We are hiring! Architecture Graduate – Melbourne

106 Architects | We are hiring - Architecture Graduate

Need a change to your current office environment and life challenges? Are you seeking to make a worthwhile contribution to interesting projects?

π—ͺ𝗛𝗒 𝗔π—₯π—˜ π—ͺπ—˜:

106 Architects is a small, well-established architecture practice that provides specialised global professional design and project management services for a range of clients. Our collaborative design team works with clients who are focused on sports, community, and leisure projects, as well as bespoke residential developments. Our work takes us throughout NZ and recently, into Australia.

We have carved ourselves a special niche in the sports, recreation and leisure sector, and are committed to making an outstanding contribution to global sports, leisure, and community-based architecture.

We also work on residential projects – individual homes as well as developer-driven multi-unit housing.

𝗒𝗨π—₯ 𝗒𝗣𝗣𝗒π—₯π—§π—¨π—‘π—œπ—§π—¬:

We are looking for an experienced architecture graduate or technician to work in our Brunswick studio to assist our Director in the development of our design packages for our sports and residential projects.

In this role, you will:

β†’ Undertake research, design analysis and investigations;
β†’ Develop conceptual ideas into detailed construction drawings and documentation;
β†’ Produce client presentation material as well as planning submissions;
β†’ Communicate and liaise with clients, other team members, consultants, Council officers, and contractors;
β†’ Work with agreed timeframes, project briefing, and set budgets;
β†’ Prepare design reports, contract documentation, and technical details;
β†’ Undertake site monitoring, record keeping, and contract administration;
β†’ Deliver the design from concept to completion;
β†’ Need the ability to produce clear communications, with an understanding of the English language critical.
β†’ This role is full-time, however, for the right candidate, we would consider part-time, within family-friendly hours.

π—ͺ𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗬𝗒𝗨 π—ͺπ—œπ—Ÿπ—Ÿ 𝗕π—₯π—œπ—‘π—š:

β†’ Related Bachelor or Masters of Architecture degree, with knowledge of Australian Building Standards;
β†’ High proficiency in ArchiCAD (3+ years) being capable of BIM/3D modelling and detailed documentation;
β†’ Moderate experience in SketchUp and/or Adobe CS is an advantage;
β†’ Have a minimum of 3 years full-time relevant experience;
β†’ Competent technical understanding of Australian construction detailing and building codes;
β†’ Demonstrate a high level of design pride and capability;
β†’ Be a good self-starter
β†’ Have professional and confident interaction with staff and clients;
β†’ A great team player who is not afraid of bringing ideas to the table;
β†’ Able to remain calm under pressure with the flexibility to meet changing demands;
β†’ Can build relationships, and capable of being part of a team to achieve deadlines;
β†’ Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

π—§π—›π—˜ π—•π—˜π—‘π—˜π—™π—œπ—§π—¦:

106 Architects values people who enjoy working collaboratively and contributing as part of a team. In return, we offer a competitive salary and the ability to enjoy a balanced work/life mix. We are committed to career development and have a track record in providing a flexible and family-friendly, yet stimulating, environment for our people.

𝗛𝗒π—ͺ 𝗧𝗒 π—”π—£π—£π—Ÿπ—¬:

If this sounds like you, please send a current CV and portfolio to: studio@106architects.com

You must have Australian residency or a valid Australian work permit to apply for this role.

𝗙𝗒π—₯ 𝗙𝗨π—₯π—§π—›π—˜π—₯ π—œπ—‘π—™π—’π—₯π— π—”π—§π—œπ—’π—‘:

You can find out more about 106 Architects on our website: www.106architects.com

COVID-19 – Building Site Lockdown

With the announcement from the New Zealand Government last week to elevate the COVID-19 alert level to Level 3 – Restrict, on Monday 23 March, then immediately to Level 4 – Eliminate on Wednesday 25 March, all within 48hrs, there were immediate impacts for our 106 Architects’ construction projects that were – or about to be – active on site.

