tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85127991138160109912024-03-13T21:27:14.722+13:00juxt-a-positionAbout Architects, Architecture, Sustainability and Project ManagementApoorvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09679599714941462857noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512799113816010991.post-19966545704632938242019-03-16T15:37:00.001+13:002019-03-16T16:21:11.814+13:00Some images of Revit work - Classical French Renaissance facade study Part 2<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwcdFGh9PDzr3LZ3Z3k7E7OGEAqm9Kr9Msqv8SMsfG_nCJUT0O8oqdqP-Z7v4BLyTgvZ05badPw2fCqF-P8OVrOYsVfHKgh8Ii2d7quyoBAeiMPmVJmCLJ0aTFpZhre3meho1MEy1C5So/s1600/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwcdFGh9PDzr3LZ3Z3k7E7OGEAqm9Kr9Msqv8SMsfG_nCJUT0O8oqdqP-Z7v4BLyTgvZ05badPw2fCqF-P8OVrOYsVfHKgh8Ii2d7quyoBAeiMPmVJmCLJ0aTFpZhre3meho1MEy1C5So/s400/1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggAf3beqr1hMaIMvk8fXIPT1WymbAxNo14cF6J0KINYu9H3xCdzBSPRS89Djiw9hbZAnxeKwMJHNr3ohsVCcVNBtl4QrXXfhuNIkjLfm2puic91aLBBu6LejnFP-AvRhUoJkFSl367wPU/s1600/Strip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="67" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggAf3beqr1hMaIMvk8fXIPT1WymbAxNo14cF6J0KINYu9H3xCdzBSPRS89Djiw9hbZAnxeKwMJHNr3ohsVCcVNBtl4QrXXfhuNIkjLfm2puic91aLBBu6LejnFP-AvRhUoJkFSl367wPU/s400/Strip.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The first image is the 3D view of the level plans and the Elevation in CAD to work as background.<br />
<br />
All the windows and columns are individual families and customizable.<br />
<br />
I developed individual profiles for the cornices.<br />
<br />
The second image is the Elevation view of the VIP entrance of the Vendome mall in Doha, Qatar<br />
<br />
The aim of the model was to demonstrate the buildability and help the design-build contractors.<br />
<br />
The detailed views of the portico are at the link below.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d3721.333786269764!2d51.51832831500642!3d25.404285829501813!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x0%3A0x0!2zMjXCsDI0JzE1LjQiTiA1McKwMzEnMTMuOSJF!5e1!3m2!1sen!2snz!4v1552706038709%22%20width=%22800%22%20height=%22600%22%20frameborder=%220%22%20style=%22border:0%22%20allowfullscreen%3E%3C/iframe%3E" target="_blank">Google Maps Link to the site</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://juxt-a-position-ap.blogspot.com/2015/09/some-images-of-revit-work-classical.html" target="_blank">https://juxt-a-position-ap.blogspot.com/2015/09/some-images-of-revit-work-classical.html</a></div>
Apoorvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09679599714941462857noreply@blogger.com0Doha, Qatar25.2854473 51.53103979999991725.0557273 51.208316299999915 25.5151673 51.853763299999919tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512799113816010991.post-75594599316843770872018-03-06T10:46:00.000+13:002018-03-06T10:46:09.485+13:0010 things Indian visitors should know about NZ<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxaCahyphenhyphenSnIsYL8tQN9q0p4AC6mF7FDOv24lavUfkLSGpByNKrf6AKHpjtMG2cyIxvpkoTt0hoBhc0gxSHY7ayDOTnu_P7MbWFJNM4iqJcWIi0kOJ1hVmOWbs-ioCS-p7uUPnNik43dP4Y/s1600/DSC08834.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="898" data-original-width="1600" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxaCahyphenhyphenSnIsYL8tQN9q0p4AC6mF7FDOv24lavUfkLSGpByNKrf6AKHpjtMG2cyIxvpkoTt0hoBhc0gxSHY7ayDOTnu_P7MbWFJNM4iqJcWIi0kOJ1hVmOWbs-ioCS-p7uUPnNik43dP4Y/s640/DSC08834.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: #fafafa; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-family: "Roboto Slab", "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14px; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">1. <b>Water</b> from the tap is considered fit for human use. No filters or RO's required</span><br style="background-color: #fafafa; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-family: "Roboto Slab", "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14px; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="background-color: #fafafa; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-family: "Roboto Slab", "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14px; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">2. <b>Food</b> is incredibly expensive - Expect to pay about 150Rs for a single large eggplant when they are in season. A cyclone or a storm can push up the price to 250Rs. A head of cauliflower can cost up to 500 Rs. (I am not kidding), </span><br style="background-color: #fafafa; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-family: "Roboto Slab", "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14px; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="background-color: #fafafa; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-family: "Roboto Slab", "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14px; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">3. <b>Toilet paper</b> - unlike India where your backsides are washed with jetsprays, here you need to use toilet paper</span><br style="background-color: #fafafa; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-family: "Roboto Slab", "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14px; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="background-color: #fafafa; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-family: "Roboto Slab", "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14px; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">4. <b>No pissing on street</b>s or the bushes - Toilets are well and decently placed. And clean. Look for them</span><br style="background-color: #fafafa; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-family: "Roboto Slab", "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14px; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="background-color: #fafafa; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-family: "Roboto Slab", "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14px; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">5. <b>No litter on streets</b> - Literally. If your frontage of the house on the street has grass growing on it, you are responsible keeping it like a cricket pitch.</span><br style="background-color: #fafafa; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-family: "Roboto Slab", "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14px; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="background-color: #fafafa; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-family: "Roboto Slab", "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14px; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">6. <b>Beaches are clean</b>. You are expected to pick up your dog poo after it does the job and any rubbish or plastic you generate is to be collected and binned by you.</span><br style="background-color: #fafafa; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-family: "Roboto Slab", "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14px; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="background-color: #fafafa; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-family: "Roboto Slab", "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14px; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">7. <b>Trash costs money</b> - On preset timings, the trash truck will come and collect the trash from the street outside your house. They have to be in preassigned plastic bags or bins. The preassigned bags cost you some dollars for a packet of five</span><br style="background-color: #fafafa; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-family: "Roboto Slab", "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14px; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="background-color: #fafafa; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-family: "Roboto Slab", "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14px; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">8. The <b>Police are actually polite</b> - They will address you as "Sir" and ask you for your license or whatever they are after. If everything is fine, they will just let you go about your way. Just don't get caught drunk - you will get a free ride to the Police station and tested for alcohol.</span><br style="background-color: #fafafa; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-family: "Roboto Slab", "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14px; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="background-color: #fafafa; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-family: "Roboto Slab", "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14px; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">9. There are <b>4 seasons in a day </b>- Auckland especially is famous for changes in weather. You could go from Sunny to soaking wet in a matter of minutes and sunny right after.</span><br style="background-color: #fafafa; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-family: "Roboto Slab", "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14px; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;" /><span style="background-color: #fafafa; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); font-family: "Roboto Slab", "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14px; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">10. <b>24 deg C is "Warm" </b>- Your regular A/c temp is considered warm. Summer in the Indian sense does not exist. The highest temperature during peak summer is about 30 deg c with NZers screaming bloody murder and going out in the street with chaddis and ganjees</span></div>
Apoorvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09679599714941462857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512799113816010991.post-3444693905609203382016-10-18T13:37:00.001+13:002016-10-18T19:53:04.764+13:00Working Smart - 3<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<h2 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: left;">
Search emails in Outlook 2016</h2>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Finding that elusive email from someone can become a life and death situation for us in Outlook. Multiple projects, client emails, and a swamped email box with 50+ emails received on a daily basis can be difficult to track. You know the mail was from X with an attachment but several emails over months make it impossible to zero down on the particular email especially if it was sent several months back </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This version of Outlook can make your life easier if you are willing to spend some time reading this post. Follow the 9 easy steps below and you can quickly search for that elusive email </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYsQRE3cqXrjyv8ITwysV8sxTOt-vnFJ9fBK3QSzqakKw5oBPnBwufxD9vsCmGYasyH6ixT1QSBrbFVSqKkg4HSMv84poxvSfhcBS6nptpncRWiJrFXJwNZIN9EDNRtJsUi7vLgHmgILM/s1600/161010+WS+6.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYsQRE3cqXrjyv8ITwysV8sxTOt-vnFJ9fBK3QSzqakKw5oBPnBwufxD9vsCmGYasyH6ixT1QSBrbFVSqKkg4HSMv84poxvSfhcBS6nptpncRWiJrFXJwNZIN9EDNRtJsUi7vLgHmgILM/s320/161010+WS+6.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1. Open Outlook and go to your Inbox. Click your mouse on the “Search Current mailbox”.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2. The moment you click in the search bar, the cursor will start flashing in anticipation of your search</span><br />
<ol style="text-align: left;">
</ol>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_oiCPhpnGJlxbmeERsRRoLbAFA6KkfPDAvB-BpN0BRj62KNLagOGjsp-s81xtICuaWXlYjSE9epU1yJxUJd8hiDuDehgbzcytxLIUNYoBHTCFEZAdFniHCvwpko0KCG6TozmFMYegv8M/s1600/161010+WS+7.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="86" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_oiCPhpnGJlxbmeERsRRoLbAFA6KkfPDAvB-BpN0BRj62KNLagOGjsp-s81xtICuaWXlYjSE9epU1yJxUJd8hiDuDehgbzcytxLIUNYoBHTCFEZAdFniHCvwpko0KCG6TozmFMYegv8M/s320/161010+WS+7.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3. Your tab will change as per the screen above.4</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4. Now go to the dropdown box as per the black arrow</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">5. The dropdown box should display all the fields you could possibly search from</span></span></div>
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8_uY_fKG1z8FhlkRHQF_QLX3l9lh8gcr-y2UMgCPs-RpWHYg_vVHsZbsgOhln0lANBB18oiF-szG6uVxfsGwXO5Hu2EiwdynwOXDikj6ekyZ3D_zpDhPkW1Z5mSpWa9MywxiHPXbN3Ho/s1600/161010+WS+8.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8_uY_fKG1z8FhlkRHQF_QLX3l9lh8gcr-y2UMgCPs-RpWHYg_vVHsZbsgOhln0lANBB18oiF-szG6uVxfsGwXO5Hu2EiwdynwOXDikj6ekyZ3D_zpDhPkW1Z5mSpWa9MywxiHPXbN3Ho/s320/161010+WS+8.JPG" width="105" /></span></a></span></div>
<span style="line-height: 107%;">
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt 36pt;">
</div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;"> </span><span style="line-height: 107%;">6. Click on the fields you want and they will start stacking up below the search bar as you click on the fields. These will then drop down every time you put your cursor in the search bar - ready to aid you in a search.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRMaWE7k34BECEAxgYbkkj2klHdk4TwUHCBTL8CBckYPcR5Q0qRyF5ZaxlBnBJEl86bFKYXF_cy8HZAm575nfqjL_RWVfIkPcSkveuBIWPbCDJgnxxxtDSLFrkXPYMxqZh_vpJ5LNLKi4/s1600/161010+WS+5.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRMaWE7k34BECEAxgYbkkj2klHdk4TwUHCBTL8CBckYPcR5Q0qRyF5ZaxlBnBJEl86bFKYXF_cy8HZAm575nfqjL_RWVfIkPcSkveuBIWPbCDJgnxxxtDSLFrkXPYMxqZh_vpJ5LNLKi4/s320/161010+WS+5.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
