50th Edition – Zak World of Façades United Kingdom

This was the 50th edition globally and the 2nd edition in UK. It showcased the latest innovations and challenges in the construction industry pertaining to building envelopes and the latest technological solutions.

Speakers and Panelists

Stephen Tanno

Director Pre-Construction Services, Schüco International

Stephen Tanno graduated from The University of Southampton in 1987 and worked as a Consulting Engineer for the next 16 years, including 5 years with Ove Arup in Sydney and 8 years as Group Director with Buro Happold, where he...

Adrian Brown

Group Compliance Officer, Siderise Group

Adrian is a Member of the Energy Institute a Graduate of Institute of Fire Engineers and Chartered Fire Engineer. Adrian previously supported Dubai Civil Defence as a Fire Service technical advisor in respect of Operational Intervention, Crisis and Strategic Risk...

Veronica Muffatti

Business Development for Architectural Applications, Siderval

Veronica Muffatti is responsible of the development of architectural applications in Siderval, leader in the production of hot extruded special steel and titanium profiles. After a period in Architectural-Engineering design studio, she started working in the steel industry at Siderval...

Cobus Bothma

Director - Applied Research, KPF

As Director of Applied Research at KPF, Cobus oversees most aspects of new technology development and adoption. These include computational, cognitive and visualisation technologies and systems. He has over 25 years’ experience in both developing bespoke products for commercial industries...

Myles Taylor

Director, Squire & Partners

A Director at Squire & Partners, Myles has been responsible for the delivery of a wide range of projects from the office’s own small scale developments through to large urban masterplans. In 2012 he completed the delivery of the award-winning...

Stephen Taylor

Associate Director, Allford Hall Monaghan Morris

As an associated director since 2005 Stephen has been responsible for a number of high profile projects as well as for setting up and managing the AHMM studio in Bristol. Stephen has developed specific expertise in commercial led mixed use...

Simon Lay

Director, OFR Consultants

Simon co-founded the Olsson Fire & Risk UK business in 2016 to offer clients independent, expert advice. Previously Simon has worked with AECOM as Director of Fire Engineering, and led Fire Engineering team for WSP. His technical expertise and strategic...

Daryl Roots

Strategic Procurement Manager, Sir Robert McAlpine

Daryl Roots is responsible for the strategic procurement of façade packages across the UK for Sir Robert McAlpine. He has over 20 years’ experience in construction procurement with blue chip main contractors. Daryl has been a member of the Chartered...

Lukas Romanczin

Director, Murphy Façade Studio

Lukas has an extremely broad skill set extending across all facets of modern facade envelope delivery, from complex facade design and design process solutions, to development of strategies for facade procurement and logistical and commercial management of large and complex...

Sean Butler

Sales Director - Metal Construction, Schüco UK

Sean is a graduate of Leeds University where he studied Material Science and Engineering. He has over 25 years construction industry experience. For the past 12 years he has worked in the facade industry and from the last 5 years...

Thomas Henriksen

Director, Henriksen Studio

Thomas has a high level of experience in structural and facade engineering across a wide range of buildings and infrastructure projects. Previous roles include Global Facade Leader at Mott MacDonald Ltd, Technical Director at Waagner-Biro Stahlbau AG, Technical Director at...

Saverio Pasetto

Head of Façades, Skanska

Saverio is Head of Façades at Skanska U.K., a leading construction company and developer, where he provides façade technical leadership at all project stages. He acts as a focal point for clients, designers and suppliers alike for all matters related...

Pascal Pinet

Project Manager, Ductal® by LafargeHolcim

Pascal Pinet is an engineer and architect with over ten years of experience in developing and implementing innovative solutions to address complex engineering issues in the construction field. He first joined international consulting engineers such as ARUP or Bollinger+Grohman before...

Sandeep Kashyap

Sales Director - Europe and Middle East, Halio International

Sandeep Kashyap has worked in Europe and Asia Pacific for various large companies and has been a successful business owner in the field of switchable privacy glass and dynamic solar shading glass. He is an experienced senior manager, with a...

Russell Cole

Director – Leader Façade UK, Arup

Russell is the leader of Arup’s façade business in the UK. Russell has a background in façade and structural engineering and specialises in the design, assessment and construction of all types of façade systems for a broad range of buildings....

