With more than 20 years in glass, interlayers & facades, Jochen has developed a keen understanding of the role of advanced materials in modern architecture. He has been involved in various aspects of building envelope projects, contributing to both technical development and successful commercial execution of high-end projects in Europe, the Middle East, and the USA.

Blending technical expertise and understanding of client needs, he is currently leading the Strategic Projects & Business Development for the EMEA region , working closely with Architects, Engineers, and Designers to deliver innovative façade solutions that integrate high-performance interlayers for laminated glass, highlighting Kuraray’s commitment to serving the ever-changing global glass industry through innovation and leadership.

Malak Hamdan is a dynamic leader with extensive expertise in business development, project management, and sustainable design solutions. Over the past few years, she has led multiple projects in Saudi Arabia, including corporate office developments, façade engineering for malls, architectural and interior design for F&B spaces, and design management involving coordination among multiple specialists.

With a strong focus on fostering client relationships and ensuring seamless project execution, Malak has built a reputation for delivering innovative and sustainable solutions. Her leadership ensures alignment between client objectives and project strategies, resulting in efficient and impactful outcomes.

As Managing Director of Phase 02 International Ltd., Malak spearheads the firm’s design management and business development efforts, driving success through tailored solutions that prioritize sustainability and client satisfaction.

Federico Ferfoglia is a Façade Engineer with over 10 years of experience in the design, construction, and sales of ventilated facades using porcelain stoneware slabs. Throughout his career, he has been involved in every aspect of the process, from developing technical projects to managing on-site execution, ensuring that each facade system meets the highest standards of quality and performance. Specializing in ceramic cladding, Federico combines functionality with aesthetics to create innovative, durable, and energy-efficient solutions. He has successfully completed projects across EMEA area, collaborating closely with architects, contractors, and clients to deliver tailored solutions that meet the design and performance needs of each project.

A Mechanical Engineer by vocation with over two decades of experience, Eddy started his career in Lebanon heading commercial roles for manufacturers in the Power generation and HVAC sectors.

2006 saw a change of base to the UAE to handle the Middle East operations for a leading manufacturer of glass processing machinery.

The shift from manufacturing to retail distribution began with his role as Middle East Sales Director of German kitchen appliances brand Miele. Five years later, enriched by considerable B2B and B2C market experience during the course of his career, he went on to successfully co-found Studio 971, a multi-brand home furniture and modular kitchen solutions brand based in Dubai. In 2017, he joined global surfaces leader Cosentino. As the brand’s Middle East & India Regional Director, Eddy continues to play a decisive role in fostering strategic partnerships with the construction and design industry and expanding Cosentino’s footprint in the region.

Marina is AESG’s Associate Façades Director. Since joining the firm in 2017, she has been involved in a varied range of projects such as the writing of thermal insulation guidelines, a residential development with a GFA of 300,000 sqm. In Abu Dhabi or a 5 star hotel in Dubai.

She has over a decade of professional experience in various countries such as Korea, UK, and the UAE. She is involved from the early stages streamlining the façade design process through solid management skills and design flair to tender documentation. She possesses a solid background on façade systems, detailing and materials across these different countries.

Graduated year 2002 from The Lebanse University of Engineering holding Master degree in Mechanical Engineering, Youssef has valuable experience in the building facades industry, his journey started in The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia early 2003 in Aluminum Extrusion Industry, later in 2011 with International Aluminum Façade system supplier, early 2018 Youssef Joined AGC Obeikan Glass Co. as The National Manager for KSA and Bahrain. Join Youssef at ZAK World of Facades to share the challenges building sustainable glazed façade with no compromise on aesthetics, energy efficiency, and stakeholders ROI.

