This spotlight features Adeyemo Shokunbi. He is a Nigerian Architect with more than two decades of experience. He is the co-founder and Creative Director if PATRICKWAHEED Design Consultancy. 

His unique hands-on approach sets him up in the circle of ‘architectural craftsmanship’ and establishes his ramekin the Nigerian building sphere. Adeyemo is a chartered architect and a member of the Nigerian Institute of Architects.

What is your profession?

I am a registered Architect with ARCON and a member of the NIA.

Can you share a brief bio?

I studied architecture in the UK, where I later worked as an Architect for many years before returning to Lagos, Nigeria. I live with art, my library and four guard dogs. I am considering getting some indoor plants to help purify the air that I breathe in my humble abode.

What time does your alarm go off?

My alarm goes off at 5 am every day, and I drive to the Lekki Central mosque to observe morning prayers. I usually return home 40 minutes later to either snooze or start my day.

What do your mornings typically look like?

I am not a breakfast person; if my day has to start early, I usually liaise with my team and go through design concepts/solutions, the programme of works and the supplies we require for projects currently being executed on-site. Otherwise, I will catch up with concept development on new design briefs. Post-covid, I work from home.
And your evenings?

My evenings generally depend on the way the day has gone. However, I try as much as possible to visit the mosque for the last prayer of the day and then return to the house to have something to eat. There are days that I endeavour to resolve design issues that I may not have had the opportunity to deal with during the day. I am a bit of an introvert these days. I don’t go out much except for the odd occasion when I may visit a restaurant for a bite.

How did you get on this career path? 

I always knew I wanted to be an architect. I was a brilliant artist when I was in secondary school and I was into making physical models of cars but I knew I wanted to be more than a visual artist. This was actually down to my ignorance of what being a visual artist entailed. Anyway, my pursuit of trying to be an architect crystallised when I returned to the UK. This is because studying architecture in Nigeria required that I study A-level mathematics, a subject that I could not bring myself to understand at the time. I hated that subject. The irony, though, is that when I studied mathematics in the UK, it became easier for me to grasp.
Tell us what a typical day looks like?

After checking my emails and WhatsApp messages and responding to the ones that require my urgent attention, I will usually have telephone conversations with clients, consultants or subcontractors if there are no on-site meetings. Even though these days I try to limit movement around the city, I will visit a site to check up on progress and quality control. I am a very hands-on type of architect. It is during the execution of our architecture that I am in my element. Managing the process of the architecture on-site is what I live for.

Can you share some of your most memorable moments?

There are many, but the most memorable one is when we were asked to design the mausoleum for the late Ex-Governor of Lagos State, and we had to finish construction in less than a week. We had no choice but to complete the work in the set period. It was a state funeral; therefore, the deadline was engraved in stone. We worked round the clock and managed to meet the deadline. I will say that for me, it was one of my finest hours. I actually shed a tear or two upon completion of the project.

Change, as we know, is constant. When we look at societal change, is it for the better or worse. In Nigeria today, one could argue that, for the most part, it’s the latter. We have not used past lessons to improve the present or future. Look at areas like the natural environment, population growth, technological innovation, political processes and conflict; these processes have significantly impacted how we now exist. Not much is being done for future generations. We live in a continual four to eight-year cycle of non-performance.”

What do you love most about what you do?

I have learnt over time to appreciate the fact that, as an architect, I have been granted the artistic licence to impact society. However, it is the consciousness of the responsibility that helps navigate my mind to love and be thankful for what I am fortunate to do passionately. Making a difference, or a positive contribution to the community, no matter how small, brings me endless joy. It is a blessing, to be honest.

What do you not like about what you do?

I am sure I am not the only that encounters the challenges that come with working in this environment. Notwithstanding, the only thing I don’t like about what I do is that it takes a considerable amount of energy and perseverance to manage these challenges. I suppose these challenges make us better, and they keep us striving. As they say, what does not kill you only makes you stronger.

What do you do after work?

I am always working. I try to balance it by just chilling with family and friends. I am blessed with one thing, and that is to be able to rest my mind when I need to.

I don’t go out much, though, because, as I said earlier, I am a bit of an introvert.

And what do you do at the weekends?

For people like me that make what we design; we work most weekends. However, most Sundays, I visit my father in Ikorodu.

Who in the creative industry (globally) inspires you and why?

This may sound conceited, but I inspire myself by seeking knowledge and experiences. Inspiration comes from many quarters. However, in my quest for a better understanding of the trajectory I am currently on, I am inspired by Demas Nwoko, Patrick Koshoni, and a few close friends and colleagues. Globally, Bijoy Jain. An Indian Architect whose architectural philosophy resonates with me.

What does the societal change mean to you?

Change, as we know, is constant. When we look at societal change, is it for the better or worse? In Nigeria today, one could argue that, for the most part, it’s the latter. We have not used past lessons to improve the present or future. Look at areas like the natural environment, population growth, technological innovation, political processes and conflict; these processes have significantly impacted how we now exist. Not much is being done for future generations. We live in a continual four to eight-year cycle of non-performance.

In your opinion, how can the creative industries contribute to social change/social cohesion/improve the Nigerian society?

A contribution should be made by all, plain and simple! The whole of society must be responsible. I also believe that creatives, although we may be able to design solutions to the problems, should not be the sole actors. This narrative has created false starts in the creative industry. We tend to think that we have all the answers. I believe that it is only through participatory collaborations with all members of our community that there will be a significant change. We cannot just dictate our own ideas to society.

As creatives, we have a significant role in environmental matters; climate change is a responsibility we all need to embrace with vigour. We need to understand better what it means to use sustainability as a currency that supports the circular economy. Furthermore, I believe that there should be a law that states that everyone should plant trees and get a tax rebate.

Innovation drives societal change. It should be a significant concern for all creative sectors. We need to sever our ties as the consumers of the creation of others. Our insatiable dependency on imported goods should be omitted from our to-do list. Research and Development should be at the forefront of every creative industry.

The political process must create an enabling environment for all the methods above to flourish, we must elect representatives willing to advocate for the necessary policies. And it all begins with everyone registering to vote.

If you were not doing what you are doing now, what career path would you be on?

My brain cannot imagine me being anything other than an Architect. I almost took the wrong career path after secondary school, though. I was nearly coerced into becoming a medical doctor by my father. Thank God I went on a vacation to the UK that summer. Otherwise, my father would have deprived Nigeria of the brilliant architecture……that I am yet to conceive and bring to life. Who knows!