Main Events 232nd Edition – Zak World of Façades USA

232nd Edition – Zak World of Façades USA

edition

232

Date

14 October 2026

Venue

Pier Sixty at Chelsea Piers

City

New York

Official page

About this edition

This will be the 232nd edition globally and the 8th edition in New York 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

07:30 — 09:00

Topic

Delegate Registration & Networking

Topic

Event Convenor & Host

09:00 — 09:15

Topic

Welcome Address

09:15 — 09:30

Topic

Topic to be Announced

09:30 — 09:50

Erik Olsen

Managing Partner

Transsolar KlimaEngineering

Topic

The Future is Low-Tech: Shifting Definitions of High Performance for a Robust Future

Talk points

Surprisingly, we're finding industry is experiencing a clear shift toward low-tech solutions

The definition of low-tech, however, is slippery – robust or simple might be better terms

We face an industry divide and choice in how to evolve – let’s talk about what we really need from tomorrow’ façades

09:50 — 10:00

Andrew Pries

Director of Innovation & Technical Sales

Boston Valley Terra Cotta

Topic

Architectural Terra Cotta Innovations for Sustainable, High-Performance Façades

Talk points

Addressing global issues in the built environment and realizing the potential of terra cotta solutions

Materiality and performance benefits of terra cotta façades in modern architecture

Terra cotta façade innovations that address global challenges and enhance building performance

10:00 — 10:10

Alberto Alarcon

Americas Market Development Manager & MC Global Leader

Kuraray America

Topic

Designing for Strength and Sound: Structural and Acoustic Performance in Laminated Glass

Talk points

Understand how a single interlayer can combine structural stiffness with improved acoustic performance

Explore the design considerations for balancing strength, post-breakage behavior, and sound control in laminated glass

Identify architectural applications where integrated structural and acoustic performance can simplify glazing design

10:10 — 10:35

Jared Della Valle

CEO & Founder

Alloy

Topic

The Alloy Block's One Third Avenue: Curious Path to High Performance

Talk points

Exercising design control by being both architect and developer

Navigating technical problems to drive experience

Establishing value by flexing your values

10:35 — 11:35

Topic

Networking Tea / Coffee Break

11:35 — 12:00

Topic

Topic to be Announced

12:00 — 12:20

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

12:20 — 12:50

Topic

Topic to be Announced

12:50 — 13:30

Dan Piselli

Principal, Director of Sustainability

FX Collaborative

Laura S. Humphrey

Senior Director of Energy + Sustainability

L+M Development Partners

Matthew Bremer

Founder & Director

Architecture in Formation

Sara Bayer

Associate Principal | Director of Sustainability

Magnusson Architecture & Planning

Topic

Affordable Housing through a Sustainability Lens

Session summary

Dan Piselli

13:30 — 14:30

Topic

Networking Lunch Break

Enrica Oliva

Adjunct Associate Professor

Pratt Institute School of Architecture

Topic

Session Chair

14:30 — 14:50

Soheil Mohammadi

Principal

Walter P Moore

Topic

Lightweight Structures, Bold Architecture: The Engineering Behind ETFE and PTFE Envelopes

Talk points

Transforming ambitious architectural concepts into innovative lightweight structural systems

Exploring the versatility of ETFE and PTFE-clad lightweight structures

Demonstrating how lightweight design enables architectural flexibility, efficiency, and faster construction

14:50 — 15:10

Topic

Topic to be Announced

15:10 — 15:20

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

15:20 — 15:30

Greg Simmons

CEO

Insol

Topic

Stunning, Beautiful Façades - What Could Possibly Go Wrong

Talk points

Risks worth designing for

Mitigation worth paying for

Case studies worth learning from

15:30 — 16:05

Alex Josephson

Principal

Partisans

Gayatri Desai

Director of Design Technology

ennead

Matthias Hollwich

Principal

HWKN

Clinton Miller

Associate Principal

SHoP Architects

Topic

Making the Improbable Possible: Realizing the Computational Façade

Talk points

Expanding architectural ambition through AI and computation to pursue forms, material expressions and methods of making beyond established conventions

Sustaining the force of the original idea as it moves through material research, engineering, panelization, fabrication and assembly

Bringing beauty, performance, material behaviour, tolerances and construction realities into productive alignment

