Facades+ Austin by The Architect's Newspaper

WELCOME TO FACADES+ AUSTIN!

The Architect’s Newspaper iis celebrating the 12th year of the Facades+ conference series. We are thrilled to welcome both new attendees and longtime supporters to the program’s dynamic dialogue. We bring fresh and relevant programming to each city, every year and have an exceptional group of projects and enclosure systems for you to learn about today.

Facades+ Austin brings together top professionals from the worlds of design, engineering, fabrication, and construction to consider how high-performance envelopes are evolving and transforming the built environment in Austin, across Texas, and around the world while responding to changing codes, climates, technologies, programs, and client expectations across all scales and building typologies.

I’d like to thank our conference co-chairs Arthur Andersson & Chris Wise, Partners at Andersson/Wise, who have brought together today’s amazing program of design leaders. We invite you to connect with presenters and your peers during networking breaks in the Methods+Materials Gallery throughout the day.

Please get to know the industry-leading sponsors exhibiting in the Methods+Materials Gallery 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 in 13 cities across the U.S. & Canada. 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

DIANA DARLING CEO & Creative Director, The Architect’s Newspaper

DIONNE DARLING VP of Brand Partnerships, The Architect’s Newspaper

MARTY WOOD Program Director, The Architect’s Newspaper

AGENDA

TIMES IN CST

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

9:30 AM WELCOME Dionne Darling | The Architect’s Newspaper

PROGRAM INTRODUCTION:

9:40 AM

Arthur Andersson | Andersson / Wise

Chris Wise | Andersson / Wise

SPOTLIGHT

9:45 AM

10:30 AM

Blending Nature and Culture: The Museum of the Big Bend's Innovative Facade

Presenter: Larry Speck | Page

PANEL

Shaping the Austin Skyline: Google's Block 185 Presenters:

William E. Butler | Pelli Clarke & Partners

Brett Bickford | DPR Construction

Steve Abbring | Permasteelisa Group

11:15 AM METHODS + MATERIALS BREAK

SPOTLIGHT

11:45 PM

12:15 PM

Light on the Land: Contextual Facade Design at Shield Ranch Presenters:

Arthur Andersson | Andersson / Wise

Chris Wise | Andersson / Wise

PANEL

Zilker Studios: Insulation and Electrification for High Performance Design

Presenter:

Scott Ginder | Forge Craft Architecture + Design

12:45 PM NETWORKING LUNCH

1:45 PM Table Talks: Peer-to-Peer Networking Session

PANEL

Fabrication Futures: Advances in Materials for Building Envelope Excellence Presenters:

2:30 PM

Michelle Murray | SAFTI FIRST ®

Will Berry | Longboard Architectural Products

John Penta | GV Facades

3:15 PM METHODS + MATERIALS BREAK

3:45 PM

4:30 PM

ROUNDTABLE

Sustainability and Building Science

Presenters:

Gail Vittori | Center for Maximum Potential Building Systems

Eric Rauser | Rauser Construction

Kristof Irwin | Positive Energy

Erika Bonfanti | Acton Partners

PANEL

Facade Forward: Crafting Austin’s Next Icon at the Moody Center

Presenters:

Benedict Kim | Gensler

Mark Waggoner | Walter P Moore

CLOSING REMARKS

Dionne Darling | The Architect’s Newspaper

5:00 PM

Arthur Andersson | Andersson / Wise

Chris Wise | Andersson / Wise

5:15 PM COCKTAIL PARTY

SPEAKERS

Co-Chairs

ARTHUR ANDERSSON

Partner - Andersson / Wise

Arthur Andersson was born in Gillette, WY. He studied architecture at the University of Kansas and The Bartlett, University College London and has taught design at Tulane University, The University of Texas at Austin, and the University of Houston. He co-founded Moore/Andersson Architects in 1990 with Charles Moore and is currently a principal of Andersson / Wise.

