About The Event

Zak World of Façades is a globally recognized conference series focusing on façade design and engineering. To date, it has successfully hosted over 200 editions, attracting more than 65,000 delegates worldwide. This one-day conference is held across 44 countries, including the Middle East, South Asia, Southeast Asia, East Asia, Europe, Australasia and North America.

The forthcoming event, marking its 211th global and 1st edition in Calgary, will focus on sustainable innovations and tackle construction industry challenges related to the building envelope. Attendees can expect to see the latest products & trends from renowned industry leaders.

For more information and a look at past events, visit www.zakwof.com.


Who Should Attend

The event is ideal for Architects, Developers, General/Main Contractors, Façade Consultants, Façade Contractors, Sustainability/ESD Consultants, Fire Consultants, Glass Processors, Structural Consultants, Cost Consultants, Quantity Surveyors, PMC’s and related building specifiers.

Insightful Dialogues & Networking

Hear from experts in the domain of façade design, engineering, procuring and execution on their views on constructing high-performance, safe, sustainable and long lasting façades with the latest techniques and tools available. Also, network with other industry peers and leading manufacturers & solution providers in the façade industry.


Key Numbers

211

Edition

24

Speakers and Panelists

3

Sessions

1

Day

Speakers

Our speakers and panelists are domain experts and will ensure that the content presented at the event is meaningful with key takeaways to ponder upon. Below is the initial list of speakers, more to be added as we progress.

Anine Eschberger Wortmann

Anine Eschberger Wortmann

Associate | Business Development Lead,
Gravity Architecture

Anine Eschberger Wortmann

Associate | Business Development Lead, Gravity Architecture

Topic: Façade Delivery & Procurement Models

View Profile

Brian Hubbs

Brian Hubbs

Principal | Specialist,
RDH Building Science

Brian Hubbs

Principal | Specialist, RDH Building Science

Topic: Holding the Line: Enclosure Design for Wildfire Resilience – A Canadian Enclosure Engineers Perspective

View Profile

Christian Flores

Christian Flores

Senior Project Manager, Building Sciences,
WSP

Christian Flores

Senior Project Manager, Building Sciences, WSP

Topic: Advancing Enclosure Performance with Off-Site Construction

View Profile

Christopher Zahaluk

Christopher Zahaluk

Project Director,
Lemay

Christopher Zahaluk

Project Director, Lemay

Topic: Adaptive Reuse: Protecting Heritage and Modernizing Façades

View Profile

David Leonard

David Leonard

Principal-in-Charge,
METAFOR

David Leonard

Principal-in-Charge, METAFOR

Topic: Adaptive Reuse: Protecting Heritage and Modernizing Façades

View Profile

Jeff Ker

Jeff Ker

Sr. Technical Advisor,
Engineered Assemblies

Jeff Ker

Sr. Technical Advisor, Engineered Assemblies

Topic: Building Façades and Sustainability

View Profile

Joel Schwartz

Joel Schwartz

Principal, Building Science - President,
JRS Engineering

Joel Schwartz

Principal, Building Science - President, JRS Engineering

Topic: Façade Delivery & Procurement Models

View Profile

John Brown

John Brown

Dean of Architecture,
University of Calgary

John Brown

Dean of Architecture, University of Calgary

Topic: Adaptive Reuse: Protecting Heritage and Modernizing Façades

View Profile

Jordi Marasse

Jordi Marasse

Technical Project Consultant,
Reynaers Aluminium

Jordi Marasse

Technical Project Consultant, Reynaers Aluminium

Topic: Sustainability from Every Angle in the Building Envelope

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Kelly Coles

Kelly Coles

Vice President, Building & Infrastructure,
CMLC

Kelly Coles

Vice President, Building & Infrastructure, CMLC

Topic: Façade Delivery & Procurement Models

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Kevin Bridgman

Kevin Bridgman

Partner,
KPMB Architects

Kevin Bridgman

Partner, KPMB Architects

Topic: Transparency, Hospitality and the City: Rethinking Cultural Front Doors

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Kyle Auch

Kyle Auch

Associate,
DIALOG

Kyle Auch

Associate, DIALOG

Topic: Glenbow Reimagined: J.R. Shaw Centre for Arts and Culture

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Leo Lejeune

Leo Lejeune

Vice President & Higher Education Lead,
Stantec

Leo Lejeune

Vice President & Higher Education Lead, Stantec

Topic: Façade Delivery & Procurement Models

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Lisa Gibson

Lisa Gibson

Principal,
Colliers Project Leaders

Lisa Gibson

Principal, Colliers Project Leaders

Event Convenor & Host

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Maxim Olshevsky

Maxim Olshevsky

CEO,
Astra Group

Maxim Olshevsky

CEO, Astra Group

Topic: Adaptive Reuse: Protecting Heritage and Modernizing Façades

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Michael Dub

Michael Dub

Principal,
Dub Architects

Michael Dub

Principal, Dub Architects

Topic: Coronation Park Sports and Recreation Centre: Where Elite Sport Meets Community-Embedded Recreation Through Façade Design