Faizur Rahman is in the aluminum industry for almost a decade with a specialization in licensing, quality control, project and supply chain management. Currently, Faizur serves in a management role at Quali Middle East Association (QMEA), where he plays a pivotal part in advancing quality standards for aluminum and steel surface treatments, specifically in the Qualicoat, Qualideco, Qualanod & Qualisteelcoat quality labels across the Middle East and South Asia region. He has specialized in managing and implementing Qualicoat, Qualideco, Qualanod & Qualisteelcoat standards, ensuring that projects meet the highest benchmarks in coating and anodizing processes. His expertise includes evaluating inspections, overseeing compliance with international standards, and providing training to teams on best practices in surface treatment quality assurance.

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. He also has a strong interest in Building Physics and its application to façade design. Now in London after being based in Asia for many years the projects he has undertaken cover a wide range and scope, from conceptual design and building physics studies, to providing sub-contractor's details. The areas of investigations and resolution of failing facades also form a large part of his work.

His projects are located in the UK, Singapore, Southeast Asia, India, Australia and the Middle East, have given him the breadth and depth of experience in building engineering throughout various markets. He has worked on many landmark projects including many large scale and high-rise developments.

Panos is an Associate Director at Buro Happold’s façade engineering team, based in London since 2012. With a background in architectural engineering and building technology, he brings his expertise to deliver innovative engineering solutions. He specialises in technical design and façade system development. Since 2015, he has been actively involved in projects in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries, focusing on cultural, sports, hospitality, and aviation sectors. As a leader of Buro Happold’s Façade Design offer, Panos oversees the technical development of new and retrofit cladding projects, and also serves as a member the practice’s global façade design review board. Panos has co-authored research papers on application of new materials or systems for façade and has been serving as a guest lecturer in academia.

Alex is an Associate Project Director at Mace, where he combines hands-on experience with strategic oversight to deliver project success.

Alex began his career as a subcontractor, gaining valuable insights into the construction industry and its various processes. Following this, he transitioned to main contracting with Mace in 2017, where he has honed his skills in managing complex projects and leading diverse teams.

Last year, Alex moved from London to Saudi Arabia with Mace to work on one of the country’s largest gigaprojects, where he focuses on enhancing collaboration and fostering strong relationships between the supply chain, engineers, architects, and clients.

With a commitment to creating cohesive project environments, Alex aims to bridge gaps between stakeholders, ensuring alignment and shared goals. His journey in the construction industry has equipped him with valuable experience and a unique perspective that allows him to drive innovation and deliver high-quality results in every endeavour.

Shaker Katu, Sustainability Manager at Mohammed bin Salman nonprofit City, leading sustainability goals in the city with an emphasis on sustainability certification for green and healthy buildings. Mr. Katu has more than 14 years of experience in urban and regional planning, green building certification, environmental building designs, and strategies and is involved in many project typologies, from residential, commercial, and neighborhood scales. He is also LEED AP BD+C and ND, Mostadam AP and WELL AP. He has a Bachelor's in Urban and Regional Planning, a Master's in Sustainable Design, and a PhD in Urban and Regional Planning.

Mr. Katu is also interested in passive and bioclimate design strategies, climate change, urban resilience, water risks, and AI integration in urban contexts.

Tomasz studied architecture and urban design at Silesian University of Technology in Poland and Seville University of Architecture in Spain. His graduation project was awarded ‘Best Diploma Project’ in 2006, and he received his Master of Science Degree with first class honours the following year. Tomasz has the extensive experience in the design, management and construction of projects across the Middle East and Europe. He was previously based in Edinburgh, where he worked on the Quartermile development and later deployed to Saudi Arabia in 2012, where he has been appointed as General Manager to run the branch office in Riyadh.

Waleed Salaheldin is a renowned Sustainability Activist, LinkedIn community Top Voice, and a recognized leader in sustainable development, with over 20 years of impactful experience across the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. Known for his strategic insight and technical rigor, Waleed’s expertise is bolstered by bachelor’s and master’s degrees in architectural engineering and a prestigious fellowship in sustainable development from SDW in Germany and PHD candidature. His diverse credentials and hands-on experience with Giga projects—such as the FIFA World Cup 2022 stadiums—showcase his commitment to large-scale environmental excellence and cutting-edge sustainability practices.

