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Zak World of Façades USA

Name: Zak World of Façades USA
Start: 2025-05-15
Location: Mandarin Oriental

edition

183

Date

15 May 2025

Venue

Mandarin Oriental

City

Miami

Official page

Speakers & Panelists

Conference Agenda

Every speaker for the day, grouped by session. Select a topic to see who is presenting, the session focus and the talk points.

Session 1

08:30 — 09:30 Delegate Registration & Networking

09:30 — 09:40 Welcome Address

11:00 — 11:45 Networking Tea / Coffee Break

Session 2

13:35 — 14:25 Networking Lunch Break

Session 3

16:20 — 16:25 Vote of Thanks & End of the Conference

Javad Ahmad

Founder & CEO

Javad Ahmad PE Inc.

Topic

Event Convenor & Host

09:40 — 10:00

Igor Reyes

President

Nichols Architects

Luis Sanchez

Project Manager

Nichols Architects

Topic

Context Cues the Design | Fontainebleau Coastal Convention Center

Talk points

Set Afloat: How our building location outside campus gave us a unique role and design direction

Scrapbook of Design: Design ideas from original chateau design reinterpreted with new materials

Effective Execution: Working with material properties and unique qualities to amplify design intent

10:00 — 10:20

John Kilpatrick

Principal

RWDI Climate & Performance Engineering

Topic

Cladding Pressures via AI – A Tool for Early Design

Talk points

How early design climate and performance innovations maximize performance and minimize impact

Crucial insights that reflect building geometry and surrounding context - unlike codes of practice

Benefits, limitations and trade-offs of AI models

10:20 — 10:35

Jack Redden

Director of Architectural Sales

ES Windows

Topic

Inspirational Façades: Featuring Preglazed Fenestration Systems

Talk points

Design options & QC measures

The unitized advantage

Project case studies (unitized WW/CW)

10:35 — 11:00

Jac Selinsky

Director

Rafael Viñoly Architects

Topic

Faena Residences Miami: The Split Tower Design Defining a New Downtown Icon

Talk points

Riverfront towers are connected by a 2-story sky bridge amenity deck

11:45 — 12:05

Zachary Nord

Principal | Regional Director SE

SOCOTEC

Topic

Recladding the Skyline - Transforming Courvoisier Centre into a Modern Class-A Icon: Brickell Key Centre

Talk points

Feasibility & market alignment: Approach and constructability while aligning the design intent with the local market

Technical detailing & system integration: Conducting detailed procurement and shop drawing reviews, integrating existing building conditions

Installation strategy in an active urban site: A phased approach tailored to site and interior limitations

12:05 — 12:20

Errol Bull

Technical Manager - Construction Products

Momentive

Topic

Pushing the Boundaries of Design: The Future of Structural Silicones

Talk points

Origins and evolution of structural glazing silicones

Advancements and trends, meeting today’s demands

The importance of impact-rated products

12:20 — 12:50

Rob Harrison

Senior Partner

Foster+Partners

Topic

Aventura Bank Façade Study

Talk points

Geometric options

Testing protocols

Glass selection

12:50 — 13:35

Moderator

Erika Duran

Asst VP - Sustainability Innovator in the Built Environment

WSP

Panelist

Matt Wisniewski

Senior Landscape Architect

Kimley-Horn

Panelist

Dean Maltz

Managing Partner

Shigeru Ban Architects

Panelist

George Puig

Landscape Architecture Practice Builder

Kimley-Horn

Topic

Biophilic Façades: Cooling Down Naturally in Tropical Miami

Talk points

What constitutes a biophilic façade

How to make planted façades withstand wind & water

The role of green façades for stormwater compliance

Green roofs as a sustainable amenity

14:25 — 14:45

Manuel Morales

Founding Principal

Facade+Envelope

Cristina Moreno

Vice-President

Facade+Envelope

Topic

Innovative Façade Design in Hurricane Prone Regions

Talk points

Requirements for product approval (NOA or FL Approval) tends to limit architectural creativity to pre-approved systems

The façade contractors and not the architects are defining the look of a building

Timely design and the similarities in testing requirements in the IBC and the FBC will allow for innovation and creativity even in hurricane prone regions

14:45 — 15:15

Joseph Chase

Principal

SOM

Topic

Concrete Selection at One Flagler

Talk points

Review initial proposal for cast in place concrete

Review final design using precast

Consideration in South Florida

15:15 — 15:35

Danilo Nanni

Principal

DeSimone

Benjamin Reich

Associate Principal

DeSimone

Topic

The Integration of Structures and Façades – Case Studies and Lessons Learned

Talk points

Aston Martin Residences

MSC Cruise Terminal

Calle 8 Tower

Olympia DUMBO

15:35 — 16:20

Moderator

Lisa Rammig

Director

Eckersley O'Callaghan

Panelist

Norman Xu

Director of Design

Development, Swire Properties USA

Panelist

Daniel Dadoyan

Director

KPF

Topic

Designing in Context: Local Approaches with a Global Perspective

Talk points

Balancing design and functionality with high-performance building envelope solutions and supply chain bottle necks

Exploring how similar environmental conditions are addressed through distinct regional façade strategies

How façade systems are evolving to enhance resilience and respond to changing demands for flexibility

Case studies: Residences at Mandarin Oriental & Two Taikoo Place

How it was

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