</span></span><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7. Typically you would need the subject, cc, To, Attachments(Yes/No) and From.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">8. You can also use Body which is quite useful when you want to search by a word in the body of the email.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">9. This can be done in your “Sent” folder as well.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Work Smart and Happy Searching!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Also Read:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://juxt-a-position-ap.blogspot.com/2016/10/working-smart-1.html" target="_blank">Working Smart - 1 Finding that Directory</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://juxt-a-position-ap.blogspot.com/2016/10/working-smart-2.html" target="_blank">Working Smart - 2 Save your files with a date</a></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: x-small;"> </span></div>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
</div>
</div>
Apoorvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09679599714941462857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512799113816010991.post-636591768841376822016-10-03T18:30:00.002+13:002019-03-16T14:49:37.878+13:00Working Smart - 2<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Saving your files with a date</h3>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
On an average, you would be creating and accessing at least 10-12 documents, spreadsheets etc. Soon there would be hundreds if not thousands of documents piling up in your directory with different file names. Accessing it alphabetically may be an option but prefer to name my documents with a <i>yymmdd_filename</i> format which lists the documents in the directory in a nice organised way starting with the most recent ones on the top.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEwSzsFWzh6u0JoqKdbOOFZVIPgFMdD__9-YRz4lKC0krwhbXsNCpFaiqct_F0owauL72w9T0xOyk4_cNYWP64v7RT23R7Q4-7MQjuNt4SvCKzi1TRZ3FIKEg7sqPTtq96vNS5Tg2p44o/s1600/161003+Working+smart+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEwSzsFWzh6u0JoqKdbOOFZVIPgFMdD__9-YRz4lKC0krwhbXsNCpFaiqct_F0owauL72w9T0xOyk4_cNYWP64v7RT23R7Q4-7MQjuNt4SvCKzi1TRZ3FIKEg7sqPTtq96vNS5Tg2p44o/s320/161003+Working+smart+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I create documents in such numbers, I often forget the name of the document which I have created. Sometimes, I don’t access a document for several weeks which removes it from the recent documents list of word and excel. That’s where I end up using the search function in the Windows explorer. Explorer searches all the directories and subdirectories and highlights all the filenames starting with the year and month - if you have been saving all your files starting with the <i>yymmdd</i> prefix.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjZ8sioAE-8A3LpAWxzJkeEOiP0dhxzMgy1j76Q3eq_-a_26QObqXRElDlMVlq92OEjh5YsKeqWxTYTMfHZmfPfTgKww5e42wkZL2k-6m7Mi73r5iqn5gm6f9kQZuDTY-gz1fCc4IFTxQ/s1600/161003+Working+smart+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjZ8sioAE-8A3LpAWxzJkeEOiP0dhxzMgy1j76Q3eq_-a_26QObqXRElDlMVlq92OEjh5YsKeqWxTYTMfHZmfPfTgKww5e42wkZL2k-6m7Mi73r5iqn5gm6f9kQZuDTY-gz1fCc4IFTxQ/s320/161003+Working+smart+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Work Smart and share your experiences of Working smart.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://juxt-a-position-ap.blogspot.com/2016/10/working-smart-1.html" target="_blank">Working Smart - 1 Find that Directory</a></div>
<a href="https://juxt-a-position-ap.blogspot.co.nz/2016/10/working-smart-3.html" target="_blank">Working Smart - 3 Find that email</a><br />
<br /></div>
</div>
Apoorvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09679599714941462857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512799113816010991.post-3688436772119041062016-10-03T18:30:00.000+13:002016-10-18T19:49:33.289+13:00Working Smart - 2<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Saving your files with a date</h3>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
On an average, you would be creating and accessing at least 10-12 documents, spreadsheets etc. Soon there would be hundreds if not thousands of documents piling up in your directory with different file names. Accessing it alphabetically may be an option but prefer to name my documents with a <i>yymmdd_filename</i> format which lists the documents in the directory in a nice organised way starting with the most recent ones on the top.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEwSzsFWzh6u0JoqKdbOOFZVIPgFMdD__9-YRz4lKC0krwhbXsNCpFaiqct_F0owauL72w9T0xOyk4_cNYWP64v7RT23R7Q4-7MQjuNt4SvCKzi1TRZ3FIKEg7sqPTtq96vNS5Tg2p44o/s1600/161003+Working+smart+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEwSzsFWzh6u0JoqKdbOOFZVIPgFMdD__9-YRz4lKC0krwhbXsNCpFaiqct_F0owauL72w9T0xOyk4_cNYWP64v7RT23R7Q4-7MQjuNt4SvCKzi1TRZ3FIKEg7sqPTtq96vNS5Tg2p44o/s320/161003+Working+smart+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I create documents in such numbers, I often forget the name of the document which I have created. Sometimes, I don’t access a document for several weeks which removes it from the recent documents list of word and excel. That’s where I end up using the search function in the Windows explorer. Explorer searches all the directories and subdirectories and highlights all the filenames starting with the year and month - if you have been saving all your files starting with the <i>yymmdd</i> prefix.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjZ8sioAE-8A3LpAWxzJkeEOiP0dhxzMgy1j76Q3eq_-a_26QObqXRElDlMVlq92OEjh5YsKeqWxTYTMfHZmfPfTgKww5e42wkZL2k-6m7Mi73r5iqn5gm6f9kQZuDTY-gz1fCc4IFTxQ/s1600/161003+Working+smart+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjZ8sioAE-8A3LpAWxzJkeEOiP0dhxzMgy1j76Q3eq_-a_26QObqXRElDlMVlq92OEjh5YsKeqWxTYTMfHZmfPfTgKww5e42wkZL2k-6m7Mi73r5iqn5gm6f9kQZuDTY-gz1fCc4IFTxQ/s320/161003+Working+smart+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Work Smart and share your experiences of Working smart.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://juxt-a-position-ap.blogspot.com/2016/10/working-smart-1.html" target="_blank">Working Smart - 1 Find that Directory</a></div>
<a href="https://juxt-a-position-ap.blogspot.co.nz/2016/10/working-smart-3.html" target="_blank">Working Smart - 3 Find that email</a><br />
<br /></div>
</div>
Apoorvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09679599714941462857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512799113816010991.post-78593835885439587262016-10-03T18:00:00.000+13:002016-10-18T19:47:59.350+13:00Working Smart - 1<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Over the years as we have transitioned from a traditional workplace with physical files to the networked environment with information being stored virtually. With numerous people working on projects from multiple locations, information cannot be kept on individual machines and needs to be saved on servers. Information needs to be accessible instantly and to everyone.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Most companies have IT protocols in place instructing people of the do’s and don’ts. But rarely will you find tips about how to work smart and these posts are all about working smart and having information at your fingertips. <o:p></o:p></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Finding that directory</h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijRBJ0qiQod4uXSkYQnhRyZGQomSSu7-t74bmXUsLMpR8y3rIEnlLJLNej0Fn5bh-jlJTIG9odrWbG-xsKtM-FzkTMJscTVBZsY7KmW-lCvqmidJE1asT8cX1dfwkGJ-3UcxScPnkI1-k/s1600/161003+Working+smart+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijRBJ0qiQod4uXSkYQnhRyZGQomSSu7-t74bmXUsLMpR8y3rIEnlLJLNej0Fn5bh-jlJTIG9odrWbG-xsKtM-FzkTMJscTVBZsY7KmW-lCvqmidJE1asT8cX1dfwkGJ-3UcxScPnkI1-k/s320/161003+Working+smart+3.JPG" width="117" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A large part of my work is to update the various documents, reports, and registers that need to be maintained in a Project Management environment. I prefer to use a shortcut on my desktop with the link to the directory saved and I am ready to go. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
This way, I access the correct folder every time and I do’t have to remember the long path to the directory. which more often than not would be nested several levels below your project folder. These links can then be safely saved on your desktop. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwCvONBiGuE5hhcO9Y3h_3H0TAUhlMv5lgIrncYmJzjpWi0mIMU7upSUbpBA0Hyjmn4q6eMp8NALHViicjEVjzYQfJMWal6IsuVmNOWy5ePWavR4L06ff6tL6UyokH2MIEx_fXeThC1m8/s1600/161003+Working+smart+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwCvONBiGuE5hhcO9Y3h_3H0TAUhlMv5lgIrncYmJzjpWi0mIMU7upSUbpBA0Hyjmn4q6eMp8NALHViicjEVjzYQfJMWal6IsuVmNOWy5ePWavR4L06ff6tL6UyokH2MIEx_fXeThC1m8/s1600/161003+Working+smart+4.JPG" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
If you have too many links – create a word document on your desktop and use the function available in word to hyperlink to your directory/directories and you will panic less when you need that information quickly.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
Work Smart and share your experiences about Working Smart<br />
<br />
Also Read:<br />
<a href="http://juxt-a-position-ap.blogspot.com/2016/10/working-smart-2.html" target="_blank">Working Smart - 2 Save your files with a date</a><br />
<a href="http://juxt-a-position-ap.blogspot.com/2016/10/working-smart-3.html%20Done" target="_blank">Working Smart - 3 Find that email</a><br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
Apoorvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09679599714941462857noreply@blogger.com0Auckland, New Zealand-36.8484597 174.76333150000005-37.2549887 174.11788450000006 -36.4419307 175.40877850000004tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512799113816010991.post-86156477336271870912016-03-20T05:43:00.000+13:002016-03-20T05:47:29.765+13:00Immigration Blues – India<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVQkC1GJO2UV4J3ocr4R14iFQJDWeQ7PJoMMOTWbs4XXucawA247FRSAZHQiSpN2cTIcNBsqnrEgIjOqr62ybPwDc9daoakcDqVtGbTbMrmmVR-nSHeW-zQcPwHmFUyTqseouaiguiirs/s1600/10-airport-IndiaInk-blog480.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVQkC1GJO2UV4J3ocr4R14iFQJDWeQ7PJoMMOTWbs4XXucawA247FRSAZHQiSpN2cTIcNBsqnrEgIjOqr62ybPwDc9daoakcDqVtGbTbMrmmVR-nSHeW-zQcPwHmFUyTqseouaiguiirs/s1600/10-airport-IndiaInk-blog480.jpg" /></a><br />
Having moved several countries since 2005, four countries and two
continents, I am penning down my experiences with immigration authorities of
various countries starting with India<br />
<h2>
ECR</h2>
An oddity with the Indian system of issuing passports is the famous ECR. This
can pop up when you are checking in for your international flight out of the
country for a job. If you are just visiting a friend, this may not be an
issue.<br />
<h5>
What is ECR?</h5>
<a href="http://boi.gov.in/content/encrecr" target="_blank">Bureau of
Immigration</a> states that, <br />
<em>As per the Emigration Act, 1983, Emigration Check Required (ECR)
categories of Indian passport holders, require to obtain "Emigration Clearance"
from the office of Protector of Emigrants (POE), Ministry of Overseas Indian
Affairs for going to following 18 countries.<br />United Arab Emirates (UAE), The
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Malaysia, Libya,
Jordan, Yemen, Sudan, Brunei, Afghanistan, Indonesia, Syria, Lebanon, Thailand,
Iraq (emigration banned).<br />However , the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs
(Emigration Policy Division) have allowed ECR passport holders traveling abroad
for purposes others than employment to leave the country on production of valid
passport, valid visa and return ticket at the immigration counters at
international airports in India w.e.f. 1st October 2007.<br />If the RPO has
issued Indian passport either with endorsement of “Emigration Check Required” or
no endorsement of “Emigration Check Required” in the passport, POE clearance is
required only when there is “Emigration Check Required” endorsement in the
passport.</em>
<br />
It stands for Emigration check required. Its a well meaning check put into
place by the Indian authorities to ensure that the droves of labourers who work
in various countries are not cheated and are employed by genuine employers
abroad.<br />
<h5>
When does this stamp appear on your passport? </h5>
At the time of your passport application, if you have not presented your
graduation certificate or you were still in the process of acquiring a degree,
then the Indian authorities would have put this stamp on your passport. The
authorities deem that you are likely to be conned by some unscrupulous tout who
has lured you into a job with some sweet talk and promises.<br />
<h5>
What to do if you have ECR?</h5>
If you already have a job then follow the following steps before trying to
board your flight otherwise you will be turned back from the check-in counter.