Currently serving as Sustainability Lead and Engineering Manager, Waleed is dedicated to embedding sustainability into architectural design and engineering. His leadership in sustainability teams and firms has driven initiatives that consistently exceed environmental benchmarks, shaping projects that set new standards in sustainability. Waleed’s influence drives projects that redefine industry standards, consistently surpassing environmental benchmarks. His role in leading visionary sustainability initiatives with high expertise in shaping resilient and sustainable architecture, with each project reflecting his commitment to both innovation and environmental integrity.

Samer, a graduate of Cairo University with a Bachelor's degree in Architecture and Urban Planning, is a seasoned professional with a diverse skillset. As Facade Consultant Director, he expertly designs and selects materials for facade systems. Additionally, he serves as Operations and Technical Support Chief at ATA Consultants, Riyadh, KSA.

Samer possesses extensive experience studying and maintaining building operations for various projects, including strip malls, residential resorts, commercial buildings, and towers. His expertise lies in ensuring the functionality and aesthetic appeal of building facades, while maximizing their durability and performance.

Remco Siebring (MSc) (1983) is a Dutch architect who studied architecture at the Academy of Architecture in Arnhem. Since 2014, he has been a project architect at Studio Anne Holtrop, contributing to significant projects such as the National Pavilion of the Kingdom of Bahrain for the Milan Expo 2015 and Museum Fort Vechten, part of the largest UNESCO-listed heritage site in the Netherlands. Other completed projects include the Green Corner Building in Muharraq, the Siyadi Pearl Museum as part of the UNESCO-listed Pearling Path in Bahrain, and multiple flagship Maison Margiela retail stores in London, Paris, Osaka, and Shanghai. Currently, the studio is working on the Misk Art Institute in Riyadh, a pioneering cultural project in Saudi Arabia.

Dragana Linden serves as Managing Director in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia at HKS, where her expertise in architecture and engineering allows her to seamlessly blend creative vision with technical precision. Her leadership ensures that projects are groundbreaking in innovation yet grounded in practical execution. Leading the firm's operations and strategic initiatives, Dragana collaborates with our distinguished team of architects, designers and project managers to deliver architectural solutions that exceed our clients' expectations on a global scale.

Shireen is a Senior Principal and a member of the firm’s Global Board of Directors. Her experience spans stadium, arena and convention centre design for projects in the UK, Europe and the Middle East, as well as mixed-use sports masterplans and Olympic and FIFA overlay design. In 2016 she was awarded the RIBA Rising Star Award for achievements in architectural design and innovation.

Fluent in Arabic, Shireen oversees Populous’ Middle East operations. She is currently leading the design of several large-scale sports and entertainment infrastructure projects across the Middle East, including in Saudi Arabia. These projects include Aramco Stadium, Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium and King Salman International Stadium, all of which are potential venues for the 2034 World Cup.

Previously, Shireen was involved in the design, planning and delivery of the Wimbledon All England Lawn Tennis Club Court 1 extension and Court 3 development, together with the redevelopment of Centre Court to include a retractable roof.

Shireen has spoken at a range of conferences in the Middle East on how the design of sports facilities and masterplans can be used as a catalyst for rapid urban development and social integration. Her interest in the relationship between rapid urban growth and social cohesion stems from her thesis, which was a collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Together they developed a prototype high-density refugee shelter and new rapid growth masterplanning systems for dense urban environments.

Giovanni Zizioli is the Middle East Regional Director at Maffeis Engineering, a leading international consulting firm, headquartered in Italy. He has been involved in managing, planning, coordinating and designing projects over a wide range of engineering services and in four different countries, three different continents. Since 2018 Giovanni leads the Middle East Market for Maffeis Engineering, following projects from concept up to construction/installation and with a wide range of façade technical solutions.