149th Edition – Zak World of Façades USA

This will be the 149th edition globally and the 1st edition in Miami 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
Sr. VP - Design & Construction, Terra
Michael Piazza has been with Terra Group since 2005. He is responsible for overseeing and managing the design and construction aspects of numerous real estate projects including multi-family (including site development), condominiums, single family, commercial, retail, and multi-use. Featured Terra...
Principal, DeSimone
Federico Balestrazzi, a civil engineer specializing in designing and constructing cladding systems and complex façades, is pivotal in leading projects for DeSimone Consulting Engineering from the firm’s Miami office. His 24 years of experience in building enclosures and products includes...
Vice President, Poma Construction Corp.
Jason Poma holds a Florida State Certified General Contractor License which he has maintained since 2003. He serves as the architectural liaison and qualifier for Poma and oversees the high-level operations of all current projects. Working in both the construction...
VP, Co-Founder, KVC Constructors, Inc.
Vick Crespin, LEED AP BD+C is a CO-founder and Vice President of KVC Constructors, Inc. with over 40 years in the construction industry. He has been involved in the construction of several impactful projects including EPCOT Center in Disney World,...
Co-Chair, Goldman Properties
Jessica Goldman Srebnick is the co-chair of Goldman Properties, the creative real estate firm with a storied history in developing thriving global destinations across the United States such as SoHo in New York City, Center City Philadelphia, Miami Beach, and...
Founding Principal, Shulman + Associates
Allan Shulman is an architect, author, editor and curator. He also serves as a Professor at the University of Miami School of Architecture. Allan’s research focuses on themes of modernism, tropicality and urbanism. Published works include Building Bacardi: Architecture, Art...
Principal-in-Charge, Kobi Karp Architecture
Kobi Karp is the Founder and Principal of Kobi Karp Architecture and Interior Design, Inc (KKAID). Kobi founded the firm in 1996 and has been the Principal-in-Charge of design since then. KKAID is a full-service architectural and interior design firm...
Founder & CEO, Javad Ahmad PE Inc.
Javad Ahmad began his journey in the fenestration industry, gaining insights from Dr. Humayoun Farooq, a renowned expert. Graduating in 2003, he applied his expertise to various glazing projects, ensuring compliance with stringent building codes, especially in hurricane-prone areas. His...
Structural Engineer, Stantec
Anshuman Dogra, with 8+ years of structural and facade design expertise, specializes in high-rise buildings, wood-framed structures, and advanced glazing systems. His focus on high-rise landmarks is complemented by a deep understanding of both wood-framed construction and glazing technology, showcasing...
Developer, One Thousand Group
Kevin Venger has managed and co-developed the construction and development of six major high-rise mixed-use buildings with more than 1,400 residences and over 7 million sf throughout South Florida. Kevin has managed all facets of the development projects of over...
North American Regional Account Manager, Eastman
Bob Ford is the North American Regional Account Manager for Eastman’s Advanced Materials Division. In this role, he manages the sales of Saflex and Vanceva interlayers to architectural laminators in the United States and Canada. Bob has been in the...
Senior Director - Design & Development, JDS Development
Antonia Devine, AIA, LEED AP, is Senior Director of Design and Development at JDS Development Group, an innovative real estate development, construction and acquisition firm responsible for the creation of numerous residential, hospitality and mixed-use projects in New York City...
Director of Architectural Sales, ES Windows
Jack Redden is the Architectural Sales Manager for ES Windows, with 25 years of commercial glazing experience. He is a CSI-CDT Accredited Professional and has presented over 1,000 CEUs to over 10,000 architects. Jack is based in Orlando and covers...
Director, KPF
As a Director at KPF, Grace Liao has completed a diverse range of projects including commercial, mixed-use, residential, research and development, and transportation designs throughout Asia, Canada, and the United States. Grace’s work blends conceptual design rigor with a strong...
CFO, Al-Farooq Corporation
Jalal Farooq, is the CFO of Al-Farooq Corporation. With intricate knowledge of the Florida product approval and Miami-Dade NOA processes, his expertise has resulted in the certification of nearly 500 different glazing systems for hurricane resistance. Jalal is a certified...
Partner, Miami Curtain Wall Consultants
John R. Medina, RA, AIA, has been involved as an exterior envelope consultant in design, and construction for over 42 years and is the principal/owner of Miami Curtain Wall Consultants (MCWC). John is a seasoned professional with experience in corporate,...
Director of Design, Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill
