Display event - Conference 2026: Collaboration Powering Innovation

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Conference 2026: Collaboration Powering Innovation

The OAA Conference is coming to the Waterloo Region—home to the world’s biggest tech companies, from Apple to Google. Here in Ontario’s Silicon Valley, the opportunities and challenges posed by AI, automation, and energy modelling grab the headlines, while meaningful collaboration quietly powers creative decision-making relative to architectural quality, practice, and problem-solving.

This year’s Conference taking place on May 13-15, 2026 will explore how collaboration thrives in the Grand Valley, with its mid-sized cities and architectural gems, as well as across the province. The climate crisis, housing shortages, and anxieties around economies and supply chains mean the need for collaboration and innovation has never been more valued.

To achieve a resilient, adaptive, and functional built environment, the profession must examine the tools for better co-creating with project team collaborators, clients, citizens, and municipalities. The OAA’s flagship event brings experts and delegates to the heart of Canadian tech innovation for three days of experiential local learning, professional development, and celebration. lancel

Online Registration launches on March 24 at 2 pm, right after the Virtual Keynote with cognitive neuroscientist, Dr. Colin Ellard. Registration is now available for the free event! Check out the following link to view the Schedule-at-a-glance.

When

5/13/2026 7:00 AM - 5/15/2026 3:00 PM

Where

425 Bingemans Centre Drive Waterloo Region, ON N2B 3X7

Program

Select programs by

Wednesday, 13 May 2026

Description
CE01 - Plenary: Academic Buildings as Catalysts for Innovation With Welcome Remarks and Land Acknowledgement Category DAY1AM2 Track Plenary Time 8:30 AM - 10:15 AM 8:30 AM
EL01 - Six Nations of the Grand River Cultural Experience Category DAY1AM2 Track Experiential Learning Time 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM 8:30 AM
EL02 - Big Room, Big Results: IPD Collaboration in Action Category DAY1AM2 Track Experiential Learning Time 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM 8:30 AM
SL01 - Knossos Affordable Housing Development Case Study & Site Visit Category DAY1AM2 Track Sponsored Learning Time 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM 8:30 AM
EL03 - On the Path to Reconciliation: Culture, Community, and Place Category DAY1AM2 Track Experiential Learning Time 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM 8:30 AM
EL04 - Honeybees - The Original innovators: An Interactive Case Study of the U of G Honey Bee Research Centre Category DAY1AM2 Track Experiential Learning Time 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM 8:30 AM
SL12 - Brampton Brick Cambridge Facility Case Study Category DAY1AM2 Track Sponsored Learning Time 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM 8:30 AM
CE02 - Build Now: Waterloo Region-2025 University East Category DAY1AM4 Track ConEd Time 10:45 AM - 12:15 PM 10:45 AM
SL02 - Blueprint for Success: Ask the Experts Lunch Category DAY1PM1 Track Sponsored Learning Time 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM 12:30 PM
CE03 - Resilient, Low-Carbon Homes: Regional Sourcing and Whole Life Carbon Strategies Category DAY1PM2 Track ConEd Time 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM 2:00 PM
EL05 - Unlocking the missing middle: colllaborative solutions to the housing crisis Category DAY1PM2 Track Experiential Learning Time 2:00 PM - 5:30 PM 2:00 PM
EL06 - Collaboration and Innovation at Lazaridis Hall Category DAY1PM2 Track Experiential Learning Time 2:00 PM - 5:30 PM 2:00 PM
EL07 - Solar Carports in the Wild Category DAY1PM2 Track Experiential Learning Time 2:00 PM - 5:30 PM 2:00 PM
EL08 - 55 Franklin – Innovative, Low-Carbon Strategies for Affordable Housing Category DAY1PM2 Track Experiential Learning Time 2:00 PM - 5:30 PM 2:00 PM
EL09 - The Lines We Draw-Sketching Category DAY1PM2 Track Experiential Learning Time 2:00 PM - 5:30 PM 2:00 PM
CE04 - AI Collaboration: Rethinking Design and Innovation Category DAY1PM4 Track ConEd Time 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM 4:00 PM
SP01 - Happy Hour Category DAY1PM5 Track Social Events Time 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM 5:30 PM
SP02 - Opening Night Hosted by GVSA Category DAY1PM6 Track Social Events Time 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM 7:00 PM