No amount of talking or convincing the person will work. <br />
<ol>
<li>Get a translation of your visa (if its not in English) from a Government
approved translator. If you are in Delhi, then you could try the underground
Palika Bazaar for the translators. At least, they were there in 2005 but could
have moved</li>
<li>You will be required to present an affidavit which will say that you will
not hold the Indian government responsible if something goes wrong with your job
abroad. </li>
<li>Present both of these to the Protector of Emigration, Ministry of Overseas
Indian affairs. Please refer to the <a href="http://boi.gov.in/content/poe-offices-india" target="_blank">POE offices</a>
for details</li>
</ol>
For more details please refer to the <a href="http://boi.gov.in/" target="_blank">Bureau of Immigration</a> website<br />
<br />
In my next post I shall be writing about my experience with the various
Indian embassies in the countries where I have worked.</div>
Apoorvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09679599714941462857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512799113816010991.post-41027692430070427702015-10-31T10:09:00.001+13:002015-10-31T10:09:35.409+13:00Is politeness at work important?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Impossible deadlines, a mountain of deliverables and meagre resources – a reality of our times. Rudeness and bullying are a way of life. Especially if you work in a multicultural workplace where you have expats working for a living. The Gulf or the Middle East is once such region where you will encounter these situations. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Oh-piYxVI2A/VjPcLPVc5XI/AAAAAAAAKL8/YAjTyjybcGs/s1600-h/ID-10089802%25255B9%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img align="left" alt="ID-10089802" border="0" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Px8bNHuKyuA/VjPcMfjRFRI/AAAAAAAAKME/QKuPN9l5sSY/ID-10089802_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="260" style="background-image: none; border: 0px; display: inline; float: left; margin: 12px 12px 12px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Image courtesy of imagerymajestic at FreeDigitalPhotos.net" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: start;">Image courtesy of imagerymajestic at FreeDigitalPhotos.net</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When you are under pressure - always - to deliver against impossible deadlines, its difficult to be polite with your juniors. <br />
Scenario 1 <br />
"Just do as I say and I don't care how you do it - I need it by tomorrow" How often have you said this to your juniors or people who report to you? If this sounds like you in a stressful situation then you are just setting yourself up for a disaster. You may get your stuff sent to you on time but chances are that it may not be great quality or full of mistakes as it has been completed more out of fear than a sense of ownership of the deliverable. You have successfully passed on your stress to the person who is performing in fear rather than a sense of ownership. <br />
Let's replace this by an alternative <br />
Scenario 2 <br />
"Look, there is this issue with the deliverable that has gone to the client. There are a few mistakes that should have been picked up but we could not do it at the time. I need to know what is the best possible time frame we can do this correctly and send it out. I appreciate your current workload but this needs to be done as soon as possible. When do you think we can send this out?” <br />
Chances are your junior will really appreciate your politeness and may even surprise you by turning it around in record time – even quicker than you anticipated in Scenario 1. In the first scenario you have unthinkingly transferred the stress without inspiring ownership. You have also ascribed blame and fault to the person indirectly. In scenario 2 you are seeking an answer as a leader rather than seeking to transfer the blame. “We” is the operative word here and a team spirit is established. More often than not, you may just hear the words – “I will do this right away because you have shown me the respect and are asking politely” <br />
Its easy to be a bully at work by being inconsiderate and thinking you are the only responsible person around. That is never the case. Assign responsibility and allow people to take ownership. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</div>
Apoorvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09679599714941462857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512799113816010991.post-70547459255641518892015-09-24T08:06:00.002+12:002019-03-16T15:48:24.001+13:00Some images of Revit work - Classical French Renaissance facade study Part 1<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPqEzaYX1RnFq_WIPKijIDh14cKCL8qHAVmZ9L59AtE6w0lmi6fV47FLYPzcW0GKFXd0cVP9VzaFn1OUu0uVoGm_7xBUwzhsVoDJJxE8U8JXG5Yx9L7HWaxpc03izn6p_5Af4_26Ujo1E/s1600/9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPqEzaYX1RnFq_WIPKijIDh14cKCL8qHAVmZ9L59AtE6w0lmi6fV47FLYPzcW0GKFXd0cVP9VzaFn1OUu0uVoGm_7xBUwzhsVoDJJxE8U8JXG5Yx9L7HWaxpc03izn6p_5Af4_26Ujo1E/s640/9.JPG" width="446" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9F1riOF1OY7KyY9UQQhIHbMr2Ly9suDIYS50IveOyIpFQRUHYDgVFQV6BtbWHqL6weHRoS9qpyruxATrNvAbqQ8HcdjcgbX6Pm86R88mtEtkvzsyhS8cfYBkHkvxE855GORaCDN6x4No/s1600/10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9F1riOF1OY7KyY9UQQhIHbMr2Ly9suDIYS50IveOyIpFQRUHYDgVFQV6BtbWHqL6weHRoS9qpyruxATrNvAbqQ8HcdjcgbX6Pm86R88mtEtkvzsyhS8cfYBkHkvxE855GORaCDN6x4No/s640/10.JPG" width="446" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgar66-xJJEZz95DX0Mi9UbIKciET5tekl-d9DAGjYSFDJlafWt0coZgwwyZ-9KPsXy0nYdOVIpKZPkJ5Zmec7Msk_u4cZXkk20bqDcktKHbIarXoCqr6SHrUo91ltnPzf7GGVma3m3P4I/s1600/11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgar66-xJJEZz95DX0Mi9UbIKciET5tekl-d9DAGjYSFDJlafWt0coZgwwyZ-9KPsXy0nYdOVIpKZPkJ5Zmec7Msk_u4cZXkk20bqDcktKHbIarXoCqr6SHrUo91ltnPzf7GGVma3m3P4I/s640/11.JPG" width="396" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuvOCxZJ8tPJr4nLsRrvVCZ1sOUD5EJVmCdGtoGb1sJ_TPnBn4Nm7ytU_tZEogPIA3xNUxefovHZd5pXbR5X5UbfcVSG5-qA6icZXoZ8eXi-GUrPygha4tH8qXxc211bDRcUw5srnNIQo/s1600/12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuvOCxZJ8tPJr4nLsRrvVCZ1sOUD5EJVmCdGtoGb1sJ_TPnBn4Nm7ytU_tZEogPIA3xNUxefovHZd5pXbR5X5UbfcVSG5-qA6icZXoZ8eXi-GUrPygha4tH8qXxc211bDRcUw5srnNIQo/s640/12.JPG" width="420" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSf4DKJSquyOHrcCLqlb7WAX_RiYDGhDcvT-SO5w8oX3ZRwrnt-Dkh3nSlSPUlQCx8giLPfNC3ThOFuMv46DkgDwB7iDO5t16zQbLcIXaazuG495Imlgr0ZDxCS3FdK4326ROXYphVzq8/s1600/17.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSf4DKJSquyOHrcCLqlb7WAX_RiYDGhDcvT-SO5w8oX3ZRwrnt-Dkh3nSlSPUlQCx8giLPfNC3ThOFuMv46DkgDwB7iDO5t16zQbLcIXaazuG495Imlgr0ZDxCS3FdK4326ROXYphVzq8/s640/17.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://juxt-a-position-ap.blogspot.com/2019/03/some-images-of-revit-work-classical.html" target="_blank">See the second part of this post</a><br />
<br /></div>
Apoorvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09679599714941462857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512799113816010991.post-58910455332834337902014-07-04T22:00:00.000+12:002014-07-04T22:08:32.476+12:00Sustainability what it means to me.. 3 of n<h5>Old Notebooks</h5> <p>As a school going boy, the empty pages in the notebooks at the end of the year were removed carefully and assembled in a stack. Several such notebooks yielded some significant amount of ruled paper which then got carefully bound with a thread and ended up as a rough note book for the next school year. <p>When I started doing this for my daughter, twenty years later, she was reprimanded by her teacher to use a new notebook for her rough work. What has changed from the past? Is it just a fad or fashion to be called sustainable but not practice it from the core? <h5><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_tfVyqdPHoQ/U7Z8ucj7wDI/AAAAAAAAERE/qGJfqiDKOeQ/s1600-h/ID-100104701%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="ID-100104701" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="ID-100104701" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VXTDZ4jTf4E/U7Z8velClCI/AAAAAAAAERM/1KbfanRtQa8/ID-100104701_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="660" height="446"></a></h5> <p align="center">Image courtesy bplanet / FreeDigitalphotos.net</p> <h5>Computer stationery</h5> <p>In the times when I was a tenth grader, computers were a luxury and PC's did not exist. They required large rooms and were a source of envy for most. Printers were huge and they used reams and reams of perforated paper for the output - (the monitors as we know then today also did not exist.) The backs of these papers were blank and the printed side was ruled. It could have been other way around but I cannot recollect now. Dad would bring these home after the computer department would be finished with these printouts and they were "raddi" or waste for them and Dad would collect them from office and I would practice my math sums on them. <p>To this day, I insist that the prints taken from the printers today are at least used on both the sides before they are discarded as there is at least a 50% saving on the paper consumption. Down the line this saves trees and forests. </p> <p><strong>Printing</strong></p> <p>I remember the day I bought my first printer twenty years back. Since then, I have always been conscious of how and when to print. One of the more “sustainable” ways that I use is </p> <ul> <li>Use the other blank side of printed paper.</li> <li>If you are just printing for reading, try printing two pages on the same page. This way you actually end up saving much more than 50% but I won’t bother you with the math.</li> <li>Use refilled cartridges for your everyday printing. I know the printer companies are going to frown on this but then it is more sustainable as the cartridges don’t end up in a trash can and someone gets a job refilling your cartridges and you get a cheaper print.</li></ul> <p>Sustainabilty is not a fashion or a plaque on a building, its a way of life and an attitude</p> Apoorvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09679599714941462857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512799113816010991.post-23012992319094688932014-07-03T08:00:00.001+12:002014-07-03T07:13:47.218+12:00Sustainibility - What it means to me.. Part 2 of n<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I have often had people look at me weirdly when I use the unused blank side of a paper which has been printed. In my opinion its a perfectly justifiable use of paper for sketches or making small notes. This attitude has been with me since my teenage years.<br />
In this post I am going to write about the Indian attitude towards "Paper" in general and how we have been traditionally sustainable - long before the email signatures of today "Do you need to print this?"<br />
The <a href="http://juxt-a-position-ap.blogspot.com/2011/05/sustainibility-what-it-means-to-me-part.htm" target="_blank">first part </a>of this series is here.<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Newspaper</h3>
<div style="text-align: left;">
As a child, I remember there was a special place in the house where all the old newspapers were accumulated for a whole month. Bhaiyyaji would come at the end of every month with his usual sing-song voice calling out - "paassti -paper". Pasti - is a vernacular gujarati word meaning "waste paper". He would have a fixed rate per kilogram for English and a slightly lower rate for the vernacular - gujarati papers. Probably the english newspapers used a different quality of paper.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif9-PjrV5L6jcjGMo8B8DsXf51r30HibwBQHhOFNjZuL2tNxAAzcm6jo4c1PwiffLORkzI0_-W4QAolZD5lRJqDt12JiQBheVNntkX0f9XRMKhyphenhyphencvdKInVOyRWnzqmwUCvZ67DgGWbNy8/s640/20140218_124308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif9-PjrV5L6jcjGMo8B8DsXf51r30HibwBQHhOFNjZuL2tNxAAzcm6jo4c1PwiffLORkzI0_-W4QAolZD5lRJqDt12JiQBheVNntkX0f9XRMKhyphenhyphencvdKInVOyRWnzqmwUCvZ67DgGWbNy8/s640/20140218_124308.jpg" /></a></div>
A few months' old newspapers would get you the money for about half month's worth of subscription money. But that was never the point. The newspapers ended up getting recycled in various ways. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The neighbourhood retailer would probable buy the old newspapers from the bhaiyyaji and the old newspapers would end up as wrapping paper for your monthly rations which you would purchase from him. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
These wrapping papers also ended up being recycled ! Mom would carefully unwrap them and empty the contents into a steel container with a lid (dabba) and remove the creases from the paper and store them separately. These would then emerge from the storage place when the veggies were being peeled or the poha or flour was being dehusked to gather the waste remains. Only then would these land up in the waste bin. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This became a system year after year and a routine to be followed. Bargaining with the raddiwallah bhaiyyaji became a passion and a pastime. It rarely yielded more than 50 paise more than the rate but it was definitely no mean achievement.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxBKJuOD8MVUe17UP5ZTQfOMcD-WOiZSFFGGHEOf0a_A4RKI9yR_G7VrTXxdHKCKDxofBR2ndAMi5URJMlCW7wvVbWvka7IvAQ3csdhiBxQxXfHU_QZZ7uZiXTeUsuTK5KDBr4rAUC_sI/s640/20140218_124431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxBKJuOD8MVUe17UP5ZTQfOMcD-WOiZSFFGGHEOf0a_A4RKI9yR_G7VrTXxdHKCKDxofBR2ndAMi5URJMlCW7wvVbWvka7IvAQ3csdhiBxQxXfHU_QZZ7uZiXTeUsuTK5KDBr4rAUC_sI/s640/20140218_124431.jpg" /></a></div>
Another use for the newspapers that was quite common, was to use them as shelf liners or backing sheets. These helped in absorbing the moisture and probably the smell of ink from the newspaper kept the insects away. The shelf lining was changed every few months and it used to be fun to read the old news and reminisce the past. We still follow this inf our home wherever we go. I get teased by my colleagues when I take the old newspapers from them for such insignificant uses. In my city in India, this tradition has now been modernised and one can have your old newspapers picked up at a pre decided price. Talk about being <a href="http://www.pastiwala.com/" target="_blank">conveniently sustainable!!</a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
