Brian Hubbs is a Founder, Principal, and Senior Building Science Specialist at RDH Building Science. With over 30 years of experience as a consultant practicing exclusively in the field of building science, he is a practical façade engineer and researcher. He has broad experience with a variety of building enclosure systems, delivering consistent innovative solutions. Brian brings a unique blend of theoretical and hands-on knowledge gained from designing façades for new buildings, as well as completing hundreds of forensic investigations, rehabilitation, and research projects. He has extensive experience with high-rise and iconic façade systems, components, and materials, designing new and innovative facade systems for high-rise wood and Passive House projects. An engaging and vibrant presenter, he regularly speaks at seminars, conferences, and guest lectures on a wide range of building science and façade engineering topics.

Ms. Candice Zhao has 10 years of experience in engineering glass processing industry. She has been engaged in the management and execution of overseas projects, especially HK market. Her recent projects include Taikoo Place 2A & 2B in HK, West Kowloon Station Commercial Building in HK, KIA headquarter in Korea, Chicago Mercantile Exchange Building in USA, etc.

David Hayes is the Chief Façade Engineer and Group Managing Director at Thermosash Commercial Limited and for the Thermosash Group (Woods Glass (NZ) Ltd, Insite Facades Ltd, Thermosash Service & Maintenance and Window Engineering Consultants).

For over 39+ years, David has been closely involved with Thermosash projects including many of the award-winning buildings around New Zealand.

As a Façade Engineer, David’s qualifications and achievements include a degree in Mechanical Engineering (BE Mech), a Chartered Professional Engineer (CPENG) and a Member of the Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand (MIPEN). He is a certified High-Risk Specific Design Façade Producer Statement Author (No. 1403) for Auckland City Council.

David specialises in the design, testing, manufacture, QA and installation of all types of specific design facade solutions.

Eloise is a sustainability engineer with Aurecon New Zealand, based in Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Wellington. Eloise has experience delivering Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) and upfront embodied carbon assessments for commercial and public building projects. As the former New Zealand Future Thinker of the Year, she is passionate about working with design teams, contractors and clients to drive more environmentally sustainable outcomes on projects. She harnesses her experience in carbon assessment to influence design decisions at crucial points in the design process. 

As a Green Star Accredited Professional (GSAP), Eloise has worked on green buildings and communities' projects in New Zealand, Australia and Asia. Eloise has an academic background in architecture, and her Master of Architecture (Professional) focused on retrofitting strategies, low-carbon strategies and how value perception contributes to the uptake of more sustainable building practices. 

Gary has over 30 years’ experience in construction product development, compliance, specification, and sales in the NZ construction sector.

Gary joined the global family business Technoform in 2021 as Specification manager. Technoform understand the value of local knowledge, and his core competencies, local knowledge and expertise enable him to provide specialised support and solutions to architects and facade designers. The recent focus for him has been tailoring Technoform’s innovative Thermal Isolator Clip to the New Zealand market. Several substantial construction projects have now been specified with external insulation and thermally efficient facades. This is a result of Gary’s collaborative approach to product specification and Technoform’s market leading experience in Thermal Break Technology. Technoform provide many industries with solutions that ultimately benefit people’s health and wellbeing.

Gary is passionate about providing solutions and product specification that enables designers to create warm, dry healthy buildings.

Since joining Populous in 2010, James has worked on numerous projects around the globe including the Jamsil Sports MICE Complex in Korea, International Convention Centre Sydney, Philippine Arena in Manila, Datong Sports Park in China, KL Sports City in Malaysia, The Gabba Stadium masterplan in Brisbane and the Los Angeles Convention Centre. James was also the Project Lead for the Kai Tak Sports Park in Hong Kong, a 28-hectare Sports, Entertainment and community focused development situated on the edge of Victoria Harbour.

James heads up Populous’ Research & Development program within Asia Pacific, encouraging global collaboration, innovation and connection through Populous’ online sharing platform and annual global innovation conference. He also leads their Regional Advanced Technology Group for Asia Pacific, exploring ground-breaking new ways to work. James is passionate about fostering the culture of Populous, in particular driving innovation in design and knowledge management across offices, studios and teams.

Jayrold has over 15 years experience in the built environment, providing technical, application and consulting expertise to stakeholders in the curtain wall  and construction industry.

He is a civil engineer by qualification and has helped many clients to achieve energy efficient, durable, well-designed facade for high-performance building projects with silicone and material science technology.

Prior to joining Dow, he worked for a major façade consultancy firm and was involved in some tall building project projects in different parts of the world..

John has 15 years’ experience in New Zealand’s buildings sector and is currently the Building Sciences Practice Leader for Mott MacDonald New Zealand, John leads the community of façade engineering specialists and engineering scientists within the New Zealand business. John is a registered architect with a business background in international procurement and supply chain management. He has professional experience in both architectural and engineering companies and has a great understanding of the issues faced in coordination between design disciplines. This understanding leads to well-developed solutions, particularly those can be addressed through the coordination of BIM models to resolve complex geometry, and to resolve problems by “virtual construction” prior to any work on site. John believes in lifelong learning and recognises that education is an on-going process to improve personal skills, meet evolving expectations, and develop competitive advantage.

Kaare is Snøhetta Partner and Managing Director of Snøhetta in Australasia, he is responsible for numerous projects across the Australasian region including Harbourside, Clarendon Tea House, and The Maltings. Kaare is a member of the Office for Design and Architecture South Australia’s Design Review Panel.

