BVN presents Designing out Waste with two events at Melbourne Design Week 2026, supported by GPT and Naomi Milgrom Foundation. Designing out Waste ignites dialogue and innovation within Melbourne's architecture and design community about sustainable adaptive re-use and circularity, offering apowerful moment to rethink value, regenerate resources and design the
world we want for the decades ahead.
Through two dynamic events, we’ll engage minds and inspire change: a 'design sprint' competition tailored for recent graduates and students, and a thought-provoking panel discussion exploring opportunities to replenish material streams, extend product lifespans and support a thriving circular economy.
Australia’s built environment generates almost 40% of the nation’s annual waste, and end-of-lease commercial de-fits are often treated as routine demolition. This panel discussion explores how these moments can instead become opportunities to conserve materials, reduce waste and design the world we want.
Designing Out Waste Panel examines how circular de-fit practices can transform commercial interiors by extending material lifecycles, supporting local reuse networks and creating lasting value. Hosted by BVN, the event will introduce the
De-fit Guidelines for Commercial Fitouts and share practical tools, case studies and strategies that will recast a new future for sustainable commercial fitouts.
A panel of practitioners from design, construction, material recovery and circular marketplaces will discuss how new technologies, procurement models and material exchanges can support more regenerative outcomes across our cities.
Date & Time
Wednesday 20 May 2026, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM AEST
Location
181 William Street - ‘The Meeting Place’
This is a catered event.
Calling graduates and students of architecture, design and planning!
As part of Melbourne Design Week 2026, BVN invites you to join Designing Out Waste Sprint, a one-day design competition delivered in collaboration with the Naomi Milgrom Foundation (NMF).
The Richmond Power Station is undergoing a radical transformation from an industrial powerhouse into a creative and cultural hub for Melbourne. Led by the foundation’s bold vision, construction is underway with an ambition to retain or reuse as much of the existing building fabric as possible.
This immersive event challenges participants to rethink how we adaptively design with existing materials. Over a full day, you'll explore the live construction site, identify opportunities, and develop bold, actionable ideas for circular design — where nothing leaves the Richmond site and everything is reused, remade or reimagined.
Join as a team or individually and be matched into a team on the day. The sprint is guided by industry mentors and facilitators, with a live pitch session and prizes awarded by a panel of experts.
Entry is free, with places limited to 30 parciticipants.
Application is required.
Date & Time
Saturday 16 May 2026, 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM AEST followed by drinks
Location
Richmond Power Station