Session summary

Alex Josephson

Topic

Session Chair

14:30 — 14:50

Tali Mejicovsky

Director of Design for Building Envelope

Turner Engineering Group

Topic

Building Envelopes Through the Owner’s Lens: Balancing Performance, Risk and Constructability

Talk points

Define envelope performance around the owner’s full set of priorities

Bring constructability and supply-chain constraints into the design process early to avoid downstream impacts

Find the project-specific “sweet spot” where design ambition, performance and budget align

14:50 — 15:10

Aman Krishan

Design Principal

HOK

Topic

Sculpted By Light: Reframing the Brooklyn Borough-Based Facility as a Dignified Civic Façade

Talk points

A bold initiative to implement design-build for Brooklyn Borough Based Jails rooted in New York’s legacy of enduring civic architecture

A sculpted façade expression translating dignity and permanence through a contemporary architectural language

Design-led design-build partnerships can yield the best of delivery process: design excellence within budget and schedule

15:10 — 15:20

Skyler Will

Associate Scientist

Dow

Topic

Designing Beyond Limits: Advanced Sealant Technologies for Modern Façades

Talk points

Modeling complex real-world loads beyond traditional design methods

Predicting durability through material science and performance modeling

Unlocking architectural freedom while maintaining reliability

15:20 — 15:30

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

15:30 — 16:05

Rowan Georges

Director of Specifications

SOM

Topic

Specifications for evolving carbon standards and NYC Local Law compliance

Talk points

Best practices and methodologies for evaluating materials assessments, such as EPDs

In-house research and maintaining current and exetnsive materials libraries

Collaboration with manufacturers early on

Session summary

Rowan Georges

Topic

Session Chair

14:30 — 14:50

Andy Loff

Chief Executive Officer

Building Composites

Dean Mouritzen

Project Executive

HITT

Reginald Truxon

Senior Associate

Gensler

Topic

HITT Headquarters: A New Paradigm in Building Skin

Talk points

Exploring the innovative envelope of HITT Contracting’s new Virginia headquarters which is not just a workplace, but a prototype for what’s next in the industry

14:50 — 15:10

Joseph G. Tattoni

Design Principal

ikon.5 architects

Topic

Topic to be Announced

15:10 — 15:20

Dean White

Regional Façade Sales Manager

Cosentino

Topic

Sustainable Façade Design with Ultracompact Stone

Talk points

Ultracompact stone: A sustainable carbon neutral façade material

Attachment methods for ventilated rainscreen and curtainwall integration

Design considerations related to performance, budget, and design intent

15:20 — 15:30

Robert Miller

President

Jansen America

Topic

Practical Tips for Sustainable Architecture

Talk points

Experiences from European historical renovation projects: Battersea Power Plant (UK), The Whiteley (UK), New Flora (DE), and Norblin Factory(PL)

Traditional aesthetics & modern performance

Steel’s contribution for sustainability and LEED certification

15:30 — 16:05

Darina Zlateva

Director

KPF

John Cetra

Founding Principal

CetraRuddy Architecture

Mark Ginsberg

Partner

Curtis + Ginsberg Architects

Vincent Ortiz

Director of Professional Services

CANY

Topic

Façade Retrofits, Overcladding & Recladding

Talk points

Challenges found and met in reconfiguring an existing property with a new façade

Bringing NYCHA housing up to code, creating more livable spaces for the City

Session summary

Vincent Ortiz

16:05 — 16:35

Topic

Networking Tea / Coffee Break

16:35 — 16:55

Topic

Topic to be Announced

16:55 — 17:35

Kimberly Garcia

Sr. Director Design & Construction

Tishman Speyer

John Pachuta

Principal

Heintges

Topic

JPMorganChase Global HQ's Vibrant Interface with the City

Talk points

Exposed Structure: The steel frame is prominently visible on the surface, emphasizing the structural engineering, complemented by commercial bronze cladding on the outboard columns

Triple-pane insulated glazing units feature low-emissivity coatings and argon gas fills to minimize thermal transfer

Modular panel system allows for disassembly and maintenance without breaking the envelope's thermal integrity

World class art enriches the cultural fabric of New York City

17:35 — 17:40

Topic

Thanks & End of the Conference