For projects in Australia, we see work continue, albeit under health and safety practices that align with Federal and State Government requirements. These specifically relate to the foundation of Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws that require employers to take care of their workers in the workplace.

Current requirements include social distancing, as well, providing adequate facilities for workers to carry out their tasks safely, chiefly, personal and workplace hygiene measures. Updated SWMS (Safe Work Method Statements) will be required under COVID-19 conditions for those continuing to work.

Specific information for our Australian clients and contractors can be found here, at the Safe Work Australia site – https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/covid-19-information-workplaces/preparing-workplaces-covid-19/building-and-construction-minimising

Our Victorian projects can find information via the Work Safe Victoria website here – https://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/infectious-diseases and here – https://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/construction

In New Zealand, as the lockdown commenced, all non-essential services ceased and people were required to stay at home. We anticipate Australia to move in the same direction. Soon.

Here are some of the key items we have needed to consider with our Client/Principals and Contractors:

Payment Claims

As the end of the month approached – with it, the end of the financial year for New Zealanders – we moved to assist Contractors to receive, and then assess, their payment claims for the project cycle. For some projects the cycle was monthly; others fortnightly.

Assisting to quickly gather a clear understanding of work completed with any supporting documentation required, was a key task we faced.

Where visiting sites to inspect work first-hand would not be possible, we worked through progress with the Contractors via FaceTime, photographs, and verbal descriptions on what work had been completed and β€˜held’.

This has meant that the processing of the Payment Certificate over the past week, in a difficult situation, could take place in confidence with everyone working remotely.

Trust, kindness, and supporting both Client and Contractor has been the key.

Thinking ahead, Clients/Principals could consider increasing the frequency or changing the basis of the payment to the Contractor. This may assist the supply chain cash-flow for materials and products, and ease overall financial pressure on all parties. Equally, payments could be offered directly to suppliers and could ensure a project-specific flow of goods and services can be achieved (and secured) following the lockdown period.

Insolvency and re-mobilisation are two key factors currently circulating our sector at the moment. Modifying the payment claim basis through closer help and facilitation could go a long way.

The Site and Building Schedule

The shutdown of sites happened quickly in New Zealand and will happen in a similar manner in Australia. While the site remains the responsibility of the Contractor, the unknown period of time for closure means communication between Client and Contractor is key.

Much like the landlord/tenant relationship, there may be on-going costs to the Contractor relating to specific site structures and establishment as part of general overheads, either as direct and/or indirect costs.

The Contractor should contact their suppliers and see what relief they can provide, and can feasibly pass on to Clients. There should be a sensibility to the passing on of these costs, and any that may be associated with a likely Extension of Time (EoT) claim that may follow.

The cost of scaffold, for example, is an on-going overhead, however, these particular site structures will clearly not be used during lockdown other than support or potentially to enclose a structure. On-going certification and testing will not be taking place, so there may be a basis to challenge the need for an on-going cost for something that would not be certified or used.

Site fencing and security measures should also be checked for completeness, to ensure they are well-fixed in-place for any adverse weather conditions likely to be presented during inactivation of the site.

Consideration to re-mobilisation costs and securing trade supplies following a prolonged period of inactivity should also be given (see Financial and Resource Health, below).

Contractor and Principal – Financial and Resource Health

For projects that were about to kick-off or indeed underway, the issue of financial capability and durability to ride the crisis, should be considered. The same applies to human resources or labour availability, and what sort of plan might be put in place by the Contractor for when the project sets off again.

The questions are: Is the availability of supply items a danger or risk area for a project, and what is availability like, once projects recommence?

We have projects were Client or Principal-supplied items are included in the contract. Clients need to ascertain what challenges (and alternatives) they may have as a back-up should the supply chain be affected by COVID-19. Equally, where clients have paid for their fixtures upfront, ensuring that those fixtures are assigned to them and covered by insurances as off-site goods. Seek additional security for the cost and risk of those items not turning up, or for insolvency of a supplier – standard procedures, but more important in a riskier time.