CHRIS WISE

Partner - Andersson / Wise

Chris Wise was born in Lancaster, PA. He studied at the University of Texas in Austin and Harvard University, Graduate School of Design. He worked with Venturi, Rauch, and Scott Brown before becoming a senior Associate in Moore/Andersson Architects. He is currently a principal of Andersson / Wise.

STEVE ABBRING

Vice President / Permasteelisa Group

Steve Abbring is the Vice President of Preconstruction for Permasteelisa North America. With over 20 years of experience in the construction industry and approximately 13 years in the facade & glazing industry, Steve comes from a Project Management background and specializes in providing early technical and budgeting advice to architects, contractors and owners during the preconstruction period. Today, Steve and his team are responsible for supporting projects from the early concept phase through contract execution. Steve has a BA in Business from Calvin College and a BS in Construction Management from the University of Minnesota.

WILL BERRY

Business Development Manager / Longboard Architectural Products

Will has lived in Allen, TX since 2014, after living in Louisiana his entire life. He has been in the building materials industry for 7½ years, almost 2 of those have been with Longboard. He enjoys working with architects daily as they design and specify their projects, as well as installers as they bring projects to life. When he’s not chasing his boys around for Club, High School, or soccer he spends what’s left of his time outdoors. You would find him hunting, fishing, or getting prepared for hunting season.

BRETT BICKFORD

Project Executive / DPR Construction DPR consistently ranks among the top five commercial office builders in the country with dedicated and experienced teams that know the market, serving global clients by coupling agility with cost and schedule predictability. With over 19 years of experience in project management and commercial construction, Brett is no stranger to steering large-scale successful projects while leading diverse teams with precision and passion. Brett’s career is defined by the ability to balance strategic vision with hands-on execution, ensuring that every project exceeds expectations and result in lasting partnerships.

ERIKA BONFANTI

Associate Principal / Acton Partners

Erika Bonfanti is an Associate Principal with Acton Partners and licensed structural engineer with over 14 years of experience in building enclosure consulting. Her work primarily includes peer review and design for new construction and forensic assessment of existing and historic building problems related to moisture issues and material distress. She currently serves as the Vice Chair for ASHRAE Technical Committee 1.12 and on the Board of Preservation Austin and is passionate about improving enclosure performance at all levels.

SPEAKERS

WILLIAM E. BUTLER

Partner / Pelli Clarke & Partners

William E. Butler leads design and development for large-scale cultural projects and master planning for higher education campuses and corporate headquarters including Tulane University’s Goldring/Woldenberg Complex and Block 185, Google’s new campus in Austin. A passionate teacher, Bill taught at Yale School of Architecture for fourteen years. He has led of some of the firm’s largest cultural projects, including Overture Center for the Arts in Madison, Wisconsin, and the Minneapolis Central Library. Bill holds a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Architecture from Rice University.

SCOTT GINDER

Founding Principal / Forge Craft Architecture + Design

Scott Ginder is the Founding Principal and Chief Executive Officer at Forge Craft Architecture + Design. Leveraging wideranging expertise in design, building technology and performance, Scott founded Forge Craft with Rommel Sulit to create spaces where people can be happier, healthier, safer, and more connected to one another and to nature. As CEO at Forge Craft, Scott takes a special interest in supporting a work culture and environment that values health, creativity and excellence. Scott earned his Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Pittsburg and his Master of Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania.

KRISTOF IRWIN

Principal / Positive Energy

Kristof is the principal of Positive Energy. Kristof works to rethink how society delivers conditioned space to itself and recognizes the potential of homes and buildings to impact human and planetary thriving. With a Master of Science in Electrophysics, Kristof's expertise extends to the intersection of building science and MEP engineering. As an owner, Kristof advocates for electrification and human health, viewing homes as intricate systems that play a vital role in society. He finds immense joy in witnessing project teams elevate their game, delivering exceptional outcomes that prioritize electrification, health, durability, and resilience.

