150th Edition – Zak World of Façades Canada

• How exterior wall systems are becoming increasingly complex due to various factors: overseas procurement streams, stricter energy codes, and the growing trend of complex building geometries
• Exploring the trends, challenges, and opportunities surrounding these façade systems
• Lessons learned from projects across Canada

• Sustainability strategy
• The sustainability wave in the construction industry: Getting ready for the future
• The importance of operational carbon and embodied carbon: Need to go hand in hand to decarbonise

• Expressing the structural frame to articulate the buildings functions on the city skyline
• How the façade systems integrate the functional and aesthetic requirements of a “super-tall” building
• The importance of complex performance mock-ups to test material and systems

• Future-proofing your building enclosure for a changing climate
• Readying the industry to meet the challenges of more wind, rain, heat
• Building on the climate adaptation measures
• Project requirements to change on National Building Code

Sathya Ramachandran

• The value of collaboration
• Models and mock-ups as an essential design tool
• Designing bespoke façades in a value driven process

• Exploring various cladding materials
• Determining whether to preserve or update brutalist design intent
• Renovation challenges if building remains occupied

• Sustainable façade design with a carbon neutral solution
• Attachment methods for ventilated rainscreens and curtainwall integration
• Design considerations related to meeting the performance, budget criteria and the design intent for a project

• Concept: The project as gateway to the U of T campus
• Façade concept: A dynamic atrium splits the building into two different programs
• Solar Façade: Multi-layered panels positively contribute to the building’s appearance, as well as renewable energy

• Problem: The quest to achieve a sustainable future for building façade design and installation is one that faces key challenges vis-à-vis 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?

• Projects brief
• Glass specification
• Aesthetic effect

• Case study building is a recently completed exemplar of a high-performance low-carbon building retrofit in downtown Toronto
• Presentation will provide insight into the technical challenges associated with thermal-bridge-free detailing of a high-performance exterior insulated wall
• Presentation will also dig into the “boots on the ground” execution of the guarded and whole building air tightness testing performed as part of the enclosure commissioning program

• Why do beauty, daylight and natural views matter for education, mental health, and connection to land?
• With winter temperatures regularly reaching -60°C, how can desirable window-to-wall ratios be achieved in one of the world's most challenging arctic climates?
• What innovative glazing technologies can architects leverage to maximize thermal performance and durability in cold climates?

• Risk vs. reward
• How to best handle QA/QC from abroad
• Procuring bespoke façades globally to suit local requirements

Moran Olsha