Student Name: Sek Yong Jun
Admin Number: 1602611D
ILO: Derek Lo
Internship Period: 18 June – 5 October 2018
Cover Page p1
Content Page p2
Company Profile p3-6
Job duties and Responsibilities p7
Learning Outcomes & Examples of Work p8-17
Written Approval p17
Name of Organization: TA.LE Architects
Address: 3A Club Street Singapore 069401
Contact Number: +65 6221 6332
Email: www.talearchitects.com.sg
‘TA’ stands for the first two letters of Ms Tay Yan Ling’s surname ‘LE’ stands for the first two letters of Mr Lionel Leow’s surname
Therefore, the name of the architecture firm, TA.LE Architects.
After working in the industry for twelve years, both husband and wife, who are Qualified Personals (QPs), decided to venture out and start up their own firm. They wanted to give back to society and contribute using their skills as architects to provide service to the masses. Thus, in 2014, TA.LE Architects was born. There were many difficulties in the beginning of their journey as a young firm. It was not easy getting clients, starting up a business in Singapore is tough due to the rent and the staff cost and the struggles to maintain an office with regular revenue. These were some pressing concerns for them. However, what motivated them to strive on was the joy upon hearing that the project is well received by the clients. The company now has five full time staff
TA.LE Architects is an integrated modern architecture firm based in Singapore that specializes in Spatial Design. Established with the aim of providing architectural, interior design as well as furniture design to all, they customize to every client’s unique requirement based on intellectual rigour and sensual intuition. Coupled with sensitivity for wider social and contextual issues, they present their clients with ideal spaces.
There are two key phases in each project that they undertake, design phase and implementation phase
Design phase- Understanding the client’s needs first hand to conceptualise into design that guarantees both functionality and aesthetic quality. Their value is in turning architectural and interior design dreams into tangible physical forms. The company does 2D blueprints of the design and 3D models on software such as Sketchup.
Implementation phase- Moving from blueprint to physical spaces requires excellent communication and cooperation from the building contractors. TA.LE provides the service of liaising with contractors and industrial connections to find the best people to turn designs and dreams into reality.
Both Ms Tay Yan Ling and Mr Lionel Leow are considered partners in the company.
Ms Liao Xiji is a register architect in the board of architects. She graduated with a Master of Architecture from the National University of Singapore and has worked with Ms Tay Yan Ling before founding the company.
Ms Nguyen Thao Di has been with the company since it started, making her the longest working employee in the company. She graduated with a degree in architecture in the National University of Singapore.
Mr James Leong joined the company in 2015. He graduated with a Master of Architecture from the National University of Singapore.
Ms Ivy Tang recently joined early this year. She specializes in Interior Design and is currently helping the company with interior related projects such as a landed house, 96 Jalan Perminpin etc.
*Pictures above are taken from- https://talearchitects.com.sg/people/
*Pictures above are taken from- https://talearchitects.com.sg/clients/
- Flowcrete
- P5 Studio Pte Ltd
- Life Style Home Pte Ltd
- Ming Construction Pte Ltd
- Caesarstone
- Admira
- Formica
- Toseva timber
- MOODS
- Trend glass design Pte Ltd
- Project Image (lighting systems. Luminaries)
The Target market are a plethora of clients, seeking architectural, interior works or both. TA.LE Architects mainly do commercial, offices and residential projects both in Singapore and abroad.
The Sales Volume of the company is confidential. However, Ms Liao XiJi further explained that the sales are in the healthy range.
*Picture above is taken from- https://talearchitects.com.sg/
As an intern in a small company, I assist all my colleagues in different aspects of their work. The first type of tasks are technical drawings, which include 2-D computer-aided drawings such as floor plans, elevations, sections, detailed drawings and not forgetting annotations. These drawings are for many uses, tender compilation and submissions, given to the contractor for evaluation, and used to draw up interior works to be presented to the clients.
The second type of task is 3-D modelling, mainly using Sketch-up to edit and model up the different spaces of projects to give clients a better understanding of the spaces within the design. There are many trials and errors in this process so there is a need for constant improvisation to come up with better ideas.
The third type of task is doing a scaled model. Due to the fact that 3-D modelling on Sketch-up is still just on the flat screen, some of the designs cannot be interpreted or perceived as it should be, doing a scaled model would allow the clients to see, touch and gain a next level of understanding for the design.
The final type of task I was given is preparing presentation documents and compilation of information. This type of works requires a range of software. I used Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel to compile 2-D and 3-D drawings and renderings to 1. Get ready for presentation to clients, 2. Sent the well documented information to the contractors and suppliers and 3. Submit for tender. I also used Photoshop and Illustrator software to beautify and enhance existing works for the clients, which are considered layman, to grasp the drawings even better.
Other than the tasks explained above, I was also assisting in drafting and designing works for a portion of a project.
Throughout my sixteen weeks of attachment to TA.LE Architects, I have gain many valuable experiences and insights. Starting from the similar processes and work styles that we learn and use in school, they can be seen and applied to a certain extent in the architecture industry.
Having intern in a small firm, I have grown to know all my six colleagues around me and this forms a relationship. Working in an environment where everyone is familiar with each other makes working together harmoniously an easy feat. I got the chance to partake in one of the studio’s meeting concerning a huge project. The flow of the meeting was seamless as everyone had dispense with formalities, resulting in an efficient group discussion. The meeting consists of identifying design and technical issues concerning the project, what needs to be completed within the deadline and the delegation of task assigned to each member. This is very relatable for me as we conduct these meetings often during group work in school and communication and time management are key to get the work done.