Juan Betancur, AIA, LEED AP is an expert in designing supertall, high-performance buildings. As Director at Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture (AS+GG), he has developed a comprehensive design approach that incorporates innovative solutions to many of the issues that...
President and Design Principal, ODP Architecture and Design
Kurt J. Dannwolf is the founder and creative visionary of ODP Architecture and Design. Since its inception, he has stayed involved in all aspects of design while growing the company into one of the top mid-size firms. His holistic approach...
Partner, Miami Curtain Wall Consultants
Maria Moral, RA AIA, has been with Miami Curtain Wall Consultants (MCWC) for an impressive three decades, showcasing a profound dedication to the curtain wall industry. Throughout her extensive career, Maria has played a pivotal role in shaping the success...
Vice Chairman, TurkishGlass
Tansu Kumru has 30 years of experience in the glass sector and has been working for Şişecam which is currently one of the world’s leading glass manufacturers with production operations located in 14 countries on four continents. She is currently...
Business Manager - LUMIFLON® Resins, AGC Chemical
Winn Darden is Business Manager for LUMIFLON® Fluoropolymer Resins for North America. He has been involved in sales and marketing for coatings and coating raw materials for more than 30 years. Mr. Darden has given presentations at numerous conferences and...
Director, Eckersley O'Callaghan
Lisa Rammig leads the teams in Eckersley O’Callaghan’s California offices. She has played a significant role in its expansion, establishing a West Coast presence, and leading many of the group’s most challenging projects, while she remains involved in academia and...
Specification Leader US, Axalta
Ben Mitchell, is Segment Manager for Architectural powder and liquid coatings at Axalta Coating Systems, a global paints and coatings company. He has a bachelor’s degree in comprehensive science as well as an MBA from Urbana University in Ohio. Ben...
Managing Director, NR Group
Attila Arian is a senior level executive with 30 years of progressively responsible experience in the German and American Construction and a known entity in the Façade industry. He has served as CEO of several German Design Build Contractors before...
Conference Agenda
  • In large, complex projects with multiple stakeholders, how an Architect of Record (AoR) can bring order and structure, ensuring that the various project elements come together cohesively
  • A good AoR provides: Local expertise, coordination & oversight, code compliance, quality assurance, risk management, project budget & timeline management and communication and documentation
  • A synopsis of a historical moment in time that defined the necessary evolution of the architectural skin in South Florida
  • The power of water in the erosion of buildings and the deterioration of cladding
  • Changes in construction techniques, materials and technology before, during and after
  • Application of glass can go beyond designs for wind load
  • Glazing as an alternative to flood barriers and panels
  • Designing testing to meet stringent standards for defense or prisons: flame, impact, acid, forced entry, and blast resistance
  • Understanding the unique challenges of hurricane winds and security
  • Laminated glass with protective interlayers: A comprehensive solution
  • Integration with building design
  • Project management approach
  • Unique projects completed all around the world with customized solutions
  • Sustainable buildings through advanced glass products and technologies
  • Local vs global: How similar weather conditions are addressed in different parts of the world
  • Design vs. performance and how to achieve both
  • How façades are evolving to improve resilience and need for flexibility
  • Achieving excellence in projects
  • Exploring colors online and offline
  • Drawing inspiration from case studies and resources
  • Learn about the complexities of designing and constructing organic forms in residential architecture
  • How and why GRFC panels were chosen as the best façade material for Una’s fluid, organic form
  • Explore how technical innovations and analyses’ were used to design around the harsh weather conditions in Miami including sun, salt, sand, and water
  • Uniting wellness, nature and art
  • Façade design inspired by local flora, arts, and culture
  • Crafting the façade: Guided by iterative sustainability analysis
  • New ISO vs. ASTM vs. TAS standard, the upcoming new international standard for hurricane glazing
  • Avoiding common pitfalls when certifying within the high velocity hurricane zone for the first time
  • Project specific product testing and other special considerations
  • SCIENCE: The electromagnetic spectrum and visible light
  • PSYCHOLOGY: The psychological benefits of consistent exposure to natural light
  • ART: Discuss daylighting design strategies that balance performance vs aesthetics to create healthier interior spaces
  • Is achieving prominence in an increasingly dense urban setting important or contextuality?
  • Is a “green” building important in marketing of a project and how do you meet new standards via the building envelope?
  • Incorporating new technologies like AI to improve supply chain issues, collaboration, etc

Federico Balestrazzi​​​​

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