Attendance is by pre-qualification. Complimentary seats are reserved exclusively for architects, consultants, contractors, developers, fabricators, government officials, and project management consultants. All registrations are subject to validation by the organiser. The event is a single-day, invitation-only professional conference exclusively for building industry specifiers and decision-makers.

Confirmed Speakers

The Netherlands 2026 edition features a strong line-up drawn from leading Dutch and international architectural and engineering practices. Confirmed speakers include:

Sanne van der Burgh, Associate Director at MVRDV and head of MVRDV NEXT, leading the firm’s research, development, and climate teams with a focus on sustainability and innovation. Gideon Maasland, Director and Architect at MVRDV, Studio 8, leading large-scale and complex buildings with over 15 years of experience at Dutch practices. Do Janne Vermeulen, architect-director and co-founder of Team V Architecture, whose work supports regional carbon policy targets. Bart Mispelblom Beyer, co-founder and CEO of TANGRAM, known for high-density mixed-use architecture and sustainable urban design including projects such as Rhapsody in West and Crystal Court in Amsterdam. Michiel Riedijk, co-founder of Neutelings Riedijk Architects, Rotterdam, recognised internationally and professor at TU Delft. Marc de Winter, Façade Consultant at Deerns Nederland, integrating façade engineering with building physics and sustainability. Rouven Nieuwenburg, Sector Director Real Estate at Deerns Nederland, with over 25 years in high-performance sustainable buildings. Erwin Meissner, structural engineer at ABT, visiting lecturer at TU Delft and TU Darmstadt, serving on the Dutch glass standards committee. Remco Baartmans, CEO of Alumet, specialist in anodising and innovative surface treatments for aluminium. Additional speakers are listed on facades.com.nl and will be updated as confirmations are finalised.

Programme Focus

The conference covers façade design, engineering, procurement, and execution with particular attention to high-performance, sustainable, and long-lasting building envelopes. Confirmed session topics include optimisation of façade design and procurement in existing and new buildings. The programme also includes panel discussions with multiple domain experts, quick-fire industry dialogue sessions, and audience Q&A. A compact exhibition area in the networking zone allows delegates to interact with product and solution sponsors. Four networking breaks are incorporated throughout the day.

Audience

The event targets architects, developers, general and main contractors, façade consultants, façade contractors, sustainability and ESD consultants, fire consultants, glass processors, structural consultants, cost consultants, quantity surveyors, project management consultants, and related building specifiers active in the Dutch and broader European construction and architecture market.

Event Details

✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight

The Netherlands edition of Zak World of Façades is notable for two reasons: it is the first time the series comes to Rotterdam, and the confirmed speaker list is exceptionally strong by the standards of this conference series. Drawing MVRDV, Team V Architecture, Neutelings Riedijk, TANGRAM, Deerns, ABT, and Alumet into a single-day specialist programme gives the event a genuinely high concentration of relevant expertise for the Dutch market. Rotterdam and Amsterdam are among the most active European cities for complex, high-specification façade projects, and a local event that concentrates this professional community around a structured programme on envelope performance, sustainable cladding, and building physics is well-timed and well-positioned. The pre-qualification admission policy ensures a high-quality delegate room. The single-day format respects the time constraints of working professionals. The primary gap remains that sponsorship and exhibition fees are not publicly disclosed, which is a consistent characteristic of the Zak World of Façades series globally. For architects, façade engineers, and building envelope specialists based in the Netherlands or visiting from elsewhere in Northern Europe, the 28 May 2026 Rotterdam edition represents a well-curated, efficiently structured one-day investment in professional knowledge and industry networking.

Conclusion

Zak World of Façades Netherlands 2026 is the 219th global edition and the first Rotterdam edition of this specialist façade conference series, taking place on 28 May 2026 at the Postillion Convention Centre at WTC, Rotterdam, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Complimentary for qualified professionals subject to registration validation. Register at facades.com.nl or contact info@zakgroup.com.