Colman Billings

Managing Director, Billings Design Associates

Employed as Industrial Designer by Billings Design Associates Ltd, Dublin. A director of Billings Design Associates since 2001 and Managing Director since 2009. Colman has worked on the detailed design, testing and installation of prestigious projects such as Portcullis House...

Christoph Troska

Manager - Global Architecture Segment,, Trosifol® World of Interlayers

He studied core and elementary physics and made his final thesis about thin film coatings. He started his career in 2000, working for R&D at Applied Films in Hanau. At the end of 2001, he joint Pilkington where he had...

Thomas Spitzer

Managing Director, Seele

With more than 20 years of international experience in realizing complex and innovative steel-glass, all-glass, and tensile structure architecture. Thomas Spitzer has helmed many projects including Wimbledon No. 1 Court (London/UK), Bloomberg (London/UK), New Square Bridges (London/UK), Chadstone Shopping Centre...

Andrew Pryke

Director of Design, BAM Construct

Andrew leads BAM Design’s architectural, structural and interior design departments, working closely with our construction and FM divisions. He also leads the adoption, development and integration of Building Information Modelling (BIM) adoption at BAM, to increase efficiencies at all stages of design,...

Sam Potter

Design Director, Reef Group

Sam joined Reef Group as a Design Director in 2018. He has lead the design of some companies most prestigious schemes including Cavendish Square in London. He oversees the design and management of a broad spectrum of complex mixed use...

Luke Lowings

Director, Carpenter | Lowings Architecture & Design

Luke Lowings MA (RCA) ARB was born in Cambridge, England (1961) and studied Architecture at Kingston Polytechnic and the Royal College of Art, following a Foundation Course in Art and Design. Hemoved to New York in 1989 and for twelve...

David Metcalfe

Director, CWCT

David Metcalfe is a physics graduate with a Master’s degree in Façade Engineering. As Director of CWCT he is responsible for all of the Centre’s technical and training output. He lectures extensively on the subject of building physics, glass and...

Martin Liepmann

Associate Principal, Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM)

Martin Liepmann has 20 years’ experience gained delivering a variety of challenging projects around the world. At Skidmore Owings and Merrill, he is a Senior Leader within the London office, where he excels in understanding the technical challenges and solutions...

Mark Bax

Architect Director, BDP

After qualifying in architecture followed by postgraduate work at the Art Academy in Munich, Mark was engaged by Foster & Partners in London before joining BDP. Currently he is working in collaboration with Herzog & de Meron on the major...

Hans Jansen

Lead Concept Designer, Scheldebouw/Permasteelisa Group

Hans Jansen has been working for Scheldebouw since 2005. He has a broad experience as a façade designer, design manager and last years as Lead Concept Designer. In his role he is involved from the early stages of projects and...

Phil Obayda

Senior Associate Principal, SOM

Phil Obayda is a Senior Associate Principal at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) and leads the Technical Design Group at the London office, heading up the design and delivery on a broad range of complex landmark projects in the UK...

João Simões

CEO, OTIIMA

Engenheiro Civil de formação, o João iniciou o seu percurso profissional como estagiário na Mota-Engil em 2007. Começou a ocupar posições de liderança desde muito cedo e em 2011 já liderava as operações da Mota- Engil na sua primeira incursão...

Colin Westpfel

Head of Design, Balfour Beatty

With more than 35 years’ experience in architecture and construction design management, Colin specialises in design development of complex projects across health, education, commercial and residential sectors. He is committed to High quality design delivery from inception to completion, Working...

Gordon Talbot

Projects Director, Ian Ritchie Architects

Gordon Talbot has worked with Ian Ritchie since the early 1980s participating in the design of many of the practices’ most recognised works. He has a particular interest in materials development, construction technology processes and methodologies, construction economics and technology...

Alex Wraight

Partner, Allies & Morrison

Alex trained at The University of Nottingham where his work was twice exhibited at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition. He joined Allies and Morrison in 2000, having worked in Dublin and Malaysia. Alex became a Partner of the practice in...

