Gary Handel FAIA is the founder and Managing Partner of Handel Architects. Since starting the practice in 1994, Gary has overseen its growth to a firm of over 200 architects, designers, and planners around the world.

Gary leads the firm’s direction by placing an emphasis on enriching the urban environment and improving the lives of people through positive urban design. His work has benefited cities throughout the United States, Latin America, the Middle East, and Asia. He is a leader in sustainable building strategies, and recent work includes some of the largest and tallest Passive House buildings in the world.

Gary's work has appeared in numerous publications nationally and internationally, and he has lectured extensively on how architecture can work to create positive urban and social change.

John Krouse is a Ceramic Engineer and the CEO of Boston Valley Terra Cotta in Orchard Park, NY. Boston Valley specializes in the manufacturing of historic terra cotta replication, new construction and innovation in contemporary rain screen design and production. Krouse is a graduate of Alfred University with a B.S. in Ceramic Engineering and a minor in Ceramic Sculpture and has over 37 years of experience in terra cotta manufacturing. Boston Valley has successfully completed well over 3,000 building projects with Krouse leading the company. These projects range in size and scope from large government buildings to small private art galleries.

Matt Capone is a design and construction professional driven to create projects which leave lasting positive impacts for our communities and environment. As the founder of facades X Inc. in 2015, Matt has worked on many prominent and complex projects to bridge the gap between the architect’s vision and ultimate reality of built work.

Matt graduated from Roger Williams School of Architecture and began professional life in a boutique design firm in Boston before progressing towards the “dark side” of construction and façade systems. With a passion for sustainability with facades Matt studied Passiv Haus design and was fortunate to work on some of the very first large scale projects in North America. Always a Boston guy with a love for family and baseball – Matt now serves on the Executive Board for Little League in Trumbull, CT.

Miles Nelligan is an Associate Principal at Diller Scofidio + Renfro, which he joined in 2007. He has been practicing architecture for over 20 years. His recently completed projects include the Prior Performing Arts Center at the College of the Holy Cross and two facilities that comprise Columbia Business School. In addition to directing projects, he has also led several high-profile competition teams as well as played a key role in the concept design, programming, planning, and technical detailing of many of DS+R’s most renowned projects, including the High Line and Pier 57 in New York City as well as RENAZCA in Madrid. Nelligan earned his Bachelor of Architecture and Bachelor of Building Science with First Class Honors from Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand. He also holds a Master of Architecture from Princeton University, where he received the Howard Crosby Butler Traveling Fellowship. He has taught at Princeton University and led design studios at Victoria University of Wellington.

Kateri Knapp is a Senior Façade Consultant at Arup with the Façade Engineering and Building Physics team in New York. She is experienced in the design and engineering of building envelope systems, with a focus on projects that require multi-discipline integration, in particular calibrated daylighting coordination and tight thermal performance specifications. Knapp’s experience includes domestic and international projects in the arts and culture, governmental, and aviation sectors. Some of her recent projects include the Metropolitan Museum of Art ABC skylight replacement, the Metropolitan Museum of Art Michael C. Rockefeller Wing renovation, and the Frick Collection expansion and renovation. Knapp has served as Visiting Assistant Professor at Pratt Institute and has served as a guest design critic at Pratt Institute, Thomas Jefferson University, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. She holds both a Bachelor of Architecture and Master of Science from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Annie Savage’s portfolio includes a diverse array of projects in the United States and across Asia. A talented designer with a background in economics and finance, Annie contributes an analytical lens to the aesthetic development of all her projects, promoting sensitivity to client needs and enriching design development.

Annie has led the design of some of KPF’s most prominent projects in New York City, with a recent focus in the adaptive reuse sector. She is the Senior Designer on One Madison Avenue, where she leads the project’s façade design. An existing structure with a significant overbuild, One Madison Avenue features multiple façade types, including the restoration of the original building’s limestone façade. At Hudson Commons, another adaptive reuse project, Annie worked as Senior Designer across multiple stages, from planning and design through construction administration, notably in structural and core planning, curtain wall design, and the design of the lobby and amenity spaces.

With nearly 15 years of experience, Andrew Werner has considerable expertise in the design, management, and technical coordination of high-rise, mixed-use buildings across the United States. Andrew works on of some of KPF’s most complex projects in New York City, including One Madison Avenue, an adaptive reuse project that integrates a 14-story tower on top of an existing mid-century podium – essentially adding a building on top of a building.