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Michael Henderson

Michael Henderson

Principal,
hcma architecture + design

Michael Henderson

Principal, hcma architecture + design

Topic: Coronation Park Sports and Recreation Centre: Where Elite Sport Meets Community-Embedded Recreation Through Façade Design

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Mike Vanderveen

Mike Vanderveen

Emerging Markets Manager,
Lumon North America

Mike Vanderveen

Emerging Markets Manager, Lumon North America

Topic: Creating Immersive Outdoor Experiences with Glazing Technology

View Profile

Mira Saba

Mira Saba

Project Engineer,
RJC Engineers

Mira Saba

Project Engineer, RJC Engineers

Topic: Façade Air Tightness & Quantifying Air Leakage Rates in Commercial Façades

View Profile

Paul Carter

Paul Carter

Project Director, Building Sciences,
WSP

Paul Carter

Project Director, Building Sciences, WSP

Topic: Advancing Enclosure Performance with Off-Site Construction

View Profile

Peter Dushenski

Peter Dushenski

Managing Director,
GlasCurtain

Peter Dushenski

Managing Director, GlasCurtain

Topic: Northern Resilience: Zero-Tariff Façades for Net-Zero Buildings

View Profile

Robert Clement

Robert Clement

Principal,
Populous

Robert Clement

Principal, Populous

Topic: BMO Centre: Maintaining Design Intent through the Design Build & Design Assist Process

View Profile

Steve Wirzba

Steve Wirzba

Senior Development Consultant,
City of Calgary

Steve Wirzba

Senior Development Consultant, City of Calgary

Topic: Adaptive Reuse: Protecting Heritage and Modernizing Façades

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Tyler Hall

Tyler Hall

Associate,
KPMB Architects

Tyler Hall

Associate, KPMB Architects

Topic: Transparency, Hospitality and the City: Rethinking Cultural Front Doors

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Schedule

The event agenda is split into multiple sessions separated by networking break-out sessions.

Session 1
(08.50 - 10.25)

08.00 - 08.50
Delegate Registration & Welcome Coffee Hour
Event Convenor & Host

Lisa Gibson
Principal, Colliers Project Leaders
View Profile
08:50 - 09:00
Welcome Address
09:00 - 09:20
Coronation Park Sports and Recreation Centre: Where Elite Sport Meets Community-Embedded Recreation Through Façade Design

  • The UCI category A certified facility elevates the cycle track a full storey above ground level, making it fully visible from the community-focused “social heart”
  • The geometric parameters of the cycling track inspired continuous variation in the façade’s slope, resulting in dynamic massing that creates a unique view of the facility from every angle
  • How the complex shape is created with simple, radiating steel ribs and a mass plywood diaphragm, with perimeter MPP (Mass Ply Product) Douglas Fir panels that are integral to the structural system and contribute to overall airtightness

Michael Dub
Principal, Dub Architects
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Michael Henderson
Principal, hcma architecture + design
View Profile
09:20 - 09:40
Advancing Enclosure Performance with Off-Site Construction

  • Discussing how large-format wall systems can provide superior thermal performance in high-rise construction
  • Addressing constructability considerations for prefabricated envelope systems, including moisture management, quality control of concealed components, and site assembly details
  • Exploring the technical and logistical feasibility of off-site overcladding systems for retrofits, including speed and performance benefits versus challenges with existing building tolerances and site constraints

Christian Flores
Senior Project Manager, Building Sciences, WSP
View Profile

Paul Carter
Project Director, Building Sciences, WSP
View Profile
09:40 - 10:00
Sustainability from Every Angle in the Building Envelope

  • Sustainability strategy
  • The importance of operational carbon and embodied carbon: Need to go hand in hand to decarbonise
  • What really makes a building sustainable

Jordi Marasse
Technical Project Consultant, Reynaers Aluminium
View Profile
10:00 - 10:25
Transparency, Hospitality and the City: Rethinking Cultural Front Doors

  • Unpacking the design of the Werklund Centre Transformation façade—an architectural response shaped by landscape, Indigenous knowledge, and Calgary’s climate
  • Practical lessons in balancing cultural narrative, public interface, and technical sustainability in large civic projects
  • How a façade optimized for Calgary’s climate, combining a low window-to-wall ratio, high-performance envelope assemblies, refined detailing, and layered shading strategies, delivers reduced heat loss and durable climate resilience

