Carlos tells us that outside of work, he loves spending time with his family, riding a bicycle, and traveling.

Regarding studies and first work experiences, we can share that Carlos studied a Bachelor’s Degree in Buildings and has vast experience in the construction industry. From his first experiences he shares a very special one, where he was part of the construction of the Maternal and Child Hospital in David, Chiriquí.

About Mar Azul

We asked him, within his experience and work at Mar Azul, what is he most passionate about. Carlos answered us: “In this profession, you learn something new every day and I am passionate about that, because no day is the same as another, giving me the opportunity to continue growing as a person and a professional.” He added that for him, the use of the Procore tool has been an enriching experience that allows him to make contributions in terms of the inspection process: “It is a super complete tool in terms of the field of construction.”

For Carlos, challenges always exist. “Life is a challenge, but you always have to keep moving forward” and he proceeds to share with us a situation that he experienced and represented a valuable lesson for him: “I had a knee injury two years ago and this showed me that there are no physical, emotional, nor mental limitations; everything is possible with effort, determination, and giving thanks to our creator”.

Experiences

A very special experience in the years that Carlos has been working with Mar Azul Projects: “(laughing) There is a world of stories in my environment and in my years in this company, but one that I always remember is of when I had recently started working here. On my first day in the field, I had to get on a boatswain’s chair and a single-mast structure for exterior inspection of the façade in the Santa Maria Court tower, as well as the elevation and installation of pressurization motors on the roof, also in the tower.”

With all his years and experiences, we asked him to give us some valuable advice and five keys to achieve his proposed objectives. He mentioned to us that his best advice would be to “persevere, continue studying and continue cultivating fruits in the professional and personal field. Set goals.” His five keys to success are:

→ Give thanks to God for everything;
→ Maintain high self-esteem;
→ Fight for your goals both personally and professionally;
→ Be gentle, kind and humble; and
→ Be willing to learn since every day, you learn something new.

La entrada Getting to know Carlos Gonzalez se publicó primero en Mar Azul | Project Management.

First of all, it is important to carry out a careful evaluation of the terrain before beginning any earthmoving work. This includes both carrying out topographic, geotechnical and environmental studies as well as evaluating the costs and deadlines of the project. This evaluation will make it possible to identify the risks and challenges of the project and make the appropriate decisions to address them.

In our experience, we have noticed that many of the failures come from the misuse of fill materials and the lack of quality tests regarding its compaction. For this reason, in Mar Azul Projects, inspection and planning are vital in order to mitigate this typical construction risk.

It is also important to select the right tools and equipment for the job. These can cause damage to the land and increase project costs. For example, operating heavy machinery on soft or wet ground can cause ground damage and increase repair costs.

Proper planning of the project logistics must also be taken into account to reduce transportation and storage costs which, in turn, improves the efficiency of the project.

Having the advice of an expert in engineering and project management, such as Mar Azul Projects, provides you with the knowledge and experience necessary both to carry out detailed evaluations of the land and to identify risks and challenges of the project, guaranteeing that the decisions made in the early stages of the project are the best to save costs and avoid problems in the future. In addition, this advice can help avoid costly mistakes and ensure that the project is completed on time and within budget.

We can conclude that expert advice is vital to make the best decisions in projects that involve earthworks, providing the experience and knowledge necessary for the project to be completed on time and within budget.

La entrada Efficiencies in earthworks se publicó primero en Mar Azul | Project Management.

What is Aura like outside the workplace?

Outside of her professional life, she defines herself as a humble, collaborative, and proud person. She also shares with us that, in her free time, she likes to spend time with her daughter in outdoor activities, she really enjoys watching series on Netflix and, laughingly, she tells us that «when you are the mother of a little girl, you don’t have much time for yourself. Now I have to drink tea, play dolls, and build lava paths.»