There is a degree of increasing financial pressure and strangling of cashflow at the moment. It’s a difficult question to ask and assess, but ask: How is your Contractor placed to reignite again, once the green-light is given?

What can you do as the project owner, to alleviate any real or perceived pressure on the Contractor?

For example, do you really need the provision for Liquidated Damages in your contract, to be applied? Could you release the pressure, by granting a unilateral Extension of Time, to allow the Contractor to complete the project beyond the stated completion date, for events beyond their control?

Insurances

It would pay for both Principal and Contractor to advise their insurance brokers that building works have ceased, and confirm the shut-down date. There is a duty to formally advise of any changes to site or project conditions. At this time, it is unknown when construction is likely to resume, but we see it as being at least four weeks away.

The insurance policies and arrangements in-place have an end-date nominated for each project, however, an email trail to confirm changed site conditions is prudent. Once works are back up and running, a revised programme should be sought from the Contractor, with a new completion date passed onto the insurer. Check with your broker to additional costs, if any, there may be for extending the cover due to COVID-19.

With communication and consideration, you’ll be in good shape when construction kicks off again.

The 1st Step to Building – Understanding your Needs and Options

first-step-to-building

Summer. Wasn’t it glorious! A great time to think and relax. And be inspired.

As summer has drawn to a close so we thought it is a good time to share some insights to what we’ve learned from our sports projects, and how they could apply to your house and home project.

What’s the problem?

It is not uncommon for people to know they want to do a project – and have given it quite a bit of thought – but just don’t know how best to start…

Or worse, launched into an expensive design service without establishing the client-designer relationship, or worse still, not carefully established the groundwork for the project.

In recent months, we’ve seen the number of building permits and consents being processed by Council reach new highs. This has helped us get more feedback on what the market is doing, and what thinking people are doing at the moment.

The Scenario:

We’ve found an initial Needs and Options ReviewΒ is the architect’s best β€˜pencil’ for good early groundwork. It works as a diagnostic tool for your project – and can save a huge amount of heartache. It allows you to start with an exploration designed to precisely understand your requirements and potential roadblocks are, and gives you:

β†’ Needs-based findings and recommendations;

β†’ High-level design options;

β†’ A Plan to move forward;

β†’ A Timeline and rough order of cost for budgeting.

The Process

We’ve used this process on a much larger scale while doing our sports projects – which typically involve a large number of groups and a diverse range of people. We saw an issue in these projects, of people starting design and construction before they had fully done their research and homework. BEFORE they had critiqued their ideas and assessed their needs.

These projects can have several conflicting groups – all locking heads on which way to go. So what better way to bring them together and moving in the same direction, than each understanding what the other needs?Β  It’s on this basis that everyone sees a different perspective, and actually, the group gets a much better outcome.

Our view is this applies across the entire construction industry – it’s not limited to designing sports facilities. It also happens in residential projects … People are trying to run before they have mastered the walk or set the training programme (sports pun intended!).

The consequence of inadequate upfront research and discussion of needs and options is like… building a house on bad foundations.

The foundations are the most important part of the whole house because everything is built on top. It’s very expensive to change the foundations once you have started to build. But it’s very easy to change them if they are simply lines on a plan.Β  It’s amazing what comes from sketch lines and diagrams, rather than hard-and-fast computer models.

Ultimately, a little more time spent upfront on research and assessment will yield a better result – economically and design-wise – long-term. Be careful about entering the design phase too early.Β  There are snags if you’re not prepared, and you might just pull a hamstring on the final straight!

What makes a good brief?

A good brief is gold.

There are five important steps in building:

β†’ Needs and Options Review – which is the first step

β†’ Design phase

β†’ Construction Document phase

β†’ Building and Contract Management

β†’ Completion phase

If you want to learn more about our Needs and Options Review and how we can move you through the five important steps of building seamlessly, get in touch today with the 106 Architects residential experts!

106 Architects | Your Residential Build Road Map