Upgrading existing buildings: practical strategies
17 September @ 12:30 pm - 3:30 pm AEST
Existing buildings are at the centre of the transition to a low-carbon, resilient built environment. As sustainability expectations, market demands and regulatory pressures continue to evolve, owners and project teams face increasingly complex decisions about how to enhance asset performance, future-proof buildings and unlock long-term value.
This practical, industry-led course explores how organisations are delivering successful building uplift programs across existing assets. Through real-world case studies and expert insights, participants will gain an understanding of the strategic, commercial and technical considerations involved in upgrading existing buildings.
From improving operational performance and occupant experience to reducing emissions and enhancing asset value, the course examines the opportunities and challenges of delivering meaningful uplift in the built environment. The program will also explore how retrofit and refurbishment strategies are being used to reshape existing buildings, extending asset life while improving sustainability, resilience and market performance.
What you’ll learn:
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Understand the factors driving investment in existing building upgrades.
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Evaluate different pathways for improving building performance and long-term asset outcomes.
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Explore how organisations prioritise and justify building uplift initiatives across their portfolios.
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Understand the challenges and opportunities of delivering upgrades in occupied buildings, including tenant engagement, project sequencing, operational continuity and construction logistics. (Change 2)
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Examine practical strategies for upgrading key building elements and systems, including HVAC and building services, façades and building fabric improvements. (Change 3)
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Identify the key stakeholders, project considerations and common challenges that influence successful delivery.
Ideal for:
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Property owners and asset managers
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Sustainability professionals
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Project and facilities managers
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Engineers, architects and consultants
Join our experts including:
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John Bourne, Leader – Sustainability, A.G. Coombs
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Robyn Hyslop, Director Sustainability, Colliers
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Steven Peters, Chief Sustainability Officer, IFM Investors
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Jess Roberts, Technical Advisor, Green Building Council of Australia
This course will be recorded and made available for those that cannot attend in our on-demand library for purchase.
Upgrading existing buildings: Practical Strategies
Thursday 17 September, 12.30 – 3.30pm
12.30pm Welcome and introduction – Why Existing Buildings Matter
Why are existing buildings central to achieving Australia’s sustainability and decarbonisation goals? With most of Australia’s future building stock already built, enhancing the performance of existing assets represents one of the greatest opportunities to reduce emissions, minimise operational impacts and extend asset life. This opening session explores the key market and industry drivers shaping investment in existing buildings and sets the context for how organisations are future-proofing assets through building uplift initiatives.
Speaker: Jess Roberts, Technical Advisor, Green Building Council of Australia
12.50pm Case Study: TBC
Speaker: Steven Peters, Chief Sustainability Officer, IFM Investors
1.20pm Using Performance Ratings to Inform Building Uplift
Through practical examples and industry insights, this session explores how building performance improvements can create value across existing commercial assets. Hear how different owner priorities, leasing arrangements, tenant occupancy and market expectations influence retrofit decisions, and how NABERS and Green Star are being used in practice to guide investment and building improvement strategies. Participants will gain practical insights into how performance ratings can support sustainability objectives, enhance asset competitiveness and inform building uplift strategies.
Speaker: Robyn Hyslop, Director Sustainability, Colliers
1.45pm Practical Strategies for optimising existing buildings
Explore practical strategies for improving the performance of existing buildings through targeted HVAC upgrades, outside air optimisation and enhancements to existing building systems. This session will examine how these interventions can reduce energy consumption, enhance indoor air quality and improve operational performance, while strengthening resilience to a changing climate.
Speaker: John Bourne, Leader – Sustainability, AG Coombs
2.10pm BREAK
2.20pm Case study TBC
Speaker: TBC
2.45pm Panel Discussion: Delivering Building Uplift in Practice
We’ll explore the realities of planning, prioritising and delivering upgrades in existing buildings. Drawing on the perspectives shared throughout the program, panellists will reflect on key lessons learned, emerging challenges and opportunities, and the practical considerations that influence successful outcomes across the built environment.
Panelists:
- Robyn Hyslop, Director Sustainability, Colliers
- John Bourne, Leader – Sustainability, AG Coombs
3.25pm Wrap up & session close