More on paper in the next post</div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2Flh4.ggpht.com%2F-D1BpH_fH91Q%2FUwMMdfmjEZI%2FAAAAAAAAEGU%2Fb9cgRtcP-_Y%2Fs640%2F20140218_124308.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif9-PjrV5L6jcjGMo8B8DsXf51r30HibwBQHhOFNjZuL2tNxAAzcm6jo4c1PwiffLORkzI0_-W4QAolZD5lRJqDt12JiQBheVNntkX0f9XRMKhyphenhyphencvdKInVOyRWnzqmwUCvZ67DgGWbNy8/s640/20140218_124308.jpg" --><!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2Flh5.ggpht.com%2F-ayET0-LPAx8%2FUwMMeiDH_OI%2FAAAAAAAAEGc%2FoGQwxFBVJ-I%2Fs640%2F20140218_124431.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxBKJuOD8MVUe17UP5ZTQfOMcD-WOiZSFFGGHEOf0a_A4RKI9yR_G7VrTXxdHKCKDxofBR2ndAMi5URJMlCW7wvVbWvka7IvAQ3csdhiBxQxXfHU_QZZ7uZiXTeUsuTK5KDBr4rAUC_sI/s640/20140218_124431.jpg" -->Apoorvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09679599714941462857noreply@blogger.com0Doha, Qatar25.2866667 51.53333329999998125.0569847 51.210609799999979 25.5163487 51.856056799999983tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512799113816010991.post-11692485442530516712014-05-07T04:32:00.000+12:002014-06-21T05:04:48.087+12:0010. Entertain the team with emails written in (im)proper English<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-cVdBSmwaGAAT-1WsP4qSvfwcNQWPDKq99mLorQtZArTONVuP00MrU1-A1t3PI4R2B0KQ8WadBzllmQjck6SkKoTNN_8578wMMNM1lNj0h4cx2YVivz43TteydOnvpFFGWvzJp8DwRCw/s1600/ID-100245966.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-cVdBSmwaGAAT-1WsP4qSvfwcNQWPDKq99mLorQtZArTONVuP00MrU1-A1t3PI4R2B0KQ8WadBzllmQjck6SkKoTNN_8578wMMNM1lNj0h4cx2YVivz43TteydOnvpFFGWvzJp8DwRCw/s1600/ID-100245966.jpg" height="320" width="304" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image courtesy rakratchada torsap / Freedigitalphotos.net</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As the last post in the series 10 (un)common mistakes to avoid in Project Management, I conclude the series with this post. here are some lines extracted from emails written. The lines have not been modified and I will leave it to the reader to interpret some of the meanings. If this becomes impossible or if you end up doubling in laughter or both, go to the end of the post where I have put in some hints about the lines. I have highlighted the faux pas in bold and italics. Some of them are really priceless nuggets. Have fun<br />
<ol>
<li> … let us give <strong><em>pleasure </em></strong>to the client … <br />
</li>
<li> I don't <strong><em>what </em></strong>you to advice or work on any problem...... <br />
</li>
<li> If [Person] <strong><em>what </em></strong>any information from your end or <strong><em>what </em></strong>your input for any …...<br />
</li>
<li> Let's <strong><em>discusses </em></strong>in detail when we come there......<br />
</li>
<li> I thought much , now can a they say the submission is on [day of the week] . All the tender which you see in [Place], they is no fixed date for submission. Anyways we will submit the same on [Date] .<br />
</li>
<li> I don't <strong><em>what </em></strong>you to work on your …....<br />
</li>
<li> <strong><em>How whats </em></strong>the problem …...<br />
</li>
<li> we have <strong><em>haired </em></strong>him has [Designation]. I <strong><em>what </em></strong>him to do that...<br />
</li>
<li> he <strong><em>what's </em></strong>[Place] team to make a ….<br />
</li>
<li> I <strong><em>what </em></strong>this to be done before …..<br />
</li>
<li> they <strong><em>what </em></strong>Engineers full time....<br />
</li>
<li> Please advice , so that we don't <strong><em>what</em></strong> 100 idea in between. I <strong><em>what</em></strong> every one.....<br />
</li>
<li> Please note - Team is busy with Project <strong><em>can</em></strong> waste time in training every day. Let's do it once and close it asap.</li>
</ol>
<strong>Hints</strong><br />
<ul>
<li>For the first one read <strong><em>pleasure</em></strong> as pressure</li>
<li>Read <strong><em>what</em></strong> as want </li>
<li>Now and how are interchangeable</li>
<li>they and there are interchangeable </li>
</ul>
Links to the previous posts <br />
<a href="http://juxt-a-position-ap.blogspot.com/2014/05/9-dont-govern-by-threats.html" target="_blank">9. Don’t govern by threats</a><br />
<a href="http://juxt-a-position-ap.blogspot.com/2014/05/8-support-team-on-ground.html" target="_blank">8. Support the team on the Ground</a><br />
<a href="http://juxt-a-position-ap.blogspot.com/2014/05/7-provide-mission-critical-information.html" target="_blank">7. Provide Mission Critical information to the Project Team</a><br />
<a href="http://juxt-a-position-ap.blogspot.com/2014/04/6-resource-appropriately.html" target="_blank">6. Resource appropriately</a><br />
<a href="http://juxt-a-position-ap.blogspot.com/2014/04/5-how-to-not-do-your-budget-in-five.html" target="_blank">5. How to (not) do your budget in five easy steps</a><br />
<a href="http://juxt-a-position-ap.blogspot.com/2014/04/4-read-contract-you-just-signed.html" target="_blank">4. Read the contract you just signed</a><br />
<a href="http://juxt-a-position-ap.blogspot.com/2014/04/3-dont-promise-impossible-in-ridiculous.html" target="_blank">3. Don't promise the impossible in a ridiculous timeframe</a><br />
<a href="http://juxt-a-position-ap.blogspot.com/2014/04/10-uncommon-mistakes-to-avoid-in.html" target="_blank">2. How (not) to win a contract</a><br />
<a href="http://juxt-a-position-ap.blogspot.com/2014/04/10-uncommon-mistakes-to-avoid-in_23.html" target="_blank">1. New Business Areas</a><br />
<br />
</div>
Apoorvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09679599714941462857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512799113816010991.post-26996987353048224052014-05-05T15:27:00.000+12:002014-06-18T06:20:47.203+12:009. Don’t govern by threats<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrC0vF6nIT9_jOehm9IsMMIrDvydRPLMq79ANV3vzD2pJ-2JBmoraYK6r4RP7ZjyZvYTDy3MFeBEVmDt4qJIsbcl9GJut15eugnN6cm7kat_za7Z2ra5WXYUrYs7NsoyvLrwFCE_xERuY/s1600/ID-100162803.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrC0vF6nIT9_jOehm9IsMMIrDvydRPLMq79ANV3vzD2pJ-2JBmoraYK6r4RP7ZjyZvYTDy3MFeBEVmDt4qJIsbcl9GJut15eugnN6cm7kat_za7Z2ra5WXYUrYs7NsoyvLrwFCE_xERuY/s1600/ID-100162803.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image courtesy Stockimages / Freedigitalphotos.net</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="left">
As a cherry on the cake, complete the circle by threatening employees by a variety of threats and bully them into submission. Completely politicise the working atmosphere by turning each employee against the other and follow through by asking each employee to “report” about the others privately. Although these may be stone age tactics, these are used effectively by managers in dealing with a new and superbly qualified professional team. </div>
<div align="left">
International organisations world over recognise bullying to be detrimental to the work process. Some of the signs of bullying are :</div>
<ul>
<li> <div align="left">
Micromanagement at all stages of the work process hamper the flow of the work and indirectly question the integrity of the employees. This effectively reduces an experienced employee to a rookie who needs to ask for instructions at every stage</div>
</li>
<li> <div align="left">
Intruding privacy with phone calls at odd hours and clear threats to answer emails received on hand held devices within minutes of receiving them. Not answering phone calls or emails would lead to a “dressing down” in front of other employees – another clear bullying tactic.</div>
</li>
<li> <div align="left">
Displaying intimidating behaviour about specific employees in front of other employees in their absence by threatening to fire them – incessantly and constantly. </div>
</li>
<li> <div align="left">
Constantly deflecting requests for personal time off which is contractually due to the employee thereby traumatising employees.</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div align="justify">
To top it all, none of these “rules” are available in the company rule book or available from the Human Resource department. The employee has little or no choice but to fall in line with the bullying tactics of the boss. The employee can</div>
<ul>
<li> <div align="justify">
Establish ground rules and areas to allow the “micromanagement” to slowly metamorphose to a stage where it becomes redundant or even stupid</div>
</li>
<li> <div align="justify">
Gradually and firmly, establish the limits of office time and private family time.</div>
</li>
<li> <div align="justify">
For the intimidating behaviour, the employees could unite against such behaviour and stand up to the bully. After all, one can’t “fire” the team all at once.</div>
</li>
<li> <div align="justify">
For the requests of leave, if it is clearly due and official, the employees should stand up for their rights. Eventually, the bully will back down.</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div align="justify">
In the tenth and concluding post, look forward to an entertaining piece on email writing. Links to the previous posts are below</div>
<a href="http://juxt-a-position-ap.blogspot.com/2014/05/8-support-team-on-ground.html" target="_blank">8. Support the team on the Ground</a><br />
<a href="http://juxt-a-position-ap.blogspot.com/2014/05/7-provide-mission-critical-information.html" target="_blank">7. Provide Mission Critical information to the Project Team</a><br />
<a href="http://juxt-a-position-ap.blogspot.com/2014/04/6-resource-appropriately.html" target="_blank">6. Resource appropriately</a><br />
<a href="http://juxt-a-position-ap.blogspot.com/2014/04/5-how-to-not-do-your-budget-in-five.html" target="_blank">5. How to (not) do your budget in five easy steps</a><br />
<a href="http://juxt-a-position-ap.blogspot.com/2014/04/4-read-contract-you-just-signed.html" target="_blank">4. Read the contract you just signed</a><br />
<a href="http://juxt-a-position-ap.blogspot.com/2014/04/3-dont-promise-impossible-in-ridiculous.html" target="_blank">3. Don't promise the impossible in a ridiculous timeframe</a><br />
<a href="http://juxt-a-position-ap.blogspot.com/2014/04/10-uncommon-mistakes-to-avoid-in.html" target="_blank">2. How (not) to win a contract</a><br />
<a href="http://juxt-a-position-ap.blogspot.com/2014/04/10-uncommon-mistakes-to-avoid-in_23.html" target="_blank">1. New Business Areas</a></div>
Apoorvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09679599714941462857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512799113816010991.post-12115335679355455732014-05-02T16:51:00.001+12:002014-06-21T04:47:38.611+12:008. Support the team on the Ground<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz42OScYQSQJS3wIH2-myJOyWbG6pY8U6qzkoMb5ph0RVky5SRFFWqpfLEgbw-pup_LsU3h6NftHynyphYL65sTpFFJHmA98X4pu3MvkI-gLwJm8io3qgmXRq087OdyqztE5b1kUbWTSc/s1600/ID-10067563.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz42OScYQSQJS3wIH2-myJOyWbG6pY8U6qzkoMb5ph0RVky5SRFFWqpfLEgbw-pup_LsU3h6NftHynyphYL65sTpFFJHmA98X4pu3MvkI-gLwJm8io3qgmXRq087OdyqztE5b1kUbWTSc/s1600/ID-10067563.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image courtesy: africa / Freedigitalphotos.net</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Mistakes happen. Sometimes several of them at once or in a sequence. The team on the ground, under most circumstances at least has the strong support from the core team which is experienced and has encountered many such difficult project situations. Not So. <br />
The core team is busy with other projects or is simply interested in churning out the monthly invoices to protect the bottom lines and manage salaries of the team. Support and advice in the form of a conference call can become difficult to organise. In strictly hierchical firms, independent decisions by project teams are vigourously controlled where the project delivery becomes a risk.<br />
Looking back at such situations, one could:<br />
<ul>
<li>Draw up clear protocols for raising project related issues all the way to the top of the hierarchy of the firm. Even top management including owners should remain accessible for project related issues. The access can of course be controlled and monitored so as to involve them in only crucial issues.</li>
<li>Regular contact with the project team in forms of conference calls or meetings.</li>
<li>If meetings or calls do not become possible, regular reports should be scrutinised and advice given for crucial, unanswered issues</li>
</ul>
In the next post, I shall be discussing the ninth point in the series – Don’t govern by threats. <br />
Links to the previous posts<br />
<a href="http://juxt-a-position-ap.blogspot.com/2014/05/7-provide-mission-critical-information.html" target="_blank">7. Provide Mission Critical information to the Project Team</a><br />
<a href="http://juxt-a-position-ap.blogspot.com/2014/04/6-resource-appropriately.html" target="_blank">6. Resource appropriately</a><br />
<a href="http://juxt-a-position-ap.blogspot.com/2014/04/5-how-to-not-do-your-budget-in-five.html" target="_blank">5. How to (not) do your budget in five easy steps</a><br />
<a href="http://juxt-a-position-ap.blogspot.com/2014/04/4-read-contract-you-just-signed.html" target="_blank">4. Read the contract you just signed</a><br />
<a href="http://juxt-a-position-ap.blogspot.com/2014/04/3-dont-promise-impossible-in-ridiculous.html" target="_blank">3. Don't promise the impossible in a ridiculous timeframe</a><br />
<a href="http://juxt-a-position-ap.blogspot.com/2014/04/10-uncommon-mistakes-to-avoid-in.html" target="_blank">2. How (not) to win a contract</a><br />
<a href="http://juxt-a-position-ap.blogspot.com/2014/04/10-uncommon-mistakes-to-avoid-in_23.html" target="_blank">1. New Business Areas</a></div>
Apoorvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09679599714941462857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512799113816010991.post-27325915755587176842014-05-02T05:50:00.001+12:002014-06-17T05:27:11.655+12:007. Provide Mission critical information to the project team<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi87nA_Hox30lu6FDENmzi5ifTlfC1h6FsOY6-RnbNWmYAW96PYhfzonKuclP7du0_FWP_IDkTEMoXyQ1zLzVk_Fd4pO6Boar2XqJNcdRTDlbYw_R0c3WqWALiWqzrVbs7g7Z0cNt6Z3vc/s1600/ID-100144481.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi87nA_Hox30lu6FDENmzi5ifTlfC1h6FsOY6-RnbNWmYAW96PYhfzonKuclP7du0_FWP_IDkTEMoXyQ1zLzVk_Fd4pO6Boar2XqJNcdRTDlbYw_R0c3WqWALiWqzrVbs7g7Z0cNt6Z3vc/s1600/ID-100144481.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image courtesy Stuart Miles / Freedigitalphotos.net</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After all the mistakes listed so far, an employee would definitely expect to start the project with all the critical and important information necessary for the project. Not likely. The team who has put together the project does not deem it necessary that the Project delivery team has all the critical information required for the timely delivery of the project. This is often due to lack of trust while passing on the information and mistaking the delivery team to be a an adversary rather than an important part of the project delivery process. When members of the team come from several different cultures, countries and time zones this often becomes a major problem to the delivery of the project.<br />
Important milestones in the contracts are missed consistently because of this lack of communication. This affects the overall project delivery and in some serious cases this has led to the entire contract being terminated and the teams of the stakeholders entering into arbitration. This is a messy, time consuming affair which can be avoided.<br />
Simply put,<br />
<ul>
<li>Communicate with your team about the key milestones of the projects </li>
<li>Ensure that the team is “on the same page” and everyone is not following their own agendas. </li>