Andrew is an expert in design and construction in New York City, with an in-depth knowledge of zoning regulations, building codes, technical and construction coordination and specialty tenant requirements. His decade-long work on the design and construction of 10 and 30 Hudson Yards cemented him as a firm leader in the execution of next-generation high-performance office buildings and large-scale urban developments.

Darin Reynolds is a partner at COOKFOX Architects, joining the studio in 2006. He has led a diverse range of projects, from workplaces and high-end single-family homes to urban affordable and supportive housing. His past work includes multiple high-performance supportive housing developments like Betances Residences, which won the 2023 SARA NY Award of Excellence. Most recently, Darin served as Project Architect for two wellness-focused high-performance buildings for the Water Street Tampa development, helping it become the first neighborhood to achieve a WELL Communities certification. Darin is currently spearheading the design of Terminal Warehouse, a new commercial workplace project on the far west side of Manhattan that will transform a historic storage warehouse into biophilic and energy efficient office space. Darin speaks regularly on topics of sustainability and high-performance envelope design, most recently at Brick & Wonder, and the AIA NY Interiors Committee Panel.

Molly Forr began her career at Gehry Partners, where she spent seven years creating and realizing challenging architectural designs and building systems. As an AutoCAD Director, she oversaw drawing set production and the coordination and interface between 2D documents and 3D BIM data.

At SURFACE DESIGN, Molly continues her focus on developing elegant design solutions and detailing for technically‐demanding projects. She manages several high‐rise projects in New York City and also directs daily operations of the firm. Molly started SURFACE Design Architects’ Site Monitoring division and currently leads the Energy division.

The common thread to Molly’s work across various disciplines is the desire to find design‐sensitive solutions to complex technical challenges. At Gehry Partners she advanced acoustical isolation solutions and developed energy‐use models for New World Symphony, and researched novel material and manufacturing techniques for the Eisenhower Memorial. At SURFACE DESIGN she has developed tools for analyzing the thermal performance of exterior walls and researched application of innovative and green technologies to the building sector.

Molly is a Registered Architect licensed in Massachusetts and New York, and a LEED Accredited Professional.

Mark Bandzak joined Payette in 2005 and has played a crucial role in many of Payette’s most seminal buildings. He has epitomized Payette’s passion for architectural craft. Mark's deep knowledge of construction technology, and inventiveness in applying it, are evident in the many prototypical designs he has authored.

Julia Schimmelpenningh is the architectural technical engagement manager at Eastman, in Springfield, Massachusetts, a global specialty material and chemical company.

Her work includes new product development, qualification and commercialization of laminated glazing solutions, regulatory development and industry education and association support. Julia also manages the America’s Customer Applications and Support Laboratories in Springfield MA and Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Julia has been very active and solid contributor in the glazing industry for 30+ years and continues activities in ANSI, ASTM, CGSB, ISO, GICC, NGA and other organizations.

Schimmelpenningh served as president of the Glass Association of North America in 2005, and currently serves as chair of the ASTM committee on performance of buildings (E06) from which she has received several awards, the most recent being the E. George Stern award of excellence. She has also been chair of the committee on security systems and equipment (F12) and given the Award of Merit for her leadership, service, and technical expertise.

Danielle Tyson is the Architectural Design Manager covering the New York City area for Guardian Glass. In her current position she works directly with design professionals to assist with project review and provide guidance on glass and glazing selections for large commercial project work to ensure building envelope enclosures meet all aesthetic and performance requirements.

Danielle has worked for Guardian for five years and has developed a strong passion for enhancing façade design. During that time, she has conducted hundreds of consultations on bird friendly glass fundamentals and solutions.

Alan Kinder is the Regional Architectural Manager covering the East Coast for Guardian Glass. In his current position he leads a team of Architectural Design Managers that work directly with design professionals to assist with project review and provide guidance on glass and glazing selections for commercial project work to ensure building envelope enclosures meet all aesthetic and performance requirements. Alan has worked with Guardian glass for 10 years and has also served as Territory Sales Manager and Architectural Design Manager during his tenure. He is a graduate of Clemson University with a degree in Industrial Management and currently lives in Fort Mill, SC.

