Vram Malek leads some of SOM’s largest and most complex projects around the world. His work spans multiple scales and typologies, from mixed-use projects and commercial supertall towers to rail stations, civic and government buildings, and residential design.
He is currently managing transformative projects in Asia Pacific and New York, furthering his commitment to respecting and enhancing the surrounding cityscape and creating vibrant new destinations that embrace the city’s culture and history, while demonstrating a forward-thinking approach to environmental design and wellness.
Educated in Canada and Italy, he speaks multiple languages including French, Armenian and Italian. Vram has lived in a variety of places around the world but has been based in New York City since 2001, where his work remains global in location, scope, and cultural significance. Among his most important past projects is the new NATO Headquarters in Brussels, a highly sustainable complex that symbolizes unity and global interdependence.
The breadth of Vram’s experience is further demonstrated by his work in the Asia Pacific region, where he has helped lead SOM in the market and on significant projects like the Nihonbashi 2-Chome and Otemachi One Tower projects in Tokyo, 8 Shenton Way in Singapore and One City Center in Thailand.
Speaking at
Tue 28 May
9:00 AM — 12:30 PM (GMT+09:00) Osaka, Sapporo, Tokyo
Tokyo Midtown Conference, Midtown Tower 4F, Room 9
Decarbonisation and Resilience Forum
This is a must-attend event for real estate professionals looking to stay ahead of the curve in the face of increasing sustainability challenges. Through thought-provoking panels and presentations, attendees will gain the knowledge and tools needed to address critical challenges, such as navigating ESG frameworks, future-proofing assets against climate risks, unlocking value through retrofits, and embracing whole-life carbon planning. Take advantage of this opportunity to future-proof your real estate portfolio and contribute to a more sustainable built environment.
8.30am Registration and networking
9.00am Welcome and introductions
Mavis Ma, Sustainability Manager, GLP Capital Partners Japan
9.05am Mapping ESG: Clarity from Complexity
With the proliferation of global ESG frameworks, real estate stakeholders must stay informed about the latest developments and understand how to navigate this alphabet soup effectively.
- How are the various frameworks evolving to provide greater clarity and consistency for investors?
- What are the critical ESG factors that investors should prioritise to maximise both sustainability impact and financial returns?
9.20am Panel Discussion
Value-At-Risk - Future-Proof Today
Investors face growing pressure to account for climate risk in real estate valuation and decision-making.
- How are investors, insurers, and asset managers navigating the challenges presented by physical and transition risks?
- What best practices have they developed for assessing and mitigating climate-related impacts on real estate portfolios?
Panelists
Mark Cameron, Head of Sustainability, Asia Pacific, Nuveen Real Estate
Calvin Kwan, Head of Sustainability and Risk Governance, Link Asset Management
Cecilia Tse, ESG, Climate and Enterprise Risk, National Practice Lead, New Zealand, AON
10.05am Lightning Round #1:
Carbon Pricing Shifts Cost Curve For All
Understand how carbon pricing mechanisms fundamentally alter the cost-benefit analysis of decarbonisation efforts, which propel the development and deployment of innovative, low-carbon solutions.
10.20am Networking refreshments
10.40am Panel Discussion
Smart Retrofits to Unlock New Values
Retrofitting existing buildings is crucial for the world to achieve its net-zero goals, as 80% of the buildings that will stand in 2050 are already built.
- What are the main barriers preventing widespread acceleration of retrofits?
- How can owners plan effective retrofits that enhance building performance, reduce emissions, and improve tenant well-being while enhancing long-term asset value?
Moderator
Bradford Dockser, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, Green Generation
Panelists
Helen Amos, Head of Sustainability, Hong Kong, JLL
Vram Malek, Principal, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill
11.25am Lightning Round #2:
Refrigerant Emission: The Hidden Elephant
Shed light on refrigerant emissions in real estate, as these sneaky greenhouse gas contributors have a disproportionately large (and often underestimated) impact on global warming.
11.40am Panel Discussion
Plan for Whole-life Carbon Today
The real estate industry must shift toward a whole-life carbon perspective in order to drive long-term business success in an increasingly sustainability-focused market.
- How can the real estate industry effectively measure and reduce projects' whole-life carbon impact to meet regulatory requirements, investor expectations, and tenant preferences?
- What are the best practices for integrating whole-life carbon considerations into real estate projects to drive cost savings, mitigate climate-related risks, and optimise resource efficiency?
Panelists
Giovanni Cossu, Head of Sustainability, CapitaLand Development
Eddie Tse, Group Sustainability Manager, Gammon Construction
Pritya Pravina Widiarta, Director, Climate Change, Asia Pacific, HSBC
12.25pm Closing remarks
Programme is correct at time of publication and subject to change without prior notice.