Main Events 231st Edition – Zak World of Façades Canada

231st Edition – Zak World of Façades Canada

edition

231

Date

07 October 2026

Venue

Sheraton Centre

City

Toronto

Official page

About this edition

This will be the 231st edition globally and the 4th edition in Toronto 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

Topic

Delegate Registration & Welcome Coffee Hour

Alex Josephson

Principal

Partisans

Topic

Event Convenor & Host

08:50 — 09:00

Topic

Welcome Address

09:00 — 09:25

David Dow

Principal

Diamond Schmitt

Topic

Modernity in a Historical Context

Talk points

Responding to and respecting a rich historical context with a contemporary architectural design

Integrating stone within a high-performance curtain wall system to unite traditional material character with modern building envelope technologies

Leveraging prefabricated modular façade construction to improve efficiency and installation precision

09:25 — 09:45

Fariz Dhalla

Associate - Building Envelope Specialist

Entuitive

Topic

Topic to be Announced

09:45 — 10:05

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

10:05 — 10:15

Matias Reyes

National Architectural Manager

Vitro Architectural Glass

Topic

Beyond Transparency: How Glass can Enhances Biophilic Design

Talk points

Understanding biophilia

Designing with nature in mind

Glass as a catalyst for biophilia

10:15 — 10:55

Topic

Networking Tea / Coffee Break

10:55 — 11:15

Topic

Topic to be Announced

11:15 — 11:25

Natasha Appel

Business Development Manager

EJOT

Topic

Stainless Steel: Preferred Material for Rainscreen Attachment

Talk points

Influence of the rainscreen attachment system

Benefits of stainless steel: Resistance to fire, thermal and energy, corrosion resistance

Sustainability

11:25 — 11:35

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

11:35 — 12:00

Topic

Topic to be Announced

12:00 — 12:35

Brad Rodgers

Associate Vice-President , Development

Dream Development

Brian Porter

Principal

Two Row Architect

Bruno Weber

Partner

KPMB

Dan McTavish

Associate Principal

Perkins&Will

Topic

Odenak: A Façade Shaped by Place

Talk points

Understand how Indigenous collaboration shaped the development of Odenak's façade, informing material expression, design intent, and the relationship between architecture, place, and cultural identity

Examine the technical development of a high-performance modular building envelope, including the integration of curtain wall and window wall systems, prefabrication strategies, and construction approaches that improved buildability and reduced site complexity

Explore how interdisciplinary collaboration enabled the delivery of a façade that balances design ambition with environmental performance, supporting Zero Carbon Building Standard and LEED Gold targets while realizing a technically rigorous and constructible solution

Session summary

Dan McTavish

12:35 — 13:35

Topic

Networking Lunch Break

13:35 — 14:00

Juan Carlos Portuese

Partner | Architect | Design Lead

DIALOG

Topic

Meaningful Transparency: Rethinking the Façade for a Zero-Carbon Future

Talk points

How Canadian climate, high-performance energy targets and zero-carbon ambitions are shaping the balance between opaque enclosure and glazing

Treating transparency as a purposeful architectural act, placing glass where it brings daylight, views, connection and meaning rather than maximizing it by default

Lessons from a portfolio of zero-carbon and mass timber projects on creating façades that integrate envelope performance, material expression, and architectural identity

14:00 — 14:20

Sudhir Bommu

Associate | Building Envelope & Facades Skills Leader

Arup

Topic

Topic to be Announced

14:20 — 14:30

Owen Coyle

President

IG Masonry Support Systems

Topic

Inspiring Innovation in Brick: Pushing Boundaries in Modern Masonry

Talk points

Next generation stainless steel masonry support systems

Realizing intricate brick features with prefabricated brick slip soffit systems

Case studies: Innovation in action

14:30 — 14:40

David Duvall

Research & Development Manager

H.B. Fuller

Topic

Reducing Carbon Costs Through Edge Seal Design

Talk points

Carbon impact of insulating glass: Embodied and operational considerations

Role of edge seal durability in insulating glass performance

Reference projects

14:40 — 15:05

Topic

Topic to be Announced

15:05 — 15:45

Topic

Networking Tea / Coffee Break

15:45 — 16:05

David De Rose

Managing Principal

Synergy Partners

Topic

1970's High-Rise's Deep Retrofit and Decarbonization Transformation

Talk points

Forward-thinking decarbonization plan that elevated both building performance and sustainability

Triple-glazed windows for enhanced energy efficiency; upgraded joint sealants; new metal flashings

Fresh architectural coatings for a modern finish, reducing staining

16:05 — 16:15

Topic

Topic to be Announced

16:15 — 16:55

Dima Cook

Director | Principal

EVOQ

Emily Pepper

Sr. Structural Engineer, Heritage Structures Local Market Lead

WSP Canada

Mary MacDonald

Senior Manager | Heritage Planning, Urban Design

City of Toronto

Shelley Ludman

Principal

ERA Architects

Topic

Heritage Restorations, Readaptations, Repurposing

Talk points

Criteria for Heritage Preservation | What are the key factors that guide decisions in building preservation?

How do you add something new while respecting the history of a place?

What role do local stakeholders and civic partners play in your projects?

Session summary

Dima Cook

17:10 — 17:15

Topic

Thanks/Conference Concludes

Partners

Presenting Partner

Associate Partners