Alberto Alarcon is the Marketing Manager in the Advanced Interlayer Solutions Division of Kuraray; he is located in New York City and is responsible of the Northeast Coast of the US. Alberto, through the Trosifol® and Sentryglas® interlayers for laminated glass, helps Architects, Designers, Facade Consultants, and Engineers to improve the glass performances for facade's, structures and other applications in terms of acoustics, aesthetics, structural, and safety requirements. He has over 15 years of experience in the industry including commercial and consulting positions in Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, and the US. He is a Graduate of the ULSA (MX) in Chemical Engineering. He has been a critical resource for the advanced design of building facade elements and is highly skilled in structural glass, sealants and interlayers.

Joern Teipel studied Physics in Bonn, Germany, and at The Ohio State University in Columbus, USA, and obtained his Ph.D. degree in 2006 in the field of nonlinear optics. He began his professional career in 2006 at a technical consultancy in Frankfurt. In 2009 he joined ThyssenKrupp Steel where he was responsible for the business development of magnesium flat products. In 2011 he transferred to the stainless steel producer ThyssenKrupp Nirosta in Krefeld – now Outokumpu. As Lead Technical Manager he is globally in charge of the usage of stainless steel in aesthetical architectural applications from the technical perspective and involved in the development of new surface finishes.

Brendan Mercier began with Cosentino in 2015 as an architect & design sales manager, selling multiple applications, including facades. In 2017 he took on additional responsibility as the façade application specialist in the Northeast region and in 2019 became the National Façade Manager for North America. He studied at the University of Massachusetts in Boston and then at Harvard University, focusing on business and economics. Prior to Cosentino he worked as a designer and owned his own apparel company. Brendan currently sits on two sub-committees for the Rainscreen Association of North America (RAiNA), the industry outreach & marketing as well as the education & training committees. He has a passion for the exterior envelope and hopes to continue speaking about the importance of sustainable building design, focused on rainscreen facades, along with sustainable manufacturing.

Andre joined Vitro in 2012 and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master of Arts degree from Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts. He also attended Universidad de Sevilla in Spain and is fluent in Spanish.

During his Vitro career, Andre has worked as an Architectural Manager in the Pacific Northwest and an Account Manager for the Bay Area, focused on commercial projects with Solarban® Glass. Now as Key Projects Manager for North America, his previous experience in architectural promotion and sales is combined into the common goal of achieving large project success. From design to installation, Andre supports customers who are working with large quantities of glass for monumental, complex projects.

When he’s not helping photograph and promote Vitro glass projects, Andre values spending time with family and friends in Pittsburgh, playing basketball, & traveling.

John Pachuta, AIA, has been involved with the design and construction of innovative enclosure systems throughout North America and Asia since joining the firm in 1995. His areas of expertise include complex facade geometry, structural glass design, blast mitigation and on-site inspection and testing. He has advised various government agencies on revisions to codes and specifications for enhanced envelope performance. John holds degrees in architecture from the University of Virginia and Columbia University where he has served as an Adjunct Associate Professor of Architecture teaching courses in building technology.

Royce Perez is an Associate at Heintges, and joined the firm in 2019. Since then, he has been involved with the design and construction of innovative enclosure systems throughout the U.S. and Asia. Royce's work includes highly customized facades across a range of scales and program types including academic, residential, commercial, and healthcare. Throughout his time with the firm, he has gained extensive experience with various facade types including unitized curtain wall, storefronts, terra cotta, and architectural precast systems. Royce holds a Master in Architecture degree from the Harvard University Graduate School of Design.

Adrian works at the Design and Innovation team of a known technology company in Cupertino, CA, where he oversees the design and innovation of their recognized storefronts worldwide. He also develops new materials and systems, with a stronger focus on glass and its structural application.

He has worked as sales person and consultant for VITRO in Mexico City, a Project Manager for Permasteelisa North America and as a Facade Consultant at Front Inc in New York.

His professional experience includes the design, sourcing, fabrication, assembly and construction of highly complex facade structures and high-rise buildings.

He has been an Adjunct Professor for the City University of New York and NYU. He currently is a guest lecturer at UC Berkeley, but has also lectured at Columbia University, Syracuse University, California College of the Arts, Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and at other technical facade gatherings around the world.

In addition to practice, Adrian founded and lead a project for Engineers Without Borders, NYC professional Chapter to provide Sustainable Water and Sanitation solutions in a community of El Salvador.

Patricia Viel is a French architect. Graduated in architecture from Politecnico di Milano in 1987, she started her collaboration with Antonio Citterio in 1986.

