222nd Edition – Zak World of Façades UAE

This will be the 222^nd edition globally and the 11^th edition in UAE which will showcase sustainable innovations and challenges in the construction industry pertaining to the building envelope and will also display latest technological solutions.

Official Page

Speakers & Panelists

Maya Cochrane

RIBA Gulf Chapter Chair | Architect and Health-Centred Design & Ethical AI, RIBA Gulf

Experienced RIBA Chartered Architect & Healthy Materials Expert, framing Health-Centred Design as the next evolution of sustainability—connecting material health and ethical AI to create environments that actively support the health of both people and planet. Leading MAYA MATERIAL studio,...

Gizelle Javidan

Consultant - Building Enclosures, WSP

Dr. Gizelle Javidan is a Computational Design Architect with a Ph.D. specializing in the intersection of architecture, advanced geometry, and emerging technologies. Her work explores how computational design, AI-driven workflows, and performance-based strategies can shape intelligent, and fabrication-aware designs. With...

Mohamad Kasab

Techno-Commercial Manager, IBECE Group

Mohamad Kasab is an experienced engineering professional with over a decade of expertise in delivering large-scale projects across the UAE, KSA, Lebanon, and Asia. His background spans technical delivery, complex building systems, and techno-commercial management, with a strong focus on...

Nic Holmes

Lead AI Design Innovator, LW Design Group

Nic Holmes is the Lead AI Design Innovator at LW Design Group, driving the integration of generative AI across the firm’s global architecture and interiors practice. For the past four years, he has been deeply focused on AI R&D, exploring...

Nandan Tavkar

Senior Associate Director, Climate Response + ESG Advisory | Strategic Consulting, Jacobs

Nandan has 20 years of sustainability thought leadership in the built environment, with expertise in energy and experience in all aspects of sustainability in the built-environment context. He recently leads key sustainability aspects of a major Net-Zero Airport Masterplan development...

Khaled Iskandar

AI Educator & Workflow Strategist, ZKANDAR

Khalid Iskandar is an Architect and Interior Designer turned AI Educator, Workflow Strategist, and founder of ZKANDAR L.L.C, an EdTech company focused on AI integration for the creative industry. With over a decade of experience across luxury hospitality, F&B design,...

Elia Galatolo

Senior Façade Engineer, Arup

Elia is a façade specialist with expertise in building physics, sustainability, and façade design detailing. He is also actively engaged in digital innovation, leveraging advanced tools and workflows to improve design integration and performance. His work centres on developing holistic...

Christine Espinosa-Erlanda

Associate Director, Godwin Austen Johnson

Christine is a seasoned and award-winning architect in the Middle East, with over two decades of experience shaping the architectural landscape. A proud Filipina architect, she pursued her passion for design and furthered her education with a Master’s degree in...

Ralph Damkoehler

Managing Director, seele Middle East

For more than two decades, Ralph Damkoehler has been at the forefront of international façade engineering, shaping some of the most technically ambitious and visually striking architectural projects across the globe. After eight years with the company, he embarked on...

Oana Fayyad

Senior Architect, Killa Design

Rania AlBanna

Senior Façade Consultant, Meinhardt Façade Technology

Rania AlBanna is a Senior Façade Consultant at Meinhardt Facade and Technology⁠ with experience in façade design, coordination, and delivery across complex architectural projects in the Middle East. She is passionate about combining technical precision with elegant, high-performing building envelopes,...

Amir Shurafa

Head of Design, Ai certified expert, Danube Properties

With over ten years of experience in interior design, project management, and emerging technologies, I am the Head of Interior Design at Danube Properties, a leading real estate developer in the region. I lead the design and innovation team to...

Ian Inglis

Senior Project Manager, Werner Sobek Dubai

Highly effective operations executive with over 30 years of demonstrated history working in the consulting and construction industry. Experienced in overseeing Design Management, Project Management and Construction Management on high-profile projects with a professional and skilled command of Master Planning,...

Gary White

VP Masterplanning & Design, Expo City Dubai

Drew Gilbert

Lead Design Architect & Global AI Lead, OBM International

Drew Gilbert is an award-winning Architect, Urban Designer, and Futurist. Gilbert’s work is defined by his integration of technology and design, a deep respect for site, climate, and cultural context, and his ability to craft solutions that are both timeless...

Prathush Sreedharan

Specification Leader - Middle East, Axalta Coating Systems

I’ve spent more than 10 years leading marketing and specification efforts within the industrial materials and construction sectors across Middle East. My approach is rooted in my civil engineering background and a genuine passion for the intersection of material science...

