What can we learn from global leaders?
Guest LecturerMustafa Chehabeddine
Design Principal, KPF
Mustafa Chehabeddine is a Design Principal at Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF), specializing in large-scale mixed-use developments, transportation infrastructure, and supertall projects across Asia and the Middle East. His work focuses on the relationship between architecture, urban systems, public realm, and vertical density — with particular emphasis on contextual design and long-term urban integration. Over the course of his career, he has led multidisciplinary teams on internationally recognized projects requiring extensive technical coordination, infrastructural complexity, and large-scale urban planning.
"In my opinion, as cities transform, additional density and towers need to grow out of the existing urban context – what makes this city uniquely Vietnamese, for example, and how can we maintain that?"
- 1999 — Joined KPF, contributing to large-scale architecture and transportation projects across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
- 2010s — Led the design development of Zayed International Airport Terminal A, designed to accommodate 45 million passengers annually.
- 2020 — Presented Building Sustainable Cities after Covid-19 in collaboration with University of Oxford and The Prince’s Foundation.
- 2021 — Served as an international juror for the World Architecture Festival.
- 2023 — Delivered keynote lectures on transport-oriented development, computational façade systems, and future urban infrastructure: "The Connected City at London Build Expo", featuring case studies including One Vanderbilt, Hudson Yards, and Shenzhen Center.
- 2024 — Zayed International Airport Terminal A received major international recognition in transportation architecture.
KPF | Visit KPF.com →
"Our mission as architects is to transform cities through context, craft, and performance."
Founded in New York in 1976, KPF is one of the world's leading architecture firms behind many defining skylines and supertall developments globally. The practice is recognized for its approach to contextual design, vertical urbanism, and high-performance mixed-use architecture across major cities worldwide.
KPF's work has received major international recognitions including the CTBUH Best Tall Building Worldwide Award, the AIA National Honor Award, and multiple Emporis Skyscraper Awards.
Shanghai World Financial Center
Lotte World Tower
North Bund Lot 91
John Peronto
Managing Principal, Thornton Tomasetti
John Peronto is a structural engineering leader at Thornton Tomasetti specializing in supertall towers, long-span structures, and high-performance building systems. His portfolio includes some of the world’s most technically ambitious skyscrapers, including Jeddah Tower, Shanghai Tower, Ping An Finance Centre, Taipei 101, and the Petronas Twin Towers. Alongside his project work, he remains actively involved in international technical organizations and currently serves as Chair of the CTBUH Tall Buildings Committee.
"As tall buildings climb to new heights, there’s no margin for error. Experience counts."
- 2004 — Joined Thornton Tomasetti, contributing to large-scale structural engineering projects internationally.
- 2010s — Led structural engineering works for Jeddah Tower, planned to become the world’s first kilometer-high tower and the tallest building globally upon completion.
- 2010s — Contributed to major supertall developments across Asia and the Middle East, including DMCC Uptown Dubai and Akhmat Tower.
- 2020s — Continued leading structural systems for complex mixed-use developments globally.
- Current — Serves on multiple international engineering organizations including CTBUH and ASCE Structural Engineering Institute.
TT
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Visit ThorntonTomasetti.com →
"As tall buildings climb to new heights, there's no margin for error. Experience counts."
Founded in New York in 1949, Thornton Tomasetti is one of the world's leading structural engineering and applied science firms, recognized for supertall buildings, advanced structural systems, computational engineering, resilience, and high-performance infrastructure.
Operating through more than 40 offices globally, the firm has contributed to projects across over 150 countries, including 6 of the world's 15 tallest buildings today.
Jeddah Tower
Shanghai Tower
Ping An Finance Centre
Event Information
40 Hang Bai, Cua Nam Ward, Hanoi
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What is Flirting With Gravity?
The FLIRTING WITH GRAVITY dialogue series explores how architecture, engineering, and interdisciplinary collaboration converge in pursuit of humanity's most ambitious built environments.
Scheduled across 2026–2027, each event focuses on a distinct dimension of vertical urban development – from supertall buildings and structural innovation to infrastructure, culture, technology, and the future of cities.
