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Zak World of Façades Canada

Name: Zak World of Façades Canada
Start: 2026-04-16
Location: The Westin

edition

211

Date

16 April 2026

Venue

The Westin

City

Calgary

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 — 09:00 Welcome Address

10:25 — 11:05 Networking Tea / Coffee Break

Session 2

13:05 — 14:00 Networking Lunch Break

Session 3

15:45 — 15:55 Thanks/Conference Concludes

15:55 — 16:50 Refreshments & Networking

Lisa Gibson

Principal

Colliers Project Leaders

Topic

Event Convenor & Host

09:00 — 09:20

Michael Henderson

Principal

hcma architecture + design

Michael Dub

Principal

Dub Architects

Topic

Coronation Park Sports and Recreation Centre: Where Elite Sport Meets Community-Embedded Recreation Through Façade Design

Talk points

The UCI category A certified facility elevates the cycle track a full storey above ground level, making it fully visible from the community-focused “social heart”

The geometric parameters of the cycling track inspired continuous variation in the façade’s slope, resulting in dynamic massing that creates a unique view of the facility from every angle

How the complex shape is created with simple, radiating steel ribs and a mass plywood diaphragm, with perimeter MPP (Mass Ply Product) Douglas Fir panels that are integral to the structural system and contribute to overall airtightness

09:20 — 09:40

Paul Carter

Project Director

Building Sciences, WSP

Christian Flores

Senior Project Manager

Building Sciences, WSP

Topic

Advancing Enclosure Performance with Off-Site Construction

Talk points

Discussing how large-format wall systems can provide superior thermal performance in high-rise construction

Addressing constructability considerations for prefabricated envelope systems, including moisture management, quality control of concealed components, and site assembly details

Exploring the technical and logistical feasibility of off-site overcladding systems for retrofits, including speed and performance benefits versus challenges with existing building tolerances and site constraints

09:40 — 10:00

Jordi Marasse

Technical Project Consultant

Reynaers Aluminium

Topic

Sustainability from Every Angle in the Building Envelope

Talk points

Sustainability strategy

The importance of operational carbon and embodied carbon: Need to go hand in hand to decarbonise

What really makes a building sustainable

10:00 — 10:25

Kevin Bridgman

Partner

KPMB Architects

Tyler Hall

Associate

KPMB Architects

Topic

Transparency, Hospitality and the City: Rethinking Cultural Front Doors

Talk points

Unpacking the design of the Werklund Centre Transformation façade—an architectural response shaped by landscape, Indigenous knowledge, and Calgary’s climate

Practical lessons in balancing cultural narrative, public interface, and technical sustainability in large civic projects

How a façade optimized for Calgary’s climate, combining a low window-to-wall ratio, high-performance envelope assemblies, refined detailing, and layered shading strategies, delivers reduced heat loss and durable climate resilience

11:05 — 11:30

Brian Hubbs

Principal | Specialist

RDH Building Science

Topic

Holding the Line: Enclosure Design for Wildfire Resilience – A Canadian Enclosure Engineers Perspective

Talk points

Understand how wildfire exposure affects buildings in wildland-adjacent areas and why the enclosure system is the critical first line of defense against ignition and fire spread

How wildfire exposure impacts enclosure systems, focusing on material performance, testing, and common failure mechanisms

Practical strategies being considered in Canada to improve wildfire resilience through better material selection, detailing, and assembly design

11:30 — 11:40

Jeff Ker

Sr. Technical Advisor

Engineered Assemblies

Topic

Building Façades and Sustainability

Talk points

Problem: The quest to achieve a sustainable future for building façade design and installation is one that faces key challenges vis a vi the extremes of our rapidly evolving Canadian climate

Insight: Knowledge of key design principles to avoid failures in performance is only part of the solution, with those working in the field installing the façades may face unexpected challenges not addressed in drawings

Solution: Where does building sustainability start if not at the front lines of the envelope?

11:40 — 11:50

Peter Dushenski

Managing Director

GlasCurtain

Topic

Northern Resilience: Zero-Tariff Façades for Net-Zero Buildings

Talk points

Why does a Canadian supply chain now rank alongside U-factor on so many project specs?

With –40°C design temps and Net-Zero standards gaining traction, how do we keep attractive window-to-wall ratio and still meet building performance targets?

What innovative domestic glazing technologies can architects leverage to maximize performance while minimizing geopolitical risk?

11:50 — 12:20

Kyle Auch

Associate

DIALOG

Topic

Glenbow Reimagined: J.R. Shaw Centre for Arts and Culture

Talk points

How we cut into a 1970s concrete “fortress” to make real front doors and a street-facing museum on Stephen Avenue and 9th Avenue

The story behind the thin, textured GFRC shell that wraps the old frame, catching light and shadow so the façade changes through the day and seasons

What it means for visitors, neighbours and downtown Calgary when a museum becomes part of the city life

12:20 — 13:05

Moderator

Anine Eschberger Wortmann

Associate | Business Development Lead

Gravity Architecture

Panelist

Joel Schwartz

Principal

Building Science - President, JRS Engineering

Panelist

Kelly Coles

Vice President

Building & Infrastructure, CMLC

Panelist

Leo Lejeune

Vice President & Higher Education Lead

Stantec

Topic

Façade Delivery & Procurement Models

Talk points

How different delivery and procurement models shape façade design outcomes, collaboration, and risk allocation

The impact of early contractor and facade consultant involvement on buildability, cost certainty, and performance

Lessons learned from alternative procurement approaches in delivering complex, high-performance façade systems

14:00 — 14:25

Robert Clement

Principal

Populous

Topic

BMO Centre: Maintaining Design Intent through the Design Build & Design Assist Process

Talk points

How the design of the metal panel façade was achieved with the desired curves and bends with the trade partner

Fabricating the metal lantern structures and teaming with local fabricators to achieve the desired look and feel

Design and fabrication of the illuminated canopy

14:25 — 14:50

Mira Saba

Project Engineer

RJC Engineers

Topic

Façade Air Tightness & Quantifying Air Leakage Rates in Commercial Façades

Talk points

Advantages of air-tightness testing in achieving energy targets and National Energy Code (NECB) Compliance

Air tightness considerations in design and Tools to monitor air tightness testing during construction

Air tightness testing procedures, logistics, and limitations

14:50 — 15:00

Mike Vanderveen

Emerging Markets Manager

Lumon North America

Topic

Creating Immersive Outdoor Experiences with Glazing Technology

Talk points

The current state of modern living spaces

Disrupting the North American architectural landscape

Technical specifications through case studies

15:00 — 15:45

Moderator

Joshua Taron

Associate Dean (Research + Innovation)

University of Calgary

Panelist

Steve Wirzba

Senior Development Consultant

City of Calgary

Panelist

Maxim Olshevsky

CEO

Astra Group

Panelist

Christopher Zahaluk

Project Director

Lemay

Panelist

David Leonard

Principal-in-Charge

METAFOR

Topic

Adaptive Reuse: Protecting Heritage and Modernizing Façades

Talk points

Exploring how adaptive reuse can preserve a building’s historic character while integrating high-performance façade systems

Strategies for modernizing aging envelopes while maintaining heritage value

Techniques for blending old and new materials to create cohesive, revitalized façades

How it was

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Presenting Partner

Associate Partners