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WELCOME TO FACADES+ TORONTO!

The Architect’s Newspaper is celebrating 14 years of Facades+ Conferences. We are thrilled to welcome both new attendees and longtime facades fanatics to today’s event. We bring fresh and relevant programming to each and every city and have an exceptional group of projects, people, and expertise for you today.

Facades+ Toronto gathers top professionals from the worlds of design, engineering, fabrication, and construction to consider how high-performance envelopes are transforming the built environment across North America and around the world, and are responding to changing codes, climates, technologies, and client expectations.

I’d like to thank our amazing conference co-chairs: Jodi Buck, Michael Conway, Nadine El-Gazzar, and Dorna Ghorashi of Hariri Pontarini Architects, who have brought together today's special program of design leaders. We invite you to connect with the presenters and your peers during networking breaks in the Methods+Materials Gallery and throughout today’s event.

Please get to know our sponsors exhibiting in the Methods+Materials Gallery today and learn how they will help you shape the future of facade design and technology.

Has Facades+ struck a chord with you? Have a look at our upcoming events held across North America. Visit our website to learn more about our other events and additional opportunities to earn your CEUs.

We are eager to hear from you about how we might improve the Facades+ experience. Talk to us. And please spread the word—help us to continue to grow the Facades+ dialogue and community.

All the best,

Diana Darling CEO & Creative Director, AN Media Group

CONFERENCE ORGANIZERS

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AGENDA

8:00 AM CHECK-IN & BREAKFAST | Methods + Materials Gallery

9:00 AM WELCOME: Diana Darling | The Architect’s Newspaper

9:10 AM Platinum Partner Welcome: Mike Augustine

PROGRAM INTRODUCTION: Presenters:

9:15 AM

9:25 AM

Jodi Buck | Hariri Pontarini Architects

Michael Conway | Hariri Pontarini Architects

Nadine El-Gazzar | Hariri Pontarini Architects

Dorna Ghorashi | Hariri Pontarini Architects

CIVIC PERSPECTIVE Civic Perspective: CreateTO Presenters:

Mark Chemij | CreateTO

Jason Chen | CreateTO

Dorna Ghorashi | Hariri Pontarini Architects

SPOTLIGHT King Toronto: Expanding Envelope Boundaries Presenters:

Liviu Budur | Diamond Schmitt

9:45 AM

Mateusz Perich | Diamond Schmitt

Oren Jourdan | Allied

Nadine El-Gazzar | Hariri Pontarini Architects

10:30 AM METHODS + MATERIALS BREAK

SPOTLIGHT Infrastructural Delights: Facades for Essential Systems Presenter:

11:15 AM

11:50 AM

Raymond Chow | gh3*

Jodi Buck | Hariri Pontarini Architects

PANEL Futures in Fabrication: Advancements in Facade Construction Presenters:

Aaron Alterman | STI Specified Technologies Inc.

Luc Paquet | Unicel Architectural

Dorna Ghorashi | Hariri Pontarini Architects

12:20 PM NETWORKING LUNCH

KEYNOTE Forward to Basics Presenter:

1:20 PM

Francine Houben | Mecanoo

Jack Murphy | The Architect’s Newspaper

2:20 PM SPOTLIGHT Industry Perspectives: Rainscreen Systems

Presenter: Steven Gaynor | Rainscreen Association in North America (RAiNA)

PANEL Enhancing Building Skins: Innovations in Envelope Design Presenters:

2:30 PM

Danial Hadizadeh | Mitrex

Michael Steinhuelb | seele, Inc

Nadine El-Gazzar | Hariri Pontarini Architects

AGENDA

3:00 PM METHODS + MATERIALS BREAK

PANEL Public Interfaces: Between the Building and the City Presenters:

3:45 PM

Michael Conway | Hariri Pontarini Architects

Dorna Ghorashi | Hariri Pontarini Architects

Jodi Buck | Hariri Pontarini Architects

ROUNDTABLE The Future of Facades Presenters:

Stephen Fai | CIMS

4:30 PM

5:15 PM

Zak Fish | ERA Architects

Kimberley Adamek | WindEEE Research Institute

Michael Conway | Hariri Pontarini Architects

CLOSING REMARKS

Jodi Buck | Hariri Pontarini Architects

Michael Conway | Hariri Pontarini Architects

Nadine El-Gazzar | Hariri Pontarini Architects

Dorna Ghorashi | Hariri Pontarini Architects

Diana Darling | The Architect’s Newspaper

5:20 PM NETWORKING COCKTAILS

WI-FI

NETWORK: hyatt_meeting PASSWORD: no password needed

CO-CHAIRS

JODI BUCK

Associate Partner / Hariri Pontarini Architects

Jodi Buck is an Associate Partner at Hariri Pontarini Architects (HPA) with over 20 years of experience shaping some of Toronto’s most significant architectural projects. A registered architect and RAIC member, Jodi has been a core part of HPA since 2005, where she leads major mixed-use and high-rise developments from concept to construction.

