Zak World of Façades Zak World of Façades
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Zak World of Façades United Kingdom

edition

200

Date

05 November 2025

Venue

United Kingdom

City

London

Official page Watch the Event

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 & Networking
08:50 — 09:05 Welcome Address
10:22 — 10:55 Networking Tea / Coffee Break

Session 2

13:00 — 13:50 Networking Lunch Break

Session 3

15:55 — 16:20 Networking Tea / Coffee Break

Session 4

17:40 — 17:45 Vote of Thanks & End of the Conference
17:45 — 19:00 200th Edition Celebration (Live Entertainment, Cake Cutting, Drinks & Networking)
Live Entertainment by Ione Brown
19:45 — 23:30 Society of Façade Engineering's Gala Dinner & Awards Ceromony (separate invite required)

Stephen Tanno

Director Pre-Construction Services

Schüco International

Topic

Event Convenor & Host

09:05 — 09:30

Tom Nancollas

Assistant Director (Design)

City of London

Topic

Facing the Future in the City of London

09:30 — 10:00

Simon Allford

Executive Director | Head of Design Studio

Allford Hall Monaghan Morris

Topic

The Free Façade, Horizontal Windows and the Low Loader

10:00 — 10:15

Matthew Owen

Business Development Manager

A Proctor Group

Topic

Condensation and Airtight Solutions for Façades

Talk points

The problem
The theory
The solution

10:15 — 10:22

Joan Tarrús

Consultant

sedak

Topic

From Flat to Fantastic: The Rise of Multicurved FT/HS Glass

10:55 — 11:20

Neville Grunwald

Director of Façades and Roofs

Wates

Russell Cole

Façade Leader

Arup

Topic

The Revolution Underway – How is the Building Safety Act Changing Things?

Talk points

Three years on how is the BSA being implemented?
How the new process and procedures are impacting on our industry
Collaboration is not a buzz-word, but the key to survival
Demonstrating competency will be vital, but where do we start?

11:20 — 11:45

Dan Gleeson

Sales Director

Schüco UK

Stephen Tanno

Director Pre-Construction Services

Schüco International

Topic

Value-up in Action

Talk points

A rigorous approach to re-purpose buildings
Maximising retention, re-use & recycling of building fabric
Recent examples and lessons learnt

11:45 — 12:15

Francine Houben

Founding Partner and Creative Director

Mecanoo

Topic

People Place Purpose Poetry

12:15 — 13:00

Moderator

Alistair Law

Associate | Façade Designer

Arup

Panelist

Steve Mudie

Partner

Alinea Consulting

Panelist

Paul Hargreaves

Construction Director

Lipton Rogers Developments

Panelist

Tim Debets

Lead Concept Design Façades

Permasteelisa Europe

Panelist

Laura Solarino

Senior Engineer

Arup

Topic

Accelerating Low-Carbon Curtain Walling: A Cross-Industry Dialogue

Talk points

Integration over isolation: Designing holistically and the need for earlier collaboration, more joined-up thinking, and a shift toward holistic, performance-led design
Aesthetics and performance: Finding the balance and tension between carbon performance and architectural should be seen as an opportunity for innovation
Policy, planning and perception: Aligning the system in planning, regulation, design and carbon requires to rethink project priorities and better collaboration
Culture, time, and value: Changing the narrative and rethink long-standing assumptions we have as an industry to allow a cultural shift on how we define value, allocate time, and make decisions

Amy Koerbel

Director

AESG

Topic

Session Chair

13:50 — 14:15

Frank Filskow

Partner

Make Architects

Jonathan Walker

Associate Director

CO:RE

Topic

Engineered for Experience: A Technical Approach into Low-Carbon Façade Design that Puts Users First

Talk points

Using rigorous technical analysis to material selection, and collaboration with manufacturers to reduce embodied carbon
Delivering exceptional indoor environments that drive value for occupiers through wellbeing, experience, and flexible user comfort

13:50 — 14:15

Daniel Moore

Partner

PLP Architecture

Dan Clarke

Executive Director

Native Land

Topic

Designing and Developing Prime Central London's Tallest Residential Tower

13:50 — 14:15

Ioannis Gkikas

Associate Director

AKT II Envelopes

Ryan Butterfield

Associate Director

David Chipperfield Architects

Jason Sandy

Senior Design Manager

Qatari Diar

Matt Jarvis

Project Manager

Multiplex

Iain Bleakley

Associate

AKT II Envelopes

Topic

Heritage Meets Innovation: Re-shaping 30 Grosvenor Square

Talk points

How a client early ambition shaped the transformation of a former U.S. embassy into a landmark hospitality destination
Approaching the transformation of a Grade II listed landmark with respect for its original design
Balancing the tension between heritage window proportions and the need for modern thermal performance
Façade retention and structure strategies for restraint and stability

