‘Involve Facility Managers In Design, Construction Phases’

The CEO of a facility management company, Bloom PFM, Mr. David Korede has tasked builders and construction managers to involve facility managers in the design and construction phases as it is essential for achieving long-term building performance, sustainability, and operational cost efficiency.

While facility management is commonly associated with maintenance after construction, industry leaders are urging a shift in perspective. This viewpoint gained strong support during the World Facility Management Day 2025, recently hosted by the IFMA Nigeria Chapter and the Association of Facilities Management Practitioners of Nigeria (AFMPN). The event highlighted the strategic role of facility managers in shaping the built environment from the ground up.

“While facility management is commonly associated with maintenance after construction, industry leaders are urging a shift in perspective. Facility managers are not just maintenance experts; we are strategic advisors. Our input during design and construction ensures that buildings are functional, efficient, and easier to manage in the long run,” said David Korede, whose leadership at Bloom PFM has championed early FM integration as a standard practice.

He added that facility managers contribute firsthand knowledge of how buildings are used daily. Their involvement during planning, he said, helps align architectural vision with practical functionality, offering advice on space efficiency and layout optimization, accessibility and safety standards, maintenance-friendly design and energy efficiency and sustainability features.

Korede, who spoke along with other experts in the field, noted that, as environmental concerns grow, so does the need for green and compliant infrastructure. Pointing out the relevance of this professional field in view of promoting the green economy, he stated that, facility managers advise on eco-friendly options such as solar power, LED lighting, and low-flow plumbing fixtures, and also help ensure compliance with HSE standards and support green building certifications such as LEED and EDGE.