Although I have little to no experience in interior design, I was given the chance to re-design a part of a landed property, 67 Springside Avenue, using Sketchup. From this experience, I learnt about the different types of mood and lighting and materiality that compliments the interior design. I learnt key phrases such as cove light, which is prominent in this project I also got tips on how to better place my camera angle to render a view. I feel that interior design tackles an important factor more in-depth- the functionality of the spaces and how people are going to go about their daily lives.
Before I started my internship, I am only skilled in Autocad software for 2-D computer-aided drawing (CAD). However, from this internship experience, I was exposed to another 2-D software, Microstation by Bentley. Through the sixteen weeks, I was given tasks which made use of Microstation, mainly updating hand- drawn floor plans into CAD drawings, drawing internal elevations, tender and contract drawings etc. Picking up a new software skill was challenging at first as the commands were very different compared to Autocad. It was a great accomplishment in the end when I was able to use Microstation with ease. I learnt that one must have an open mind and be willing to make mistakes and more importantly, not be afraid to ask when you are uncertain. This will enhance the learning experience and one would be able to pick up new skills readily.
GIVEN TO ME: EXAMPLE OF HAND DRAWN CAD GIVEN FOR 50 & 52 TRAS STREET SEPERATELY
WORK THAT I DID:
EXAMPLE OF MICROSTATION TO COMBINE BOTH SETS OF DRAWINGS FOR SHOPHOUSES TOGETHER
One of the memorable tasks I was given was to design a monumental signage for Nordic European Centre. This was my first time taking full reins in the design stage. When finding inspiration on Pinterest, I found out that there were a huge variety of designs for monumental signages. Such as recessed word font, cut-out word fonts etc. It was an eye opener for me as I used to think that signage was just a slab and huge font size words. I also used Illustrator and Photoshop to come up with different fonts and designs, doing up the 3-D model on Sketchup, figuring out the lighting design and choosing materiality and lastly, making a physical 1:1 scale model of the ‘N’ logo. Even though this task had nothing to do with architecture, I feel that it makes use of the same process. Finding a common design language, making it feasible due to cost constrains, having the constant work of finding solutions to arising problems and meeting the client’s requirements.
ORIGINAL MONUMENTAL SIGNAGE (ABOVE)
STAGES OF DESIGN WORK (BELOW)
Through making the model, I learnt to be even more precise and neat with my cutting skills and also think out of the box when it comes to brainstorming how to go about creating the model as it requires many different components.
I also learn to better time manage myself and set a schedule for myself as I was also handling other tasks in conjunction with the model making. What I can take away from this experience is the resilience, the commitment and passion that kept me going through.
I had the opportunity to attend a site meeting at the Nordic European Centre. Through this visit, I was exposed to real life scenarios of issues and on-the-spot thinking that my colleagues had to face during the site walk. During the meeting with the clients, I witness a presentation by a landscape team and saw the process of going through the project timeline to address the different works’ deadline. It was a very enriching experience as I saw how the different teams of people from various job scopes such as architects, contractors, clients, suppliers etc. converse and liaise about the project and more importantly, solve issues pertaining to the design works. Every key member also had a copy of the minutes of meeting booklet, which is something which I have been exposed to back in school. I also learnt that the final product of the design is not always as the architect envisions but the mixture of great ideas and improvisations due to cost constrain, existing site issues or client’s request.
Another major project I was involved in was Superpark, which has two sites, one at Suntec and the other at Kuala Lumpur. I got handle tender drawings due for submission to the authorities, brush my skills on an important software, Microsoft Excel by doing up schedules of works and handover stage schedule etc. and last but not least, doing up parts of the 3-D model using Sketch-up. I used the skills and knowledge of drawing details from what I have learnt in school to help me in the tender preparation. Something I have acquired from being part of this project is understanding M&E services/ Surveyor’s plans and translating into internal elevations. I also picked up common acronyms commonly seen in the annotations of the plans.
EXCEL
Back in school, I was first exposed to the different authorities and their relevant scopes from a subject called Professional Practise. During my internship, I witness how my colleagues handle their submission of the various authorities through a system called CORENET e- submission. In addition, I read up on some of the informative guidelines such as the BCA code on accessibility and LTA vehicular parking provision.
The entire company was invited for a lunch event hosted at the newly launched Arclinea Showroom, which focuses on designing kitchen. Also present at the lunch event was V-ZUG, a swiss company specializing in high tech kitchen appliances. Through this social lunch event, I got to mingle with directors and managing partners from both companies and got insight into how they customise every set of kitchens to suit client’s needs using the modular system. This is relatable to architecture as some designs make use of a few modules and they can be re-configured to create modular structures.
In conclusion, I feel that this internship has been a great exposure for me. This is because the subjects that we take in school are still considered limited. However, when I got toss into the real working environment, the task at hand varies and one must constantly balance between design ideas and client’s comments.
For example, from applying for an internship through email, to going for interviews at different companies, they make me more confident in speaking out about my works and converse with prospective employers. Through the internship, I have improved a lot on technical drawings, software skills especially Sketchup and Excel.
It has been a very fruitful journey for me.