MICHAEL CONWAY

Associate Partner / Hariri Pontarini Architects

As Associate Partner, Michael works closely with David Pontarini to develop and implement the strategic direction of the firm. Michael is an integral part of developing and maintaining relationships with key clients, bringing an in-depth knowledge of both the project and business sides of the firm. Responsible for the overall oversight of the design and management of major projects, Michael facilitates each detail of communication between the client, team members, and consultants by continually integrating his design skills and experience into the management of each project.

NADINE EL-GAZZAR

Associate, Sr Project Architect / Hariri Pontarini Architects

Nadine is an accomplished architect and Associate at HPA, bringing over 20 years of experience in mixed-use and multi-unit residential developments, with a growing specialization in supertall buildings. Renowned for her technical expertise, Nadine excels at transforming complex architectural concepts into fully realized, functional structures through precise technical drawings.

DORNA GHORASHI

Associate, Project Manager / Hariri Pontarini Architects

Dorna is a dynamic architect specializing in multi-unit residential, mixed-use, and master-planned developments. With expertise in stakeholder coordination, project delivery, and technical detailing, she seamlessly bridges design ambition with excellence in project execution. From preparing early municipal submissions to overseeing construction documentation, Dorna ensures milestones are met while upholding the integrity of high-quality designs.

SPEAKERS

KIMBERLEY ADAMEK

Architectural Engineer / WindEEE Research Institute

Kimberley Adamek is an architectural engineer at Western University’s WindEEE Research Institute (Wind Engineering, Energy and Environment) and a PhD candidate under the supervision of Dr. Bitsuamlak, in the final stages of her doctoral research in wind engineering. Kimberley brings a rare cross-disciplinary perspective to her field. Her research sits at the intersection of architecture and engineering, working toward a unified understanding of wind’s role in the built environment and its integration into design practice.

AARON ALTERMAN

Consultant Support Specialist – US & Canada / STI Specified Technologies

Aaron joined STI in 2015 as a Territory Manager in the Gulf South. In 2018, he was promoted to the Curtain and Facades Specialist role, working with glaziers, fabricators, curtain wall consultants and perimeter fire containments contractors in the Midwest, Gulf Coast, Texas and Central Canada. In 2024, Aaron became the Curtain Wall and Facades Consultant Support Specialist for North America, working with curtain wall consultants, architects, engineers and code officials.

MIKE AUGUSTINE

Director of Architectural Promotion / SAFTIFIRST®

Mike Augustine has over 20 years of experience in the architectural glazing industry. As the Director of Architectural Promotion at SAFTIFIRST ®, he brings his extensive knowledge and expertise of fire rated glazing systems and fenestration in general when working closely with architects, specifiers, glazing contractors and code officials. Mike is a dynamic presenter and speaker who has been delivering the company’s AIA-registered presentation to various architecture firms, AIA local chapters, CSI local chapters, and at other architectural and glazing industry events.

LIVIU BUDUR

Senior Associate / Diamond Schmitt

Liviu Budur joined Diamond Schmitt

Architects in 2006 and was named an Associate in 2015. With over two decades of practice, he brings focused expertise in the design and delivery of complex residential and mixed-use projects, with a strong focus on sustainable, urban intensification. His work is grounded in shaping environments that support community life and longterm resilience. Liviu is the Project Manager for KING Toronto where he leads the coordination and delivery of the development, ensuring that design intent is carried through construction while meeting the project’s technical, environmental, and urban objectives.

MARK CHEMIJ

Vice President of Planning and Design / CreateTO

The City of Toronto owns one of the largest, most complex and valuable real estate portfolios in North America, including 8,446 properties, 6,976 buildings, and more than 105 million square feet, with a collective value of approximately $27 billion. In 2018, CreateTO was founded to manage this portfolio differently: as a collective asset belonging to the people of Toronto. Our agency operates on the understanding that Toronto real estate can unlock great value for city residents and be creatively re-imagined as the building blocks of Toronto’s future.

JASON CHEN

Vice President of Development / CreateTO

As Vice President, Development at CreateTO, Jason leads the development of mixed-use sites and manages real estate transactions looking for opportunities to maximize City benefits while partnering with the private sector. With over 20 years of real estate development experience, Jason previously was Senior Director, Development at Toronto Community Housing working on large scale revitalization projects. He also worked for a private developer with a focus on low-rise and highrise developments.

RAYMOND CHOW

Partner

/ gh3*

Raymond joined gh3* in 2006 and became principal in 2015. He is key to the firm’s integrated, studiobased design practice with technical capacity across the design fields of architecture, landscape, and urban design. As a strong advocate for BIM and the integration of design with cutting-edge industry practices, Raymond leads the firm’s digital practice. He oversees all aspects of gh3*’s digital modeling, rendering, and technical workflows, ensuring innovation and precision in every project.

