Logs

Logs: (Note- I lost the sheet detailing what exactly was supposed to go into these. I do remember I wasn't supposed to change what I actually wrote in them… So I've just transcribed them into this format. But was there anything else these logs were supposed to contain? I'm not sure if I'm required to write a summary as well?)

October 16

Learned some aspects of the firm's philosophy
Both David and Chiu Lin appreciate a positive attitude and a focused person as an employee
Performance is the key in the firm… do well and you can improve in status
No favoritism- Mei Mei Chan (who was a relative of Chiu Lin) was fired recently for being too demanding and "stand-offish"
People always seem rushed and pressured during normal work hours but by 5:30 seem completely free of obligations… I suppose its David's philosophy about not needing his employees to work overtime to get a project done as long as they work hard during work hours
Pretty much worked on the model today… did some filing for Chong for the DeYoung Project.

October 18

Design lecture today
Talked about the new conference hall/library in Alexandria… circular form… every design lecture is held by one of the higher-ranking members in the firm
The intent of the lecture is to broaden experience of architectural work around the world.
Asking for additional work around the office is the primary means of gaining more experience. People are extremely busy particularly since the De Young drawings and documents are due soon.
Did some minor CAD work… learned more about the structure and organization of their drawings
Talked to both John and Jeff about being new employees. John - 6 months Jeff- 2 months Discovered their background and experience in architecture is similar to mine… they are currently being trained by Chiu-Lin. For their entire first year of work, details are the only things they enter into the computer. They are assigned to the project heads.

October 21

(Stayed home because of 150 midterm the next day)

October 23

Ate Lunch with some co-workers… Found more about the structure of the firm.
Associates/Principals/Project Heads…
Associates- Are being trained to take over the firm after Chiu Lin and David retire. Are loaded with additional administrative duties… have to prepare for Friday lectures… bring in food… watch over staff
Principals- Work as leaders of even the project heads… have much more design freedom… Also expected to carry on the firm afterwards… (Mei-Mei who was fired was a principal)
Project Heads-Have more liberties in design…. Pay is the basic difference from standard employees.

October 25

"You're not a designer if you don't know how to put a building together… Look at the construction and connections in a Mies van der Rohe building… so clean."
Chiu Lin especially doesn't like firms without construction knowledge.
Their firm is much more grounded in practical issues…
Building a model for them has helped to realize a few errors in their design in reference to site conditions.

October 28

Got a job with them after graduation! I have really enjoyed working for the firm over the past few weeks. David had been asking me about my plans after 128 and what I wanted to do in the future. I approached him about a possible position available to me and he said they wanted to hire me. That takes a lot of burden off of me… I was fairly worried about finding a job this December. They are going to begin training me immediately. I think Chiu Lin is going to personally supervise the work I do.
David's design philosophy- very modernist… admires Corbusier… Chiu Lin loves Mies. He does not try to copy other architects- tries to be as innovative as possible.
I would like to work for them for a couple of years and then hopefully go back to school to get an MA.