'Retrofitting our Cities' Panel Event (MDW 2024)

Retrofitting our Cities - Panel Event hosted by BVN

Each year 2% of our cities are being actively developed as knock-down rebuild, leaving 98% as opportunities for renewal. The construction industry alone contributes around 40% of global carbon emissions. We simply cannot afford to continue building in the same way we do now. The radical adaptation of existing buildings, particularly within our cities, will ensure assets remain relevant and create new value. It’s better for business, society, and the planet.

Join us for an engaging panel discussion, "Retrofitting Our Cities," hosted by BVN as part of Melbourne Design Week 2024. By sharing insights, encouraging debate, and fostering genuine connections, we aim to engage the audience in a thought-provoking dialogue on the current and future transformation of existing buildings within our CBDs.

We want to delve into the challenges and opportunities each panel member has uncovered through their project work in this space and speculate on what the future holds for sustainable urban development.

Moderated by Principal Sally Campbell of BVN Architecture, the panel composes:

• Kerstin Thompson (Principal, KTA)
• Martin Richie (GPT, Head of Office) and
• Ali Galbraith (Design Lead, Breathe Architecture)

This 90-minute discussion will take place Wednesday evening 29th May beginning at 6:00pm at the site of one such recently transformed Melbourne precinct, Queen & Collins. A precinct-renewal and workplace development by GPT group (designed by KTA and BVN), Queen & Collins is a radical adaptation of three neo-gothic inspired buildings co-located on a high-profile corner block of Melbourne’s CBD.

This event welcomes anyone interested in architecture, design, and city-making; whether seasoned professional, property developer, potential collaborator, or MDW attendees simply curious about this subject. Diverse perspectives will enrich this conversation.

Host or Publisher BVN Architecture