6:30am
I do start the day early. First thing after jumpintg out of bed, toothbrushing + Coffee!
6:45am
’Mens sana in corpore sano’. A 5km run to kick-start the day is always good.
8:00am
Well, morning meetings or huddles are commonly via video-call nowadays. Thanks to the Pandemic. And of course, another Coffee!
9:00am
Always looking forward to head to work. Running a young, small office is not smooth-sailing. Each day is an adventure and a new experience. There are always new things to discover – so, embrace, keep learning and improving.
“If you want an easy life, don’t be an architect”. — Dame Zaha Hadid
10:30am
Typically, meetings with clients are organised in the morning. We are sharper in the morning, I believe, and that will determine the motivation for the entire day. Meetings, Presentations, Coordinations, BD, etc. etc.
11:30am
Communication is key. Emails, WhatsApp and even working using mobile phone and iPad nowadays. Marking drawings, commenting on design works and documents, etc., you name it!
12:30pm
Some days, it is site walks right after the meetings, ensuring projects executions are in order. . Yes, sweaty,messy, the days full of anger, misunderstanding, altercations… It’s part of the story.
2:30pm
Design Crit. Occasionally,I am invited to design critic sessions. Being able to provide constructive criticism is a very beneficial skill. Students’ works give me another way to look at things and design. It is a mutual exchange and potentially students could become future architects at SYIHAN AMIR OFFICE.
4:30pm
Apart from all Management and Design works, it is important to Evaluate. Sit back, always re-evaluate and re-assess what is done and what needs to be done – today, tomorrow, the day after, the rest of the week, etc. Always find ways to improvise.
6:15pm
Typically, this is the time I call it a day for my team, but not for me. I work all the time or at least my mind is always thinking about work! Strolling around is common for me around this time.
6:45pm
Wrapping up! And Office lights-off this time, probably once in a blue moon. Most of the time, it is the time for me to really start any design works, sketching, scribbling, doodling, and searching for inspiration. This will continue even after dinner.
7:30pm
Dinner time. Always with the loved ones.
8:30-11:00pm
Some days, when time permits, I do quick daily chores – only when necessary, like the groceries.
12:00am
Let’s call it a day! This is the time that I normally sit back and rethink what needs to be done the next day, running through my calendar….etc. Also, to re-evaluate. There are some ‘good’ days; where we learn new things and some bad days, we experience and learn. Everyone has their own struggles. So always be grateful!
