Intership report

51

Figure 53
Figure 53 illustrated the softscape plan of turfing. My task is to calculate the area of the
turfing and insert the number into the table provided.

Figure 54
The turfing plan need to compile with the others plan in order to make a landscape
masterplan as illustrated in figure 54. The masterplan in to compose in an A1 size paper
layout together with the table of landscape and softscape quantity.

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4.13 PPR PENGERANG

This project also under tender bidding status that need to provide design landscape for 700
units terrace houses at Pengerang, Johor. The proposed design of this project will include a
few elements of hardscape such as outdoor gym, plaza and more. The outdoor gym will be
consisting of a few elements such as parallel bar, log hop, body curl and knee lift. For the
softscape element, mostly the tree selection will be use shady tree to give shade for the area.

Figure 55
For this project, I were assigned to do a slide presentation same as PPR Sembrong
project. Figure 55 shown the slide presentation that will show the landscape material
and its specification to give clients understand about the element needed in this
propose design.

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Figure 56
Hardscape elements need to include in this slide presentation. One of them is the
specification of the futsal court. Images of the element such need to include in order to
illustrate the design of the space to client as shown in figure 56.

Figure 57
The planting material also need to include in this slide presentation. The softscape element
will be divide into a few groups based on their species such as tree, shrub, turfing and palm.
The detail of the species needed include the specific name, common name, overall height,
trunk height and trunk diameter as shown in figure 57.

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Figure 58
For this project, my supervisor assigned me to produce the landscape masterplan based on
element that proposed by him. I had to make a few different plans for each element such as
hardscape, tree, shrub and turfing to make my work easier later. The red colour line represent
the architectural thing as illustrated in figure 58.

Figure 59
After I finished the landscape masterplan, I had to compose it in an A1 size paper layout
combine together with the key plan, location plan, table of shrub, tree and turfing quantity
as can be clearly seen in figure 59.

55

Figure 60
I had to prepare documentation of bill of quantity by using Microsoft excel. This
documentation consists of estimate price for hardscape and landscape components of the
overall landscape masterplan as shown in figure 60.

Figure 61
Based on figure 61, the bill of quantity divided into two section which are estimate price for
softscape and hardscape work. This documentation needs to convert to pdf as this bill of
quantity need to email to clients.

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4.14 JAPANESE GARDEN

Japanese garden is a project in a house compound at Klang, Selangor. The owner of the
house requested a landscape design of a garden that illustrated Japanese culture as he always
works at Japan. So, he wants to has the vibe of the Japanese Garden at his own house but at
the same time he wants the concept of simplicity. He also wants some water element that can
give sound at his house compound.

Figure 62
This project required me to propose the design concept, aim and objectives. All these things
need to be prepared in a slide presentation in order to give to clients for an overall overview
as illustrated in figure 62. All the concept needs to follow the design that requested by the
owner of this house.

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Figure 63
At early stage, I had to produce a masterplan of the Japanese Garden by using AutoCAD
software. The design idea of this masterplan is from my boss and combine with my idea.
After that, I used photoshop software to render the masterplan as shown in figure 63.

Figure 64
I had to export the AutoCAD drawing of masterplan into SketchUp in order to make it in
three dimensions as can be seen clearly in figure 64.

58

Figure 65

Figure 66
Figure 65 and 66 above illustrated the result of the three dimensions of Japanese Garden. But
not all element included as I will render it in Lumion later.

59

Figure 67

Figure 68
After I finished doing the three dimensions at SketchUp software, I had to export it
into Lumion software in order to render it and need to capture a few perspective
angles of the project. This software makes the three-dimension drawing look more
natural by using good choice of material as can be seen clearly the result of it in figure
67 and 68 which are two examples of angles taken.

60

Figure 69

Figure 70
All the captured of the perspective need to be compile in the slide presentation in order to
illustrate the design idea to the client. All the perspective needs to be annotated properly to
the element used in this design clearly as shown in figure 69 and 70.

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Figure 71
My next task is to provide the hardscape palette in the slide presentation. The hardscape palette
illustrated the element used in this project and the detail should include the photo and their
name as illustrated in figure 71.

Figure 72
Softscape element also had their own palette. The palette divided into two group which are for
the trees & bamboo and shrubs & groundcover that proposed in this landscape design. The
necessary detail should be listed such as common name and scientific name as can be seen
clearly in figure 72.

