Insights on Successful Project Delivery featuring Arc Opeyemi Sina-Olulana

In this 13th episode of the My Design Journey series, we had the privilege of hosting Architect Opeyemi Sina-Olulana, a distinguished chartered architect and project management professional with a robust focus on sustainability. He share invaluable lessons drawn from his extensive experience overseeing over 343 projects across 25 states, with a particular focus on a 2,000-student campus project completed in just 13 months.

Architect Opeyemi emphasized the significance of learning from case studies and conducting thorough historical analysis of project sites. He shared an instance where a site visit to a recently completed school project led to an upward review of the budget, as they identified additional requirements that were not initially considered. Architect Opeyemi stressed that "learning from others is not a sign of weakness, but an expression of wisdom," and that case studies can serve as "templates, which are shortcuts to mastery."

Furthermore, he highlighted the importance of conducting in-depth historical analysis of the project site, citing an example where they discovered the presence of old landfills and borrow pits within the footprint of the buildings, leading to unexpected costs and time adjustments. Architect Architect Opeyemi cautioned against the dangers of relying on outdated site analyses, stating, "Don't use yesterday's analysis for today's design decision."

Architect Opeyemi also shared valuable insights on the importance of robust version control and cost jury processes. He recounted an incident where a wrong drawing version was used for costing, leading to costly adjustments during the project execution. He emphasized the need for clear documentation, tagging, and revision notes to ensure seamless version control.

Regarding cost jury, Architect Opeyemi stressed the importance of having the cost consultant "defend the project view line by line" before the architect and other consultants, ensuring that the bill of quantities (BQ) accurately reflects the design intent and goals.

Architect Opeyemi highlighted the value of peer review, drawing parallels from the medical and legal fields, where multiple experts collaborate to arrive at the best solutions. He shared an example where the structural drawings were subjected to peer review, leading to the identification and rectification of potential issues before construction.

Additionally, Architect Opeyemi emphasized the necessity of close inspection, stating, "What you don't inspect, you can't expect its performance." He shared a cautionary tale of the Hyatt Regency walkway collapse in Kansas City, where the engineers' negligence in inspecting the design led to a tragic outcome.

Architect Opeyemi also discussed the importance of explicit and clear specifications, noting that "you cannot fully enforce what is not written." He shared an experience where the lack of specificity on the roof profile design led to unintended consequences, highlighting the need for designers to "not leave the contractor to connect the dots."

Finally, Architect Opeyemi addressed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the project, emphasizing the need for resilient design that can withstand unexpected external forces. He stressed the importance of incorporating flexibility and material creativity to ensure projects can "bounce back after external setbacks."

Throughout the session, Architect Opeyemi's insights and experiences provided a masterclass in project management and design, offering valuable lessons for architects, designers, and construction professionals alike. His dedication to continuous learning, attention to detail, and commitment to quality serve as a testament to the pursuit of excellence in the built environment.

As Architect Opeyemi eloquently stated, "Don't just design your project, also design its success." This encapsulates the essence of his presentation, inspiring us to approach our design and project management endeavors with a holistic and strategic mindset.