<li>Communication protocols should be clearly established especially when teams from various nationalities, cultures, educational backgrounds and disparity of ages is coming together to deliver the projects in countries of the Middle East or Africa. This becomes critical when people are working across several time zones at once.</li>
</ul>
In the next post you can look forward to Support your team on the Ground. <br />
Links to previous posts<br />
<a href="http://juxt-a-position-ap.blogspot.com/2014/04/6-resource-appropriately.html" target="_blank">6. Resource appropriately</a><br />
<a href="http://juxt-a-position-ap.blogspot.com/2014/04/5-how-to-not-do-your-budget-in-five.html" target="_blank">5. How to (not) do your budget in five easy steps</a><br />
<a href="http://juxt-a-position-ap.blogspot.com/2014/04/4-read-contract-you-just-signed.html" target="_blank">4. Read the contract you just signed</a><br />
<a href="http://juxt-a-position-ap.blogspot.com/2014/04/3-dont-promise-impossible-in-ridiculous.html" target="_blank">3. Don't promise the impossible in a ridiculous timeframe</a><br />
<a href="http://juxt-a-position-ap.blogspot.com/2014/04/10-uncommon-mistakes-to-avoid-in.html" target="_blank">2. How (not) to win a contract</a><br />
<a href="http://juxt-a-position-ap.blogspot.com/2014/04/10-uncommon-mistakes-to-avoid-in_23.html" target="_blank">1. New Business Areas</a></div>
Apoorvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09679599714941462857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512799113816010991.post-49261185579951935022014-05-01T01:11:00.001+12:002014-05-01T01:11:46.245+12:006. Resource appropriately<p align="justify">To recruit the right person for the job is an an extremely rare expertise for companies to have in today’s fast paced world. A lucrative package with a fancy tag in an exotic sounding location sounds great but comes with its own pitfalls. By promising a stable, lucrative position in today’s unstable job market, an employee is led to believe that past experience and expertise has helped him/her get the post but in all likelihood one is being set up by the employer. This becomes a necessity when all the mistakes listed in the past five posts have happened – either by conscious design or by an unnatural twist of fate.</p> <p align="justify">While your employer may have signed a milestone based contract, they may have provided resources based on a timesheet based contract. Needless to say, resources that may be required at construction stage are not useful at early design stages. Construction Management resources adept at handling complex sites end up twiddling their thumbs while Design Coordination struggles due to lack of resources. </p> <p align="justify">Several such situations like this may have arisen where such challenges in some form or the other present themselves to Project Managers. Under such situations, choices are limited to:</p> <ul> <li> <div align="justify">Adapt to the challenge by accepting the situation as it unfolds in a new job situation </div></li> <li> <div align="justify">Be pro active and raise a flag about the inadequacy and wrong type of resources which could potentially backfire. </div></li></ul> <p align="justify">A compilation of experiences on similar situations may add to our body of knowledge and will improve Project delivery to clients and modify our working methods. </p> <p align="justify">Links to previous posts</p> <p><a href="http://juxt-a-position-ap.blogspot.com/2014/04/5-how-to-not-do-your-budget-in-five.html" target="_blank">5. How to (not) do your budget in five easy steps</a></p> <p><a href="http://juxt-a-position-ap.blogspot.com/2014/04/4-read-contract-you-just-signed.html" target="_blank">4. Read the contract you just signed</a></p> <p><a href="http://juxt-a-position-ap.blogspot.com/2014/04/3-dont-promise-impossible-in-ridiculous.html" target="_blank">3. Don't promise the impossible in a ridiculous timeframe</a></p> <p><a href="http://juxt-a-position-ap.blogspot.com/2014/04/10-uncommon-mistakes-to-avoid-in.html" target="_blank">2. How (not) to win a contract</a></p> <p><a href="http://juxt-a-position-ap.blogspot.com/2014/04/10-uncommon-mistakes-to-avoid-in_23.html" target="_blank">1. New Business Areas</a></p> Apoorvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09679599714941462857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512799113816010991.post-65494155749483753682014-04-27T19:49:00.001+12:002014-06-17T05:38:13.040+12:005. How to (not) do your budget in five easy steps<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGfzeLg1pQ7zpA59__Hm7wU45fb4KWb9QX5WJkB9r65F12PZyXfsVR8aZAFtcCeSZlSUjKPMWxwRiK55b-hNdc2wefQtm20jzYZeqbBFGZs-3twCIT8a9wMhHzKYIu6w5xZi_B17bkeTo/s1600/ID-100238183.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGfzeLg1pQ7zpA59__Hm7wU45fb4KWb9QX5WJkB9r65F12PZyXfsVR8aZAFtcCeSZlSUjKPMWxwRiK55b-hNdc2wefQtm20jzYZeqbBFGZs-3twCIT8a9wMhHzKYIu6w5xZi_B17bkeTo/s1600/ID-100238183.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image courtesy patpitchaya / Freedigitalphotos.net</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
If you have reached to the point where you have to give the budget for your project after you have systematically made all the four mistakes listed previously, you are either plain lucky or a sitting duck. More likely the latter!<br />
Here’s how to (not) do a budget. Imagine the scenario in the <a href="http://juxt-a-position-ap.blogspot.com/2014/04/3-dont-promise-impossible-in-ridiculous.html" target="_blank">Post # 3</a>. For that scenario, do the following:<br />
<ol>
<li>Get the rates for a single house from a local contractor. Extrapolate the rates to 1500 houses. Simple </li>
<li>Cross check the rates against your home country rates. Rest in the comfort that they are much higher than your home country rates. </li>
<li>Ridicule all the advice by your own staff related to employing qualified Quantity surveyors by saying “That’s how we do it here.” </li>
<li>For the rates that are not available locally, use your home country rates, multiply them by some factor and build them up. Simple. Not rocket science is it? </li>
<li>Float your budget to the client</li>
</ol>
The fact that the project is the first of its kind in a less developed place, in a <a href="http://juxt-a-position-ap.blogspot.com/2014/04/3-dont-promise-impossible-in-ridiculous.html" target="_blank">ridiculously impossible time frame</a>, should not matter. Armed with this “budget” go ahead and float your tender to international contractors. <br />
Obvious lessons from this post are<br />
<ul>
<li>Budgets prepared by such rudimentary methods can not be the basis to go to tender. This clearly misguides the client into believing a budget which will not stand the test when the bids come back.</li>
<li>The Project Manager’s budget – if prepared at all, should not be shared as a Cost Plan document to the client. </li>
<li>Do not hesitate to employ local professionals who will give you a correct picture of the rates and an accurate and reliable number. </li>
</ul>
Links to previous posts of this series<br />
<a href="http://juxt-a-position-ap.blogspot.com/2014/04/4-read-contract-you-just-signed.html" target="_blank">4. Read the contract you just signed</a><br />
<a href="http://juxt-a-position-ap.blogspot.com/2014/04/3-dont-promise-impossible-in-ridiculous.html" target="_blank">3. Don't promise the impossible in a ridiculous timeframe</a><br />
<a href="http://juxt-a-position-ap.blogspot.com/2014/04/10-uncommon-mistakes-to-avoid-in.html" target="_blank">2. How (not) to win a contract</a><br />
1. New Business Areas</div>
Apoorvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09679599714941462857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512799113816010991.post-60565123305934284932014-04-27T03:26:00.001+12:002014-04-27T03:26:39.916+12:004. Read the Contract you just signed<p>Sounds strange? Impossible? Three out of four times? Chances are that the contract that you have been handed over to execute has not been read by the person who signed it. </p> <p>Unbelievable as it may sound pressures of time, lack of appropriate resources and a desire to <a href="http://juxt-a-position-ap.blogspot.com/2014/04/10-uncommon-mistakes-to-avoid-in.html" target="_blank">grab the contract</a> often lead to these situations. In the contract that has been signed for you to execute has all the deliverables in the world that the client could think of. Not to mention the <a href="http://juxt-a-position-ap.blogspot.com/2014/04/3-dont-promise-impossible-in-ridiculous.html" target="_blank">ridiculous time</a> frame in which to execute them. It would be an unfortunate situation if you have such a situation to deal with. Disastrous if this is the fourth in the series of mistakes that have happened and you happen to inherit the consequences. </p> <p>Some lessons you could learn would be (Pardon me for stating the obvious)</p> <ul> <li> Read the contract (before signing it of course!) and iron out the kinks. Both parties entering into the contract have an unsaid right to review the contract before it gets to the signing stage.</li> <li>It does a lot of good to your company’s professional reputation if you suggest a few changes which may have been missed out inadvertently.</li> <li>Save on “fan cleaning” costs at later.</li></ul> <p>The next in the series is about getting your budgets right. </p> <p>Links to the posts in this series</p> <p><a href="http://juxt-a-position-ap.blogspot.com/2014/04/3-dont-promise-impossible-in-ridiculous.html" target="_blank">3. Don't promise the impossible in a ridiculous time frame</a> </p> <p><a href="http://juxt-a-position-ap.blogspot.com/2014/04/10-uncommon-mistakes-to-avoid-in.html" target="_blank">2. How (not) to win a contract</a></p> <p><a href="http://juxt-a-position-ap.blogspot.com/2014/04/10-uncommon-mistakes-to-avoid-in_23.html" target="_blank">1. New Business Areas</a></p> Apoorvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09679599714941462857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512799113816010991.post-44840047942483592302014-04-25T23:00:00.000+12:002014-06-17T05:53:28.279+12:003. Don’t promise the impossible in a ridiculous time frame<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPn7SvpOggQew9H6G7J3PjDpycPcBzJ2cEPyyAJYHhOArS4LuO4Fi6Ta7LnCV5ZSuJ7hgMISMfGhetea49KT5PuAVY3_j379pOeTsp5_KZd_rxsG-x_PXlWL88JJuwBG3DHpb7ZgOrmH4/s1600/ID-10029039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPn7SvpOggQew9H6G7J3PjDpycPcBzJ2cEPyyAJYHhOArS4LuO4Fi6Ta7LnCV5ZSuJ7hgMISMfGhetea49KT5PuAVY3_j379pOeTsp5_KZd_rxsG-x_PXlWL88JJuwBG3DHpb7ZgOrmH4/s1600/ID-10029039.jpg" height="320" width="219" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image courtesy chokphoto / Freedigitalphotos.net</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
The third post in the series 10 (un)common mistakes to in Project Management. Promising the impossible in a ridiculous time frame. Rome wasn’t built in a day. Or a month or even a year. Recently the new Doha airport has also opened after a year’s delay. At the time of signing the contract for the project, Business development teams promise the impossible leaving the delivery team to struggle with the difficult schedule. <br />
Bear with me and imagine a scenario wherein a less developed place, isolated from the developed world where even the most basic building material - cement is imported. Prices of commodities are normally three times the world average cost. Skilled labour is not available. The topography does not favour you either. Steep gradients and a richly undulating landscape with more than 100 inches of rainfall annually. Residents of the place build a house over several years with very rudimentary techniques and methods. The largest building contractor does not build more than a few dozen residential units in a year. In this kind of a scenario would you sign a contract to deliver 1500 building units designed by architects sitting 6000 km away with the best of modern materials and amenities in less than a year? If you answered yes then I’d like to hear from you.<br />
Valuable lessons to learn from such uncommon incidents : <br />
<ul>
<li>Acquaint yourselves with the ground realities of a place for which you are going to sign the contract. </li>
<li>It does not hurt to disagree with the client regarding aggressive (read impossible) time lines. In fact, he should be given correct professional advice at the right time. </li>
<li>The time frames are not aggressive by themselves alone, they become a constraint when other circumstances are ignored.</li>
</ul>
I will be posting about a fourth uncommon mistake "Read your contract".<br />
Links to previous posts in this series<br />
<a href="http://juxt-a-position-ap.blogspot.com/2014/04/10-uncommon-mistakes-to-avoid-in.html" target="_blank">2. How (not) to win a contract</a><br />
<a href="http://juxt-a-position-ap.blogspot.com/2014/04/10-uncommon-mistakes-to-avoid-in_23.html" target="_blank">1. New Business Areas</a></div>
Apoorvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09679599714941462857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512799113816010991.post-59578914654689366452014-04-24T17:55:00.000+12:002016-05-30T14:13:22.114+12:002. How (not) to win a contract<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The second part in the series of “10 (un)common mistakes to avoid in Project Management”, is How (not) to win a Contract <br />
The pressure to grow multifold, to get more revenue into the kitty prompts companies and business development executives to resort to "unconventional" means to procure projects.Most of us have encountered various unconventional methods used by the go getters of organisations who spare no effort in winning a project for the company. During the initial stages of bidding for the project this often comes under the guise of agents who can "help" you to get a project. As a Business development executive this is an easy solution but you have only postponed the problem and successfully invited disaster for your Project Delivery team. Not to mention the strain it will create between you and the client as you start the project on the back foot because the client has the upper hand in this relationship. Not the best way to deliver a project. Other problems include a huge dent in your revenue as the agent is going to take away a huge chunk. <br />
Valuable lessons to learn from such uncommon incidents : <br />
<ul>
<li>As a professional entity, disallow such practices at the highest levels as they are a surefire way to invite disaster. One project acquired in this fashion will wipe out the reputation earned from all your past projects. The industry in which you work is a small group and word travels fast. </li>
<li>Emphasise on traditional values like honesty, integrity and hard work above all else – though they might sound archaic and old fashioned in today’s fast paced world.</li>
</ul>
"Don’t promise the impossible in a ridiculous time frame" is the third in the series. Read about the previous post here.<br />
<a href="http://juxt-a-position-ap.blogspot.com/2014/04/10-uncommon-mistakes-to-avoid-in_23.html" target="_blank">1. New Business Areas</a><br />