About Mar Azul

In the workplace, we asked Aura to share what she is most passionate about: «Something always really gratifying is completing a project and making the client feel satisfied.» For Aura, who has had the experience of working on multiple and varied projects, patience has been her greatest challenge since —as we know— direct contact with clients is not an easy task, «There are many things that you have to know how to handle and you must always present yourself with a huge smile.»

Within your career at Mar Azul, what do you consider to have been your greatest lesson? «Definitely, it has been dealing with clients, because it is very difficult to be 100% good; even more so when you depend on the work of third parties. Therefore, even if you give everything in what you do, there will always be something that cannot be controlled. It has also taught me to put myself on the other side when I go to places and they give me good or bad service, because many times I was one of those clients who complained about everything and it really is very different when you are on the other side.»

An anecdote from these years working with Mar Azul?

«I remember that I made an order for some metal doors for a project fifteen days after what the schedule established and that did not let me sleep for about two nights. When I said well, the doors are not going to arrive in time, they told me not to worry, that all was going to be alright. I mean, after that I just sat around laughing and that stuck in my mind so much that I always remember it. It was a lesson learned.»

Any advice or experience that you want to share with us?

«Throughout time I have learned to organize myself more, to be patient, and to know that things happen. I have accepted that, although one tries by all means to avoid delays, everything takes time and that many times, asking for help is not bad.»

To conclude, what do you consider to be the five keys to achieving both professional and personal goals?

→ Dedication;
→ Sacrifice;
→ Affection for the things you do;
→ Humbleness, y
→ Knowing how to communicate.

La entrada Getting to know Aura Quintana se publicó primero en Mar Azul | Project Management.

In general terms, the main permits that are required in a construction project in Panama must be processed with the municipality and the fire department of the corresponding area. The order that we recommend following, considering that it is the most appropriate and organized way to comply with what the law requires, would be the following:

a. Submit and approve a draft plan;

b. Submit and approve a construction plan that includes all the designs of the specialties, such as architecture, structure, electromechanics, signaling, alarm, among others;

c. Request an appraisal of the cost for the project, according to approved plans and pay the construction tax, called Construction Permit;

d. During the project, other types of permits are requested, such as the sidewalk permit (if you build adjacent and very incident to a pedestrian crossing area), the crane permit, the forklift permit, etc. and

e. For the final stages of the project, the occupancy permit must be requested, with which the building can operate for the purpose it was intended for.

Basically, the permits do not vary by the type of project since, regardless of the activity, the same procedure listed must be carried out. What is important to mention is that building in a specific area requires the land use or classification that said area has. For example, you cannot build an office building in a residential area. Another variation occurs in the case of permits that have to do with the impact that the project will have on the environment. For this, it is required that every project have an Environmental Impact Study that includes the different categories.

It is extremely important that the client have all the legal documentation of the company that owns the project and the land on which said project will be built. The client must also be financially prepared to face the different initial costs that this stage entails.

Another valuable recommendation is that the architect and the client validate all the information and the scope of their project so that this is reflected in the plans and can thus confirm land use, previous studies of the area (environmental impact study, hydrological, etc.) as well as the preparation of all the plans that will be submitted in the draft (general concept of the project).

From our experience and perspective as project management, we hold follow-up meetings, even weekly, with the architects (for any change) or the person named as processor, who is in charge of the follow-up between the different departments of the municipality and the fire department. In addition, when a signature, documentation issuance by the project owner or any tax payment is required, we take care of processing it, to meet the requirements on time and as requested by each entity.

To conclude, we know that a delayed or undone procedure brings with it multiple actions that can affect the project, which is why it is imperative to always keep these processes in mind and be prepared for them to avoid delays or fines to the project.

La entrada Project permits se publicó primero en Mar Azul | Project Management.

For us, in a simple way, efficiency is doing things well in the shortest possible time, optimizing the use of resources. This is how in recent years we have achieved an implementation of cleaner, more efficient, and highly specified construction systems, which has allowed us to be at the forefront of the requirements requested by our clients or transnational entities. This has allowed us to be competitive and to contribute greatly to the projects in which we have participated.

