Zak World of Façades Zak World of Façades
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Zak World of Façades Canada

edition

217

Date

21 May 2026

Venue

Canada

City

Vancouver

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 — 09:00 Delegate Registration & Welcome Coffee Hour
Event Convenor & Host
09:00 — 09:15 Welcome Address
10:30 — 11:15 Networking Tea / Coffee Break

Session 2

13:00 — 13:50 Networking Lunch Break

Session 3

15:35 — 16:15 Networking Tea / Coffee Break

Session 4

17:15 — 17:20 Thanks/Conference Concludes

09:15 — 09:40

Venelin Kokalov

Design Principal

Revery Architecture

Topic

10 Façades: From Concept to Completion


Talk points

How Ideas Become Built Envelopes
Measured Impact: When Buildings Give Back
From Intention to Execution

09:40 — 10:00

Brad Carmichael

Principal

4EA Building Science

Topic

Panelized Wall Systems and Movement Joints

Talk points

Panel layout and movement joint design considerations for the use of large-format prefabricated wall panels systems in seismic regions
A case study will show an innovative approach to minimizing the impact of movement joints in a panelized facade in a cost-effective manner
Examples of panel joint designs will be provided that can be applied to other projects with complex panel geometries

10:00 — 10:20

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

10:20 — 10:30

Matias Reyes

National Architectural Manager

Vitro Architectural Glass

Topic

Beyond Transparency: How Glass Can Enhance Biophilic Design

Talk points

Understanding biophilia
Designing with nature in mind
Glass as a catalyst for biophilia

11:15 — 11:35

Timothy Wong

Associate - Building Envelope

Entuitive

Dale Wannamaker

Senior Associate - Building Envelope

Entuitive

Topic

Performance by Design: Unlocking Value Through Whole Envelope and BECx at the Glenbow Museum

Talk points

How can revitalizing a façade through a full reclad allow for a more organic, light-filled and transparent character?
Driving performance while envisioning a dynamic expression in GFRC material
Validating complex detailing interfaces through standardized air and water testing

11:35 — 11:45

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?

11:45 — 12:10

Mahsa Adib

Studio Manager | Senior Associate

Arcadis Architects (Canada) Inc.

Topic

Crafting Intricate Forms: Burrard Gateway Tower 2

Talk points

Beyond Flatness: Unconventional forms via conventional materials
Macro to Micro: Deconstructing continuous forms into buildable façade modules
Front-Loaded Intelligence: Early fabricator engagement and integrated digital workflow

12:10 — 12:20

Mourad El Garci

International Sales Director

Alucoil

Topic

Technological Transfer from Aerospace to the Façade Sector

Talk points

Case studies
Circular economy

12:20 — 13:00

Moderator

Avery Guthrie

Principal

Teeple Architects

Panelist

Thomas Oster

Senior Project Manager

Chandos Construction

Panelist

Ouri Scott

Principal

Urban Arts Architecture Inc.

Panelist

Sarah Silva

CEO

Hiy̓ám̓ Housing

Topic

Indigenous Influences in Contemporary Façade Design and Structure

Talk points

How to best express and celebrate Indigenous culture and sovereignty on their lands
Case studies that demonstrate the full cycle of community engagement in the work
Translating the vision to subcontractors, adjusting budgets and materials as needed

13:50 — 14:15

Christina Chow

Design Manager | Associate

Gensler

Jason Santeford

Managing Director | Senior Associate

Gensler

Topic

Central Park House: Not Your Typical High-Rise Residential Project

Talk points

The benefits of a curtain wall
Navigating the cantilevered amenity space
Infusing hospitality and community in high-rise residential

14:15 — 14:35

Ali Zadeh

Senior Energy Engineer

Evoke Buildings Engineering

Topic

Form Factor and Thermal Energy Demand: Why Building Shape Matters for High-Performance Façades

Talk points

How does building shape influence Thermal Energy Demand? Understanding how the relationship between building envelope area and floor area affects heating demand and energy code compliance
What does an efficient form factor look like? Comparing different building massing strategies and their implications for façade design and Step Code targets
What can designers do when building form works against energy performance? Practical façade and envelope strategies to offset inefficient form factors and maintain high-performance outcomes

14:35 — 14:45

Martin Durivage

Architectural Project and Specification Manager

Saint-Gobain Glass Canada

Ravneet Saini

Regional Manager

Saint-Gobain Glass Canada

Topic

A Clear Vision of the Future

Talk points

Understanding the importance of glass visualization in façade decision-making
Glazing comparison: Choosing the right glazing is not just about performance, aesthetics and perception play a crucial role
New technologies that aid in selecting the best aesthetics bring us closer to the realistic appearance of the façade

14:45 — 14:55

Bob Zhang

Commercial Director

Tianjin North Glass

Topic

Advances in Curved Architectural Glass

Talk points

Multi-curved glass
High-end curtain wall glass panel
Customization

14:55 — 15:35

James Cheng

Principal

James KM Cheng | Architects

Topic

Façades as Urban Catalysts: Nature-Infused Envelopes

Talk points

Discover façade strategies using mass timber and biophilic systems in different cities around the world
Gain insights on mass timber systems, 'Fifth Season' bioclimatics, and nature-integrated envelopes
Learn how hybrid envelopes can boost social connectivity, performance, resilience and low-carbon urbanism

16:15 — 16:35

Anton VanDyk

Principal | Fenestration Division Manager

JRS Engineering

Topic

Durability In Fenestration

Talk points

Using the ASHREA handbook of fundamentals to predict heat gain on dark surfaces at peak summer temperatures and how this impacts fenestration
How to convert a unitless Solar Heat Gain Coefficient into a Relative Heat Gain value to understand the impact high SHG has on occupant comfort
The balance of high SHG, Low U values, and low embodied carbon has on overall life cycle

16:35 — 17:15

Moderator

David Goyne

Senior Project Architect | Senior Associate

Perkins+Will

Panelist

Daniel Haaland

Principal

Specialist - Building Science, RDH Building Science

Panelist

Claire Yuan

Associate Principal

GHL Consultants, a part of J.S. Held

Panelist

James Johnson

Codes and Standards Representative / Fire Ground Survival Master Instructor

Vancouver Fire Rescue

Topic

Playing with Fire

Talk points

The panel would look at aspects of the façade which are commonly ignored that intersect with fire, and the role of testing, simulation, and professional judgement

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