I cannot relate anymore. My questions brought answers that brought more questions. Until I find my closure, this site will stay abandoned. Till then or never.
good feeling, won't you stay with me just a little longer.
"It's official. I'm in love with Summer." And I will forever be lost in those eyes.
Forgiveness. To conclude a resentment, an indignation. Forgiveness is often requested, yet more often rejected than accepted. Of late, I've been finding myself quite frequently in the position of the forgiver, whereby the forgivees were never actually at fault, not at least, at the end of the day. I find myself thoroughly uncomfortable in circumstances of wrongdoings, circumstances in which the fault is almost never on one side of the fence, and almost never correctly blamed. Perhaps the conclusion of the year brings upon the closure of past resentments and misunderstandings. How it seems that 2009 was a year to forgive, one that should perhaps be left behind, but never one to forget. May the new year prevent the need for forgiveness to be requested.
"An experimental venture in designing spaces whereby a basic, unsophisticated folding technique is arithmetically repeated in forming complex geometric patterns. The interest is to confer an impression of individual polyhedron structures throught the expression of multiplicity in the folded polygons. The folded geometry becomes a a rigid space structure constructed from interlocking struts in a statistical pattern and manner, remaining consistent throughout the building's tectonic."
I looked forward to this only to look back at it. This project will forever remain to me as one that is finished but never complete. Compromises had to be made in the interest of time and frustration, all in which pointing towards a lackluster product of a so called building. Paper folding was such an uncharted territory that every direction I took seemed to lead me to the same ending, in which I did not like. What I foreseen was not to be seen, what I presumed was never resumed. "This is so not what I wanted to do."
So I've been working at an architectural firm near Ampang Park for the past 3 weeks. Had to begin my internship during this break due to certain undesired arrangements predecided for me, though I must say that the experience in a whole has been motivating so far. The range of my labour has been pretty extensive, which is what I am looking for in terms of how an internship should be. I am not made to be a kuli (though I have been directed to dust models & rearrange catalogues), neither am I made responsible in making decisions regarding the design of a project (though I have been given the freedom to alter a 3d model to how I see fit).
The scope of work of the firm is impressive, the manner and system in which they work is one to be observed as well. An office of 10 staff strong, all in which are architects in their own rights. What might be presumed of a firm having an established draftsman, a skilled model maker, and a godlike 3d renderer is not exactly as it seems. Instead of sharing the work based on skill, work is divided based on projects. As such, 2employees would be in charge of a particular project, doing the CADs, Sketchups, working drawings, & renderings all by themselves. Being an intern in an office of such a size is rather satisfying too, makes you feel less insignificant compared to if you are working in a firm consisting of 70employees and you are the sadness of the intern getting the peanuts of pays. I guess the only downside of it all is the fact that I have to take the public transport. No offence to those who do, but a journey where most of the time you have to be stuffed in a carriage full of rude msians is not exactly one that can be tolerated.
As if I have not enough preoccupations, anxieties and concerns have never been so taxing. Over the past week I have achieved much more than I thought I would during my time in college. Yet I only can see the bad in all that's good, and the mistakes in all that's succeeded. I dislike how I got here, and how I'm expected to be and react. I hate how I must redefine my principles and indirectly give cause for concerns to those who concern of me. And I loathe how my friendships had to come into play when instead, obligations of others should have been present.
As a result, others have to pay for my faults in judgements, and the debt seems to be increasing by the second. What makes it even more pathetic is that all I can do is sit n watch whilst I watch others repair my own mistakes. I has to flippin stoop to the absolute lowest of valleys in the eyes of my friends, while to the eyes of others, it seems as if I'm taking advantage of them. Dammit I hate the perception, and I hate the seemingly inevitable outcome. I don't want to loop my tongue n twist my stories anymore. I want to be an architect, not a blardy politician.
The intention was clear from start. We knew that everyone wanted to impress, to have the wow factor. But I didn't want to animate in technicality, or perhaps was to noob to do so. Everyone seem to had an idea of flying walls, everyone wanted to do floating slabs, but if you don't offer more than what's already been offered, what's the point in having the same approach as everyone else. So I did it somewhat different. I searched to put more feel, I searched to stylize. The purpose of the aimation was to sell, and to sell we needed to add flavour. Sort of a trailer, so to speak. So you sorta learn a little from opening sequences, trailers, closing scenes from movies, to have a more cinematic approach but still clinging to the architectural context of the presentation. Little details like a ticking clock and a turning fan may be minor in thought but adds so much more depth to the visual. And of course, a killer soundtrack to heighten the senses. The Smashing Pumpkins at their very best.