STEPHEN FAI

Director / CIMS

Stephen Fai is a full professor at the Azrieli School of Architecture and Urbanism, Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada. He holds a professional undergraduate degree in architecture (Carleton 1990) and a M.A. and PhD in Religious Studies (Ottawa 1996; 2006). He has served as the acting director of the school of architecture (2002–2004), director (2004–2005), associate director of graduate programs (2006–2010), and co-chair of the PhD program (2012-2025). Professor Fai is cross appointed to the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, the Institute for Comparative Studies in Literature, Art and Culture, and the multidisciplinary Master of Human-Computer Interaction.

SPEAKERS

STEVEN

GAYNOR Chairperson / RAiNA

Steven Gaynor is an experienced leader in the building products industry, currently serving as Principal of Pivoth, where the focus is on aiding manufacturers in the commercial facade market. In addition to this role, Steven holds the position of Vice Chairman for the Rainscreen Association in North America, contributing to the not-for-profit organization's efforts in promoting rainscreen components and wall construction. At Acelab, Steven acts as a Strategic Advisor for Facades, guiding C-suite executives in connecting design needs with material experts. Previous roles include Technical Marketing Leader at DuPont, Technical Director at COSENTINO, and various positions at Trespa.

ZAK FISH

Senior Project Manager / ERA Architects

Zak Fish has over a decade of experience across a diverse range of projects, including institutional work, skyscrapers, cottages, disaster relief housing, furniture, and art at offices in Amsterdam, New York, Toronto and Nicaragua. Fostering a collaborative approach and engaging with emerging digital technology, his current work at ERA Architects is focused on reactivating historic buildings through creative adaptive reuse strategies. At ERA, Zak is leading development and implementation of CAD, BIM, drone and LiDAR scanning processes.

DANIAL HADIZADEH

Founder and CEO / Mitrex

Daniel Hadizadeh is the visionary founder and CEO of Mitrex and Cladify, two Canadian-based companies redfining the future of construction through sustainable building envelope technologies. With over 25 years of experience in architecture, engineering, and renewable innovation, Danial has led Cladify’s growth in lightweight cladding and expanded that vision with the creation of Mitrex – a company based on the principle that every building surface has the potential to generate clean energy.

FRANCINE HOUBEN

Founding Partner / Mecanoo

Francine Houben is founding partner of Mecanoo (1984) and has led the firm to success in The Netherlands and abroad, amassing a portfolio of work that is wideranging, inspired by global challenges and with a sustainable view on society. Mecanoo combines the disciplines of architecture, urban planning, landscape architecture, interior design, and restoration to produce unorthodox design solutions born from a strong sensitivity to context and a highly interdisciplinary design process.

OREN JOURDAN

Director of Construction and Development / Allied

Oren is the Director of Construction and Development at Allied and brings deep expertise and hands-on leadership to every project. A graduate of George Brown College with a degree in Construction Science and Management, Oren has overseen the successful delivery of more than 2,100 residential units, along with numerous commercial, hospitality and industrial developments. With a passion for building vibrant communities, Oren takes pride in shaping spaces where people can live, work and thrive.

JACK MURPHY

Editor In Chief / The Architect's Newspaper

Jack Murphy is the editor in chief of The Architect’s Newspaper and AN Interior. Previously he was editor of Cite: The Architecture and Design Review of Houston; adjunct professor at the University of Houston; and assistant editor of Totalization, edited by Troy Schaum and published by Park Books in 2019. He earned degrees in architecture from MIT and Rice University. He received an Honorable Mention for the Pierre Vago Journalism Award 2020 from the International Committee of Architecture Critics.

LUC PAQUET

Senior Architectural Representative / Unicel Architectural

Based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada and a business graduate of the Université de Sherbrooke, Luc Paquet oversees Canadian sales and supervises timber curtain wall sales in the U.S. for Unicel Architectural. Luc, a 10-plus-year veteran of the company, has held senior sales roles for Xerox, Johnson & Johnson, and Wajax.

MATEUSZ PERICH

Architectural Designer / Diamond Schmitt

Mat Perich joined Diamond Schmitt Architects as an architectural designer in 2020 and contributes to the design and delivery of complex projects across residential, civic, and health care sectors. With expertise in architectural design and technical development, he helps translate ambitious concepts into buildable solutions that maintain design integrity through every stage of project delivery.

MICHAEL STEINHUELB Vice President / seele, Inc

Michael Steinhuelb is Vice President of seele, Inc. and seele Canada, responsible for directing and providing overall management of seele, Inc. He first joined seele group in 1999 as the first Project Manager for international projects, and re-joined the company in New York City with seele, Inc. in 2015. Michael is a licensed architect and holds all contractors‘ licenses for seele, Inc. and seele Canada in the United States and in Canada.

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