In the construction sector —one of the areas where we can see the evolution of technology and the search for efficiency— and more specifically, in the areas of design and architecture, everything points to the use of BIM technology and its adaptation to the local market. It should be noted that an attempt should be made to promote this technology to clients in the simplest and easiest way that allows them to understand the efficiency involved in carrying out correct project planning.

As project managers, we also see it through the use of technology in tools. It is a widely developed field that makes it possible to obtain even greater benefits in the construction industry and that can still provide many additional advantages, but in which for various reasons (costs or consultancy) it often happens that the information or data that can be achieved with these devices, is not exploited.

At Mar Azul Projects, we have been pioneers in the use of the Procore construction platform, which is a state-of-the-art tool that provides us with both efficiency in real-time data management and comfort in the execution of a work. Next, five main benefits that we obtain with the use of this tool:

1. Efficiency in inspection time;
2. More practical ways to work collaboratively, using digital tools;
3. Processes integrated with the practical management of construction administration and inspection;
4. Practicality to obtain authorizations and/or signatures regardless of the physical position of the person; and
5. Adaptability and flexibility in handling a high volume of documentation, as well as easily accessible and supported information.

As in all areas, adapting to new technologies, tools or systems always entails challenges from which no one escapes. Therefore, from our experience, here are the three that we consider the most relevant challenges:
→ Identify the correct tool;
→ Cost of the tool and implementation; and
→ Implementation plan and power of persuasion with the human staff that will use the tool.

The changes will continue. We positively see the new areas where technology is migrating, so we invite the construction sector to get involved and be interested in two extremely interesting and important fields, such as the implementation of 3D printers in construction, since it allows jobs to be carried out faster, with higher quality and in a cleaner and more efficient way, as well as sustainable construction, which is very important not only for the future of the industry, but also for our planet. Considering that resources are limited, we must focus on their best use and interact with nature, respecting and caring for it.

We know there is much more to do. It is a long road, but very promising, so we will continue to search for, integrate, and encourage technologies that allow us to continue increasing our efficiency and stay at the forefront of our projects.

La entrada Leap to technology: integration and efficiency se publicó primero en Mar Azul | Project Management.

Jonahan is a graduate of Civil Engineering at the Technological University of Panama, achieving his first experiences in the field of civil engineering, from the basics, —as he tells us— carrying out quality control work and soil studies. From there he went on to work in the construction of high-end residential housing, then in residential and commercial buildings.

What is Jonahan like outside of the workplace?

He tells us that in his free time, he tends to have family barbecues, enjoy his children, go to the beach, go for walks in the fresh air, and watch movies. He also really enjoys learning a new skill.

What has most represented a change in his life was the fact of being a father again: «When my son was born, the first thing he did was pout with his mouth and it is something that is recorded in your mind. This taught me to value my parents’ efforts towards us even more, since you see yourself in that role, in which you know that you have to take care of someone above all things, transmit values in the midst of a society that today day is short of them, which becomes a very difficult task but surely, with work and support from my wife, we will achieve it.

About Mar Azul

Jonahan has been working as part of our team since 2018 in many successful projects. He also has many years of previous experience in the construction sector. For this reason, we asked him about what he is most passionate about in his work in the sector. This was his response: «Each new lesson learned that having completed a project leaves you and the expectation of improving on the next one.”

Within your career in this company, what has been an important experience? «At Mar Azul Projects, we had the opportunity to implement a quality management system where everything is duly documented through each of the protocols that are carried out in the different stages and/or disciplines that make up a certain project, and this is something that you do not find in all the companies in the sector. It entails a challenge, but the teaching and discipline that it gives you is invaluable.»

An experience or anecdote from these years working with Mar Azul?

«When I applied to work at Mar Azul Projects, they asked me if I knew anyone in the company and my answer was a resounding no because, until then, I didn’t know anyone here. However, it turns out that the person who would interview me later was a classmate from school and university (today she no longer works with us) and the engineer whom I would replace was also known to me from the university. Today, that person returned and we shared in the development of a new project.»

