About The Event

Zak World of Façades is a globally acclaimed conference series dedicated to façade design & engineering. With over 200 editions successfully delivered worldwide, the series has attracted more than 70,000 delegates across 50 countries, making it one of the most influential platforms for the architectural façade industry.

The upcoming event, which is the 231st global edition and the 4th edition in Toronto, will bring together leading architects, façade engineers, consultants, developers, contractors, and industry specialists to explore the latest innovations, emerging trends, practical solutions, and key challenges shaping the building envelope sector.

The conference will feature insightful presentations from domain experts, complemented by a curated tabletop exhibition showcasing products & solutions from various suppliers. Attendees will also benefit from extensive networking opportunities, fostering meaningful connections and knowledge exchange throughout the day.

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

231

Edition

30

Speakers and Panelists

4

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.

Brian Porter

Brian Porter

Principal,
Two Row Architect

Brian Porter

Principal, Two Row Architect

Topic: Indigenous influences in contemporary façade design and structure

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Bruno Weber

Bruno Weber

Partner,
KPMB

Bruno Weber

Partner, KPMB

Topic: Indigenous influences in contemporary façade design and structure

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Dan McTavish

Dan McTavish

Associate Principal,
Perkins&Will

Dan McTavish

Associate Principal, Perkins&Will

Topic: Indigenous influences in contemporary façade design and structure

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David Dow

David Dow

Principal,
Diamond Schmitt

David Dow

Principal, Diamond Schmitt

Topic: Modernity in a historical context

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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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Juan Carlos Portuese

Juan Carlos Portuese

Partner,
DIALOG

Juan Carlos Portuese

Partner, DIALOG

Topic: Topic to be Announced

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Natasha Appel

Natasha Appel

Business Development Manager,
EJOT

Natasha Appel

Business Development Manager, EJOT

Topic: Stainless Steel: Preferred Material for Rainscreen Attachment

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Owen Coyle

Owen Coyle

President,
IG Masonry Support Systems

Owen Coyle

President, IG Masonry Support Systems

Topic: Inspiring Innovation in Brick: Pushing Boundaries in Modern Masonry

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Schedule

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

Session 1
(08.50 - 10.15)

08.00 - 08.50
Delegate Registration & Welcome Coffee Hour
Event Convenor & Host
08.50 - 09.00
Welcome Address
09.00 - 09.25
Modernity in a historical context

  • 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

David Dow
Principal, Diamond Schmitt
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09.25 - 09.45
Topic to be Announced
09.45 - 10.05
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
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10.05 - 10.15
Presentation by Vitro
10.15 - 10.55
Networking Tea / Coffee Break

Session 2
(10.55 - 12.35)

10.55 - 11.15
Topic to be Announced
11.15 - 11.25
Stainless Steel: Preferred Material for Rainscreen Attachment

  • Influence of the rainscreen attachment system
  • Benefits of stainless steel: Resistance to fire, thermal and energy, corrosion resistance
  • Sustainability

Natasha Appel
Business Development Manager, EJOT
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11.25 - 11.35
Presentation by Saint Gobain Glass
11.35 - 12.00
Topic to be Announced
12.00 - 12.35
Indigenous influences in contemporary façade design and structure

  • How to best express and celebrate Indigenous culture and sovereignty on their lands
  • Case studies that demonstrate the full cycle of community engagement in the work
  • Translating the vision to subcontractors, adjusting budgets and materials as needed

Bruno Weber

Moderator
Bruno Weber
Partner, KPMB
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Panelist
Dan McTavish
Associate Principal, Perkins&Will
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Panelist
Brian Porter
Principal, Two Row Architect
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12.35 - 13.35
Networking Lunch Break

Session 3
(13.35 - 15.05)

13.35 - 14.00
Topic to be Announced

Juan Carlos Portuese
Partner, DIALOG
View Profile
14.00 - 14.20
Topic to be Announced
14.20 - 14.30
Inspiring Innovation in Brick: Pushing Boundaries in Modern Masonry

  • Next generation stainless steel masonry support systems
  • Realizing intricate brick features with prefabricated brick slip soffit systems
  • Case studies: Innovation in action

Owen Coyle
President, IG Masonry Support Systems
View Profile
14.30 - 14.40
Presentation by HB Fuller
14.40 - 15.05
Topic to be Announced
15.05 - 15.45
Networking Tea / Coffee Break

Session 4
(15.45 - 17.15)

15.45 - 16.05
Topic to be Announced
16.05 - 16.15
Topic to be Announced
16.15 - 16.55
Heritage Restorations, Readaptations, Repurposing

  • Criteria for Heritage Preservation | What are the key factors that guide decisions in building preservation?
  • Old meets new — how do you bring both together? 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?
17.10 - 17.15
Thanks/Conference Concludes


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

Watch the full video recording and snippet from the Zak World of Façades Toronto 2025 edition

Full Event Recording

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, 8 AIA HSW CEUs will be credited to the attendees. The delegate must attend in-person for the entire program and sign up at the conclusion with their current AIA membership number to receive the credits.

Qualified attendees will earn 8 OAA hours which can be claimed at the end of the event.

Venue


Registrations start at 8:00 am

Address

Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel, Toronto (Osgoode Ballroom & Sheraton Hall ABC - Lower Concourse), 123 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M5H 2M9, 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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