Karl has 24 years’ experience in the New Zealand buildings sector and is currently the buildings market lead for Mott MacDonald New Zealand, overseeing the structures, facades, services and sciences teams. Karl also preforms the role of technical excellence lead, responsible for driving excellence in knowledge and innovation within the New Zealand business. Karl’s multidisciplinary background and experience facilitate technical competence across many aspects of buildings engineering. He has provided project governance on several of the country’s largest building projects, including Commercial Bay, the Canterbury Multi-Use Arena, the Symphony – Aotea Central Over Station Development, and the new Auckland Airport Domestic Jet Hub. Karl's has a passion for improving building performance, and he aims to deliver considered creative solutions to building design challenges and is always willing to challenge the default.

For over 32 years, Marc Zobec PhD FIE Aust CPEng EngEXEC has worked in the façade contracting industry, notably for the Permasteelisa Group based in the group headquarters in Italy, having held the position of Group Technical Director. His Director responsibilities extended across multiple operational areas including design, engineering, technical training, innovation & technical solutions, procurement, production, site installation as well as IT, quality assurance, health & safety and environmental management. A Chartered professional engineer with bachelor and master’s degrees in civil, structural and building engineering and a PhD in Blast Enhanced Facades; he has over 30 technical peer reviewed publications, authored book chapters, holds various building patents and has delivered over 100 iconic façade engineered projects. Currently Marc works as a contracting façade engineer assisting clients, architects and contractors in the holistic risk awareness in the design and delivery of building envelopes as well as forensic building investigation.

Marta is a Lead façade engineer with Aurecon New Zealand, based in Ōtautahi Christchurch. 

She has over 15 years’ experience in the façade industry, gained working for leading façade contactors across Italy and New Zealand, before moving to consultancy roles. 

Through her academic background in Building Engineering and Architecture, formal training on building envelope design during her early career in Italy, and years of experience in the façade manufacturing industry, Marta developed a holistic knowledge of envelope design and performance requirements. These skills combine with a strong understanding of local regulations, manufacturing and delivering processes. 

Passionate about making an impact in the industry, Marta believes that building a collaborative working relationship with stakeholders is the key to successful delivery of high-performance building envelopes.  

She enjoys collaborating closely with architects, contractors and other key partners, providing technical and engineering support, from early design stage to construction, with an ambition to promote more sustainable practices within the external envelope design. 

Paresh Dave has been a Sales and Specification Manger – Inside sales at EQUITONE since 2021.

He currently looks after architects and specifiers in New Zealand and Australia (WA, SA, QLD & TAS).

Paresh has a proven track record of 15+ years assisting architects and their projects through conducting CPD’s and product presentations. He strives to support specifiers and their projects at every stage. Actively participating in industry events is what he loves.

Shane serves as the Head of Client Relations at Insol, where he has been instrumental in the development of testing capabilities and standards to cement the firm's reputation as the nation’s leading bespoke façade provider. His expertise in project management and client engagement shines through in his work on significant projects, notably the design, testing and construction of the Auckland Airport Transport Hub façade. His hands-on approach, passion for research and ability to problem solve helps find creative advantages in design, procurement and construction that generate quantifiable value for clients. With a focus on collaboration and continuous improvement, he is dedicated to advancing the standards of façade engineering and client relations at Insol.

Simon Hoyle is the Managing Director of Ventüer, an innovative New Zealand-based company that specializes in engineered ventilation solutions for high-performance building envelopes. With over a decade of experience in the industry, Simon has developed a deep understanding of ventilation and façade systems. He leads Ventüer in designing, engineering, and delivering products that optimize building performance and longevity. His commitment to quality and precision underpins the company's collaborative approach, working closely with architects, engineers, and contractors to integrate their products into complex architectural designs.

Simon's leadership at Ventüer is defined by a focus on engineering excellence and a dedication to pushing industry standards. He has been involved in several iconic projects, including Burwood Hospital, Metro Sports, Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, and the new Christchurch Stadium, Te Kaha. Under his guidance, Ventüer has earned a reputation for its tailored, high-performance ventilation systems, offering expertise from early-stage design through to project completion. Simon’s hands-on involvement ensures that every project is delivered to the highest standards, meeting the unique needs of each client. His vision continues to drive Ventüer’s growth and innovation, making the company a trusted partner for New Zealand’s leading construction professionals.

Tom leads the Sydney studio of Eckersley O’Callaghan (EOC) having previously worked as part of their London facades team. With a background in architecture and environmental design Tom embodies the integrated design and environmental performance central to EOCs engineering philosophy. Tom has experience delivering technically challenging designs for a wide range of complex projects.

Originally established to manage the Atlassian Central project EOC Sydney provides the same 50-50 split of facades and structures with a focus on design excellence, architectural collaboration, and environmental efficiency. Now with a wide range of projects in NSW, Qld, Vic and WA, Tom manages an Australian team while leveraging the global expertise of the EOC group.

Vajini is a uniquely talented designer and communicator. She is passionate about the transformative power of architecture to transform cities and societies.

“Buildings must give back to our planet and our communities beyond functionality or beauty. It takes a brilliant vision and tenacity to create architecture that is socially and environmentally sustainable as well as beautiful and functional. I like to work collaboratively, drawing on the diverse skills and perspectives of a strong team. Design iterations should grow around a central idea or narrative that anchors all decisions and remains legible in the final building. I love solving problems from an urban design scale through to architecture and the finer more tactile details that are experienced by everyone.”

What sets Vajini apart is her unique ability to recognise and appreciate skills in others. As a moderator of voices, she skillfully extracts a brief and draws on diverse talents to create harmonious, innovative design responses. When presenting to clients, her passion and confidence is palpable, inspiring excitement and assurance in both the process and the outcome.