In 2000, she joined “Antonio Citterio and Partners” interior design and architecture practice with architect Antonio Citterio – heading architecture design, with a focus on the integration of architecture within the urban landscape. As CEO, Patricia Viel has overseen architecture and interior design projects, while being actively involved in the management of the company – now named “ACPV ARCHITECTS Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel”.

The practice operates internationally, developing complex projects, ranging from all scales of intervention, in synergy with a qualified network of specialist consultants.

From 2005 to 2012, Patricia Viel was a member of the Board of Advisors of the Istituto Nazionale di Architettura InArch, in Milan. In addition to her work at the firm, she takes part in international panels and conferences as a speaker.

Silverio Patrizi joined Thornton Tomasetti in 2011 and is experienced in the structural analysis and design of different façade systems. He manages design consultation, detail development, specifications, shop drawings review and site inspections. Silverio has performed extensive research on the New York City Energy Conservation Code [NYCECC] and is considered Thornton Tomasetti in-office expert in providing analysis to prove project compliance with the NYCECC. He collaborates with multiple practices across the firm, providing expertise in thermal performance analysis, structural glass analysis, cladding and glazing material selection, and detailing of custom façade systems.

Charles Van Winckle is a Vice President in Thornton Tomasetti's Renewal/Restoration team specializing in building forensics, technical architecture and historic preservation. His work includes local, national and international projects. Charles assists building owners, architects and government agencies on strategies to meet restoration goals.

Sneh Kumar is the Director of Global Sustainability for Arconic Building and Construction Systems (BCS). Sneh is responsible for the development and execution of BCS strategy to deliver an increasingly sustainable product offering to customers and stakeholders. He is focused on product design and certification, along with supply chain transparency, and optimization of BCS’ overall manufacturing footprint to achieve Arconic’s sustainability commitments. With more than 20 years in the building products industry, Sneh has been involved in the commercialization of over 40 high-performance building facade products and has received multiple patent grants. He is a visionary leader with proven abilities to solve complex and relevant problems to unlock business value. Sneh has been actively involved with industry associations, architects and customers, and he has served on the Board of the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC). He is an invited speaker and panelist at multiple industry conferences.

Timothy Wynter-Stoner has dedicated the last ten years of his career to focusing on building facades, primarily with Consulting Associates of New York (CANY). His primary focus has been on realizing the Architect’s design intent while satisfying the stringencies of the design and construction process. This entails respecting matters of sequence and constructability, while addressing air and water infiltration concerns and satisfying energy performance criteria.

Tim currently heads the New Construction studio at CANY, where the team consults on projects from Schematic Design through to Construction Administration. The team’s goals are to assist in developing the design into an effectively performing building during the design phases and then ensuring that the building is built as designed during construction.

He received a bachelor’s and diploma in architecture from the University of Sheffield in the United Kingdom and practiced as a registered architect there, before moving to New York in 1986.

Ieva Svatos leads Cradle to Cradle™ certification projects at MBDC, the original creators of the Cradle to Cradle framework and the leading assessment body for the certification program. She works with many clients in the built environment to obtain LEED-recognized certifications like Cradle to Cradle or HPDs. Product certifications help communicate credibility, through validation of their supply chain and by identifying opportunities for optimization. Ieva holds a MSc in Environmental Science from the University of Virginia, where her research focused on ecosystem carbon cycling, greenhouse gas fluxes, and climate change impacts, and a BA in Biology and Environmental Science from Miami University. She has served on the Direct Action Committee for the Science Policy Initiative at UVA and has advised on carbon neutrality for Lithuania as part of the EU Net Zero Cities project.

Van Tsao’s keen eye and collaborative spirit make an invaluable contribution to C+GA’s commitment to design excellence. He offers a unique perspective that is methodical, sensitive to context, responsive to program, and driven by a desire to create better places for building residents and the larger community. In his work managing complex urban design and architectural projects, he helps to advance elegant and compelling design narratives while improving team workflow and project efficiencies.

Van supports knowledge sharing and staff mentorship through in-house seminars and refining the firm’s graphic standards. His photography and printmaking background has helped him hone a subtle design sensibility that permeates all his work.

Van received a Master of Science in Architecture and Urban Design from Columbia University, a Master of Architecture from Tamkang University, and a Bachelor of Science in Architecture and Urban Design from The Chinese Culture University.