<br />
<br />
</div>
Apoorvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09679599714941462857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512799113816010991.post-86201997444061047722014-04-23T22:46:00.000+12:002016-05-30T17:25:39.891+12:0010 (un)common mistakes to avoid in Project Management<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Ten avoidable issues. Very basic, Simple and based on plain common sense but uncommon to find. <br />
<h2>
New Business areas </h2>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yD4i-MoG8To/U15ZJm-hFJI/AAAAAAAAEKo/T25HOXj1jVU/s1600-h/ID-10084360%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img alt="ID-10084360" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LVoBc7gxLRU/U15ZKWyLbTI/AAAAAAAAEKw/Qlpic9fh2PE/ID-10084360_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="160" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="ID-10084360" width="240" /></a> <span style="font-size: xx-small;">Image courtesy of Renjith Krishnan / FreeDigitalPhotos.net</span></div>
Success in one region or a particular discipline does not mean you can duplicate your success using the same formula in unknown regions and cultures. If you are an ace at managing and designing residential developments in the Middle east, does not automatically translate to a successful design of an airport project in a different culture and geographical region (and continent) like say South America. In the competitive world, such ventures give the age old adage "Fools rush in where angels fear to tread" a completely new meaning. <br />
Perhaps pressure to grow into new areas pushes companies to venture into such new business areas. <br />
Valuable lessons to learn from such uncommon incidents : <br />
<ul>
<li>Employ professionals who have extensive experience in the new areas and business verticals that the company wishes to venture into. Needless to say, these professionals should be trusted and groomed into the company culture. </li>
<li>Recognise the differences in cultures and geographies which play a large role for new companies entering new geographies and business verticals. </li>
<li>Recognise the fact that new geographies and business verticals have a gestational period and would take time to yield results and profits </li>
<li>Recognise the fact that successful strategies and formulae of a hugely successful region and business vertical do not translate to the same success in other regions and cultures.</li>
</ul>
In the next post I will be posting about <a href="http://juxt-a-position-ap.blogspot.com/2014/04/10-uncommon-mistakes-to-avoid-in.html" target="_blank">How (not) to win a contract</a> <br />
<br />
Other posts in this series<br />
<br />
<a href="http://juxt-a-position-ap.blogspot.com/2014/05/9-dont-govern-by-threats.html" target="_blank">9. Don’t govern by threats</a><br />
<a href="http://juxt-a-position-ap.blogspot.com/2014/05/8-support-team-on-ground.html" target="_blank">8. Support the team on the Ground</a><br />
<a href="http://juxt-a-position-ap.blogspot.com/2014/05/7-provide-mission-critical-information.html" target="_blank">7. Provide Mission Critical information to the Project Team</a><br />
<a href="http://juxt-a-position-ap.blogspot.com/2014/04/6-resource-appropriately.html" target="_blank">6. Resource appropriately</a><br />
<a href="http://juxt-a-position-ap.blogspot.com/2014/04/5-how-to-not-do-your-budget-in-five.html" target="_blank">5. How to (not) do your budget in five easy steps</a><br />
<a href="http://juxt-a-position-ap.blogspot.com/2014/04/4-read-contract-you-just-signed.html" target="_blank">4. Read the contract you just signed</a><br />
<a href="http://juxt-a-position-ap.blogspot.com/2014/04/3-dont-promise-impossible-in-ridiculous.html" target="_blank">3. Don't promise the impossible in a ridiculous timeframe</a><br />
<br />
.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</div>
Apoorvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09679599714941462857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512799113816010991.post-280662651306085622013-10-25T22:56:00.000+13:002013-10-25T22:58:37.529+13:00Architects of Baroda–Manoj Patel<p>Article on Late Manoj Patel published in Indian Architect and Builder in December 1997</p> <p>For the large number of practicing architects that Baroda boasts, the number of practicing Landscape architects is appalling. Architects often double as Landscape Architects which results in pathetic results of either incorrect choice of species or planting distances or other such technical errors. Very few have a genuine interest and an inclination for seriously pursuing Landscape Designing as a profession. As an architect, Manoj Patel has shouldered both the responsibilities to a great degree and has attempted to do justice to the otherwise lackadaisical approach to Landscape in Baroda.</p> <p><strong>* What inspired you to take up landscape seriously as an architect ?</strong> <p>I had a liking for nature since my early childhood. I was born and brought up in Nairobi, Kenya. It was in this part of the world that I acquired a knowledge about plants and grew more and more fascinated with what nature had in store. I gradually acquired a natural affinity for plants and trees. After we came to India, I studied to be an architect from the MSU, and this inclination for nature, which was a hobby I had cultivated as a child matured into a full fledged pursuit in terms of landscape design. Today people have acknowledged my landscapes as "sensitive landscapes." <p><strong>* What are the distinguishing features of your landscapes?</strong> <p>I try to incorporate water as an element in most of my designs. This can be said to be a distinguishing feature. Usually large water bodies surrounded by beautiful rocky bed give me a great pleasure. These are my favorite elements and I think I have used them inevitably in his every project till date. I enjoy working with rocks. Giving them new meanings and a different shape every time, gives me satisfaction.The feeling of combining the two most important elements required for the survival of mankind and taming them keeps me attracted to this profession. <p><strong>* How do you start designing a landscape ?</strong> <p>Landscaping, according to me, is not an easy profession. One has to take care of different aspects like the type of land, size of the land, orientation of the plot, ambience of the surrounding area etc. Such factors affect the design and planning of the land. The immediate plot governs the profile of your plot. Your plot has to be designed in a way that it stands out. This requires a considerable amount of study of the plot as well as the surrounding plots. <p><strong>* What according to you are the problems related to the profession ?</strong> <p>With relation to what I have said earlier, this profession also has the lack of trained personnel. Trained personnel are absolutely difficult to obtain for specialised jobs, especially in a place like Baroda. To solve this problem, I think there ought to be courses for training Gardeners just as there are courses for Draughtsmen. <p><strong>* What about the present curriculum of Architecture Colleges?</strong> <p>I believe that Landscape designing should be included in the architectural curriculum in a more systematic manner. At least the basics of landscaping can be imparted in the five year curriculum. Students would be far better equipped to deal with a professional Landscape Architect. As the situation stands today, even practicing architects often consult a Landscape architect after the design is done. If one is more aware about the issues concerning Landscape, then he or she would be more conscious as a professional. <p><strong>* What are the current trends in Landscaping today?</strong> <p>Today the trend is shifting towards landscaping as more people seem to be getting aware of beautiful gardens as a whole. Even people who own small bungalows demand a garden in their house. Not just any garden but one with a small pond or a waterfall with rocky bed. People have begun to understand the need of a garden in their house. As a result I feel that the demand for trained professionals will be on the rise. Today people are ready to spend money for their comfort. Just as Interior designing has gained importance, even Landscaping is getting its due recognition. A lot of good landscape designers and projects have come up in recent years which provides the proof. <p><strong>* Can you remark on something which has been very striking or has made a strong impact on you?</strong> <p>Water. Water has made a strong impact on me. For me, Landscape designing is rarely complete without a water body in my designs. A water body plays a pivotal role in my designs landscape designing. Mesmerising sounds can be created by placing rocks in a particular manner. The rhythmic sound of rushing water with proper illumination can create a serene atmosphere. I also have a soft corner for animals. I make it a point to give them some space in his designs. Spacious animal houses for rabbits and dogs, beautiful cages for different birds etc. The chirping of birds can be very relaxing. Chirping blends well with the sound of water and you have your perfect garden. <p>As if reflecting the ideas and the concepts that Manoj expresses in words, the farmhouse of Mr. Arunkumar Shah bore a mute testimonial to Manoj's sensitivity towards Landscapes. Located on the outskirts of Baroda, Manoj has designed the House as well as the Landscape as a retreat for a busy businessman. <p>A small patch of green and a subdued driveway with an interesting random rubble wall on the left usher you into the realm of this tastefully articulated House. A suspense develops due to this crucially placed stone wall. As one is further drawn inwards a small arched opening in the stone wall beckons you into the world of surprises it has in store for you. A waterfall with its alluring display of rivulets of water and their tinkling sounds attracts you towards your left. " Made out of boulders which were available, these were arranged painstakingly - without breaking the original form of the boulders - to form a waterfall as envisaged specifically for this design." Manoj informs me. A meandering path on the right draws you towards an arched portico. The mango trees and the chirping of birds are the only things that meet your eyes and ears as you try to reestablish your link to the world outside. I was reminded of Rudyard Kipling and his description of the Banyan Tree. As I explored further, Manoj's liking for water and its elements manifested itself again in the form of a small but well done swimming pool in done in cobalt blue tiles. The colour blue punctuates the lush green lawns forming a visual relief in the otherwise intersting Green of the landscape. A cleverly disguised water tank in the form of a tower evokes the memory of the long forgotten clock towers in cities and villages of Colonial India. Another seemingly eclectic element in the form of the inevitable jhoola forms the other edge of the garden closer to the house. A jhoola ia an absolute must in any Gujarati residence which in this case is cleverly adapted from the medieval columns of wood carved by an unknown artist a long time back. <p>The farmhouse and the landscape seem to complement each other as and seem inseparable parts of one another. I have often thought about Landscape and Architecture as the Yin and the Yang where neither is complete without the other. Almost all Manoj's projects seem to display this facet of designing. He displays this ardor for even while designing office spaces. One rarely expects an office at the fourth floor of a commercial building to have a beautiful terrace garden. When Manoj decided to make his own office, he chose the terrace so that he could have a garden within his easy reach. The office located in Sayajiganj had one such beautifully created garden complete with an aviary and lush green lawns. I use the past tense because the garden no longer exists. Due to some problem with the owners of the building, Manoj had to dismantle the entire garden complete with trees and an enticing lush green lawn. Situated just near the entrance of his office at the terrace floor, the landscape provided a cool relief rather than the harsh glare which meets the eye when one looks out of the window. "I am sure when the garden was existing, it would have brought down the temperatures of the offices below. I did try to convince them as they did not have to bear any cost in maintaining the garden. It was mine and I would have taken care of it. But to no avail. I had to remove it." says Manoj ruefully. All that remains of the garden now is the aviary and the collected sculptures which seem lost in the harsh terrace of the building. <p>One hopes that people become more active and friendly towards such environmentally friendly gestures if only to save valuable energy and money!