What advice would you share with us?

In your years of experience in the sector and your experience with all kinds of personalities, do you have any advice that you would like to share with us? «Without a doubt: You can be whatever you want to be.»

In your years of experience in the sector and your experience with all kinds of personalities, do you have any advice that you would like to share with us?

To conclude, what do you consider to be the five keys to achieving both professional and personal goals?

«In both facets I believe that, to achieve any objective,

→ the first thing you have to do is visualize yourself fulfilling it and feeling the excitement of achieving it;

→ then, you must propose how you are going to achieve it through a brainstorming session from which you will select how to do it;

once the how has been identified, then you must define in what time you are going to achieve it and what processes, activities or stages you must complete to reach that objective, establishing dates or times for each one of them;

→ then you must follow up on this planning and measure whether you are doing what is arranged to comply with the plan that you have already drawn up;

→ and last but not least, be persistent. If you stray along the way, focus again on what you will feel when you achieve that goal, so that you can resume actions until you see the goal accomplished. And accompany these five objectives with a celebration, do the lessons learned exercise, and continue with new objectives.»

La entrada Getting to know Jonahan Castillo se publicó primero en Mar Azul | Project Management.

The involvement of the electromechanical engineer in these two stages is considered a very good practice. Being able to count on the site —at the time of project closure— with an expert in all these systems provides us, without a doubt, incalculable support since it contributes in this crucial stage both to the validation that all the systems comply with current regulations, as indicated by its design, such as to guarantee that at the time of commissioning, attesting or acceptance before the authorities, everything is in the correct way, in order to culminate with a final and successful delivery of the project to the clients.

Another value that is generated from the transition or start-up process is the training of the operational team, which takes place during the acceptance and receipt stage, and in which it is important that the systems are duly commissioned and audited. In this way, the personnel in charge of the operation of the product or service, have the capacity to handle all the systems that were executed in the project with the due feedback from the personnel that installed each one of the systems within the project. Only in this way can they know in detail all the unique intimacies that each project has.

In the other sense, not having this figure in these stages can bring negative impacts, since it can generate various setbacks, unnecessary changes, and security problems in the project. A risk, which should always be the main reason in the electromechanical part as well as in any project, is human safety; for this reason, it is important that electromechanical personnel have critical personnel by specialty or electromechanical personnel on site.

Our electromechanical experience in successful projects: Liberty and Sofitel

The Liberty project was a gratifying experience in which we found ourselves with a lightweight wall system, different from what we normally deal with. Another differentiation was that, from the beginning, the client opted for a good evaluation and selection of premises where many important points were taken into consideration, among which, variables such as the efficiency of the construction material and the orientation to the sun, designed to have energy savings in air conditioning systems, stand out. We cannot fail to mention that this accompaniment highlighted the good form and communication of the different actors: client, contractors, suppliers, designers and, on our part, the entire team of specialists from Mar Azul, as project administrator, which contributed greatly to our customer success and satisfaction.

The Sofitel Legend project was a renewing and rewarding experience, since it was a rather atypical project that, without a doubt, has been a great challenge, with amazing results. The topic of electromechanics was no exception, since it maintained activities that were being carried out in parallel and with different stages within the life of the project, so the approach to manage the completion of the work was complex.

Being able to make all these electromechanical systems comply, allowed the project to be executed in the shortest possible time. Having years of experience working with high quality standards was of an even significant value for Mar Azul, especially in this project that stands out for being ultra-luxury with brand standards and high expectations from all stakeholders. Added to its complexity as a project itself, it required a greater and dedicated effort in details and our constant focus to ensure the project would be completed to everyone’s satisfaction. Achievement that we feel satisfied to have fulfilled according to the expectations set.

To recap, being able to count on an electromechanical engineer throughout a project greatly contributes to guaranteeing its closure and successful start-up. It can also have positive impacts on the improvement of a project or within a value engineering in previous stages, such as in the bidding of the project, when resolving conflicts with other systems during the execution of the project, and in monitoring the systems to ensure compliance with current regulations and design.