BENEDICT KIM

Technical Director / Gensler

Benedict is an experienced Project Architect and Technical Director with a proven track record of delivering quality, effective solutions that maintain project design intent. Benedict's responsibilities include full project involvement and experience with various consultant disciplines. His outstanding technical and communication skills enable him to anticipate and quickly resolve issues, keeping projects within budget and schedule while managing the firm's risk in an increasingly challenging market. Benedict's notable projects include the Austin Community College Highland Building and PBS Studio, the City of Austin Permitting and Development Center, SXSW headquarters, and the University of Texas at Austin Moody Center.

MICHELLE MURRAY

Architectural Sales Representative / SAFTI FIRST ®

Michelle Murray has over 15 years of experience in the architectural glazing industry. As the Architectural Sales Representative at SAFTI FIRST ®, she brings her extensive knowledge and expertise of fire rated glazing systems and fenestration in general when working closely with architects, specifiers, glazing contractors and code officials. Michelle is a dynamic presenter and speaker who has been delivering our AIA-registered presentation to various architecture firms, AIA local chapters, CSI local chapters, and at other architectural and glazing industry events.

JOHN PENTA

VP of Facades Business Development / GV Facades

John Penta is a VP of Facades Business Development at GV Facades Group. GV Facades is a leading industrial fabricator, and supplier of porcelain facade panels in the USA. John pulls together his porcelain facade technical expertise while facilitating all aspects of project assistance and installation management. He has provided invaluable knowledge for over 33 years to architects and developers by supporting their facade design intent, aesthetics, and facade functionally. His portfolio includes numerous high-rise buildings, and airport facade projects throughout the USA and Canada.

San

January 23

February 4 Washington

March 12 Atlanta March 21

New York City

April 3 + 4

Houston April 24 Vancouver May 6

SPEAKERS

ERIC RAUSER

Owner / Rauser Construction

Eric began his construction career as a laborer in the early 1990s, while on summer breaks from architecture school at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. He practiced architecture before returning to construction in 2008. Eric advocates for close coordination between architects and builders, a movement now producing the most successful residential projects in Austin. He is honored to have been elected AIA Austin Chapter President for 2020. Shaping an environment where everyone can do their best work is what drives him. That and coffee. Lots of coffee.

LARRY SPECK

Design Director / Page

Larry Speck received all three of his degrees from M.I.T. where he also served as a faculty member for three years. Since joining the faculty at UT Austin, he has served as Founding Director of the Center for American Architecture and Design, Associate Dean for three years, and Dean for nine years. As an educator, he has received over 40 teaching and service awards including the AIA/ACSA Topaz Medallion given to one individual in North America each year in recognition of their contribution to excellence in architectural education.

GAIL VITTORI

Co-Director / Center for Maximum Potential Building Systems

Gail Vittori, LEED Fellow, Codirector of Center for Maximum Potential Building Systems, works at the intersection of sustainable design and human health. Ms. Vittori coordinates The Center’s Sustainable Design Program and has been a catalyst for several national initiatives to green the healthcare sector and advance fundamental human health considerations in green building. She was Chair of the U. S. Green Building Council and Green Business Certification Inc. board of directors, is a Founding Member and Vice-Chair of the Health Product Declaration Collaborative board and a Loeb Fellow at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design.

MARK WAGGONER

Senior Principal / Walter P Moore

Mark Waggoner is a Senior Principal in Walter P Moore’s Austin Structures Group. He is a leader in long-span roof design and has contributed to designing more than a dozen long-span roofs for professional sports facilities, including SoFi Stadium. Mark has particular expertise in developing innovative structural systems, including kinetic structures and alternative materials, and delivering digital design models for downstream manufacturing use. He frequently works with contractors to develop plans and design connections for complex structures in collaboration with the firm’s Construction Engineering practice. Mark is licensed as a professional engineer in Texas, California, and Manitoba. December 18, 2024