Description

How can we retrofit our own homes to be more sustainable, comfortable, and energy-efficient? This guided tour and talk will take you through the Retrofit exhibition 2025, where you'll explore innovative retrofit projects at every scale—from small energy efficiency upgrades to large precinct transformations.

Led by expert retrofitters in action, this session will demystify the process of retrofitting and help you understand practical steps you can take in your own home. We’ll unpack cutting-edge materials, technologies, and strategies for reducing carbon emissions, improving thermal performance, and enhancing liveability—all while working with existing structures.

Through real-world case studies, hands-on insights, and a guided exploration of state-of-the-art retrofit solutions, this event will help you see how retrofitting isn't just for architects and builders—it’s something every homeowner can engage with. Whether you're looking to improve your insulation, switch to renewable energy, or completely transform your home’s performance, this session will show you how to start your own retrofit journey.

What's On

At Open House Melbourne 2025, the Retrofit exhibition will showcase the power of adaptation in shaping Melbourne’s built environment, building on the success of the 2023 Retrofit Symposium. This exhibition will bring the concept to life, demonstrating how existing buildings can be transformed to meet contemporary needs while preserving their historical and cultural significance.

Visitors can explore a curated display of case studies, design strategies, and interactive elements that highlight innovative retrofits—from heritage restorations to cutting-edge sustainable adaptations—revealing how architects, designers, and communities are reshaping the city.

As part of the program, a guided tour and discussion will provide deeper insights into the stories behind these transformations and will bring together experts in architecture, sustainability, and heritage to explore the challenges and opportunities of retrofitting in a changing urban landscape. Through these experiences, visitors will gain a deeper understanding of how retrofitting contributes to sustainability goals, the built environment industry’s role in addressing climate challenges, and the broader social and cultural implications of adaptation.

In Collaboration With:

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  Sarah Bell

  Professor Sarah Bell is the City of Melbourne Chair in Urban Resilience and Innovation at the Melbourne Centre for Cities. She joined the University of Melbourne in 2021 following 16 years at University College London.
  
  Her research addresses community engagement with infrastructure, with a special interest in urban water systems. Her scholarly work draws on the social sciences to better understand how people, technologies and nature interact to create urban systems, and her research on urban sustainability and resilience puts communities at the heart of design and decision-making.