I met up with Femi Oresanya, who gave me time off his busy schedule combining his job role as Vice President at HOK, family, school governorship, music and coaching rugby. We talked about his aspirations for Architects Registration Board, education background and his summer mentoring scheme for school kids in conjunction with some members of staff at HOK.

What came across quite clearly was his passion for the profession and what he loves doing. After getting to know Femi I have no doubt he will bring his vigour and freshness to the board of ARB if elected. He has my vote and wish him well for the position.

Femi Oresanya grew up thinking he might (like his father) become an engineer. And then came the work experience at a structural engineering firm: “They were all wearing brown shirts and tank tops!” This was the 1980s and Oresanya found his stint in an engineers’ office to be rather dreary. He then did a stint in an architects’ practice and he was hooked. Partly, this was because of an interest in concept work; also, the young Oresanya had a sense that architecture can be a powerful force for good. He’s no different now.

“I have a very idealistic attitude. I wake up most mornings feeling like I’m going to work to help create a better world. What I do is create and deliver spaces for people to work, to play, to rest, to recover . . . even spaces where Justice is dispensed.” He’s acutely aware that his conviction sounds like pure cliché, and he’s almost embarrassed when he says it, but that doesn’t stop him from meaning every word.

Most of Oresanya’s work is found in the public sector – civic buildings like Courts, Libraries, Museums, Central and Local Government projects. In fact, he is the face of HOK’s Justice Team and was instrumental in securing a place for the practice on Her Majesty’s Courts Service Framework. Big ambitious projects, with a dose of complexity thrown in for good measure, are what motivate Oresanya.

 Oresanya joined HOK a decade ago: “I made a conscious decision to apply to HOK because I felt they’d allow me to go as far as I wanted to – to fly as high as I could. Here success is based purely on talent, diligence and the ability to deliver.” Oh . . . and teamwork. Oresanya is the consummate team player. He has played rugby for the Harlequins, and now coaches youth rugby at a local club. His strong feelings about the value of team performance is something he brings to the office, and he makes sure that young people on work experience within the practice have a genuine exposure to what design and architecture is all about.

Personal Statement From Femi Oresanya

I have 15 years experience designing and delivering buildings in the Civic and Cultural, Corporate, Commercial, Residential and Hospitality sectors.

A Part III External Examiner at LMU since 2005 and more recently at UCL, I find working with students both challenging and extremely satisfying.

I’m eager to promote the architectural profession in the best possible light, developing and reinforcing its professional, cultural and social standing – nationally and internationally.

I’m passionate about protecting the title of ‘Architect’. Not just because of the current climate (economic and/or environmental), but because of my genuine belief that:
• The general public deserve to be confident that when an architect is appointed, he/she has achieved the minimum professional criteria as defined by ARB to practise with competence and integrity.

• My fellow architects want the reputation of the profession to be protected, held in high esteem and kept intact.

Over the last seven years, as a school governor at a local convent school, I have demonstrated my commitment to public service and improving student education in Croydon.

A recreational clarinettist and sometime vocalist, I lead by example but am also the consummate team player. A talented rugby player, I now coach youth rugby at his local club. My strong feelings about the value of team performance is something I will bring to the Board.

I will also bring an abundance of energy, enthusiasm and experience and I hope to be elected to a position to support ARB in fulfilling it statutory duties.
Many thanks in advance.
Regards

FEMI ORESANYA BSc(Hons) BArch ARB RIBA
Vice President | Civic and Culture
HOK

femi.oresanya@hok.com
t +44 (0) 207 636 2006 f +44 (0) 207 636 1987 m +44 (0) 783 673 2763
216 Oxford Street | London, W1C 1DB, United Kingdom

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