The Oregon Zoo
4001 SW Canyon Road
Portland, OR 97221
General Information
The Portland Building Enclosure Council is pleased to announce the 2026 Symposium. This year’s Symposium will focus on building enclosure innovation.
The symposium is a full day event, comprised of presentations, speakers, and opportunities for sidebar conversations.
- Meet with local representatives of leading building product manufacturers
- This all day event includes continental breakfast and seated buffet lunch.
- Anticipated 6 AIA /CEU - LU/HSW
Schedule
| 7:30 - 8:15 | Registration, Breakfast, & Visit Sponsors |
| 8:15 - 8:30 | Welcoming Remarks |
| 8:30 - 9:30 | Session 1: Portland Art Museum Facade |
| 9:30 - 10:30 | Session 2: Modern High Performance Curtain Wall Design |
| 10:30 - 11:00 | Morning Break & Visit Sponsors |
| 11:00 - 12:00 | Session 3: PDX Main Terminal Skylights |
| 12:00 - 1:00 | Lunch & Visit Sponsors |
| 1:00 - 2:00 | Session 4: Populous Hotel |
| 2:00 - 3:00 | Session 5: Lessons from Complex Façade Enclosures |
| 3:00 - 3:30 | Afternoon Break & Visit Sponsors |
| 3:30 - 4:30 | Session 6: Seattle Space Needle Renovation |
| 4:30 - 5:00 | Raffle & Closing Remarks |
| 5:00 - 5:30 | Visit Sponsors |
Registration Information
Cost
- Members: $100
- Non-Members: $125
Speakers & Sessions
Session order subject to change
Josh Stein & Will Babbington
Session 1 - Portland Art Museum Facade
1 AIA LU/HSW
Description
Julian Safford
Session 2 - Modern High Performance Curtain Wall Design
1.25 AIA LU/HSW
Description
Christian Schoewe, Christopher Pitt, Steven McBride, & Tom Wharton
Session 3 - PDX Main Terminal Skylights Panel Discussion
1 AIA LU/HSW
Description
Chris O'Hara & Will Babbington
Session 4 - Populous Hotel
1 AIA LU/HSW
Description
James Elder
Session 5 - Balancing Design and Performance: Lessons from Complex Façade Enclosures
1 AIA LU/HSW
This presentation will examine façade design through a series of case studies drawn from projects in the Pacific Northwest, where wet, cool, and seismically active conditions create a uniquely demanding design environment. The session will explore how ambitious architectural expression and structural performance requirements informed enclosure strategies, material selection, and delivery planning across a range of complex façade systems.
The discussion will focus on the strategic use of steel, timber, and aluminum systems; glass selection decisions involving coatings, heat treatment, and laminated assemblies; and the importance of clearly defining divisions of scope and coordination responsibilities across the project team. Particular emphasis will be placed on the value of early-stage planning in aligning design intent, constructability, and technical performance. Attendees will gain practical insight into lessons learned, common coordination challenges, and key considerations for delivering high-performance façades in demanding project conditions.
Blair Payson
Session 6 - New Heights: Transforming and Icon - The Renovation of Seattle's Space Needle
1 AIA LU/HSW
Description