Thursday, 14 May 2026

Description
SL03 - Achieving Energy Efficiency & Sustainability with Skylights Category DAY2AM1 Track Sponsored Learning Time 7:00 AM - 8:15 AM 7:00 AM
SL04 - INLINE Windows in PH, LEED & Zero Carbon Buildings Category DAY2AM1 Track Sponsored Learning Time 7:00 AM - 8:15 AM 7:00 AM
SL05 - Optimizing Offsite Wood Construction Project Approval Category DAY2AM1 Track Sponsored Learning Time 7:00 AM - 8:15 AM 7:00 AM
SL06 - Modular Precast: Speed, Precision, Design Freedom Category DAY2AM1 Track Sponsored Learning Time 7:00 AM - 8:15 AM 7:00 AM
CE05 - Embedding Nokia's new R&D campus into Ottawa's Innovation ecosystem Category DAY2AM2 Track ConEd Time 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM 8:30 AM
CE06 - Lessons from Advancing Prefabrication and Affordable Sustainable Housing Category DAY2AM2 Track ConEd Time 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM 8:30 AM
CE07 - Economy of Means Category DAY2AM2 Track ConEd Time 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM 8:30 AM
CE08 - Warmer, Wetter and Windier Future Proofing your Building Enclosure for a changing climate Category DAY2AM2 Track ConEd Time 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM 8:30 AM
CE09 - Living Architecture: Concepts, Design, and Fabrication Category DAY2AM2 Track ConEd Time 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM 8:30 AM
SL07 - The Old Post Office - Adaptive Reuse & Heritage Windows Category DAY2AM2 Track Sponsored Learning Time 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM 8:30 AM
EL10 - Lines We Draw- Sketching Category DAY2AM2 Track Experiential Learning Time 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM 8:30 AM
EL11 - Unlocking the missing middle: collaborative solutions to the housing crisis Category DAY2AM2 Track Experiential Learning Time 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM 8:30 AM
CE10 - The Succession Playbook: Leadership, Investment, and Firm Value Category DAY2AM4 Track ConEd Time 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM 10:30 AM
CE11 - Adaptive Reuse: From Office to Homes: The Loft (Calgary) Category DAY2AM4 Track ConEd Time 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM 10:30 AM
CE12 - Woven Together- The Chief Leonard George Building Category DAY2AM4 Track ConEd Time 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM 10:30 AM
CE13 - 55 Franklin – Innovative, Low-Carbon Strategies for Affordable Housing Category DAY2AM4 Track ConEd Time 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM 10:30 AM
CE14 - From Constraints to Community: Designing Harvest Village Category DAY2AM4 Track ConEd Time 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM 10:30 AM
CE15 - An Interactive Workshop on Completing an OBC Part3/Part 9 OAA Matrix Category DAY2AM4 Track ConEd Time 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM 10:30 AM
SL08 - Understanding Pro-Demnity’s Technical Requirements Schedule Category DAY2PM1 Track Sponsored Learning Time 12:15 PM - 1:30 PM 12:15 PM
SL09 - Savings by Design: Systems for High Performance Construction Category DAY2PM1 Track Sponsored Learning Time 12:15 PM - 1:30 PM 12:15 PM
SL10 - From Vision to Brick: Guelph Library Story Category DAY2PM1 Track Sponsored Learning Time 12:15 PM - 1:30 PM 12:15 PM
SL11 - Concrete Solutions Can Help Alleviate the Housing Crisis Category DAY2PM1 Track Sponsored Learning Time 12:15 PM - 1:30 PM 12:15 PM
CE16 - The Urgency of Bird-Safe Building Design Category DAY2PM2 Track ConEd Time 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM 2:00 PM
CE17 - Beyond Compliance: How Inclusion is Shaping the Royal George Category DAY2PM2 Track ConEd Time 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM 2:00 PM
CE18 - Design Decisions on Trial: Lessons from Real Claims Category DAY2PM2 Track ConEd Time 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM 2:00 PM
CE19 - Eli's Place: Canada's first therapeutic healing farm Category DAY2PM2 Track ConEd Time 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM 2:00 PM
CE20 - Resilience and Net Zero Carbon: Library and Archives Canada Gatineau 2: Category DAY2PM2 Track ConEd Time 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM 2:00 PM
EL12 - 55 Franklin – Innovative, Low-Carbon Strategies for Affordable Housing Category DAY2PM2 Track Experiential Learning Time 2:00 PM - 5:30 PM 2:00 PM
EL13 - Gaslight District Tour Category DAY2PM2 Track Experiential Learning Time 2:00 PM - 5:30 PM 2:00 PM
EL14 - Solar Carports in the Wild Category DAY2PM2 Track Experiential Learning Time 2:00 PM - 5:30 PM 2:00 PM
EL15 - Inside Math 4: A Tour of Sustainable Innovation- Category DAY2PM2 Track Experiential Learning Time 2:00 PM - 5:30 PM 2:00 PM
EL16 - Collaboration in Action: Making Home at 97 Victoria Category DAY2PM2 Track Experiential Learning Time 2:00 PM - 5:30 PM 2:00 PM
CE21 - Recognition and Plenary: Waterloo Regional Health Network Collaboration, Reconciliation and Indigenous Values Category DAY2PM4 Track ConEd Time 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM 4:00 PM
SP03 - President's Reception & Celebration of Excellence Category DAY2PM5 Track Social Events Time 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM 6:30 PM
SP04 - Archifête Category DAY2PM5 Track Social Events Time 8:30 PM - 11:00 PM 8:30 PM

