Industry-Specific Roundtables
Each year, The Buildings Show brings some of the brightest minds in architecture, construction, interior design and property management together to share their best practices and lessons learned, debate what’s happening in the industry, and share their predictions on what’s coming next.
Explore the 2024 roundtables below.
SS102 - International Architectural Roundtable: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle - Innovations in Adaptive Reuse
Wednesday, December 4th | 8:00am
Room 701
Sponsored by: Ontario Association of Architects (OAA) | LP Building Products | Carpenters & Allied Workers Local 27 | Sol - R | Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC)
Adaptive reuse stands as a multi-faceted solution to global challenges. The practice of re-using existing structures offers opportunities to eliminate waste, enhance energy efficiency, and reduce embodied carbon in existing structures. Beyond ecological benefits, this practice has demonstrated significant impact on social, cultural, and economic aspects. Embracing various typologies, from housing to education and culture, adaptive reuse is exemplified by contemporary projects showcasing its vast potential. This year’s roundtable will present strategies for adaptive reuse worldwide, addressing the balance between preserving architectural heritage and meeting evolving contemporary needs.
Panelists:
- Adele Weder, Architectural Writer, Critic, Curator
- Philip Evans, Principal, ERA Architects
- Wonne Ickx, Partner, PRODUCTORA
- Andrew Lee, Canada Practice Leader, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM)
- Marcela Steinbackova, Founder, Skupina
SS106 – Interior Design Roundtable: Strategies for Enhancing the Profession’s Value
Thursday, December 6th | 10:30am
Room 701B
Supported by: Association of Registered Interior Designers of Ontario
In today’s dynamic interior design landscape, registered professionals encounter the challenge of engaging with increasingly design-savvy clients who have unprecedented access to design resources, including non-accredited designers. To thrive in this environment, interior designers must harness their skills and leverage new technologies to enhance their processes and communication with clients. Strategies emphasizing collaboration, innovation, and ongoing education become essential strengths, empowering designers to demonstrate their expertise and elevate the profession’s value. This year’s Interior Design Roundtable will delve into these strategies, skills, and technologies that can be utilized to enhance and effectively communicate the profession’s value in a competitive market.
Panelists:
- Mahesh Babooram, Co-Founder & CEO, Ojiibik
- Frances Han, Designer, Mason Studio
- Jaime Muszynski, Associate, IN Studio Design Inc.
- Neal Prabhu, Associate Professor, Faculty of Design, OCAD University
SS107 – Property Management Roundtable: Building Decarbonization for 2025
Thursday, November 5th | 2:30pm
Room 701B
Supported by: Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA)
As the world accelerates towards a low-carbon future, building decarbonization has become a critical focal point for policymakers, industry leaders, and building owners and operators. This panel, will delve into the pressing issues, innovative solutions, incentives and financing available, and strategic approaches essential for reducing the carbon footprint of buildings in 2025 and beyond.
Panelists:
- Rae-Ann Miller, Project Director – Environment and Climate Division, City of Toronto
- Marlene Farias, Senior Vice President, National Operations Services, Property & Asset Management, JLL Canada
- Ashley Jones, Development Director, Ontario and Western Canada, SOFIAC
- Michael Pathak, Manager, Climate Action – Large Buildings, Toronto Hydro