215th Edition – Zak World of Façades Italy

Main Events 215th Edition – Zak World of Façades Italy

215th Edition – Zak World of Façades Italy

edition

215

Date

07 May 2026

Venue

Salone Delle Colonne

City

Rome

Official page Watch the Event

About this edition

This will be the 215th edition globally and the 1st edition in Rome which will showcase sustainable innovations and challenges in the construction industry pertaining to the building envelope and will also display latest technological solutions.

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

Session 2

Session 3

Session 4

08:00 — 08:50

Saverio Pasetto

Head of Façades

Skanska

Topic

Delegate Registration & Networking

Session summary

Event Convenor & Host

08:50 — 09:00

Topic

Welcome Address

09:00 — 09:25

Alessandro Baldini

Director

Eckersley O’Callaghan

Topic

Designing the Building Skin: Façade Engineering Between Retrofit and Contemporary Architecture

Talk points

The role of the façade engineer in today’s design process

Façade engineering for retrofit and reuse projects

Delivering performance, value, and design quality through targeted envelope upgrades

09:25 — 09:50

Susanna Tradati

Associate Partner

Nemesi

Topic

Façades that Speak to the City

Talk points

Textures, Light and Identity: Materials and detailing that define the character of the façade, leveraging light and shadow to shape perception and create emotional impact

Parametric Design: Digital tools for high-performance, dynamic façades, balancing aesthetics, sustainability, and interior comfort

From concept to craft and design to reality

09:50 — 10:05

Gabriele Zorino

Technical Commercial Manager

dott Gallina

Topic

Polycarbonate Cladding for Sustainable Architecture

Talk points

What is Polycarbonate?

Building applications

Technology

10:05 — 10:15

Giulia Zarrella

Senior Sales Manager

Montanstahl

Topic

Bespoke Steel and Stainless Steel Profiles, Complete Architectural Freedom

Talk points

Buildings and glass façade restoration

Custom mullion and transom geometries

International case studies - focus on Italy & France

10:15 — 10:45

Topic

Networking Tea / Coffee Break

10:45 — 11:10

Marco Brambilla

Partner

ACPV ARCHITECTS Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel

Paolo Franco

Partner | Director - Façade

Faces Engineering

Topic

Reinventing a Media Landmark: Façade Innovation and Human-Centered Design in the RAI Headquarters Renovation

Talk points

Exploring how the façade redesign respects the original architectural identity of RAI’s 1960s building while upgrading energy performance

Strategies for integrating new technologies and materials that enhance sustainability without losing iconic character

Insights into integrated workflows between the architect & façade engineer—from façade concept to technical execution

11:10 — 11:35

Caterina Cotardo

Key Account Manager - Wicona

Hydro Building Systems

Erica Masala

Project Consulting Manager - Wicona

Hydro Building Systems

Topic

NEW or RE-NEW? TOMORROW UPGRADED.

Talk points

RE-USE materials

RE-DESIGN solutions

RE-THINK the process

11:35 — 12:05

Filippo Innocenti

Director

Zaha Hadid Architects

Topic

Innovative Envelopes for the Mediterranean

Talk points

The new centre of mediterranean culture: Il Centro per le Culture del Mediterraneo

Dynamic and flexible hub: Napoli Porta Est HQ

World's first green hydrogen refuelling infrastructure: NatPower H, Hydrogen Refuelling Station

12:05 — 12:45

Moderator

Alberto Ferrari

Managing Director

Faces Engineering

Panelist

Alessandro Ferreri

Design Manager - Terminal

ADR Ingegneria

Panelist

Elisa Faretina

Senior Engineer

Faces Engineering

Panelist

Luca Mastropierro

Sales Manager

Pichler Projects

Panelist

Vittorio Banella

Technical Director

ADR Infrastrutture

Topic

Reinventing the Gateway: Transformative Façade Renewal at Fiumicino’s Molo D

Talk points

From existing envelope to high-performance façade

Transparency vs. Control: Redefining the passenger interface

Technical retrofitting in a live terminal

Circular Thinking: Refurbishment as a sustainable strategy

Session summary

Alberto Ferrari

12:45 — 13:45

Topic

Networking Lunch Break

13:45 — 14:10

Luca Piraino

Partner

UNO-A Architetti Associati

Paolo Ermeti

Head of Design

Focchi

Topic

Reuse, Conservation, Innovation – Torri dell’EUR

Talk points

How the project brings together memory and future, artifice and nature, while safeguarding the iconic identity of Ligini’s Towers in the EUR urban context