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Figure 73
I had to prepare documentation of bill of quantity by using Microsoft excel. This
documentation consists of estimate price for hardscape and landscape components for the
whole design work as shown in figure 73.

Figure 74
Based on figure 74, the bill of quantity divided into three section which are estimate price for
softscape, hardscape and lighting work. This documentation needs to convert to pdf as this bill
of quantity need to email to clients.

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CHAPTER 5: EXPERIENCES, CHALLENGES, SOLUTION AND KNOWLEDGE
GAINED

5.1 EXPERIENCES

During sixteen weeks of internship, I have accumulated various experiences and wider new
knowledge through activities and tasks had been assigned to me. My supervisor, Mr Tajul
Khairyzat encouraged me to join any meeting that related with any project that I was involved
in so that it gives experience for me to observe how a consultant in handling client and express
their ideas of design.

My experiences worked as practical trainee in SKA Landscape Architects teach me to be a
thinker. For one project, I need to carefully checked and think for the possibility different
cases or impact occurred before designing any project. The most important to complete the
task is to carefully listen the instruction that have been given by the supervisor. Do more work
and talk less in order to produce excellence works.

As we already know design needs more experience than theoretical knowledge, and since this
practical trainer did not get the opportunity to work in any leadership areas. But working as
an internship student still got an understanding on the leadership skill. All the works in the
design and construction company need a leader with capability to encourage all the workers
toward a mutual goal. The main aim of having leadership skill is to lead all the workers to get
specific output.

5.2 CHALLENGES

The problem that student always faces including me was when the I were asked to do any task
that using graphic software that beyond my skill that I learned before. This problem will
interrupt the process of of designing and at the same time will consume more time to produce

64
the drawing. Other problem was when the task given to me involve the documentation process
such as for landscape submission because I never learnt about it before at campus.

5.3 SOLUTIONS

Every time when I encounter on of the problem that I did not know how to do the task, I often
refer to my supervisor which means supervisor can teach me on how to fix the problem so that
if I ever encounter the problem twice, I know what to do since I already learned from my
supervisor. I also refer to the other staff that can help me in order to solve my problem.
Although there are some challenges for me but I feel grateful because when I can solve my
problem, indirectly this can make my skills improve. At the same time, this can reduce the
time consuming in order to settle the task given.

5.4 KNOWLEDGE GAINED

During the time almost four months of practical training at SKA Landscape Architects, I have
learnt that the most important thing in running a consultant or a company that provide service
for clients are trust and loyalty. These two aspects are very important in order to ensure the
company runs perfectly without any problem. I also learn many things that involve in
designing landscape. Mostly I learn about typical landscape design by using graphic software
such as AutoCAD, Photoshop, SketchUp and Lumion. This company also give the
opportunity to me to handle the printing machines.it is simple but I am really appreciated it
because it gave me an experience to use all the equipment in order to produce a drawing. Not
only that, I also learn on how to do manual sketch to give an illustration of the design to client.
Besides that, this practical training is very useful since it provides early experience and vision
on how true work is done outside the world.

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CHAPTER 6: COMMENTS, ISSUES, RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSION

6. 1 INTRODUCTION

During my practical training period in Landscape Architecture Department, I have been
observing and recording every necessary detail to complete my coursework. This section will
contain my individual comment, issues that needs to be addressed and propose
recommendations, if necessary, as long as they do not affect the reputation of Landscape
Architecture Department.

6.2 COMMENTS

The 16 weeks provided by IIUM for this practical training is found to be extremely short.
Practical training is necessary so that students can be exposed into the working world and
tastes of what it feels like to do adult tasks. It is also another way to apply all knowledge and
skill that I learned before at campus. However, the working timeframe of just 16 weeks does
not provide enough coverage to learn everything that I want to know there. It makes me
wanting more than what I can get. The practical period was also conducted during the fasting
month which is will constrain the amount of work that I can do.

Being in the Landscape Architecture Department I have recognized a great deal of potential
that can further elevate its stature. If the issues mentioned before are addressed and rectified,
I am positive that this department can provide an excellent service.

6.3 ISSUES and RECOMMENDATIONS

As a practical student I am obligated to pinpoint issues that can affect the level of performance
in Landscape Architecture Department. 16 weeks is not enough to cover every single issue in

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detail and it does not reflect the overall annual job performances. Therefore, it is important to
note that what has been written here is solely based on my observation during the limited time.