14:15 — 14:35

Paul Phillips

Senior Director and Head of London Building Surveying Team

Anstey Horne & Co

Topic

Appraising External Wall Systems for Fire (FRAEW/EWS1) Compartmentation Surveys, Fire Strategies and Extent and Quality of Record Keeping Necessary for Future Assessments

Talk points

What is a fire risk appraisal of external walls (FRAEW), and why is it required?
Commonly identified defects: How to avoid them, and the three core stages in external wall appraisal
Formulating recommendations: Remedial works, interim measures, and prioritising actions

14:15 — 14:35

Lefteris Siamopoulos

Associate | Façade Consultant

FMDC

Topic

Delivering the Urban Quarry – Three Case Studies

Talk points

Understanding the existing stone façade construction
Maximising yield for the new elevations
Challenges and opportunities for reusing stone on handset and precast façades

14:15 — 14:40

Nick Ling

Partner and Head of Technical Design

Heatherwick Studio

Alexis Harrison

Associate

Arup

Maela Allegretti

Associate Façade Engineer

Arup

Topic

Embedding Emotion: Xi’an CCBD – A Joyful New District for Xi’an

Talk points

Designing with emotion: From city scale to street and door scale
Realising the ceramic façade: Extrusion techniques, panel rationalisation, and slumping the corners
Technical execution: Mock-ups, glaze sampling, range definition, and pattern randomisation
Material strategy and digital detailing: From selection to parametric rationalisation and augmented reality in installation
Reflections and learnings

14:35 — 14:55

Thomas Henriksen

Founder and Director

Henriksen Studio

Topic

Optical Distortion in Glass: Possible Guidance and Way Forward

Talk points

From clear to complex: Distortion in modern glass
When layers multiply the problem
How do we measure what we see?
Pioneering research for tomorrow’s façades

14:35 — 14:55

Harry Cliffe-Roberts

Global Transformation and Adaptive Re-use Leader | Studio Director

Gensler

Topic

Future-Fit Buildings

Talk points

Unlocking retrofit at scale
Why the time is now
“Future Fit” - Designing with the existing, for the future

14:40 — 14:55

Florian Ebner

Senior Project Manager

seele

Topic

The Role of kinetIQ in Adaptive Building Design

Talk points

How kinetic elements dynamically adapt to light, temperature, and airflow
Advanced mechatronic drives ensure precise, reliable, and quiet movement
Comprehensive engineering expertise – from design to installation

14:55 — 15:10

Moujehed Neffoussi

International Building Project Manager

AGC Glass Europe

Topic

Rethinking Envelope: Where Design Meets Decarbonization

Talk points

Reinventing visual expression: Advanced patterned glass for sustainable façade
Reinventing and balancing energy yield and aesthetics of BIPV
Data-driven decarbonization and the critical or crucial role of EPDs in façade specification

14:55 — 15:10

Coby Armar

Secretary General

QUALICOAT

Topic

Why the QUALICOAT Specification is the World’s First Choice for Architectural Powder Coating

Talk points

Powder quality
Pre-treatment quality
Third party inspections

14:55 — 15:10

Eric Claeys

Founding Partner

Fassada Steel

Topic

Hybrid Steel Curtain Walls, Mastering the Demands & Complexity of Today’s Façades

Talk points

Hybrid steel curtain walls, the long-waited disruption in the market?
Fire resistance, tower infernos belong to the past
Drastic reduction of CO2 emission
Redefined sustainability: Not just 0 energy, but also 0 finance cost!