Kevin Bridgman
Partner, KPMB Architects
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Tyler Hall
Associate, KPMB Architects
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10:25 - 11:05
Networking Tea / Coffee Break

Session 2
(11.05 - 13.05)

11:05 - 11:30
Holding the Line: Enclosure Design for Wildfire Resilience – A Canadian Enclosure Engineers Perspective

  • Understand how wildfire exposure affects buildings in wildland-adjacent areas and why the enclosure system is the critical first line of defense against ignition and fire spread
  • How wildfire exposure impacts enclosure systems, focusing on material performance, testing, and common failure mechanisms
  • Practical strategies being considered in Canada to improve wildfire resilience through better material selection, detailing, and assembly design

Brian Hubbs
Principal | Specialist, RDH Building Science
View Profile
11:30 - 11:40
Building Façades and Sustainability

  • Problem: The quest to achieve a sustainable future for building façade design and installation is one that faces key challenges vis a vi the extremes of our rapidly evolving Canadian climate
  • Insight: Knowledge of key design principles to avoid failures in performance is only part of the solution, with those working in the field installing the façades may face unexpected challenges not addressed in drawings
  • Solution: Where does building sustainability start if not at the front lines of the envelope?

Jeff Ker
Sr. Technical Advisor, Engineered Assemblies
View Profile
11:40 - 11:50
Northern Resilience: Zero-Tariff Façades for Net-Zero Buildings

  • 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?

Peter Dushenski
Managing Director, GlasCurtain
View Profile
11:50 - 12:20
Glenbow Reimagined: J.R. Shaw Centre for Arts and Culture

  • How we cut into a 1970s concrete “fortress” to make real front doors and a street-facing museum on Stephen Avenue and 9th Avenue
  • The story behind the thin, textured GFRC shell that wraps the old frame, catching light and shadow so the façade changes through the day and seasons
  • What it means for visitors, neighbours and downtown Calgary when a museum becomes part of the city life

Kyle Auch
Associate, DIALOG
View Profile
12:20 - 13:05
Façade Delivery & Procurement Models

  • How different delivery and procurement models shape façade design outcomes, collaboration, and risk allocation
  • The impact of early contractor and facade consultant involvement on buildability, cost certainty, and performance
  • Lessons learned from alternative procurement approaches in delivering complex, high-performance façade systems

Anine Eschberger Wortmann

Moderator
Anine Eschberger Wortmann
Associate | Business Development Lead, Gravity Architecture
View Profile
Panelist
Leo Lejeune
Vice President & Higher Education Lead, Stantec
View Profile
Panelist
Kelly Coles
Vice President, Building & Infrastructure, CMLC
View Profile
Panelist
Joel Schwartz
Principal, Building Science - President, JRS Engineering
View Profile
13:05 - 14:00
Networking Lunch Break

Session 3
(14.00 - 15.55)

14:00 - 14:25
BMO Centre: Maintaining Design Intent through the Design Build & Design Assist Process

  • How the design of the metal panel façade was achieved with the desired curves and bends with the trade partner
  • Fabricating the metal lantern structures and teaming with local fabricators to achieve the desired look and feel
  • Design and fabrication of the illuminated canopy

Robert Clement
Principal, Populous
View Profile
14:25 - 14:50
Façade Air Tightness & Quantifying Air Leakage Rates in Commercial Façades

  • Advantages of air-tightness testing in achieving energy targets and National Energy Code (NECB) Compliance
  • Air tightness considerations in design and Tools to monitor air tightness testing during construction
  • Air tightness testing procedures, logistics, and limitations

Mira Saba
Project Engineer, RJC Engineers
View Profile
14:50 - 15:00
Creating Immersive Outdoor Experiences with Glazing Technology

  • The current state of modern living spaces
  • Disrupting the North American architectural landscape
  • Technical specifications through case studies

Mike Vanderveen
Emerging Markets Manager, Lumon North America
View Profile
15:00 - 15:45
Adaptive Reuse: Protecting Heritage and Modernizing Façades

  • Exploring how adaptive reuse can preserve a building’s historic character while integrating high-performance façade systems
  • Strategies for modernizing aging envelopes while maintaining heritage value
  • Techniques for blending old and new materials to create cohesive, revitalized façades

John Brown

Moderator
John Brown
Dean of Architecture, University of Calgary
View Profile
Panelist
Steve Wirzba
Senior Development Consultant, City of Calgary
View Profile
Panelist
Maxim Olshevsky
CEO, Astra Group
View Profile
Panelist
Christopher Zahaluk
Project Director, Lemay
View Profile
Panelist
David Leonard
Principal-in-Charge, METAFOR
View Profile
15:45 - 15:55
Thanks/Conference Concludes
15:55 - 16:50
Refreshments & Networking

The programme is correct at time of publishing. However, given the seniority of our speakers and the nature of their roles, speakers may subsequently substitute or excuse themselves from the programme. This is always regrettable, and we will always try to replace the speaker with a speaker with equivalent insight. You can find the most up-to-date programme on this website.

