Graduate Architect at Kuzooka Designs Limited
Architects add a touch of brilliance to our environment with their imagination and artistry producing iconic buildings.Even when they are way gone, their works live imprints on people of their generation and those to come
In the bid to understand who an arhictect is and what they actually go through to come up with designs that wow the world, We caught up with Marvin Tumwine a graduate architect working for Kuzooka Designs and this is what we asked!
I'm a thinker, a lover of big Ideas and socially outgoing.
I start working at 9am. Prepare what i have to do on my laptop then call or text clients about meetings and what stage of the project i will be delivering to them. If we have site visits, we does those first in the morning then resume work later in the afternoon or evening.
I then leave office at 8pm after doing work i am supposed to present in the next morning.
Marvin during a normal day at work
From childhood, I have always wanted to become an engineer. I loved art and was good at drawing cartoon characters as a child. I loved Maths & Science too because they are the basis for anyone who wants become an engineer. In High School, I was introduced to Technical Drawing that drew me into the line of Architecture.
I mostly design buildings and structures.Then proceed to draw artistic impressions of what the building or structure might look like. I also handle site works that majorly involve supervising construction works and procurement of construction materials.
An artistic impression of an upcountry home
Unreliable clients. Little pay considering I have just graduated from school.
I'm good at sketching and visualizing a project before putting on a computer. I also do artistic impression on my laptop.
Getting to build something on ground just the way I designed it on my computer. Plus the work we do changes our environment in a positive way. It feels like we architects and engineers add onto what God created on earth.
Long working hours and days. Sleepless nights because of deadlines. Little appreciation from clients.
I and a friend from Architecture school started a Design and Construction company.
I did Physics, Economics, Mathematics & Technical Drawing [PEM/TD] after Senior 4. Physics is relevant in Engineering mathematics to understand structures and materials of buildings, Economics to understand building economics ie cost of materials, when build etc, Mathematics in converting contruction rates and Technical Drawing is very essential in drawing plans of buildings
I have a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Makerere University
In Architecture school, we used Problem Based Learning [PBL]. The tutors present a problem and we are tasked with finding various solutions to the problem. This system allows students to research on their own and prepare monthly presentations to a panel of tutors. So doing research for every project is key to creating a good project.
More Architects are getting involved into project managing. Some are diversifying into Interior Design & Landscape architecture. We also learn Urban Design & Planning so one can decide to plan for a city. Some architect are also specializing in 3D design and drawing artistic impressions for other firms.
The most important is Passion. You have to love your job and the work you do. Its a form of art and if you're not passionate, you cant survive.
My Father mostly. He's a Medical Doctor. And my uncle who is an Architect. Plus my Technical Drawing teacher in High School.
I am doing it. Being an Architect was my dream.
Doing design work for my Father's apartment. Its my way of paying back for supporting my career.
I had to work harder, sleep less, reading a lot more and finally team work. Consulting other students is key in our profession because we work with other professionals in our field.
You have to start from an early age. Don't wait for after senior 6 to make that decision. Otherwise, you will hate the course because the profession doesn't pay as well as most people think.
I played Cricket in High School. In my profession, you have to be outgoing. Attend social events to market your profession because many people out there don't know Architects. They often call us Engineers.
You need to be good with your hands. Either you can draw or model objects.
DON'T ATTEMPT TO DO ARCHITECTURE IF YOU ARE NOT PASSIONATE ABOUT IT.