Architect Anika Schwarzwald is a Project Leader in Studio Gang’s New York office, where she works on cultural, educational, and civic projects. She has contributed to many projects since joining Studio Gang, including the Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation at the American Museum of Natural History, the Thinning Ice exhibition at Design Miami, and the National Aquarium Strategic Master Plan. Anika is driven by an exploration of choreographic notation in architecture. Her research includes Djema el Fna square in Marrakesh and how its activities are understood by UNESCO to delineate a space of Intangible Cultural Heritage. She earned her Master of Architecture from Princeton University and worked as an architect and studio instructor at Rice University School of Architecture.

John Ivanoff joined Buro Happold in 2013 and is responsible for the direction of the United States Façades team at Buro Happold. He is currently based out of the Buro Happold New York office., with deep global experience in design development and construction administration on projects in the USA, Asia and the Middle East. John’s focus is on the design of complex and high performance building envelopes for a wide range of building types. He has worked with a variety of façade systems providing bespoke design solutions for both new buildings and renovation projects for institutional, commercial and cultural clients. John is an active speaker regionally and globally – including at conferences such as the Council for Tall Buildings and Urban Habitats (CTBUH) and Zak World of Façades.

As CEO of Island Exterior Fabricators, Ed Harms has grown the business into a recognized leader and disruptor within the building envelope industry. Leveraging innovative technology and artisan craftsmanship, the company partners with renowned architects and builders to realize world-class projects.

A native of Long Island, where Island’s half-million square foot manufacturing campus is headquartered, Ed takes considerable pride in supporting the local community and workforce, while managing the global supply chain required for Island’s continued success.

Ed’s early experiences across a wide range of trades, from residential homebuilding to field operations within the construction industry, laid the foundation for a collaborative approach to the business.

Following his introduction to Island in 2002, Ed excelled in Estimating and Sales roles. Gaining recognition for successfully growing the organization’s Ornamental Steel division, he was selected to lead Business Development initiatives for its prefabrication group. He focused the company’s resources on addressing a specific market need: offsite-manufactured building envelope systems. By 2015, Ed had assumed the role of Managing Partner for Island Exterior Fabricators as the company grew within the world of prefabrication and high-performance unitized facades.

Today, he provides strategic direction to Island’s teams working across offices throughout the East Coast, to deliver a higher quality of built environment.

Erik Verboon is the Co-Founder and Managing Director of the Walter P Moore New York office. Trained in both architecture and engineering, Erik brings a deep global experience with a focus on the design of complex and high performance building envelopes for a wide range of building types.

He has experience working with a wide variety of façade applications including high-performance double skin façades, geometrically complex composite façades, and custom unitized enclosures for both new buildings and existing building retrofits and extensions. His experience in digital design, geometric rationalization and environmental analysis allows him to bring the highest level of value to his clients, helping designers deliver projects to the highest level of design sophistication while maximizing performance and minimizing cost.

His portfolio expresses both national and international work with extensive experience in the New York market, bringing expertise in buildings old and new, across academic, commercial and cultural sectors. In addition to Erik’s professional accolades, he also teaches enclosure design at a number of leading universities.

Kat Chan focuses on the development of façade design from an integrated approach. After graduating from Columbia University with a degree in structures and discovering the multifaceted discipline of façade engineering, she has taken her passion for the built environment and honed it for successful design team collaboration and project delivery. Her strength lies in realizing design intent, while emphasizing the user experience and juggling complex geometric configurations. A self-propelled desire for thorough analysis and a propensity for detail has enabled her to advocate for innovative approaches and materials.

Edmund Kwong is a Project Architect at Morphosis Architects with broad experience in the design and construction of a range of project types including academic, cultural, high-rise, and commercial buildings. Joining Morphosis in 2010, Edmund has played a leading role in some of the firm’s most significant works including serving as Project Designer for the Emma and Georgina Bloomberg Center (completed 2017), the net-zero energy, LEED Platinum academic headquarters of CornellTech’s new campus on Roosevelt Island. Edmund has also served on the project teams for Casablanca Finance City Tower, Bill & Melinda Gates Hall at Cornell University, the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, and as the Lead Designer for Clyde Frazier’s Wine and Dine. Currently, Edmund is serving as Project Manager for the new Judy Genshaft Honors College at the University of South Florida.

