Why Retrofit?
Too often, we undervalue existing buildings, reducing them to “sticks and bricks” rather than recognising their embedded energy, cultural value, and connection to place. Retrofitting is not about nostalgia – it’s about care. It’s about seeing the potential in what’s already here, and doing just enough to make it work better for today and tomorrow.
Defining Retrofit – Beyond Greenwash
The term “retrofit” is frequently used, but not always well understood. For me, a retrofit project:
- Prioritises maintenance first
- Intervenes only when needed
- Respects the original spirit of the building
- Strikes a balance between old and new through thoughtful “companion” architecture
- Embeds sustainability at its core
- Inspires change, not just compliance
This philosophy resists the trend of façadism and superficial makeovers. It’s about working with the building, not over it.
A Practice Rooted in Respect and Simplicity
At DiMase Architects, we take a light-touch approach. Our projects – from a passive house in West Melbourne to educational buildings and public facilities – are guided by restraint, respect, and simplicity. Whether it’s restoring 1940s timber windows at Camberwell High or renovating light timber-framed classrooms, our aim is always to do just enough, not too much.
Personal Commitment, Generational Learning
One of the most meaningful projects I’m working on is my own home, renovated slowly with my son – a young tradesperson shaping his future in retrofit construction. It’s dusty, messy, and deeply fulfilling. And it shows the power of retrofit to connect generations and spark practical change.
Looking Ahead
Melbourne has reimagined itself many times, often through demolition. But good retrofit work offers a more sustainable, sensitive way forward. It’s time we moved away from a “knockdown and rebuild” mentality and toward a culture of care, creativity, and long-term thinking.