"First and third-year students from Tom Emerson (of practice 6a) and Max Beckenbauer’s Studio 2 from the Department of Architecture at The University of Cambridge designed this cardboard structure for a banquet on the 23 October to celebrate the new term"
1. Everything moves faster. From the people, the cars, time, to the very way they talk.
2. Japanese Japanese food tastes exactly the same as Malaysian Japanese food. You have the typical udon, archetypal sashimis, standard wasabis, and the rather distinctive salmons. Perhaps it was due to the fact that our meals were provided for and predetermined by the tour guide, they must've taken some package deal with discounted rates or wad not. Still, I wouldn't judge the favour to either side, considering we had more than sufficient with bbq buffets for two nights. Except for the rather costly ramen we had on our own expense. Worth every yen tho.
3. The people there are very environmental friendly. They cycle by the numbers, have smoking stations. Recycle stations everywhere to be seen, rubbish bins impossible to locate. They literally make you think before you dispose. Which bin to choose, decisions, decisions...
4. Vending machines are as abundant as the manga there. They vend everything from drinks, snacks, cigarettes to iPods, and can be found even on the way up to Mt. Fuji amongst the trees. They're everywhereeeeee.
5. The sulphur dioxide emitted from the active volcanoes are unbearable. Okay, exaggerating a little, but by no means is it delightful. They should have warning signs on how bad they smell instead.
Near the summit, eggs which are boiled in the heat of the foul sulphur pond are sold. The shell turns black, and apparently each egg you eat extends your life by 7 years. Indirectly, 100yen=rm3.80=7years. Not that bad a deal to me.
6. Japanese birds have funny names.
7. The spectacular views they proclaim of and from Mt. Fuji are exactly as they deem. Literally breathtaking, in addition to the fact that it was exceptionally chilly at more than 2km above sea level. Pictures do absolutely no justice.
8. Tatami mats aren't as comfy as they're cool. We slept on em the first night at this traditional Japanese style kinda lodging. No doubt it's better than the usual concrete floor, but nothing beats the comfort of a thick mattress.
9. Yukata's however, are comfy.! Instead of the customary bathrobes, the hotels there provide yukata's for your wearing pleasure. Brings out the inner samurai hidden beneath you, or geisha, depending on your proclivity. Rather difficult when it comes to eating tho, the sleeves always gets in the way.
10. Onsen's are hot. To the unfamiliar, onsen is a term coined for hot springs. The inn we stayed in the first night offer such a service, with warm geothermally heated springs located in the outdoors. Yes, it was a public bath. No, swimsuits are not allowed whatsoever. Yes, in the bare nude. Yes, I went for it. The very last 15minutes of it's opening hours, haha. Sadly, I didn't have the viewing pleasure nor the experience of the image shown above, rather the awkwardness of gazing into another man's
11. Needless to say, the architecture there is transcendent. Not just to the naked eye, the craft and technique implemented quite simply should be acknowledged. The typology of a shopping precinct is impressively redefined, or perhaps the way it should be defined. Streets replacing malls, outlets develop vertically instead of horizontally. A different shopping experience, one that can only be in countries with such low temperatures, at the end of the day.
I has touched the concrete of Ando. 21-21 Design Sight, Tokyo Midtown.
The glass of Herzog. Prada Epicentre, Omotesando.
Tokyo International Forum.
Fuji TV Head Office Building.
Yokohama Landmark Tower.
12. Petrol pumps in petrol stations are hung from the ceiling. I'm presuming it's an effort to save space and construction. Makes sense somehow. Didn't really see it function though, might be difficult for the vertically-challenged. Heh, heh.
13. Their bathrooms are small. From the bathtub to the very seat of the toilet bowl. IT'S NOT JUST ME.
14. They have spiral escalators. Leave it to the Japanese to design shyts like these. Epic coolness.
15. The macha ice cream there tastes so much sweeter. What with girls like these serving you whilst breaking out into a song as they prepare your order. Mmmm..
16. The Japanese transported the Statue of Liberty to Tokyo as part of their treaty in yielding to the Allies during the end of WW2. Lol.
17. Kacang sakti.! Dragon Ball is apparently still a hit amongst the Japanese otakus, as are other notable Japanese animations.
Hello Kitties.
Pokecenter.! Where's Nurse Joy.?
18. Foreign tourists are subjected to massive Japanese pensive syndrome upon departure.
Unfortunately, I wasn't able to visit notorious places of worthy in Japan such as Harajuku & Akihabara. Fortunately, it gives me an excuse to return.