Partners

Meet our industry leading suppliers who play a key role in this event. Visit their booths to know more about their products & solutions and how they can help play a role in defining your projects.

Presenting Partner

Event Registration

Register for in-person attendance below. All our registrations are subject to validation from our team. More details in the FAQ section.


TERMS & CONDITIONS FOR COMPLIMENTARY SEATS: Complimentary seats are reserved exclusively for Architects, Consultants, Contractors, Developers, Fabricators, Government Officials & PMC's. The organizers reserve the right to allocate these complimentary seats at their discretion.

Image Gallery

Images from a select previous global editions of Zak World of Façades

Video Gallery

Snippets from a select previous global editions of Zak World of Façades

  • London 2025
  • Milan 2025
  • Dubai 2025
  • Sydney 2025
  • New York 2024
  • Mumbai 2024
  • Istanbul 2024

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions about the event.

A limited number of complimentary seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis for select professionals, including architects, façade consultants, developers, project management consultants, main contractors, sustainability consultants, fire consultants, façade contractors, cost consultants, government officials and other related stakeholders. To secure your entry pass, we kindly request you to complete the official online registration process. Allocation of complimentary seats will be evaluated based on the professional nature of your organization.

For product/material suppliers & testing firms, a delegate fee of CAD 750 per person will apply, subject to availability. Please note that registrations from organizations that have participated in previous editions of the event will not be processed.

All registrations are subject to review and approval by the event organizers, whose decisions shall be considered final.

The online registration acts as an “Interest” for attending the conference. An internal system evaluates the registrations received and issues the confirmation/entry pass accordingly. The online registration alone DOES NOT stand confirmed without a confirmation/entry pass email from the organizers.

If successfully approved, the confirmation number/pass is sent within 3-4 working days of registration or earlier. It is advisable to check your spam/junk folders as there maybe chances of the email landing in those folders. If you have not received your confirmation within the stipulated timeframe, please write to the organisers/reply on the acknowledgment email to check on the status.

It is highly recommended that you use your company/official email id for registration to avoid any confirmation delay. If you use your personal email id, we will not be able to verify the same always.

No. All registrations are pre-approved online and no on-spot registrations are encouraged.

The invitation copy from the sponsors DOES NOT qualify as the entry pass. The invite mentions the registration process at the last page. All the recipients of these invitation copies are advised to follow the online registration process to attain their passes to be able to attend the event.

No. Please note, this event pass is non-transferable. Valid ID is required for event access.

The registrations start at 0800 hrs. The team at the registration desk will be fully equipped with the details of those confirmed to attend. If your registration is confirmed, you will only be asked to quote your registration number and drop your visiting cards at the registration desk to collect your badge and kit.

Post the event, the organisers will share a link to the HD video recording of the conference.

The full-day conference will include access to the conference hall, exhibit area, lunch and networking session, delegate kits and HD video recording of the conference.

Please inform us if you have any dietary restrictions at least 15 days in advance of the event.

If your firm is on our guest list or pre-qualified, then a maximum of 1-4 delegates passes per firm are allocated depending on the firm size. However, the seat allocation is on first come first serve basis and is on the discretion of the organiser.

As the seats are allocated on a first come first serve basis, the registration will close once the hall seating capacity is reached.

No. The event will be 100% in-person only.

Yes, 5.0 Structured Learning Hours(LHs) will be awarded. Delegates must attend the program in person for the full duration and sign in at the conclusion of the event. A certificate of attendance will be provided, enabling registrants to self-report their participation to their AAA(Alberta Association of Architects) professional development transcripts.

In addition, eligible attendees will receive 5 AIA(American Institute of Architects) LU/HSW credits. To qualify, delegates must attend the program in person for the full duration and sign in at the conclusion of the event using their current AIA membership number.

Venue


Registrations start at 8:00 am

Address

The Westin Calgary, Grand Ballroom (Conference Level), 320 4 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2P 2S6, Canada.

Contact Us

Get in touch with us if you have any query regarding the event, registration, sponsorship or any other general query.





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