Mr. Kwong received a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture from the University of Toronto and a Master of Architecture at MIT. He was awarded a Residency in the MAK Center Artists and Architects in Residence Program in 2010.

Ryan Rademacher currently serves as the Director of Virtual Design & Construction at MG McGrath and has over 20 years of experience in the architecture, design, and construction industry. Having worked as an architect and now overseeing preconstruction activities for a leading national façade contractor, he has experience executing work from the planning and programming phases all the way through to final construction and project closeout. Ryan is a licensed architect and has a Master of Architecture Degree from Parsons School of Design. Ryan specializes in complex & high- performance façades, digital fabrication, sustainability, project management, project estimating, and strategic operations planning. As VDC Director, Ryan is responsible for driving virtual design and construction efforts including design assist, BIM, shop drawings, engineering, mock-ups, constructability analysis, and submittals. In addition, he is responsible for the daily management, supervision, coordination, and successful completion of the pre-construction phase of the projects to meet the design, construction and cost objectives.

Julie Nelson has over 30 years of experience in designing projects that uncover the potential in existing conditions, that are inspired by program and place, and in making places where the natural and built environment can co-exist. A partner at BKSK Architects Architects, her work includes the LEED platinum certified Queens Botanical Garden Visitor and Administration Building, the Center for Fiction as well as adaptive re-use and renovation projects including the Fischer Mills Building, 11 Beach Street, and the Bellevue Mens Shelter. She is also currently working with her husband to convert a 19th Century Scottish church into an energy efficient residence.

In addition to practice, Julie teaches at the Spitzer School of Architecture at City College, where her courses integrate BKSK Architects projects as teaching tools. Julie holds a Bachelor of Science and Masters in Architecture from the University of Virginia.

With more than 15 years of experience as an architect and team leader, Mike McElderry has helped navigate a range of complex projects collaborating with both public and private clients such as the University of Cincinnati Carl H. Lindner College of Business and the City of Minneapolis' New Public Service Building, as well as The Shed at Hudson Yards. His professional process is driven by collaboration, mentorship, and an acute ability to identify and convert challenges into innovative and intelligent architectural solutions. Mike has spent a large part of his career leading and designing iconic projects in a range of sectors, including mixed-use, cultural, and commercial development, and has developed a keen understanding of the nuanced and complex atmosphere in which these projects take shape. His work has received AIA Honor awards from AIA New York and AIA Minnesota, and he has written for or been featured in Oculus, Arch Daily, Dezeen, and Architectural Record.

Emily Hoffman is the Director of Building Energy and Emissions Performance (OBEEP) for NYC's Department of Buildings, overseeing the implementation for Local Law 97 and other Sustainability Laws. Prior to OBEEP, she spent the last 10 years leading NYC DOB’s Energy Code development and compliance team. Emily is heavily involved in local and national energy code development – leading the development of the NYCECC, IECC and participating in the development of ASHRAE 90.1, 229P and NYSERDA Stretch Code. She was awarded the Energy Professional Development of the Year award in 2019 and 2020 from the Association of Energy Engineers, her team won the Green Builder Sustainability Award for the category “Large Municipality” in 2019, and she was named an NYC Climate Hero in 2020.

A senior member of Taconic’s life science subsidiary, Elevate Research Properties, Matthew Malone oversees most aspects of development and leasing for all life science investments. A leader in the field, Matt has over 25 years of experience in the design, programming, and construction of science and research facilities. Matt’s approach focuses on the process and concepts behind the science itself, the workflow, and the functional needs of those who the space is designed for. This enables him to develop the scientific workplace as an efficient and collaborative discovery ecosystem. Matt’s knowledge and experience helps him create real estate solutions that provide function and flexibility. His work has been recognized for innovation and integration including recognition in the prestigious “Lab of the Year” Awards. Prior to Taconic, Matt was a Partner and the Practice Leader for Science and Technology Architecture at Perkins & Will’s New York Studio and a sought-after consultant and advisor.

