The FDW Design Film Festival film Things Will Be Different draws attention to the demolition of public housing and the resulting displacement of communities.

Meanwhile, the shortage of affordable and social housing in cities around the world continues to grow. The UN says 1.6 billion people globally lack adequate housing and basic services.

An alternative to demolition is retrofitting policies, which retain existing housing and support decarbonisation in the face of a climate emergency, material scarcity and a global cost-of-living crisis.

Join architects Nic Brunsdon (Brunsdon Studio) and Kieran Wong (Chair of Shelter WA) in conversation about these issues and how we can address them locally. Nic will present research and test cases from Brunsdon Studio’s paper ‘The Architecture of Care’, including its proposal for the retrofit of Stirling Towers in Highgate.

What are the values behind this reparative model and alternative to demolition? How can we extend the concept of retrofitting beyond the physical structures and materiality of our cities while encompassing systemic changes? Join the conversation.

Drinks and food will be available from Ode to Sirens and entry is free to ticketholders of the film Things Will Be Different screening at the Luna SX before the event. Please register via the ticket link (registration is essential).

Full Address:

Reuben’s Room,
P&O Hotel

Corner of High Street and Mouat Street

Fremantle, WA, 6160
(Enter via Ode to Sirens)

Running times:
5:15pm – 6:30pm – Optional: Film Things Will Be Different
7:00pm – Rueben’s Room doors open – enter via Ode to Sirens
7:15pm – Presentation and conversation The Architecture of Care
8:15pm – Event finishes

Food and drinks may be bought from Ode to Sirens and brought into the venue.

Nic Brunsdon

Nic Brunsdon, Founder and Creative Director of Brunsdon Studio, is recognised as one of Australia’s leading architects. He was previously awarded the Australian Institute of Architects Emerging Architect Award, firstly for Western Australia and then nationally.

He is a past nominee for the 40 under 40 young business leaders award, a nominated thought leader for the City of Perth, a recipient of the Dulux International Study Tour for Emerging Architects, a recipient of the Gil Nicol Biennial International Study Bursary, a previous board member of Open House Perth, and a founding Board Member of Activate Perth and was the Chair of the Perth Centre for Photography from 2021-2024, one of Australia’s leading arts organisations.

The studio’s work has recently received recognition at the World Architecture Festival, Dezeen Awards, Houses Awards, INDE awards, Design Anthology awards, and Australian Institute of Architects Awards programs, most notably winning both the public vote and master jury awards at the prestigious Dezeen Awards for the world’s best hospitality project.

Brunsdon Studio is committed to servicing the Asia Pacific region through its offices in Perth, Bali, Margaret River, and Melbourne.

Kieran Wong

Kieran is a co-founder and partner at The Fulcrum Agency, a creative consultancy and social enterprise that leverages community and social outcomes through evidenced-based design, strategy, advocacy, and research. Based in Fremantle and Sydney, The Fulcrum Agency positions design thinking and community co-production at the forefront of all projects.

Kieran has over 20 years of private practice experience delivering award-winning urban design and architectural projects across commercial, public, urban design, interiors, education and residential categories, as well as winning the Australian Award for Urban Design and an International Award for Public Participation for his work in the City of Fremantle. His career is grounded in the challenge of bringing equity, social justice, and inclusion to the built environment across Australia.

He is an Adjunct Professor at Monash University, and an Industry Partner for the University of Sydney’s Health Habitat Incubator, with both roles focused on housing policy, indigenous housing and settlement planning.

Kieran was previously the National President of the Association of Consulting Architects and Chair of the Mark Howlett Foundation. He is currently Chair of Shelter WA, the peak body in Western Australia for the community housing and homelessness sectors. He is a Board member of Communicare and White Ribbon Australia. Kieran’s work is underpinned by his belief that design matters and the ability of good design to influence positive outcomes, not just for individuals, but for the wider community.