Main Events 229th Edition – Zak World of Façades Egypt

229th Edition – Zak World of Façades Egypt

edition

229

Date

28 September 2026

Venue

Sofitel Downtown Nile

City

Cairo

Official page

About this edition

This will be the 229th edition globally and the 5th edition in Cairo 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

09:00 — 10:00

Topic

Delegate Registration & Networking

Iman Youssri

Director of Procurement & Value Engineering

Pinnacle Misr

Topic

Event Convenor & Host

10:00 — 10:05

Topic

Welcome Address

10:05 — 10:10

Haby Yaqob

Commercial Manager

Hydro Building Systems Middle East

Topic

Opening Address

10:10 — 10:35

Mohamed Tammam

CEO

Archrete Engineering Consultancy

Mostafa Afifi

CEO

Archrete Engineering Consultancy

Topic

Beyond the Façade: The Future of Building Envelopes in the AI Era

Talk points

The death of the façade – How the traditional role of the façade is evolving and why conventional approaches are becoming obsolete

The invisible façade: Architecture in the AI era – Exploring intelligent, integrated, and data-driven façades that redefine architectural expression and performance

The decisions that shape success: Designing façades for business value – How strategic façade decisions drive commercial, operational, and long-term project success

10:35 — 11:00

Maged (Max) Ahmed

Lead Façade Engineer - Middle East Region

BG&E Façades

Topic

The Hidden Story of Façade Defects and Lessons Learned

Talk points

An overview of the most common façade defects in modern projects in our region

Real case studies and lessons learned from design, installation, and challenges across different façade systems

Best practices to prevent façade defects and improve design and construction quality to achieve long-term performance and sustainability

11:00 — 11:10

Jan Scheers

Sales Consultant - Middle East and South Africa

Kuraray

Topic

Effective Design of Laminated Safety Glass in High Temperature Areas with Consideration of Sustainability & Durability

Talk points

Carbon footprint of interlayers for laminated safety glass

Solutions engineered into balustrades & façades

11:10 — 11:20

Ahmed Wagdy

ASM/TSM

Guardian Glass

Topic

Designing the Future with Advanced Glass Solutions

Talk points

ZED Towers: From vision to reality

Expanding architectural possibilities with coated glass

Designing better homes with smarter glazing

11:20 — 11:40

Marianthi Tatari

Director/Senior Architect

UNS

Topic

Designing for Transformation

Talk points

How Recovery, Resilience and Regeneration are shaping the future of the built environment

11:40 — 12:20

Topic

Networking Tea / Coffee Break

12:20 — 12:45

Sherouk Al-Sayed

Managing Partner

FTI Integrated Engineering Solutions

Topic

Managing Complexity: Where Aesthetics Meet Engineering

Talk points

Optimization through localized solutions

Customization as a value multiplier

Rationalizing complexity in façade delivery: From blueprints to reality

12:45 — 13:05

Stefan Ernler

Manager - Pre-Construction Services

Hydro Building Systems Middle East

Topic

Beyond Straight Lines: Engineering Architectural Freedom Through Bespoke Façade Solutions

Talk points

How cold-bent façade technology enables complex curves and iconic designs while maintaining performance and constructability

Exploring bespoke façade solutions and special applications developed to address unique architectural and engineering challenges

Real-world case studies showcasing how advanced engineering, collaboration, and innovation transform ambitious concepts into landmark façades

13:05 — 13:35

Russell Gilchrist

Design Director

Gensler

Topic

Al Ahly FC: A Stadium 30 Years in the Making

Talk points

Concept design: A dream come true

Reality bites: Constraints and opportunities

A fortress for the fans!

13:35 — 13:45

Kamel Elfar

Founder & Chairman

Techno Bond Egypt

Topic

Where Architecture Meets Manufacturing: Three Innovation Case Studies in ACP

Talk points

From weeks to hours: On-site paint mixing for ACP manufacturing

From nature to architecture: Engineering natural finishes

From premium to accessible: Democratizing anodized façades

13:45 — 14:05

Iman Ghaly

Design Director | Vice CDO

NGDS Architects

Topic

Topic to be Announced

14:05 — 15:05

Topic

Networking Lunch Break

15:05 — 15:25

Hazem Al Zaro

Founder & Principal Architect

Zaro Architects

Topic

Between Roots and Horizon: Contextual Thinking in Contemporary Façade Design

Talk points

Identity, memory, and material in Egypt

Scale, ambition, and the GCC condition

One practice, many contexts

15:25 — 15:45

Abdullah Faza

Director of Fire & Life Safety - Middle East

AESG

Topic

Façade Fire Safety Regulations: What’s New and What Really Matters

Talk points

Key updates in façade fire safety regulations, testing standards, and regional authority requirements shaping today’s developments

Common façade fire safety gaps and coordination challenges observed across high-rise and complex projects in the region

Critical principles designers, developers, and contractors must remember to achieve safer, compliant, and practical façade solutions

15:45 — 15:55

Leo Liu

Technical Director

KinLong

Topic

Architectural Steel Façade System

Talk points

Architectural steel façade

Innovative façade

15:55 — 16:05

Angelos Zografos

Technical Sales Engineer

Elval Colour

Topic

The Multiparametric Behavior of the Façade Against Fire

Talk points

Façade functions and fire protection

Tests related to the fire behavior of façades

Current challenges

16:05 — 16:15

Naveen Sandhu

Regional Segment Manager Architecture EMEA

AkzoNobel

Topic

Protect and Beautify the Façades of Tomorrow

Talk points

How advanced powder coating finishes are changing the game

Extend façade life with lower carbon footprint from day 1

Installations to inform and inspire

16:15 — 17:00

Hani Mohamed El Rashidy

Head of Façade Design Unit

Dar Al-Handasah

Hisham El Sergany

Independent Façade Expert

Racha Rachwan

Strategic Business Development Director | Design Management Director and Head of Green Consulting

ACE Project Management Moharram Bakhoum

Raef Fahmi

Chairman

Raef Fahmi Architects

Sherif Abu EL Liel

Chief Project Officer

Nations of Sky

Sherif Ali Bey

Project Technical Support Manager

ECG Consultants

Tarek El Akkary

Chairman and CEO

OMSI Group

Topic

Building Better: Advancing Professional Development and Certification in Egypt’s Façade Industry

Talk points

Where does Egypt stand today in façade engineering capability compared to regional and international markets? (Benchmarking skills, delivery quality, and technical maturity)

What are developers and main contractors lacking from façade engineers today? (Is it design coordination, technical assurance, value engineering, or execution support?)

What is driving the capability gap — skills, standards, industry culture, or all three? (And which factor is the dominant constraint?)

What role should professional certification play in closing this gap, and what would a credible Egyptian façade certification system look like? (Who sets it, what does it measure, and how is it enforced?)

Who should lead the transformation of façade engineering capability in Egypt — industry, academia, regulators, or market demand? (And what concrete first step can this panel commit to today?)

Session summary

Hisham El Sergany

17:00 — 17:05

Topic

Vote of Thanks & End of the Conference

17:05 — 17:30

Topic

Post Event Networking

Partners

Presenting Partner

Associate Partners