Cheryl Saldanha leads SGH’s Building Science and Passive House Practices and specializes in designing and evaluating building enclosures for new construction projects and existing building enclosure renovations. Her experience includes curtain wall, rainscreen facade, roofing, and waterproofing systems on a range of building types. Cheryl is adept at using multiple computer software packages to simulate building systems and details for thermal, condensation, whole-building energy, and daylighting analysis. Cheryl has co-chaired the New York City Chapter of the International Building Performance Simulation Association and participated on the NYC Commercial Energy Code Technical Advisory Committee for the last two code cycles. Cheryl has authored technical papers and lectured on topics ranging from embodied and operational carbon of facades, thermal bridging calculations, energy modeling, curtain wall spandrels, and condensation issues in building envelope systems. Cheryl was recently awarded Building Design + Construction magazine’s Top 40 under 40 for 2022. Fun fact about Cheryl: In June 2023, she did the charity stair climb at 1 World Trade Center (104 stories!) in 29 minutes.

Gabrielle Brainard is an Associate Principal at SOM in New York. As an enclosure specialist and a certified passive house designer, she applies fundamental building science principles to the design of comfortable, durable, and energy-efficient building envelopes. Her research on envelope retrofits has been supported by the AIA Upjohn Research Initiative and by NYSERDA, and she is currently working on a book of Passive House retrofit case studies, forthcoming from Routledge in 2026. Gabrielle is a visiting professor at the Columbia Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation, and a trainer for The Passive House Network.

Sara A. Bayer is an Associate Principal and Director of Sustainability at Magnusson Architecture and Planning (MAP), where she manages many of the firm's most energy efficient projects including two that have won NYSERDA Buildings of Excellence Awards. She is also overseeing two NYSERDA Buildings of Excellence Early-Stage Design studies. Beyond individual project work, Sara leads the company's efforts to incorporate passive house strategies and carbon reduction methods portfolio wide. Sara was certified CPHC in 2016, served as co-chair of the 2020 NESEA Building Energy NYC conference and is currently on the Board of NY Passive House. She is a frequent contributor in forums focused on evolving regenerative technologies, including AIANY, NY Passive House, NESEA, BEEX, and Passive House Accelerator.

William Zoeller has over 40 years of experience in building design and construction, building science research, energy-efficiency, building enclosure durability and moisture-management, and building materials product development. As Director of the Building Enclosure Services team at Steven Winter Associates, Bill has managed projects ranging from masonry restoration of landmarked buildings and deep-energy retrofits of historic properties to new construction Passive House residential towers and has participated in product development and marketing analysis work for major building material manufactures including CertainTeed, DuPont, Dow, Owens Corning, BASF and Georgia-Pacific.

Bill occupies the Energy-Efficiency seat of the State of Connecticut Codes & Standards Committee and is a frequent speaker on cost-effective high-performance building at national conferences and educational workshops.

Adam Watson is a Registered Architect and the Director of Design on the L+M Development Partners' Preconstruction Team. Since joining L+M in 2012, Adam has been a part of the project team for their passive house projects, Beach Green 2 in the Rockaways, Sendero Verde in Harlem, and Alafia in Brooklyn. Sendero Verde will be one of the largest passive house project in the world when complete. Alafia, mixed use residnetial, will provide 2,400 units of affordable housing, planned as all electric, passive housing, using gothermal and waste water heat recovery.

He has also been a part of adpative reuse projects like the Hahnes Department store in Newark and dozens of preservation projects.

Adam is a member of the AIA, LEED AP and Certified Passive House Designer with a BArch from Virginia Tech and MArch from City College of New York. He lives with his wife and two kids in Brooklyn, NY.

Sungjin Kim, CEO of WITHWORKS & WISYS Technology, graduated from the Department of Architectural Engineering at Konkuk University and is currently researching and developing 3D design engineering and architectural Construction methods for DfMA to realize complex Geometry Facades and Parametric building design with best quality.

Sejong Government Complex Phase 3 Area 1, Lotte World Tower Podium, and Gwanggyo Galleria have been successfully carried out by applying WITHWORKS’ DfMA solutions such as CNC T-BAR system and Smart Node system.

Jesus Barreda is the Director of Façade Segment at Hilti North America. With over 10 years of experience in façade engineering and design, he started as a Facade Structural Engineer II in 2014. Eighteen months later, he was promoted to Façade Structural Engineer III. From 2017 to 2019, he led the Hilti Facade Structural Engineering team while collaborating closely with marketing, codes and approvals, and global teams.

Jesus holds a Bachelor's and Master's degree in civil engineering with a structural emphasis from the University of Cincinnati, and he also earned an MBA from Washington State University. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in the state of Ohio.

Waleed Dhaduk is the CEO of Gutmann North America (“GNA”), an aluminum conglomerate specializing in the manufacturing and selling of high-quality aluminum products. At GNA, he is responsible for leading all business units and delivering the strategic growth plan for North America.

