Recently we hosted a Melbourne Design Week breakfast at our Elizabeth Street studio, where we unpacked 'Adaptive Reuse: Reimagining Melbourne's heritage buildings for future generations'.
Following breakfast, the talk began with Plus Architecture Associate Nigel Mak giving an insightful presentation exploring the intricacies of retrofitting Invicta House.
Plus Architecture Associate Nigel Mak
Nigel’s presentation was followed by an industry expert-led panel discussion moderated by Design Editor, Journalist and Communications Strategist, Alice Blackwood. The panel included City of Melbourne Deputy Lord Mayor Councillor Nicholas Reece, Plus Architecture Principal Candice Ng and STRE Management Group Chairman and General Manager Patrick Lardi, who shared their insights on the value, challenges and future of adaptive reuse and retrofitting Melbourne's historic buildings.
L-R: Design Editor, Journalist and Communications Strategist, Alice Blackwood • STRE Management Group Chairman and General Manager Patrick Lardi • City of Melbourne Deputy Lord Mayor Councillor Nicholas Reece • Plus Architecture Principal Candice Ng
Here are some key takeaways from the panel discussion:
Melbourne City Council says that 60% of carbon emissions come from existing buildings.
Melbourne City Council launched Retrofit Melbourne in 2023 which is an ambitious plan that seeks to make all the existing commercial buildings in the CBD zero carbon ready by 2040. This would require 80 to be completed every year, we're currently tracking at 7 per year.
In the 1990s the famous urban policy 'Post Code 3000' was introduced, which reimagined the CBD as an area for residential living. In 1991, there were less than 400 people living in the city, now there are over 40,000 city dwellers.
Everyone is talking about adaptive reuse, particularly the change of use from office to residential, however in the last few years 0 applications have been received of this nature.
1980s and 1990s office floorplates tend to be quite large and don't lend themselves that well to residential due to lack of light etc. In this case, we should be thinking more creatively about other uses for these spaces. What about office to health? Or office to entertainment?
Heritage buildings come with provenance - they have a story. This can be a significant selling point not to be overlooked.
Adaptive reuse and retrofit projects take a village, including the support of expert consultants who can help identify what can be retained, repaired or removed.
We need to protect what makes Melbourne unique, ensuring it doesn't end up looking like any other city.
The development bonus in Melbourne is currently out-of-date as it still requires office space to be included (when there has been an increase in office vacancy rates since COVID). The bonus needs to be reconsidered for 2024.
Local Law 97 NYC is a regulation Melbourne could look to for inspiration. The idea is that an emissions tax is attached to every building and it gets lowered every year, with the goal of every building becoming more efficient every year. As a result, promoting sustainability and reducing land banking within the city.
As a developer, you make money when you buy - not when you've completed the development. It's also imperative to get the product right for the location and future occupants.