There are some suggestions that I would like to propose during my almost 4 months
of practical training in order to make student sees it as an opportunity to learn and develop new
experience. I think the four months duration for the internship was not enough for me to learn
more in details about the jobs. From my point of view, the duration of internship should be
lengthening. It is because the duration assigned was not enough for the company to teach, guide,
and develop the students. The four months duration provided by the department was not enough
as there are many things that can be learned from. I wish the internship program will be make
for 6 months as it will help student to identify their strength, abilities, weaknesses and more.

Not only that, now a day most of the consultancy offices use Modern Architectural
software and other additional graphics software. So, the students must have enough
knowledge with this software before starting their internship session in which helps the
students to succeed their internship period successfully. I hope Landscape Architecture
Department can provide more necessary courses that related to graphics software before
students undergo an internship program.

Other than that, I would like to advise to the department to form a mentor mentee
program between former interns and interns to be. Maybe, the previous trainer will be assigned
to a group of students, so they will be led for upcoming work and at the same time help to
reduce the burden of department. This mentor mentee can be supervised by the lecturers of
Landscape Architecture or the department.

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6.4 CONCLUSION

Practical training is one of the effective mediums for students to prepare themselves mentally
and physically before entering into the real working environment that full of challenges. When
applying for internships I decided I would challenge myself and work for a smaller company
in a good working environment. I felt if I worked for one of the larger companies, I would be
stuck doing a similar job on a day to day basis without been involved indifferent aspects of
the design phases. Internship in a smaller company absolutely gave me a greater scope of
things and I have learnt a lot from the people around me in the company who were always
eager to share knowledge and describe things to me that I did not understand.

At SKA Landscape Architects, I gained a lot of experiences and new knowledge.
This company is actually very concern on practical design in order to build long term impact
of design. Hence, the company ensure that they offered excellent services and performances
to client. I realized I had to make more of an effort to ask questions and push to be involved
in all design stage. The benefits of this have been that my understanding of design stage has
improved a lot. One thing I also need to work on is to be confident withthe knowledge I have
gained. I should be more authorities when I do possess knowledge in something and not be
afraid to make decisions.

For me, the internship was a success, as most of all I have learnt a lot and been able
to Ska Landscape Architects out at the same time. The employers at SKA Landscape
Architects have been a greathelp and given me responsibility in projects that I did not expect
to get as an intern. So, I manage to have a better understanding on any documentation and also
regarding the design process. It is a big chance for me to absorb a lot of things at the same

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time. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time doing my internship there and look forward to
working with them as a student job in the future.

During almost four months of practical training, I have gained a lot of new
experiences which I can apply on the outside world. During the time period, I have been
exposed in what it calls a real working atmosphere which I could not learn in my study. I was
given a chance of feel and understand on how will being working situation in the future. I
realized that it is important to be self dependent in order to live on the real working situation.

Besides that, I learn on how to interact people in the right way and making
acquaintance during my training. This practical training was my golden chance on gaining
experience and also giving me a space to apply what I have learnt during the internship period.
As a conclusion, I strongly support that student should do industrial training during their
university life which will definitely improve us in both academic and career. At the bottom of
my heart, I really appreciate my university for giving me a chance to involve myself in
practical training.

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APPENDICES

Cover page of logbook
69

70

FERBUARY
&

MARCH

70

71

Log sheet of February
71

72

Attendance sheet of February
72

73

Attendance sheet of February
73

74

Log sheet of March
74

75

Attendance sheet of March
75

76

Attendance sheet of March
76

77

Weekly diary sheet of February
77

78

Weekly diary sheet of March
78

79

Weekly diary sheet of March
79

80

Weekly diary sheet of March
80

81

Weekly diary sheet of March
81

82

MARCH
&

APRIL

82

83

Log sheet of March and April
83

84

Attendance sheet of March
84

85

Attendance sheet of April
85

86

Attendance sheet of April
86

87

Weekly diary sheet of March and April
87

88

Weekly diary sheet of April
88

89

Weekly diary sheet of April
89

90

Weekly diary sheet of April
90

91

Weekly diary sheet of April
91

92

MAY

92

93

Log sheet of May
93

94

Attendance sheet of May
94

95
Attendance sheet of May

95

96

Weekly diary sheet of May
96

97

Weekly diary sheet of May
97

98

Weekly diary sheet of May
98

99

Weekly diary sheet of May
99

100

MAY
&

JUNE

100