Paul Kalkhoven

Senior Partner & Head of Technical Design, Foster + Partners

Paul Kalkhoven is Foster + Partners’ head of Technical Design, he leads the Construction Review Group, which reviews projects in the pre-construction stages to maintain and improve technical design standards. He joined Foster + Partners in 1986, was promoted to...

Louisa Bowles

Partner, HawkinsBrown

Louisa Bowles is the Head of Sustainability at Hawkins\Brown. She leads the practice’s dedicated team of sustainability specialists and has structured the practice’s Whole Life Carbon strategy to ensure all projects are measuring and monitoring the balance between embodied carbon...

James Ford

Partner, Hoare Lea

With a long-held interest in architecture and sustainability, James has more than 16 years of experience in the built environment. He heads up the Sustainability group at Hoare Lea, leading the firm’s specialist services in this ever-developing area. James’ experience...

Graham Coult

Technical Director, Eckersley O'Callaghan

Graham joined Eckersley O’Callaghan in 2004. He has 20 years of professional experience and his technical expertise in pioneering glass engineering and continued interest in materials have been instrumental in delivering the practice’s many challenging and award-winning glass projects. As...

Simone Pagani

Senior Partner, GIA

Simone Pagani MSc MSLL, joined GIA in 2007 and established the Daylight+ Solar Design Department with the aim of helping architects and developers optimise the use of daylight and sunlight amenity in the built environment. D+SD is the largest dedicated...

Aaron Caffrey

Technical Director, Ballymore Group

Aaron joined Ballymore in 2003. He started as a site engineer and is now Technical Director for Ballymore. Aaron is responsible for overseeing and solving technical issues on construction, pre-construction and also operational buildings which Ballymore retain. Aaron started his...

Chris Cummings

Technical Director - Environmental and Sustainability, ChapmanBDSP

Chris is Technical Director at multi-disciplinary building services consultancy ChapmanBDSP, where he is responsible for all aspects of Environmental and Sustainability delivery in the UK and internationally. Chris has a passion for design, problem solving and helping others to flourish....

Darren Kent

Associate Director - Façades, Arup

Darren Kent is an Associate Director at Arup and is based in London as a member of the facade leadership team. He studied at Warwick University (Civil Engineering) and Bath University (Façade Engineering). He has worked in the façade industry...

Steve Bosi

Director - Head of Façade Engineering, WSP

A Chartered Structural Engineer by profession, Steve Bosi has been working in façade engineering consultancy for over 25 years. During this time he has gained significant experience in the design and construction of building envelopes for a variety of buildings...

Peter Runacres

Senior Projects Director, Argent

Peter joined Argent in 2012. He is part of the commercial team and is managing the delivery of Google’s UK headquarters at King’s Cross. He works closely with the Google project team on the design and delivery of this 1...

Klaus Hedding

Head of Business Development & Market Communication, Hoesch Schwerter Extruded Profiles

Klaus Hedding has been working in the steel processing industry for more than 27 years. After his study of economics at the university in Osnabrück and a trainee programme at a subsidiary of the Deutsche Bahn, he got part in...

Clyde Abela

Associate Director, Wintech

Clyde Abela is an Associate Director and Façade Engineer at Wintech Ltd, one of Europe’s largest Façade Engineering Consultancies. Clyde supplemented his background as an Architect & Civil Engineer in Malta with an M.Sc. in Façade Engineering from the University...

Bruce Nicol

International Business Development Head, Priedemann Façade Experts

Bruce Nicol, responsible for international business development at Priedemann Facade Experts, is an accomplished architect with over 30 years of experience in the glass and façade design industry. With a diploma from the Mackintosh School of Architecture, Bruce’s path had...

Anna Wendt

Partner, Buro Happold

After completing a degree in Architectural Engineering Anna joined the Façade Engineering team at BuroHappold in 2007. Anna is a Partner and Global Discipline Director of Façade Engineering at Buro Happold and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Building...

Judith Schulz

Director | Fire Engineering, Arup

Judith Schulz is a Director of Arup and a Chartered Engineer and a Member of BRAC Building Regulation Advisory Committee, with over 17 years’ experience in the UK and internationally. Judith has worked on many high profile and award-winning projects,...

