website. Retrieved on 7 of April 2008 at: URL: http://www.google.com.au/search?hl=en&q=Electrical%2C+Structural%2C+hydraulic+Engineer%27s+role+in+Collaboration&btnG=Search&meta=

Author Unknown (2008) Prospects Website. Retrieved on 7 of April 2008 at: URL: http://www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/Explore_types_of_jobs/Types_of_Job/p!eipaL?state=showocc&pageno=1&idno=252

Bureau of Labor Statistics (2007) U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics Website. Retrieved on 7 of April 2008 at: URL: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos005.htm

Images:

Figure 1: Disciplines. Logic and Emotion. Retrieved on the 8th of April 2008 at:URL: http://darmano.typepad.com/logic_emotion/2006/07/human_hierarchy.html