All of this leads to a successful, efficient and fast closure of the project and start-up. But, if we cannot count on this figure from the beginning, we can share two suggestions to obtain an effective closure and start-up. The first is that the person (or group of people) who will operate the product or service be involved during the acceptance and receipt stage of the project to make it easier for the person in charge of these activities and to achieve a shorter learning curve. . Second, that the necessary tools are available to facilitate the operation of the product or service.

La entrada Importance of involving an electromechanic in a project se publicó primero en Mar Azul | Project Management.

With great joy we can tell you that, throughout the year 2022, we have managed or formed part of thirty important and varied projects, located in Panama. Also, we had our first project in our much loved neighboring country, Costa Rica. It has been an arduous work of the entire Mar Azul Projects, team, since we have had a presence throughout the entire national territory: Bocas del Toro, El Valle de Antón (Coclé), Pedasí (Los Santos), Arraiján (Panama West) and, of course, in Panama City.

It has definitely been a year of great variety as far as the type of project is concerned. We have managed:

→ 7 commercial projects,
→ 6 residential projects,
→ 8 hotel projects,
→ 2 infrastructure projects,
→ 1 sports project, and
→ 6 office projects.

All were projects in which we were able to develop our project management, consulting, pre-construction and technical inspection services.

We thank all our team, who are our engine, all our human capital: Thank you! And, of course, to those who without them none of this would be possible, to all our clients, for the trust they gave us by allowing us to be part of their projects. We hope to continue being part of them and start new projects in 2023, which is already beginning.

To all, our wish that you have had a happy holiday season and our best wishes for a successful 2023.

La entrada Our 2022 summary se publicó primero en Mar Azul | Project Management.

Digna tells us that she attended primary and secondary studies at the Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles School in David, Chiriquí. Later, she moved to Panama City to study Architecture at the University of Panama. She is currently studying a Master’s Degree in Higher Education at the Universidad Latina de Panamá. Her first steps as an architect were in a paint contracting company doing budget estimates. She then had the opportunity to lead the construction of the Provisional VIP Lounge at the Tocumen Airport prepared to receive presidents and heads of state.

Also, she tells us that she was proudly part of an important change in the city since she collaborated with the company that won the concession for the construction of the patios for the new Metro buses, which arrived in Panama to make a change in public transport and take out of circulation the famous Red Devils of Panama. It is then, in 2014, when she joined our family, and began her work with Proyectos Mar Azul: «Mar Azul opens doors for me, allowing me to develop much more as an architecture professional with great experiences and opportunities in each of the projects in which I have had significant participation.”

What is Digna like outside of the workplace?

«I define myself as a simple, optimistic and humanist person, who in her free time loves to light her favorite scented candle, listen to relaxing music -it can be blues or jazz- and who, in good company, enjoys a couple of drinkss and telling stories», she tells us between laughs.

About Mar Azul

Regarding her outstanding career in Proyectos Mar Azul, she has participated in different types of projects, which is why we asked her to share what is she most passionate about in her work: «As an architect, I am passionate about seeing the result of so much effort and sacrifice. There is no greater reward than seeing clients’ dreams come true; that is priceless. For this reason, I try to do my best so that each project in which I participate has a particular imprint of my work.»

Experiences

She also shares with us that all projects are important to her but that, definitely, the remodeling of the Grand Colonial Room at the Bristol Hotel, the event rooms – phase 2 of the Marriott Hotel (formerly Tryp de Wyndham), Albatross in Santa María, which is a 42-story building, and the Liberty offices in Plaza del Este with 3,000 m2.

Digna, tell us about your greatest lesson throughout your work experience, whether in Proyectos Mar Azul or in other companies?: «For me, the greatest lesson has been learning to never give up. When you think that something is not going well, you will always have the opportunity to show that you are capable and focus on achieving your goals. This has allowed me to learn that not everything is perfect and that there is always a way to solve things, focusing on the solution and never on the error.”

