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Zak World of Façades UAE

Name: Zak World of Façades UAE
Start: 2026-06-25
Location: The Ritz-Carlton DIFC

edition

222

Date

25 June 2026

Venue

The Ritz-Carlton DIFC

City

Dubai

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

09:00 — 10:00 Delegate Registration & Networking

Event Convenor & Host

10:00 — 10:05 Welcome Address

10:30 — 10:55 Topic to be Announced

11:15 — 11:35 Topic to be Announced

11:35 — 12:05 Networking Tea / Coffee Break

Session 2

14:10 — 15:10 Prayers & Lunch Break

Session 3

17:00 — 17:05 Vote of Thanks & End of the Conference

17:05 — 17:30 Post Event Networking

10:05 — 10:30

Edward McIntosh

Regional Design Director (Middle East + Africa)

Atkins Réalis

Alejandro Garcia Gadea

Lead Principal Architect

Atkins Réalis

Topic

New Age Approach to Façade Design: From Storytelling Through a Building’s Façade to Advanced AI Processes for Rationalization and Construction

Talk points

More than shelter: The historical importance of building façades as a cultural mediator between public and private space

Crafting narratives through the conception of the building envelope

Bringing vision’s to life, how the human sketch becomes standardized and detailed for construction through the use of parametric and AI Tools

10:55 — 11:05

Oliver Rohde

Managing Director

seele Middle East

Topic

KinetIQ – Moving Architectural Forward

Talk points

Complex glass structures in 3D shape

11:05 — 11:15

Maher Hasson

Director - Sales Operations AME

Guardian Glass

Topic

Solutions to Help Overcome the Challenges and Intricacies of Modern Façades

Talk points

Facilitating architectural ambitions: Balancing energy performance and design vision at Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab

Global expertise, local impact: Supporting high-performance façades and environmental certifications

From vision to specification: How digital tools help simplify glass selection for architectural projects

12:05 — 12:25

Celeste Gariando

Technical Director

Meinhardt Façade Technology

Topic

Same Material, Different Physics: Structural Behavior Across Extreme Scales, from SuperTall tower to Low Rise Architecture

Talk points

Wind, drift and accumulated movement: Façade behavior in a 750m tower (Burj Azzizi, Dubai)

Thermal expansion, geometry & interface movement: Façade engineering in a waterfront pavillion (AMAALA Triple Bay Yacht Club, Yanbu)

Designing for movement, not against it: Lessons from the tallest and the lowest

12:25 — 12:40

Oliver Turner

Operations Manager

Climate Ready Engineering

Damon Pooley

Group Sales Director

Guthrie Douglas

Topic

What Does the Next-gen Shading Automation Look Like?

Talk points

Insight on shading & shading automation control systems with a focus on comfort, intelligent design, energy efficiency and seamless integration

Case study of the curved façade shading solution at One Elizabeth Tower, Sydney; highlighting challenges related to complex geometry, glare mitigation, shading performance and live project outcomes

12:40 — 13:05

Tony Abi Gebrayel

Managing Partner

MZ Architects

Topic

From Nature to Immersive Architecture

Talk points

Immersive architecture through organic lines

Complexity of design & material selection

Future vision & solutions for immersive architecture

13:05 — 13:25

Gustav Neupert

Product Manager - Aluminium (Non EU Markets)

profine Group

Topic

From Sketch to Site: The Role of Customized Systems in "Freedom of Design"

Talk points

Navigating geometry: Managing complex rotational envelopes in high-rise design

Geometric freedom: Engineering non-orthogonal façades for modern structural frames

High-performance resilience: Engineering large-scale sloping glass for security & impact

Strategic integration: Combining façade methodologies for optimized project delivery

13:25 — 14:10

Moderator

Benjamin Beer

Managing Director

Werner Sobek Dubai

Panelist

Jason Quick

Senior Vice President

Projects Delivery, Expo City Dubai

Panelist

Gary White

VP Masterplanning & Design

Expo City Dubai

Panelist

Ian Inglis

Senior Project Manager

Werner Sobek Dubai

Topic

Expo City Dubai – Innovative & Challenging Façade Systems Developing the Former Expo 2020 Site to a Sustainable and Human-Centric Neighbourhood

15:10 — 15:30

Tan Cai

Partner & Design Director

gad Architects

Yu Si

Team Leader & Department Design Director

gad Architects

Topic

Lumena & Lumena Alta: The Connection Between Building Façades and Daily Emotions

Talk points

Light as an emotional filter

The rhythm of fluidity

Framing the horizon

15:30 — 15:50

Giovanni Zizioli

Partner | Middle East Director

Maffeis Engineering

Topic

Complex Façade Movement Analysis and Interaction - Design Approach and Strategies

15:50 — 16:00

Fan Lee

Founder

Anometal Aluminum

Topic

Solar-Powered, Long-Lasting Active Self-Cleaning Technology for Anodized Aluminium

Talk points

Unveiling a new, next-generation anodized aluminium cladding with an anodic oxide layer that harnesses sunlight to continuously break down pollutants, keeping façades cleaner for over 25 years with minimal maintenance

How its ultra-hydrophilic surface (WCA = 8.9°) helps with any remaining particles to effortlessly wash away with rain or wind, ensuring the façade stays brighter, fresher, and visually pristine year-round

16:00 — 16:10

Prathush Sreedharan

Specification Leader - Middle East

Axalta Coating Systems

Topic

Advancing Sustainability, Biobased Powder Coatings: Sustainable Powder Coatings with Minimum Footprint Impact Providing High Protection Performance and Unique Finishes

Talk points

Sustainable powder coatings to protect aluminium and steel substrates: Durability, metallic finishes and corrosion protection

Bio based powder coatings

Sustainable powder coatings to provide aesthetic finishes & latest colour trends in architecture

16:10 — 16:20

Hussam Bassem

Business/Technical Manager – Façade & Insulation Systems

Styro Insulation

Topic

Innovative Lightweight Façade Insulation/Decoration Systems for Enhanced Thermal Performance and Fire Safety with the Capability of Parametric & Organic Wavy Façade Structures

Talk points

Advancements in lightweight façade insulation technologies and their role in improving thermal performance, reducing thermal bridging, and enhancing overall envelope efficiency

Integration of hybrid insulation systems combining EPS with mineral-based layers to achieve improved fire performance and compliance with modern façade safety requirements

Regional case studies demonstrating the application of modern lightweight insulated façade systems, installation methodologies, and long-term durability outcomes in hot and humid climates

16:20 — 17:00

Moderator

Drew Gilbert

Lead Design Architect & Global AI Lead

OBM International

Panelist

Alina Valcarce

Founder | Design Director

Valcarce Architects

Panelist

Amir Shurafa

Head of Design

Ai certified expert, Danube Properties

Topic

Architect + AI: Designing the Next Generation of Façades

Talk points

AI as a creative partner

Accelerating design exploration

AI and communication with clients

Expanding architectural/façade creativity

Unlocking future possibilities with AI

Partners

Presenting Partner

Associate Partners