Alejandro Garcia Gadea

Lead Principal Architect, Atkins Réalis

Alejandro is a Lead Principal Architect at AtkinsRealis, specializing in the design and development of landmark projects in the Middle East. Currently focused on the Mukaab, the world’s largest building set for completion in 2030, his design approach integrates innovation and...

Yu Si

Team Leader & Department Design Director, gad Architects

Yu Si is a Team Leader and Department Design Director at gad. Known for his rigorous approach to design realization and spatial storytelling, Yu Si excels at navigating the complexities of diverse architectural typologies. His philosophy anchors on “Constructed Narrative,”...

Tan Cai

Partner & Design Director, gad Architects

Tan Cai is a Senior Partner and Design Director at gad, and a RIBA Chartered Architect. With a portfolio bridging serene cultural resorts and iconic supertall skyscrapers, As a core design leader at gad, Tan Cai possesses a visionary global...

Tony Abi Gebrayel

Managing Partner, MZ Architects

Tony Abi Gebrayel is a partner at MZ Architects. He is the Projects Director of MZ Architects LLC, Abu Dhabi, UAE, and a chief contributor to the company’s design vision. He has been managing the company for 18 years and...

Celeste Gariando

Technical Director, Meinhardt Façade Technology

Celeste joined Meinhardt Façade Technology (MFT) – Dubai in 2008 and is now MFT’s Technical Director, bringing over 20 years of experience in façade engineering across the Middle East and Central Asia. She holds a Master’s Degree in Structural Engineering...

Fan Lee

Founder, Anometal Aluminum

Mr. Fan Lee is the founder of Anometal Aluminum Co., Ltd. who has profound expertise in the industry of pre-treated aluminium. Anometal masters the core technology of continuous anodising and has three automatic continuous pre-anodising lines nowadays. With 28 years’...

Maher Hasson

Director - Sales Operations AME, Guardian Glass

Maher is a motivated and enthusiastic Glass and Façade Passionate, a Leader with a wide experience in Management, Projects and Sales operations. 18 years with Guardian Glass during which, great wealth of experience and expertise gained, started in Guardian RAK...

Jincy Mariam Rinu

Middle East Façade Leader, Arup

With over 19 years of experience in the region, Jincy is a seasoned facade professional specializing in the design and execution of sustainable building envelopes. As the Middle East Façade Leader at Arup, she plays a key role in shaping façade...

Alina Valcarce

Founder | Design Director, Valcarce Architects

Alina is a visionary leader and Architect, serving as the founder and design director of Valcarce Architects. With an unwavering passion for innovative architectural forms and groundbreaking designs, Alina continuously pushes the boundaries of what is possible in the built...

Edward McIntosh

Regional Design Director (Middle East + Africa), Atkins Réalis

Ed McIntosh is a British-Ecuadorean architect. He is a Fulbright Scholar and Graduate of Columbia University. Ed has more than 25 years of professional experience with a long standing trajectory in the design of sport & event venues, stadia, arenas...

Jason Quick

Senior Vice President, Projects Delivery, Expo City Dubai

Shyam Chand

Associate Consultant - Building Access, WSP

Shyam Chand is a façade access specialist with 18 years of experience across the Middle East, North Africa, and India. He supports commercial and residential developments by analysing façades and developing robust, architecturally integrated Building Maintenance Unit (BMU) solutions and...

Giovanni Zizioli

Partner | Middle East Director, Maffeis Engineering

Giovanni has honed his ability to lead complex multidisciplinary projects, coordinating efforts between structural, architectural and technical teams to deliver cohesive and high-quality solutions. As Partner and Middle East Director for Maffeis Engineering, he oversees engineering deliverables and timelines, ensuring...

Marina Kindelan Calvo

Director of Facades ME / APAC, AESG

Marina is AESG’s Associate Façades Director. Since joining the firm in 2017, she has been involved in a varied range of projects such as the writing of thermal insulation guidelines, a residential development with a GFA of 300,000 sqm. In...

Benjamin Beer

Managing Director, Werner Sobek Dubai

Benjamin has been working as a façade professional for 20 years with projects around the world and long-term positions in Stuttgart, London, New York and Dubai. After building up and heading the Dubai office of Werner Sobek in the position...

Osama Abbas

CEO, IBECE Group

A professional with 20 years of extensive experience, and solid technical knowledge, covering the design, specification, construction, testing and commissioning of building envelopes. Mr. Abbas holds dual major degrees in engineering, a Master’s degree in Façade Engineering, and a Bachelor...

Conference Agenda