A Call to Action for the Built Environment
In a powerful and packed evening of insight and provocation at DesignInc in Melbourne, the Don’t Waste Buildings event on June 11th–hosted by Australian Architects Declare–galvanised architects, designers, and policy thinkers to rethink the industry’s default response to aging buildings: demolition.
The event was framed by Claire Bowles, (Okana ANZ Director and founding leader of Don’t Waste Buildings in ANZ), who introduced the mission of the volunteer-led initiative: to elevate the conversation around retrofit and adaptive reuse by increasing access to information and building a collective will to act. With buildings contributing significantly to operational and embodied carbon emissions, the stakes have never been higher.
Claire Bowles, DWB Australia Lead, introducing and framing the discussion
Highlights from the Night
1. A Case for Retrofit Over Rebuild
Gavin Salt of i2C Architects presented the award-winning Make Room project, a sensitive and socially driven adaptive re-use of a City of Melbourne commercial building to provide much needed supportive housing for those most in need. The project illustrated the environmental and community value in retaining existing fabric, while highlighting the complex, yet rewarding, path of adaptation.
2. Hard Data, Hard to Ignore
Nigel Bertram from NMBW Architecture Studio offered compelling evidence from research into the Brunswick public housing towers. The independent studies showed that retrofitting these buildings could save up to 30% in capital costs—amounting to $1.5 billion across 44 towers—while slashing operating costs by 66%, reducing embodied carbon by 35%, and maintaining similar or faster delivery timelines compared to demolition and rebuild. Beyond numbers, the social implications—such as avoiding community displacement—added another layer of value often left unaccounted for.
3. Questioning the Demolition Reflex
Several speakers noted a troubling norm: demolition is still the first port of call. The evening challenged this mindset, calling for a reversal—why isn't a business case required for demolition, just as it is for reuse? Fear of risk, complexity, and legal liability are stifling common-sense, cost-effective, and sustainable solutions.
4. The Cultural Dimension
Architect Kieran Leong closed the evening with a speculative reuse project, asking bold questions that apply across the design process, offering some inspiring suggestions. His talk underscored the importance of design thinking that values regenerative design, economic viability, context, and culture—not just compliance.
A Sector-Wide Shift Is Needed
Across every presentation, the message was clear: retrofitting isn’t just feasible—it can be faster, cheaper, greener, and kinder. Yet progress is being hamstrung by policy gaps, ingrained habits, and lack of incentives. To build momentum, the sector must:
Incentivize adaptive reuse through tax breaks, grants, and policy shifts
Require demolition business cases, not just reuse ones
Educate clients, builders, and policymakers on lifecycle benefits
Factor in social and cultural value alongside carbon and cost
This event served as a reminder that continuing with business as usual is not just unsustainable—it’s indefensible.
Don’t Waste Buildings isn’t just a tagline—it’s a rallying cry. For the built environment to be part of the climate solution, the sector must value what already exists. Retrofit isn’t a compromise. It’s a strategy of care, courage, and creativity.