How the façade design strategies blend modernity and industrial approaches with a reinterpretation of the dialogue between material and tradition

How product engineering and performance validation through testing and qualification processes ensure alignment between concept, feasibility, and results, establishing an advanced approach to interventions on existing buildings

14:10 — 14:30

Lorenzo Langella

Associate Architect

Studio Transit

Topic

Skin or Dress?

Talk points

The transformation of the role of the envelope in relation to the context

The façade as a dress

The façade as skin

14:30 — 14:40

Efthimios Zizos

Projects Manager

Elval Colour

Topic

Vision Meets Reality with ACP

Talk points

Challenges in new façade designs

ACP forming solutions

Case studies

14:40 — 14:50

Giuseppe Pugliese

Promat Business Development Manager

ETEX

Topic

Ventilated Façade Systems

Talk points

Cladding

Insulation

Fire protection

14:50 — 15:10

Alessandro Massarotto

Founder

Frame Projects

Topic

From Idea to Realisation – The Value of Early Façade Engineering Involvement

Talk points

Early-stage collaboration to shape buildable and high-performance façade concepts

Optioneering and supplier engagement to identify the right technical solutions

Supporting delivery through design development, prototyping and site execution

15:10 — 15:20

Alberto Lago

Architectural Projects Manager - Europe Sales Team

Sisecam

Topic

The Transformation Shaping The Future

Talk points

Adaptation of changing world

Change of building methods

Transferring knowledge from the past to the future

15:20 — 15:45

Topic

Networking Tea / Coffee Break

15:45 — 16:05

Alessandro Terzi

Senior Associate Partner

PLP Architecture

Topic

Life Centric Approach to Institutional Buildings

Talk points

Mase ministero dell'Ambiente e della sicurezza energetica Roma: New paradigms for government architecture community and sustainability

Net-zero Korean National Meteorological Center Daejeon, Korea: Civic architecture for a climate era

Corso Como Place, Milan: Reuse and community making

16:05 — 16:25

Alessio Pierdomenico

Senior Façade Engineer

Deerns Italia

Marlice Anisia Imparato

Senior Associate

One Works

Topic

Rome Office Complex - From Architectural Design to Façade Engineering

Talk points

The challenges of retrofit: Combining reuse, sustainability, and architectural quality

Approach to façade design in retrofit projects

From performance analysis to façade detailing

16:25 — 17:10

Moderator

Camilla Rigamonti

Chair

Society of Façade Engineering Italia

Panelist

Anna Maria Pacini

Head of ESG Management

DeA Capital Real Estate

Panelist

Claudia Sacristán Pérez

Senior Associate

Schiattarella Associati

Panelist

Matteo Cipollini

Head of Façade Engineering

ESA Engineering

Panelist

Michele Versaci

Head of Research

Park Associati

Panelist

Renato Luciani

Project Consultant - Wicona

Hydro Building Systems

Panelist

Roberto Galante

International Building Project Manager

AGC Glass Europe

Topic

Material Re-use and Recycling Opportunities

Talk points

Circularity in building envelope systems: Risks and opportunities for the real estate sector, between asset value optimization and transition to new investment frameworks

The architect’s role in shaping circular façades reconciling architectural quality and market appeal

The integration of reuse and recycling principles in façade engineering

Scaling circular principles across the construction value chain: Competitive offer positioning and operational barriers

Session summary

Camilla Rigamonti

17:10 — 17:15

Topic

Vote of Thanks & End of the Conference