</p> Apoorvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09679599714941462857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512799113816010991.post-71092565269353960052013-10-16T00:48:00.001+13:002013-10-20T09:15:38.408+13:00Architects of Baroda–Vijay Matai<p>This article was published in Indian Architect and Builder in February 1997 <p>Vijay Matai, A Baroda based architect, Graduated from MSU, Baroda and a Post graduate from the Academy of Architecture at London, has a valid point to state. He says, "All architectural work should have an in built consistency and its own character. Buildings should complement their surroundings within and without." Matai believes that architects should be as responsible as any other professional and are not subject to extra pressure in this era of Developerism. "There have been limitations in any age but within that resistance one has to try and go beyond one's own limits. The situation is never perfect and even then there are architects who do exceptional work in these situations. Some architects are naturally talented and creative, some are lucky. But whenever the opportunity presents itself, one should do something for his own satisfaction and creativity - Other limitations will always be there but within that resistance one has to try and go beyond one's own limits." As if trying to prove his point, Matai expresses his point through his architecture. Most of his buildings, except when he purposely makes them that way, are never pompous and dominating. <p>His buildings establish a firm relationship with the terra firma seemingly growing out of the ground. Creating a friendly atmosphere and inviting the onlooker, his buildings deftly negotiate the threshold between the inside and the outside. His peculiarity is in the way he weaves some "outside" within the overall building form by the way of a courtyard or a garden. His distinctive sense of the human scale asserts itself inside the building in terms of overlapping levels. This visually connects the spaces and gives a sense of proximity to the people occupying the building. <p>After he has achieved this basic quality in a building, he is open to the question of "style". "Stylistic preferences are governed by various aspects like client's preferences, personal preferences, location etc. An architect should be able to achieve a suitable and proportionate whole. Personally I like to look forward and evolve into a futuristic direction rather than pick up elements from the past. It is essential to develop a system and set the goals in terms of the quality of the environment, image and spaces one would like to achieve. A general discussion within the staff members with regard to the client's needs, aspirations, our own perceptions is generally discussed first and subsequently alternatives are developed." He says. <p>For this particular house for Mr. Subhash Khurana at Baroda, Matai was given complete design freedom. In Matai's words the brief of the client was "The family consists of four members. The client is a builder and civil contractor for the past twenty years. It was the desire of the client that the entrance vestibule should be such that all vertical movement should be from there without disturbing the other activities. He gave complete freedom as far as the building form and the elevation was concerned. He was more particular about the specifications and detailing." <p>While designing, due to the less width of the plot, Matai has tried to achieve a sense of depth visually, by using diagonal and curved surfaces. The curved surfaces on the exterior and the stark white finish, triangular pergola elements and the railings are reminiscent of the American architect Richard Meier. To this Matai shrugs and says "Maybe." He adds, "Due to the limitations of site, the objective was not to create a very massive solid structure, so that spaces such as the garden etc. do not seem cramped and hence external features have certain slender elements and diagonal curved surfaces and also the use of only one colour to give the exterior a neat and clean effect along with a certain degree of porosity." <p>Inside, the spaces are linked in a way so as to exploit the diagonal thereby achieving a balance in the interrelationship of spaces. Had it not been for the diagonal, the depth-width ratio would have seemed out of proportion. The juxtaposition of the diagonal on the plan also aids in visually separating the family spaces from the public spaces. Another compelling feature in the design are the double height spaces which visually connect the two floors. This also helps in regulating the temperature of the house. He says, "All spaces of general use like - formal living, family living, dining, staircase, study/bar etc. have larger volumes and are visually continuous, but at eye level they don't overlook. This was also to maximise human comfort as all these areas are connected to the staircase cabin which is located to exhaust the hot air." <p>He uses various elements like the staircase or the triangular column frame to lend the Interior some richness like the exterior. He says, "The interior too has certain elements and materials to enhance the internal spaces and their continuity, so that the width is emphasized in relation to the depth of the structure."</p> Apoorvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09679599714941462857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512799113816010991.post-48271594878378842372013-10-15T23:06:00.001+13:002013-10-15T23:06:08.819+13:00Architects of Baroda – A. M. Shirgaokar<h2>Anand Shirgaokar</h2> <p>An unpublished article on one of the architects of Baroda. </p> <p>Anand Mansantosh Shirgaokar was born on 10<sup>th</sup> October '39 at Cochin, Kerala. A graduate from the Dept. of Architecture at the MSU, he also has a post-graduate diploma in housing from the University college, London. After setting up his practice in 1964 in Baroda, he has succesfully completed projects which include housing, commercial, recreational and industrial buildings <p>Recipient of several national awards including Commendation award in the category of "Low Cost Housing" by JK cement works at New Delhi in 1990, and the fifth annual JIIA award in '93 for excellence in architecture in '90 at Mumbai, Shirgaokar has participated in the exhibition during the Festival of India at Paris in 1985-86 for the Contemporary Architecture in India. <p>Besides being a member of the board of studies for Architecture, Baroda and member of the UGC panel of experts, He has also been the chairman of various committees of IIA convention, Baroda - 1972 and of IIA for 1980-82. <p>Speaking on his current pet project, the KAA project, Shirgaokar said, " Designing with a team of architects of KAA foundation, the prime challenge was the phased execution of the buildings in a manner that at no point in the phasing would the scheme look incomplete. It is designed as series of raised plinths which connect to terraces and inter-locked court yards. Pedestrian movement through the design is the spine which binds the diverse buildings. <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QlTtSoEOO78/Ul0ThgVgRVI/AAAAAAAAD60/XD4eCq3j4MU/s1600-h/PIC05%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="PIC05" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="PIC05" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CCWMslDSh7E/Ul0TjKRpT1I/AAAAAAAAD68/4jpkTUtnIpQ/PIC05_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="185"></a> <p>Also, all courtyards flow into each other, and sections of terraces can be seen which visually unite the spaces. The plinths are progressively raised to create a sequence of terraces. As the KAA has limited funds and the inflow of money quite unpredictable, I have intentionally designed the Campus in a way so that at no point in its phased construction would it look incomplete. This was a challenge." <p>Keeping in mind the educational purpose of the building, the ex-Professor of MSU remarked," The building itself should be an educational aid for the students. We have tried to exploit all types of Construction orders - different types of masonry walls, arches, several kinds of spanning elements like waffle slabs etc., even the floor patterns are distinct and in a way this has helped us procure the material which we raised from the suppliers. The redesigning was done without disturbing the old building which was a hostel block. Dovetailing elements so that it can be reused as staff rooms or computer rooms has been the attitude. I believe the students of architecture should get an environment with a distinctive character because this reflects in their work." <p>Shirgaokar's concern for students reflected in his style of teaching. "As a professor, I believed that the student should learn more from practical aspects of architecture than from the books. I categorized learning in two levels, a) learning from the books and b) learning from practical experiences on the field and keeping abreast with the latest advances in material and technology. Only this will be instrumental in giving the student the three - dimensional understanding of his conceptions." <p>In a conversation about Shirgaokar's methodology of Design The ex- HOD of Architecture, MSU, S.P.Deshpande said,"He consciously avoids over indulgence in the play of forms, spaces, volumes or even the exposure of structural elements. However he has never let himself be straight jacketed. His latter works express a down to earth attitude by the way of functional areas, volumes and forms aimed at achieving appropriateness of space and structure. Climate, locale are reflected in the overall form, openings and the layout, to create a functional, comfortable building and micro environment. There are no "isms" or philosophies in Shirgaokar's designs." <p>Speaking on his design methodology Shirgaokar said," Architecture, for me means, exploiting the areas that are not "labled" spaces. Transition areas, staircases, entrances, corridors etc. become important elements in my architecture. For me, a house doesn't mean only designing just the building form but the entire gamut of possible interventions where an architect should be concerned. Besides this, I am very conscious towards the quality and quantity of light especially in our climate. Climatic considerations add to the demands that we make from a design. Sensitivity towards fenestrations in our tropical climate is another area that becomes our area of concentration. Most of our buildings are passive cooled. The outer walls protect the inner core and hence keep th environment inside comfortable." <p>Speaking of his influences in the context of his designs, he remarked, "To me, besides Corbusier and FLW, Kanvinde, Doshi and Suryakant Patel's works are of great esteem.", remarked Shirgaokar. Shirgaokar's work can not be classified as any particular architect's impression. "I can call my work as a consequence of continuous assessment towards other's works. My self development was to contemplate on what I've already done and assessing my own works. " commented the architect. He has gone through the process of a critical analysis and understanding the constructional complexities of an architect in Free India and his works refelect a conscious attitude towards detailing. <p>Talking on client's approach Shirgaokar aversed," When you talk to a client, sometimes you can predict whether he is egoistic or he will compromise with the architects ideas. I select those clients who have seen my work and are convinced. Clients who are not convinced, decide after studying my earlier works. If the client has certain ideas which may not be in our vocabulary like false arches, domes and pillars etc which are mainly decorative, then it becomes difficult to accept such commissions. I don't believe in false ornamentation. I believe and follow developing my structural concept... whatever is structure in a building that is always seen. We exploit structure, space and services. We try to identify aspects of these as elements in our design. Therefore some designs look sensible and restrained because the superfluous is taken out and the unwanted is not there whatever is left is genuine stuff. To enhance the structure we try to give a color to some of the elements which serve to highlight the spaces. We started with very few projects and that gave us the brooding time. In fact we were doing a research type working on the small structures which has been very helpful". <p>"Architecture, the designing and construction of building, has always been a struggle to explain to the society that aesthetics was an outcome of structural elements and their interplay.", expressed the concerned architect. Reminiscing his earlier days, he said," I established my own practice in 1969. At that time Suryakant Patel and Mahendra Modi were the ones who strictly followed minimalism. Earlier my clientele belonged to the middle income group. So my main concern was cost consciousness and projecting architectural values. I follow these values even today."</p> Apoorvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09679599714941462857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512799113816010991.post-27513996925769232102013-10-11T00:55:00.000+13:002013-10-16T01:14:19.886+13:00Architects of Baroda-Yashwant Mistry<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Cover Story in 10th Anniversary issue. Interview and discussion of works by Yashwant Mistry, Architect, Baroda Published in Sept 1996 in the Indian Architect and Builder<br />
<h3>
</h3>
<h3>
The Architect is a Trustee....</h3>
<h4>
Introduction </h4>
In the Indian context, the pressures to modernize were acutely realised after the British left. The issue of Formal Roots in the context of Contemporary Indian Architecture were largely unanswered. Few architects recognized the need for such a quest and fewer made a deliberate attempt to explore the possibility in their work. Architecture as an active agent of change in society was barely perceived. The complex task involved a strategic approach where specific issues needed attention. Much influenced by the theories and works of architects like Corbusier and Kahn, was a new generation of young architects who willingly took up the challenge of assimilating and synthesizing a Modern Architecture for India. A few among them could comprehend and decode the traditional systems and values of a culture as diverse as India. Three major Schools of Architecture contributed to this modern crop of young architects in the early years of Independent India - Bombay, Delhi and a small but effective college in Baroda. Trained and educated rigorously by architects of the Colonial "Raj", these young architects absorbed the rigorous working methods which would prove to be an asset in the scenario which Modern India held in store for them. Some of these instructors were State Architects practicing in many states of British India, thus imbuing a sense of In the process of this quest, many works of these architects have become landmarks in the Architecture of Contemporary India. With studied zeal of purpose they have created a niche for themselves in the pantheon of India's Modern architects. Recognition of their work by academicians and architectural historians has been forthcoming only in the recent years. While many of these architects are absorbed in their own pursuit of excellence, they have either not been acknowledged or have deliberately shunned efforts to publicize their work. In the scenario that exists at present the reasons for avoiding publicity could be a gross misrepresentation and misunderstanding of the ideas of the architect. For a Modern architectural idiom to emerge, a meaningful exchange of ideas should take place. The need of the day is to initiate a process by which a genuine dialogue occurs between architects and the so called critics. What we are dished out today is little more than a dressed up documentation of an architect with scanty references of his ideas and notions with which his works are conceived and built. Yashwant Mistry, in his late fifties, is a contemporary to that generation of architects who have sought to give modern architecture in India a footing at the international level. Lesser known than his contemporaries Raje, Doshi, Correa or Rewal, Mistry hails from a family of architects. Trained under the watchful eye of his father, Mistry acquired his education like a classical architect would have during Renaissance. A qualified painter from the JJ school of arts, he graduated in architecture from the MSU, Baroda. Unconventionality and Perfection do not go hand in hand but Mistry accomplishes both in almost all his works. Unfazed by the doubts expressed by others Mistry relentlessly executes his projects with remarkable alacrity. His dedication and zeal to architecture comes from his strong belief in a timelessness of an architectural work. His unorthodox concepts not only express themselves at the level of the basic idea but also to the level of detailing. For this he spares no efforts in working out the details of the project. Armed with the knowledge of all associated crafts Mistry is able to get the best out the people who implement his works. An avid designer, he believes and dreams of a world where all objects of daily use would be designed vigorously. His utopian and idealist notions are often expressed in his designs. One gets an idea of his tremendous capacity to design not only from a plethora of architectural projects but also from the objects he designs. Roofing tiles, details for sliding doors, shoes, furniture etc.. As a teacher he always encourages students to think unconventionally and advocates a freshness of approach. A strong believer in the classical notion of an architect, he believes and expects that architects should be masters of all associated crafts and sciences. A stiff critic of the present educational system being practiced in the country, Mistry strongly promotes the approach of a practical education to the students by practicing architects. Practicing for over 25 years, Mistry has always believed in the concept of trusteeship in his practice. He is of the belief that an architect is the trustee of the client's ideals and his money and is morally bound to deliver the desired product to the client. He attributes a great degree of responsibility to the profession for the state of our cities and architecture. In a series of interviews spanning over a month, Yashwant Mistry has stated his beliefs and ideals concerning his working style, concepts and ideas on broad range of subjects. Presented in a hitherto unexplored format are a plethora of his works in the form of visuals. His works speak for themselves and require no unnecessary descriptions in words. His convictions on architecture are mirrored in the interview that follows. <h4>
