Profile - Matt Truscott (Carpenter & Joiner)

We commence - within this blog - our profile of an individual who works within the Built Environment. Our first profile is a carpenter and joiner with over 20 years of experience.

Matt Truscott commenced carpentry and joinery when he completed school and has been 'on the tools' for over 20 years now. We spent time with Matt last week on a house he is renovating for a client at Seaforth (Sydney). He is adding on a second level to a typical standard house which will double the area (GFA) of the building. He firstly had to remove the existing roof, provide cover for the existing structure in the event of rain. He is now framing up the second level getting it ready so the ceiling joists and roof can be completed. The occupants can at the current time live 'as normal' on the ground level as the work is not contained within their current living quarters. There is a photo of Matt on site below:

Here are some of Matt's responses to questions we put to him: (Note: We have paraphrased in parts some of Matt's comments.)

What time do you start and finish work? - Start at 7am, speak to the client re any issues that need to be addressed and finish approximately 4pm. In summer though may work later to take advantage of the longer days.

Best part of being a carpenter and joiner? - Working outside and in different locations. Developing a relationship with a (new) client and helping create a wonderful home for their family. It is great also working 'hands on a project' and sitting back at the end of each day and seeing the work completed. 

Worst part of being a carpenter and joiner? - Rain.!! Physical demands of the job as one gets older.

Where in Sydney is most of your work? - Work all over Sydney, but mainly inner west. 

Where does most of your work come from? - Word of mouth. Reputation.

What particular work do you really like doing as a carpenter and joiner? - Really enjoy working on house renovations, particular older homes. Seeing them being restored is very satisfying.

What type of work is becoming popular at the moment? - Building new or making room within existing dwellings for granny flats or self contained units. Particularly as some councils are encouraging this to occur. The owner can subsequently rent out the granny flat or it gives them a place for friends and relatives to stay when they are in town without crowding the housing.  

How do people get in contact with you if they would like to hire you? Do you have a website or a profile of the work you have done where people can view it? - I am currently working on the website which will show some of my work. But for now best to call me on 0418164281 or send me an email mattruss2@yahoo.com.au

Ok - thank you to Matt for taking part in this profile.

Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (MCA)

As a desire to get to know The Rocks of Sydney a little better I decided yesterday afternoon to wonder around and have a look. It was good fun. What caught my eye when walking from the Sydney ferry terminal / Circular Quay was the renovated and new Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (MCA). What a contrast the new and the old make. To make my day all the more interesting I happened to bump into my old school Adam North who was on a break from working there.

As I told Adam what I was doing in The Rocks he took me around for a thorough and complete tour of the old and new MCA. Now I am not familiar with the current political commentary on the new building. Except I will say it is great to see cash / money being spent on buildings of and for significance.

Photo of Adam at the George Street entrance.

I think it is fantastic that there are some who do not agree with the new scheme. All of these discussions, newspaper article I am not privy to. I'd welcome your feedback or please email them to me. But having criticism for the scheme creates an interest that would not otherwise occur. It becomes a talking point. This site I am sure will be a welcomed addition to the tourist / visitor to Sydney not to mention the local people of Sydney. Though on summary it appears the new addition maximises GBA of the site and bring in some commercialism. 

One point to note - that there are some external works not yet complete. Also - I did see a few defects that need to be corrected and I am sure that will occur soon. Either - museum are difficult to build and generally being one off can make for challenging time lines.

While I was there with Adam he was generous enough to purchase me a book published with the completion of the scheme titled 'Site MCA Australia'. Thanks Adam for the book. It gives a great insight into the site, the history importance, the challenges that have existed for the managers for the MCA and the current architect. If time had permitted I would of loved a quiet drink on the roof of the MCA. What a view. Again Adam is in the picture looking good!! See you soon Adam and thank you for the tour.

All up - I reckon get down to Circular Quay and make a day of it. It is fresh and new.!!

Josh

Branded Hotels

Hello - I see that the Palazzo Versace Hotel on the Gold Coast is up for sale by its owner Sunland Group. It appears that the brand Palazzo Versace is holding firm with occupancy rates of 80% (what an achievement and congratulations to the management). I would imagine it is a highly competitive time in the luxury end of hotels at the moment and possibly some discounting going on to achieve these occupancy levels. This sale follows moves also by Mirvac to sell its hotels late last year.

If these decisions are being made - executives must be viewing this not as a short term shift in market conditions but more likely a medium to longer term view. As many will be aware the reasoning for these challenging times in this sector being the unusual high Australian dollar which still above parity with the US Dollar making other regions / more attractive for tourists. Thus resulting in fewer visitors both internationally and domestically for Australian hotels. Are there other factors as play? Brand Australia not right?

Is this the beginning of the end for the luxury branded hotel model within Australia? Is the only growth that we will see in the short to medium term in the cheaper end of the market. Is cheaper building options available which subsequently generate high returns for these operators? Time will tell.

A nice place for a hotel possibly?

The issue of heritage appears to be attracting interest. I will write more on this tomorrow. Have a great day.