Meredith Davey

Director, Atelier Ten

Meredith leads UK Environmental Design Practice and building engineering teams. He has led projects with an emphasis on high-performance design, energy efficiency and sustainability across a broad section of built environment and at varying project values including refurbishments of listed...

Christian Glatte

General Manager, Schüco Digital

Christian has been working in the software industry for more than 30 years. After his study of information technology at the University of Transportation in Dresden and a first job as research associate at the Central Research Institute of Transportation...

Claudia Farabegoli

Design Director, Thornton Tomasetti

Claudia Farabegoli has more than 20 years of international façade design and consulting experience. Her design credits encompass a wide range of project types, including transportation and aviation, residential and commercial, retail, mixed-use, and sports and cultural facilities. She has...

Kai-Uwe Bergmann

Partner, BIG Group

Kai-Uwe Bergmann is a Partner at BIG who brings his expertise to proposals around the globe, including work in North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. KaiUwe heads up BIG’s business development which currently has the office working in...

Max Radt

Director - Aluminium Systems + International Projects, Gutmann Bausysteme

Max Radt is the Sales Director of Aluminium Systems and International Projects at GUTMANN Bausysteme GmbH (Weißenburg, Germany), a leading manufacturer of high-quality aluminium products, since August 2020. He acquired his professional degree in Architecture at the Technical University of...

Knut Stockhusen

Partner, Schlaich Bergermann Partner

Knut Stockhusen graduated from University of Stuttgart and joined schlaich bergermann partner in 2000. Major projects that he has led include fan type glass structure Opera Chongqing in China; National Tropical Botanical Library in Hawaii; Airport Stuttgart Terminal 3 in...

Meinolf Wortmann

Head of Research & Development, Hoesch Schwerter Extruded Profiles

Meinolf Wortmann is responsible for the design and technology department of the hot extrusion division of the Calvi holding group. He is German. In 1988 he finished his education as a degreed engineer at the university of applied science in...

Roy Weghorst

Head of Regulatory Affairs - Fire, Kingspan

Roy Weghorst is Head of Regulatory affairs at the Kingspan Group. During the time in this role he has developed extensive knowledge of construction products in relation to building fire safety and fire safety regulations. Not only the compliance and...

Carlos Piles

Head of Ductal® Europe, Ductal® by LafargeHolcim

Carlos Piles is the Europe Director at Ductal®, a member of LafargeHolcim. Before joining Ductal®, he had an extended and international experience in the construction industry. As an Architect, he worked for well-known offices such as Zaha Hadid Architects, Skidmore...

Ron Hull

Director Global APAC, Kuraray

Ron Hull, P.E, CDT® is the Global Director of High-Performance Products for Kuraray. Ron is based in the USA and holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering and a Master’s in Business Administration. He currently serves on the Board of Directors...

John Downes

Global Head - Façade Supply Chain, Lendlease

John Downes is the Global Head of Facades for Lendlease . He has 30 + years’ experience in the façade, construction and real estate development industry. John holds an MSc Façade Engineering from the University of Bath and is a...

Bettina-Gerharz-Kalte

Vice President Thermal Insulation, Evonik Resource Efficiency

Bettina Gerharz-Kalte is Vice President of the new growth business thermal insulation at Evonik and based in Hanau, Germany. Bettina has spent over 25 years within the chemical industry and a dominant share thereof in areas of the building and...

Phil Sedge

Director - Head of Façades, Mace

Phil Sedge, Head of Facades at Mace Group. Kicking off his career in the late 1980s, Phil has spent 35 years working in facades building prestigious projects across London working with the industry’s leading façade contractors.. Working for Mace Phil...

Mark Pniewski

Engineering Director, Thorp Precast

Passionate about developing beautiful, sustainable and safe buildings, Mark is a Chartered Engineer with over 17 years in the Building Industry including 15 in engineering consulting. He is responsible for the delivery of high-quality building systems, ensuring alignment between design,...

Markus Plettau

Marketing Manager - EMEA, High Performance Building Solutions, Dow Performance Silicones

Markus Plettau is Marketing Manager – EMEA, High Performance Building Solutions at Dow Performance Silicones. He is based in Wiesbaden, Germany. Markus leads the marketing activities for High Performance Building Solutions in Europe which look at developing and implementing silicone and silicone based...

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