Interview with Yashwant Mistry</h4>
<strong>1. Could you tell us something about your childhood and teenage years and their lasting impressions on your life?</strong> When I was four my father presented me his set of finest brushes and colours available those days. I was fairly good at it and innately meticulous in my paintings. When I was in college I did a mural of Ajanta for my college. During my college days I also did a lot of book jackets for prominent Gujarati writers of the late fifties to basically satisfy my creative instincts. I also did two years of painting. But painting was a flat medium and I was longing for some thing more challenging. At the same time I saw Frank Lloyd Wright's photographs and my decision was made. I decided for to become an Architect. <strong>2. Your father was a very well known Interior Designer in his times. Did his working style / methodology affect you in anyway ?</strong> I come from a family of architects. My ancestors were extraordinary craftsmen and I belong to the caste of carpenters. The meticulousness and aesthetic was basically inborn in me. My father was the pioneer of Interior Design in India. He was accepted as the Master Interior Designer in the thirties and he has designed the interiors of palaces of Gwalior. He was also invited to design the Interiors of the Laxmi Vilas Palace in Baroda when His Excellency Pratapsinh Gaekwad's was getting married. My father and his colleagues worked in the very precisely styled tradition of Interiors in those days. They would design the brackets, lighting fixtures, tapestries, carpets, door knobs, ceiling etc. to the minutest detail. The way they would treat each and every artifact emotionally was a thing to be seen to be believed. He was my first teacher. His style of working, discipline and the decorum that he and his colleagues would maintain while working has made a lasting influence on me and my working style. I am trying to practice those things in my architecture and I have yet to see whether I am successful or not. These days the interpretation of Interiors is very different. Today it is little more than furnishing. Very few people know about the bygone styles. <strong>3. Where were you educated?</strong> I did my two years of advanced painting in Bombay and then I came to Baroda. It was the oldest school as far as the Faculty of Architecture was concerned at that time. I had applied at JJ, Bombay, Delhi and Baroda. I visited all the colleges and out of the three I liked Baroda the most and so I came here. AT that time there were teachers like Prof. M. B. Dave who was also the state architect for the state of Hyderabad and Prof. Jadhav who was the State architect for Baroda. <strong>4. What was the effect of the British Colonial Architecture on the architects of the period? What was the situation of Architecture at that time?</strong> Most of the practicing architects then were influenced to a greater or a lesser degree by the Colonial British architecture. Their sense of aesthetic and their judgment of proportion was far better than the senses of architects of the present generation. Architecture in India and its practice was in its infancy. It was a period of transition. Modernism had just begun to make its presence felt. The theory of orientations according to climate and environment had also gained credence. But the general aesthetic had started to deteriorate even then. The architects of that period were Gregson, Bately and King, Episcopo, etc.. At that time architects could only be afforded by the rich and the very rich people. It wasn't meant for the middle class people. At that time the a lot of styles were emerging but a lot of it was restricted to Architecture of the Facade. A room was a room and there wasn't much that could be done about it. The present interpretations of space were not considered valid back then. The Volume of the built mass was used to show the power of the person it was built for. <strong>5. Did you perceive a vacuum after the British left?</strong> You see, after the British left, there was a lot of confusion which followed. This confusion has reflected in the attitude of the people of the country and the architect is one of them. In the present context I would say that there is hardly a sense of aesthetic that is prevailing in this country today. In the earlier times everything that the architects did, they were emotionally involved. It is this feeling towards the profession that is lacking today. Most of the architects practicing today are young and are born after Independence. The Neo-rich culture of today is in no condition to promote such a sense among the professionals. Their priority is to flaunt their richness. The architect gets the freedom but he is so poor in his aesthetical sense and he is not able to utilize the money and the resources available to him to create good architecture. <strong>6. Who were your heroes? Whose work would you say has impressed and influenced you the most?</strong> I respect all the master architects because all of them had something to say. They were absolutely perfect in their architectural statements. I have tried to understand this perfection and the philosophy behind their working style. Mies, for example, had achieved excellent standards of aesthetic in the Barcelona Pavilion way back in the thirties. Less is more was his dictum and it is not boring at all. The delicacy of a steel stanchion, which was machine made, circumvented the limitations inherent to its making, and yet was one of the most beautiful parts of the building. I consider that all masters have taken real pains to establish a system. In the Indian context I have tried to practice and evolve something. I have yet to succeed on that front. But the effort goes on. Amongst Indian architects, I respect the work of Doshi, Raje, Correa, Kothari. But they fall in a totally different category than the masters. I feel that very few architects detail out buildings as perfectly as the masters did. I feel that an architect should understand his materials thoroughly. His emotional feeling for his architecture should reflect in his detailing of the buildings. <strong>7. As a young architect what were your concerns?</strong> My concern as a young architect and even today is that everybody, especially architects, concerned with the building industry directly or indirectly should try to deliver the best product to the clients. There are a lot of foreign collaborations coming up today which is a good sign. The architect can and should demand from the building industry for the best quality product. Architects should train themselves in the use of the newer and better materials coming up as a result of these collaborations so as to fulfill their obligations to society. This is my basic concern because the building technology prevalent in India today is very primitive and our education system should begin to acknowledge this shortcoming within itself and adapt to the times. I am also very much concerned about the energy crisis which is going to take a very serious turn. <strong>8. What were the difficulties and problems that you faced as a young architect?</strong> I did not face too many problems when I started out in 1962 July. At that time my Prof. Dave and Mr Suryakant Patel who were both my teachers were practicing in this town. The population of this town was about 70,000 and there were not too many architects practicing in this town at that time. So the mad rush that exists today was not there. Mr. Suryakant Patel had impressed Baroda with his good architecture which helped in bringing a certain degree of awareness among the people in Baroda. As I was from Bombay, I had a slight advantage due of my professional attitude towards my work. Also, having grown up in a family aesthetic awareness and the love for detailing was inherent in my work it worked wonders for me. I will always continue to practice in the same spirit and I feel that I am growing younger day by day. <strong>9. What is your perception of the younger generation of architects?</strong> We are basically practicing under the influence of the masters in India. The younger architects are very reluctant to use the newer materials and finishes. We have these notions of exposed concrete and brick being beautiful. But these are not the only materials available otherwise the innovations of material would not have come about. Everybody should start experimenting with the different materials. Tell me, Can you as a young architect of today's generation imagine a building in India done in stainless steel? What would you do if the client demanded such a thing? Are you going to tell him that he has to use exposed brick and exposed concrete because you are afraid to use any other material? One should take it up as a challenge. You can demand total liberty in design and in the way the material is used and then create an architectural object satisfying your and his aspirations which would essentially be timeless. I believe in timeless architecture it should retain its character and freshness even after ages pass. For such work to come up one's architectural detailing has to be extraordinarily good. You see, good architecture is invariably characterized by simple detailing. The trick lies in creating simple and beautiful details so that their implementation is possible. In almost all my works, detailing is of prime importance. <strong>10. What would be your advice to a fresh architect beginning his own practice today?</strong> I feel that fresh architectural graduates should not be permitted by the governing institution to start their own practice immediately. I say this because the present educational system does not teach the practical aspects of architecture to the extent they are necessary. The six month apprenticeship period is insufficient. The general standard of the apprentice trainee is so pathetic that he or she can barely trace and draft properly. Drafting is the primary language of architecture. Architecture is not instant poetry. It starts from an engineering science where a lot of basic problems are sorted out. Only after this is achieved can the architecture attain the level of the sublime. It is necessary for the student to understand the number of processes that a design goes through on paper before it is built. Any mistake in the drawing can create bad workmanship, mishaps even bad architecture. This aspect is totally ignored in the schools. As an architect one has to coordinate nothing less than 15 different agencies of work. An architect has to demonstrate a reasonable degree of proficiency in all these areas before he begins practice. This has automatically reflect in his design also. In the absence of such skills, the consultant will start dominating and the design suffers. Such an immense amount of experience can only be had by working with a good firm of architects for a reasonable amount of time before one ventures to start his own practice. A client comes to an architect with his savings and aspirations of a lifetime. He makes the architect a trustee of the money and the aspirations. The architect's duty is to translate these aspirations and dreams of the client into reality using this money. The responsibility of an architect is tremendous. If the architect blunders the dreams of the client are murdered. Architecture remains forever whether it is good or bad. I urge the architects and people concerned with the building industry to give our profession the true respect and position in society it deserves. <strong>11. Most of your work is known for its uniqueness of approach and Design. Could you describe your working style?</strong> I am very emotionally attached to my work. Whenever a client comes to me I try to understand his needs. Very often the client does not understand himself very well. I try to understand him and the things that make him tick. It also becomes very important to understand the ego of the client within the framework of society, relatives etc.. As an architect sometimes one has to play the role of a Psychologist to understand the personality of the client before one designs. <strong>12. Could you explain how sketching aids design process in your architecture ? How is sketching important to you in your architecture ?</strong> I believe that sketching is most important. You cannot sit on the table with a set square and a parallel and start designing straight away. If you are emotionally attached to your work then sketching really becomes an indispensable tool in designing. I would put it like this that when one is sketching one can think about a multitude of things which are going to influence the design. They could be the client, his program, your philosophy, the site, the environment and so on. It is often like doing Yoga. Most of my projects have evolved from conceptual sketches which are not larger than 2" x 2". Sketches are a precise documentation of the thought process that goes on in one's mind while one is designing. <strong>13. Due to the advent of Computers very few architects tend to sketch. Do you believe technology can replace the good old charcoal stick or the pencil?</strong> No. Not at all. The computer is a man made machine with limitation and it does not have any emotions. This is what I believe. A computer is similar to the instruments one uses and it definitely is very useful in today's context but it will be a long time before one is able to design an emotional computer! There is a common belief among youngsters and the general public that designs done on a computer are better. But that is a myth. The computer is being used effectively as a marketing tool by many. For me it is nothing more than a tool. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Apoorvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09679599714941462857noreply@blogger.com0