About this Event
October Theme: Minimising Displacement through Retrofit
Date: Tuesday 27th October 2026
Time: 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Location: Japanese Room (Level 4, Glyn Davis Building, University of Melbourne, Parkville Campus) and via Zoom
Zoom Link: To be shared on the day to ticket holders (please sign up below)
Speakers:
Marcus Bailey (Director at DCWC - Donald Cant Watts Corke)
Marcus Bailey is Director of Project Management in Victoria and National Sector Lead for Tertiary and Retail at DCWC. He is a highly experienced professional with over 25 years in both architecture and project management, specialising in the execution of complex projects within the tertiary and retail sectors.
A.Prof. Rory Hyde (University of Melbourne)
Rory is a designer, researcher, writer, curator and broadcaster. His work is focused on new forms of design practice for the public good, and redefining the role of the architect today. He is associate professor in architecture, curatorial design and practice at the University of Melbourne. From 2013 to 2020 he was the curator of contemporary architecture and urbanism at the Victoria and Albert Museum, and a design advocate for the Mayor of London. His books include Future Practice: Conversations from the Edge of Architecture and Architects After Architecture: Alternative Pathways for Practice.
Guest Host:
Claire Bowles (Okana Global)
Claire is the Director of Okana ANZ. The agile global built environment consultancy that is shaping tomorrow. Claire has extensive experience in regenerative design , data and digital processes, for purpose business strategy and living systems thinking. She is passionate about sufficiency in design and sees huge potential for the revitalisation of existing buildings, spaces and places to deliver much-needed social infrastructure for urban regeneration.
---
The Retrofit Forum, hosted by The Retrofit Lab at the University of Melbourne, unites industry, government, and academia. Its goal is to promote sustainable retrofitting in Australia. We are returning in 2026 from March. This monthly event will showcase expert talks and discussions. It will cover key challenges and opportunities across four critical areas:
- Housing: Upgrading homes for climate, health, and affordability.
- Landscapes: Supporting resilient, low-carbon cities.
- Skills: Training the workforce for retrofit needs.
- Digital: Leveraging technology, such as digital twins.
Held in-person and online, the forum fosters collaboration to drive retrofitting innovation. Organised by The Retrofit Lab and the Melbourne Centre for Cities at the University of Melbourne.
Upcoming forums and retrofit initiatives. Visit our contact page for more information.
Sign up for our mailing list
Agenda
🕑: 04:00 PM - 05:00 PM
October: Minimising Displacement through Retrofit
Host: Claire Bowles
🕑: 04:00 PM - 05:00 PM
September: Retrofit vs Rebuild - Early Decision Making
Host: Alan Findlater (Newbridge)
🕑: 04:00 PM - 05:00 PM
August: Energy and Circularity, Retrofitting Residential
Host: Anna Lindstad
🕑: 04:00 PM - 05:00 PM
July: Carbon Accounting in Retrofit Projects
Host: David Ritter (Grimshaw)
🕑: 04:00 PM - 05:00 PM
June: Mid-Century Concrete Buildings: Retrofit and John Medley Building
Host: Hannah Kuek (ARM Architecture)
May: Bushfire Resilience and Retrofitting
Host: Prof. Alan March (University of Melbourne)
🕑: 04:00 PM - 05:00 PM
April: Adapt! Designing New Lives for Old Buildings Book Discussion
Host: Prof.Hannah Lewi (ACAHUCH, University of Melbourne)
🕑: 04:00 PM - 05:00 PM
March: Commercial Conversions and Regenerative Retrofit
Host: Dr. Giorgio Marfella (ABP, University of Melbourne)
November: TBC
Have an idea for a Forum? Contact us via the Retrofit Lab email
Event venue & nearby stays
Glyn Davis Building, The University of Melbourne, Masson Road, Parkville, Australia
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.