Friday, 15 May 2026

Description
SL13 -Innovative Building Solutions for Multiresidential Buildings Category DAY3AM1 Track Sponsored Learning Time 7:00 AM - 8:15 AM 7:00 AM
SL14 -Balcony Glazing & Acoustic Benefits for Apartments & Condos Category DAY3AM1 Track Sponsored Learning Time 7:00 AM - 8:15 AM 7:00 AM
SL15 - Navigating Current Trends and Avoiding Pitfalls Category DAY3AM1 Track Sponsored Learning Time 7:00 AM - 8:15 AM 7:00 AM
SL16 - Innovation in Clay Brick Masonry Category DAY3AM1 Track Sponsored Learning Time 7:00 AM - 8:15 AM 7:00 AM
CE22 - North America's First Unencapsulated Mass-Timber Hospital Category DAY3AM2 Track ConEd Time 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM 8:30 AM
CE23 - From Renewal to Resilience: Decarbonizing Existing Buildings Category DAY3AM2 Track ConEd Time 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM 8:30 AM
CE24 - Rooted in Place: Architecture, Landscape, Ecology Category DAY3AM2 Track ConEd Time 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM 8:30 AM
CE25 - Designing for the Complete Student: Co-Creating Campu ses Category DAY3AM2 Track ConEd Time 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM 8:30 AM
CE26 - Regenerative Placemaking: Rouge Visitor Centre, a Case Study Category DAY3AM2 Track ConEd Time 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM 8:30 AM
CE27 - An Interactive Workshop on Completing an OBC Part 11 OAA Matrix Category DAY3AM2 Track ConEd Time 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM 8:30 AM
CE28 -Closing Plenary: Revitalizing Heritage Through Adaptive Reuse in Waterloo Region Category DAY3PM4 Track Plenary Time 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM 10:30 AM

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