
Themes we’ll explore:
- Facades and Energy Performance: Challenges and Solutions
- Fabrication Futures: Advances in Materials for Building Envelope Excellence
- New Definitions of Good Facade Design: Expanding the Envelope
Co-Chair
Featured Speakers
What to Expect at Facades+
The Premier Conference for High-Performance Building Enclosures brings the AEC Community together to discuss all things facades, from technical innovations, new materials, and designs that push the envelope. Be inspired by presentations and discussion by world-class architects and engineers.
Symposium
Attend a day of
presentations and panels examining the fast-paced evolution of facade
technology.
Expo Hall
Visit and network with our exhibitors and your fellow attendees at the Methods+Materials
Gallery
Location
Join us for peer-learning and networking opportunities to keep you at the forefront of practice.
From Our Past Events





Symposium
Thursday, December 5 – Times in PST
8:00 – 9:30 AM
9:30 – 9:40 AM
9:40 – 9:45 AM
9:50 – 10:35 AM
Julia Nagele, Senior Principal and Director of Design at HEWITT Architecture, along with Brad Glauser, Owner of Edify Studio, will present Skyglass, a distinctive residential tower in Seattle’s South Lake Union. Defined by its dynamic form and glass curtain wall, Skyglass transforms with changes in light and perspective. Julia will delve into the project’s “micro-shifting” strategy as an efficient yet powerful approach that surpassed client goals, enhances the user experience, and authentically responds to the context, creating a memorable addition to Seattle’s skyline. Brad will show how some of the project’s largest perceived hurdles in design optimization and technical performance were turned into benefits through creative solutions. Skyglass exemplifies the importance of exceeding expectations in everyday places where people live, work, and shop, showing how thoughtful, strategic design can create a disproportionately impactful outcome.
10:35 – 11:05 AM
This roundtable with leading building materials manufacturers will discuss the advanced materials newly available and just around the corner. Learn how architects can work together with manufacturers to build with the latest, most up-to-date technologies, code requirements, and products, and hear what’s next for the industry.
11:05 – 11:35 AM
11:35 AM – 12:05 PM
In this session Mathew Albores and Brian Court, principal and partner, respectfully, at The Miller Hull Partnership, will explore two recently completed projects for the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Buildings Operations. These new diplomatic facilities, the U.S. Embassy in Guatemala City and the U.S. Consulate in Guadalajara, embodying an innovative approach to representing both American ideals and local cultural sensitivities. The presentation will delve into how these buildings not only serve as functional diplomatic spaces but also as powerful symbols of American values. By integrating climate-responsive design, cultural nuances, and high-performance standards, these projects set a new benchmark for sustainable and culturally relevant architecture internationally.
12:15 PM – 12:45 PM
This session provides an in-depth look at the design of the curtain wall systems for the PDX Main Terminal Expansion at the Portland International Airport, a project that doubles the size of the main terminal and incorporates a massive mass timber roof composed of 800 individual glulam beams. It will cover the background for the project, including design goals, seismic resilient design aspects of the curtain wall system, and also cover the use of oversized glass and performance mockup testing.
12:50 – 1:50 PM
1:50 – 2:35 PM
Table Talks is an opportunity to have a guided conversation with your peers in the Seattle AEC community. During this 45-minute session, fellow attendees offer an excellent opportunity to network, exchange insights on facades, and collaboratively tackle complex challenges within a group dynamic. We hope this session will be surprising, engaging, and productive.
2:35 – 3:20 PM
Join construction and engineering leaders as they discuss lessons learned in the procurement of facade materials, analyze the rapidly evolving global market of material suppliers, and contend with the supply chain challenges of COVID and inflation. Our speakers—Richard Green, founder of Green Facades, and Luis Martinez, project executive at Howard S. Wright, and Louis Mark, founder of WIS—will share their decades of experience and are available to answer your questions.
3:20 – 3:50 PM
3:50 – 5:05 PM
In this retrospective session, speakers will look back on the design and construction of the landmark Seattle Central Library, one of the 21st century’s most important buildings. Hear from Joshua Ramus, founding principal of REX, Marc Simmons, founding principal of Front, Steve DelFraino, principal at LMN Architects, and Jay Taylor, formerly senior principal at Magnusson Klemencic Associates, as they share anecdotes, challenges, and technical details from the project, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.
5:05 – 5:15 PM
Testimonials
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