Previously, Mr. Dhaduk was the CEO of Emaar Industries & Investments, the investment arm of the biggest publicly listed development company in the Middle East. Before EII, Mr. Dhaduk was a Partner at Stratum, a private equity firm in Bahrain and prior to this served in various strategy consulting and investment banking roles at Ernst & Young, Canadian Tire Corporation, Cap Gemini and Merrill Lynch.

Mr. Dhaduk holds a Masters degree in International Relations from the University of Cambridge and a Bachelors degree in Commerce from Queen’s University in Canada. Additionally, Mr. Dhaduk has pursued various courses at the London School of Economics and Harvard University.

Tobias Wild-Blatt is the Business Manager EU Ultraperformance Solutions at Kingspan Insulation Europe.

He has studied Architecture and holds an eMBA degree from the Maastricht School of Management.

In his current role he is supporting the Sales Team of Kingspan Insulation Europe in promoting AlphaCore and Optim-R (VIP) to meet the increased demand in superinsulation materials and fire protection.

Tobias has over 20 years of international experience in the building industry especially in the area of mineral based thermal insulation materials. Before joining Kingspan he has worked with CALSITHERM, FOAMGLAS and Evonik where he was already promoting noncombustible superinsulation materials in the EMEA region.

Owen Detlor is a Preconstruction Services Manager, overseeing Enclos’ early involvement in new and prospective work.

With over 13 years in the architecture and construction industry, including 10 with Enclos, Owen brings diverse experience and a holistic perspective to the preconstruction process. In addition to his current position, Owen has worked at Enclos as a Preconstruction Designer and Project Manager and comes from a background as a professional Architect.

In parallel with developing budgets and bid proposals for new work, Owen has managed Enclos’ extended involvement in numerous monumental Design-Assist, Design-Build, and IPD projects, with comprehensive engagement in design development, target value design, project budgeting, and project delivery planning.

Structural engineer and architect Holger Schulze-Ehring is a principal at New York and Los Angeles based engineering firm Büro Ehring, where he works on national and international landmark projects, with a focus on long-span, lightweight, specialty, and facade structures.

His expertise is in advanced engineering with a collaborative approach to design. He leverages his cross-disciplinary capabilities to deliver novel and specialized solutions to complex architectural challenges for his award-winning projects. A strong technical and creative background forms his considerable proficiency in engineering and designing unique and inventive structures.

Holger was appointed to the Bedford Endowed Chair Professorship at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and has served as a professor, guest lecturer, critic, and juror at numerous universities, including Columbia, Yale, and Princeton.

Rawle Sawh leads all technology that enable Gilbane’s construction project delivery. He works with project teams to deliver scalable solutions that create efficiencies, enhance productivity, and support safety. Rawle has been with Gilbane since 2007. He was most recently Director of Virtual Design and Construction having assisted with leading the development and execution of the company-wide VDC strategy. Sawh has worked on a number of notable projects including the new AKG Gallery in Buffalo, New York, the new Wynn Hospital in Utica, New York and the Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach, Florida.

P. Christian Bailey, AIA, LEED AP, recently joined Morris Adjmi Architects as a Director, with over 25 years of architectural experience, most recently as the Founding Principal and Director of ODA Architecture. He has a proven record of success leading teams on innovative mixed-use/mixed-income projects and is well-known for his passion and mentorship in his work.

Christian works collaboratively with Founding Principal Morris Adjmi and MA’s leadership team to develop and execute projects and initiatives that align with the firm's core focus and long-term goals. He has a strong commitment to design excellence and creating value for our clients and communities.

Christian is the Board President of the Society of Registered Architects (SARA) New York Chapter, a member of the Industry Advisory Group for the United States Department of State Bureau of Overseas Building Operations (OBO), an active member of the AIA and Urban Land Institute (ULI), and an Adjunct Professor at City Tech.

Jared Cole is a Registered Architect who directs the New York City office of Curtain Wall Design & Consulting (CDC). With experience across a diverse range of project types, Jared specializes in exterior building envelope systems, assisting architects, building owners, and installers with design, installation, and remediation issues. As a Qualified Exterior Wall Inspector (QEWI) with a background in historic preservation, Jared also enjoys assessing and rehabilitating NYC’s facades and historical structures.