She adds that a situation that, without a doubt, impacted her and generated a change in her, was having lived through a pandemic: «I think it is something that has marked my life in many ways. I never imagined a situation as difficult as it would be to be unemployed for so long and have to stop the pace of work to which I was accustomed. It was overwhelming but it led me to take the time to rethink what I was doing right or wrong; that time allowed me to see mistakes and successes in my life. Today I can say that I am working on making certain corrections: after twenty years I have resumed my studies and I think that this is a great step so, from something bad like the pandemic, good things also came out.»

An experience or anecdote from these years working with Mar Azul?

“I’ve always found it very funny how people can confuse our names. In principle, I have coincided on projects with the best team of professionals, of which I highlight the architect Ida Gonzalez and the engineer Ruth Valderrama and, for some strange reason, among the contractors, managers, suppliers and others, they always manage to confuse our names by calling either of us with the name of the other.”

To culminate, with all this accumulated experience, a valuable advice that you want to share with us and what you consider could be the five keys to achieving objectives:

«The most valuable advice I have been able to receive in my career has been —build your own experience—. That helped me get to where I am today. And, regarding the five keys to achieving personal and professional goals, for me they are:

→ Sacrifice;
→ Perseverance;
→ Dedication;
→ Love and passion for the things one does; and
→ Resilience.”

La entrada Getting to know Digna Olivardia se publicó primero en Mar Azul | Project Management.

Predesign or schematic design

It refers to the general concept of owner requirements and begins with:

→ Research: to understand both the client’s needs, their objectives and expectations for the project, as well as any restrictions or other key aspects to consider; and

→ Master plan: to define the components of the project and design, land use and volumetry. In this phase we define the phases of the design for its development.

Design or design development

It deals with what is established with measures, already complying with the client’s requirements, and it is developed in this way:

→ Conceptual design: to establish the concept of the structures, defining the size and shapes of the building. Definition of floors and elevations, facades, and general appearance of the buildings. The preliminary construction materials and construction methodologies are also defined, without details;

→ Design development: to propose a further development of the project and more details. Work is being done both on the definition of materials and on the integration disciplines for other EG, structural, MEP systems, etc.; and

→ Construction documents: to develop the engineering plans, the complete drawings of the building that the contractor will use to build the project.

Proconstruction

At this stage, all the information required to start construction is already available, so we proceed to:

→ Selection of contractor(s): to carry out the bidding processes to select the general contractor or contractors, depending on the structure of the project; and

→ Start of works: to finally start the execution phase of the project with a design that meets the client’s objectives and is feasible in terms of costs.

It should be noted that the initial identification of customer requirements is not always easy because there are times when customers are not entirely clear about the idea or their needs, so it is vitally important to guide them through this process, to be able to fully identify all their requirements.

Throughout the development phase, various tools are used that adapt to each type of project, from the most basic to the most modern, such as: from a freehand sketch, AutoCAD, sketchup, to devising the future that will lead us to use tools that have the characteristics for BIM, like Revit and Edificius, among others.

Now, for the part of deliverables to clients, it can vary according to the scope of each project, always depending on the initial request. By dealing with these aspects in a summary way, we use either Design Development (DD) to validate what is wanted and/or Construction Documents (CD) to carry out the construction.

Another situation that usually arises is when the client already has his design or plans. It is there when the design service in Mar Azul offers a complement to the administration management within the project, providing support in the part of the design review, review of plans, designs, and development of plans, which provides solutions to various errors or omissions contained in the client’s plans and, furthermore, offering value engineering alternatives to avoid delays in delivery or contribute to the progress of the project.

To culminate, the development of the design and the delivery of plans are, in simple words, the recipe to bake the cake, so it is vitally important to have the correct team.

La entrada The different phases of the design service at Mar Azul se publicó primero en Mar Azul | Project Management.