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Zak World of Façades USA

Name: Zak World of Façades USA
Start: 2026-03-19
Location: Washington Hilton

edition

209

Date

19 March 2026

Venue

Washington Hilton

City

Washington DC

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

08:00 — 08:50 Delegate Registration & Welcome Coffee Hour

08:50 — 09:05 Welcome Address

10:25 — 11:15 Networking Tea / Coffee Break

Session 2

13:05 — 13:55 Networking Lunch Break

Session 3

15:50 — 15:55 Vote of Thanks/Conference Concludes

15:55 — 16:30 Refreshments & Networking

Martina Driscoll

Principal & Unit Manager

Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates

Topic

Event Convenor & Host

09:05 — 09:25

Colin MacKillop

Principal

Quinn Evans

Topic

Reviving an Icon: Combining Historic Preservation and High Performing Façades at the National Air & Space Museum

Talk points

Leading the revitalization of the museum to improve the protection and display of its treasured artifacts, for future generations of visitors

The redesigned building envelope maintains the museum's historic character through rigorous material selection and precision-engineered wall assemblies that optimize thermal, moisture, and structural resilience

High-performance stone-clad and glazed curtain wall systems, paired with a custom PTFE entrance enclosure, were integrated to achieve long-term durability, energy efficiency, and architectural expression aligned with the museum’s mission

09:25 — 09:45

Vicente Montes

Principal | Façade Engineer

Curtain Wall Design & Consulting, Inc.

Topic

Solar Reflectivity: When Buildings Attack Their Neighbors

Talk points

Computer simulation to predict and quantify sunlight reflected off building façades

How to make glazed buildings and surroundings, less suscelptible to solar reflectivity

Using data output when designing, plazas, amenity decks, outdoor sitting areas, pedestrian comfort, highway traffic flow

09:45 — 09:55

Robert Miller

President

Jansen America

Topic

Practical Tips for Sustainable Architecture

Talk points

Historical project Battersea: Traditional aesthetics, modern performance

LEED contribution criteria

09:55 — 10:25

Reginald Truxon

Senior Associate

Gensler

Dean Mouritzen

Project Executive

HITT

Andy Loff

Chief Executive Officer

Building Composites

Topic

HITT Headquarters: A New Paradigm in Building Skin

Talk points

Exploring the innovative envelope of HITT Contracting’s new Virginia headquarters which is not just a workplace, but a prototype for what’s next in the industry

Join us March 20th for an Insider's Tour of HITT Headquarters

11:15 — 11:35

Daniel A. Martin

Lead Fire Protection Engineer

Jensen Hughes

Topic

Fire Testing of the Complete Exterior Wall Assemblies, Not Just The Components

Talk points

Identify standardized fire tests related to exterior wall assemblies and the building code

Understand vertical and lateral flame spread testing per NFPA 285

Gain an understanding that the substitution of materials within the exterior wall assembly may result in non-compliance

11:35 — 11:45

Dean White

Regional Façade Sales Manager

Cosentino

Topic

Sustainable Façade Design with Ultracompact Stone

Talk points

Ultracompact stone: A sustainable carbon neutral façade material

Attachment methods for ventilated rainscreen and curtainwall integration

Design considerations related to performance, budget, and design intent

11:45 — 11:55

Natasha Appel

Business Development Manager

EJOT

Topic

Stainless Steel: Preferred Material for Rainscreen Attachment

Talk points

Influence of the rainscreen attachment system

Benefits of stainless steel: Resistance to fire, thermal and energy, corrosion resistance

Sustainability

11:55 — 12:25

Deniz Arslan

Senior Computational Designer

HKS LINE

Tim Logan

Regional Practice Director

HKS LINE

Topic

Differentiated Deployment of Modular GRC Panel Systems: The Diriyah Gate Arena

Talk points

Defining geometric hierarchy and data structures

Procedures for parametric panelization and downstream integration: Interoperability, scheduling, and documentation

Evaluating texture and fabrication

12:25 — 13:05

Panelist

Matt O'Malley

Preconstruction and Commercial Market Lead

DPR

Panelist

John Barbara

Principal

ZGF Architects

Panelist

Tyler Grimshaw

Principal Architect

EwingCole

Panelist

Daniel Lucenti

Senior Project Director

Design & Construction, Wexford Science & Technology

Topic

Biotech Facilities: Understanding How Façades can Create a Healthy Internal Environment

Talk points

Importance of daylighting for life sciences labs

Options for robust mechanical and natural ventilation

Opportunities for cutting edge designs reflective of innovative research

13:55 — 14:15

Jason Wu

Associate

BIG

Topic

Bloomberg Student Center: A New Form of Social Commons at the Heart of Campus

Talk points

Conceived as a physical expression of the student body diversity and a welcoming new gateway between Campus and Community

A forest of columns supports 29 cantilevered roof planes, helping to shape an interior landscape that is informal in use yet monumental in scale

A dematerialized facade mediates the boundaries between surrounding landmarks and landscape, transforming the structure into an ephemeral, light-filled threshold

The importance of craft in mass timber construction and the evolving roles between design and construction

14:15 — 14:40

Roman Schieber

Managing Director

knippershelbig

Michelle Lee

Architect

Behnisch Architekten

Topic

The Well-Tempered Lab: The Vagelos Laboratory for Energy Science and Technology

Talk points

Façade design for user comfort, natural ventilation and daylight, energy and material conservation

Design research of sunshades with comparative carbon analysis of various shading materials

Façade engineering, fabrication, and circular construction strategies

14:40 — 15:00

Amanda Stacy

AVP - Building Enclosures & Dept. Head - DC

WSP

Topic

Design Considerations in Office‑to‑Residential Conversions

Talk points

Assess existing conditions early to define building enclosure needs and feasibility

Coordinate all critical interfaces, including party walls, building enclosure system tie‑ins for waterproofing, vertical facade, and roofing, and adjacent‑building protections

Enhance building enclosure performance to align with residential design intent and meet air, water, thermal, and code requirements

15:00 — 15:10

Peter Schmitt

Head of Technical ‑ North America

Siderise

Topic

Curtain wall and Perimeter Containment for Building Envelopes

Talk points

Functional requirements of perimeter barrier firestop systems and cavity barriers

Fire resistance testing for curtain walling and perimeter barriers

The criticality of workmanship quality and the need for training and installation inspection

15:10 — 15:50