Returning to downtown Los Angeles on October 25 and 26, the Facades+ Conference will bring together professionals from the worlds of design, fabrication, and construction to consider how L.A.’s unique collection of architectural practices and approaches to design might inform the future of high performance building envelopes. As a conference media sponsor, the LA Forum talked to Aastha Deshpande, Program Director of the Facades+ Conferences, about this week’s events. 

What is new and exciting about this year’s FACADES+ conference?

Facades+ has grown phenomenally in terms of its reach, content and attendance since its conception in 2012. This year the conference has already spanned most major cities in North America; Chicago, NYC and Miami to name a few and is now coming to LA. The year 2018 will end with Facades in Boston and Seattle. The conference promises an engaging discourse among experts of high calibre. This year has seen a host of speakers that presented projects and ideas featuring the use of various materials and technologies spanning various scales and belonging to different contexts. Presentations have focused on various aspects of building construction from design to construction details focusing on innovations in both.

Who are some of the speakers and presenters you are particularly excited about this year?

Facades+ LA will feature Thom Mayne of Morphosis, a well known, highly acclaimed Pritzker laureate and founder of Sci-Arc. His work is known for its innovative and experimental quality, an ideology and approach that has spilled over to the academic framework of Sci-Arc as well. We also have Heather Roberge of Murmur who is known for extensive research in material and technology and plans to focus on how they can be used on various scales; from products to large scale building construction. Another important and very interesting speaker is Jenny Wu of Oyler Wu Collaborative who has taken her practice beyond the direct realm of architecture into product and jewelry design. Stan Su of Morphosis has been instrumental in helping us program the LA Facades+ conference and will moderate some panel discussions along with our Editor Matt Shaw.

What makes FACADES+ a great event for design professionals to consider attending, for those who might still be on the fence?

Facades+ is a lot more than a symposium that puts together speakers and experts. It also comprises of an expo gallery where manufacturers display and demonstrate their latest products and technological innovations that promise to shape the world of architecture, engineering and construction. The conference is hence an excellent place to mingle, network, build significant and relevant contacts and stay updated with the up and coming in design and construction.

Click here to register.