Josh

Anzac Day - Monuments

Now first things first - the photo I wanted in the last blog is the one below. Note the keeping of the facade but the remainder of the building being 'gutted'. Upon spending sometime there this afternoon (Bondi Junction, Sydney) it is fair to say that keeping the facade and 'shop fronts'  does demonstrate clearly the history of the street prior to the higher density now able to be justified to be built.

The second photo shows a building 200metres down the street (which caught my eye), again the facade of the previous building being kept.

Now on the topic of todays blog - Anzac Day and monuments. Tomorrow being 25 April marks Anzac Day in Australia (and in New Zealand too!). Monuments for this day can be seen throughout every city in Australia. From 10 foot monuments to the one in the photo below which was built in the 30's situated in Hyde Park, Sydney. The day acknowledges the services of our armed serviceman and women in conflicts abroad.

25 April, 1915 marked the landing of Australian and New Zealand troops at Gallipoli. The peninsula has been kept as a reserve to commentate the fallen troops of both sides of the conflict. Back in 1915 the areas was under the control of the Ottoman Empire and was defended from an Allied invasion to control the entrance into the Black Sea very well by Ataturk. Apologies to our Turkish friends for this incident. We should of stayed on the boats...

The monuments at Gallipoli are a somber place as many people have been there know. Photo below quotes Ataturk attempting to comfort the mothers of lost sons at the peninsula. 

See you soon.

Josh

Heritage (Part 1)

Now the topic in the city of Sydney of heritage architecture is one which gets many dug into the trenches ready for war. With everyone at times appearing to make sure developers do not get their way. It can get the emotions stirring for many in the community.

Now, I love historic buildings, but at times I am confused with the need for keeping facades for the sake of facade sake, yet 'gutting' and removing the remainder of the building. Is it a comprise of sorts? I was riding my bike through Bondi Junction (and apologies for not having a photo added in for this example and no note in a bike lane) on the weekend I noticed a grand new building 12 storeys high, yet the facade had been kept which went for two of those levels by memory. It looked (in my non-trained architecture head) out of place. Contrary to this I love grande historic buildings. I love how they make you feel walking in. Customs house at Circular Quay in Sydney a case in point. Added to that it is a building which has been remodelled being used as everything from a library, offices to bar and a fancy restaurant.

Another great example of extremely well preserved and restored architecture (some say the best opera house en el mundo) Tearto Colon in Buenos Aries, Argentina. It is a grand building which has been restored to its glory days. Buildings like this I think should be kept for their grande appearance and use. As too the building from Seville in Spain below.

As too the building from Barcelona in Spain below.

Rightio - please feel free to pass a comment on this blog and let me know your thoughts on heritage of architecture. Particular facades and the beauty of them. I'd love to learn on this and develop my thoughts.

Cheers Josh

Ps: One part of my blog I would like to be is letting people know what jobs and work there in the built environment. Please let me know if know someone who works in the built environment. It can someone such as a bricklayer, electrician or a professional person like an engineer or environmentalist. Or it may be someone who works educating people in or for the built environment. I won't discriminate (i.e. someone who works with commercial property per se) so drop me an email to joshuaryan14june@gmail.com

Building More Bike Lanes?

So the issues of bicycle lanes is a subject that appears to polarise the masses. Your either a lover of them (though possibly have never used one) or think they are expensive handbag for city whereby the city council try to make itself a little more user friendly for the locals or visitor. 

Now - as a keen and enthusiast cyclist I think they are great. Though I don't always use them, they do demonstrate the road is there to be shared and can be used by all. I find it in pick hour though a nightmare where it can like trying to get tickets in masterchef audition. 

Now for the picture - this guy is all over it. He was not travelling any faster than 7km/h and had a smile too. He is obviously living the dream. What a kick ass bike..... This was in Buenos Aires. Yes, they too have jumped on the friendly bike lanes down Julio 4.!!

So - what do you think, are building cycle roads better for you? Would you prefer trams instead?  

See you soon - on the bike I hope.

It has been a quiet day it must be said. Not much to report today in the news of the built environment, a few articles written about new office layout and removal of the recent working cubicle. I would like to a blog on this soon.

I do note it was great to get a reply from John Bogan on the blog. And John your comments will addressed in a meeting with the benchmark on the weekend.

Now, straight onto.....yes - transport issues for dogs on Oxford St, Darlinghurst. I am glad you asked as the lady in the photo has it all sorted with her herd.

Blog

Ok - so now it is time to commence my new blog. It will cover the news and general things going on in the Built Environment. The goal to be a source of knowledge for those wishing to know more about the Built Environment. Feel free to add your comments and thoughts.

Ok - lets start....news this week in the real estate sector in the Australian Financial Review is Cushman & Wakefield are looking to grow in the Asia region.

I was in Melbourne in the past month and had time to see a game of AFL at the 'G'. One of the true great sporting venues in the world. As the photo shows, it was not a sold out game but was still great to be there. It is a place to sit back and go 'WOW'. What a colosseum!