15:10 — 15:25

Allan Gibson

Global Product Segment Marketing Manager

Kuraray

Topic

Innovative Structural Glass Applications – The Difference That Has Revolutionized Structural Glass Designs

Talk points

A new structural PVB providing qualities never seen before in the industry
Leading the way with sustainable solutions developed for laminated safety glass
How authenticity can be assured with our supply chain

15:10 — 15:25

Jimi Ogunsola

Specification Leader - UK

Axalta

Topic

Sustainable Innovations in Powder Coatings

Talk points

Sustainable powders for the coating of metal substrates
Reducing carbon emissions with bio-based powder coatings
Colour, design & the future of architectural expression: Trends in architecture & façade design

15:10 — 15:25

Roger Schaerer

Senior Engineering Director

BM Windows

Thang Vo

Managing Director

BM Windows

Topic

Design–Production Coordination in Complex Façade Systems

Talk points

The role and coordination capabilities between design and production in complex façade systems
New generation high-performance sliding doors concept for severe weather exposure

15:25 — 15:55

Moderator

Phil Sedge

Director - Head of Façades

Mace

Panelist

Alex Miller

Senior Associate Principal

Kohn Pedersen Fox

Panelist

Daniele Norbiato

Associate Director

Billings Design Associates

Panelist

Umut Bülbül

Managing Director – UK

Ireland & Netherlands, Metal Yapi

Topic

Chapter Living: Building a Student Community on the Skyline

Talk points

How the scheme developed and specifically the key drivers on the façades
Buildability of the project and specifically on the façade and the benefit by completly using off-site manufacturing
Why was a self delivery unitised façade option utilised
Key aspects of the façade that were challenging on design and manufacture

15:25 — 15:55

Panelist

Ana Araújo

Partner

Buro Happold

Panelist

John Meredith

Partner and Board Member

Gardiner & Theobald

Panelist

Laurence Brooker

Director and Head of Central London Planning

Turley

Panelist

Ivan Kaye

Associate Partner

Foster + Partners

Topic

Retrofit in London: The Changes of Approach Supported by Planning Requirements

Talk points

Evolving requirements and the role of local councils in ‘retrofit first’ strategies
The importance of interrogating and measuring existing façade performance and condition
Balanced sustainability objectives and material reuse to enable sustainable development

15:25 — 15:55

Moderator

Michael Clarke

Associate Director

Thornton Tomasetti

Panelist

Gabriel Pierazzini

Head of Technical (Façades and Building Envelope)

Kier

Panelist

Clive Everett

Technical Claims Surveying Manager

NHBC

Panelist

Simon Tolson

Partner

Fenwick Elliott

Topic

Façade Defects: How Does the Building Safety Act Extend the Liability of Those Who Design and Construct Residential Buildings?

Talk points

What is the current regulatory environment relating to residential building defects?
What is going wrong? A review of the most common defects encountered in residential building façades
What challenges might Gateway 3 of the Building Safety Act bring to defect liability in construction?

Rimmy Vij

Director | Head of Façade Engineering

WSP

Topic

Session Chair

Libby Clark

Senior Façade Package Manager

Multiplex

Topic

Session Chair

16:20 — 16:45

Shawn Duffy

Principal

Kohn Pedersen Fox

Topic

When Technology Plateaus: How Systems Thinking Unlocks Higher Performance

Talk points

A fragmented approach to building design can no longer exceed minimum compliance
Applying low-tech knowledge in a more effective, amplifying, and context-sensitive way
Prioritizing incremental and cumulative innovation in construction over technical leaps

16:45 — 17:00

Rui Monteiro

Global Commercial Director

Effisus

Topic

Navigating the Trade-Off: Upfront Savings vs. Real Cost Efficiency

Talk points

Revealing the true human & financial cost
Designing for resilience, not just compliance
Smart strategies that save money and prevent failure

17:00 — 17:40

Moderator

Peter Goff

Director - Façade Engineering

Buro Happold

Panelist

Aaron Dehara

UK Regional Director

Staticus

Panelist

Anri Doda

Director

Patrick Ryan Associates

Panelist

Lesley Lawson

Senior Technical Manager

Fairview New Homes

Panelist

Alasdair Mealey

Technical Leader Building Safety

Laing O'Rourke

Panelist

Anna Dziekonska-Ramage

Associate Director

Allies and Morrison

Panelist

Stephen Tanno

Director Pre-Construction Services

Schüco International

Topic

The Building Safety Act in Practice: Lessons from Projects on the Ground

Talk points

From Policy to Implementation: Translating the Building Safety Act’s regulatory requirements into real-world design, construction, and compliance processes
First-Hand Experiences: Insights from projects that have already navigated the act—challenges faced, solutions applied, and lessons learned
Impact on Future Practice: How the act is reshaping collaboration between developers, architects, façade engineers, and contractors to deliver safer, compliant and resilient buildings

How it was

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Chapters

Partners

Presenting Partner

Associate Partners

Agenda Partner

Lunch Partner

Refreshments Partner

Strategic Glass Partner

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