The Retrofit Playbook: How to Transform your Existing Home - Sustainable Builders Alliance | SHD26 Workshops
About this event
Thinking about renovating, but unsure where to start when it comes to energy efficiency, comfort and long-term performance?
Join the Sustainable Builders Alliance for a practical online session exploring how Australian homes can be transformed through smarter retrofit strategies. Designed specifically for homeowners, this webinar will unpack what makes a successful retrofit, where to prioritise your investment, and how to avoid common retrofit mistakes.
Hear from experienced builder, Simon Clark and award-winning architect, Sarah Lebner as they share real-world insights from delivering high-performance retrofit projects, from modest upgrades through to deeper home transformations.
Together, they’ll explore:
Why retrofitting is often a better alternative to knockdown rebuilds
The most impactful upgrades for comfort, energy efficiency and resilience
How to approach renovations in stages and work within your budget
What homeowners should know before starting a retrofit project
Common challenges in older homes and how to navigate them
Balancing performance, aesthetics and practicality
Whether you’re planning a retrofit now or simply curious about creating a healthier, more climate-resilient home, this session will give you the knowledge and confidence to take the next step.
Tickets
Tickets
You can purchase an individual ticket to this event for $15, or consider a SHD2026 Season Pass to attend the ten workshops for $110.
If you'd like to purchase tickets to other individual workshops you can access the workshop series here: SHD Workshops
Free season pass for full renew members and SHD Home Tour Hosts - Discount code sent directly.
You might like to take out a Full Renew membership before you book to access the 100% discounted season pass as well as Renew member benefits.
$55 season pass for Council Partners for their staff and Community - Contact your council for the code | Participating councils are: City of Boroondara | City of Yarra | Merri-bek City Council | Mount Alexander Shire Council | Mitchell Shire Council | Mornington Peninsula Shire | Darebin City Council | Byron Shire Council
You will receive an order confirmation email with a Zoom link to attend the session.
If you need to download Zoom, you can do so here.
Recording
If you’re unable to attend live, don’t worry - everyone who registers will receive access to the recording after the event - this takes about two weeks to edit & be sent to you.
Presenters
Sarah Lebner - Cooee Architecture
Sarah Lebner is the Director of Cooee Architecture, a regional practice delivering energy-efficient, low-carbon homes — from significant renovations and new builds to everyday retrofits. With over a decade of experience in sustainable design, Sarah has channelled her expertise into The Cooee Retrofit Method, a practical guide to improving home comfort, efficiency and health on budgets from $500 to $250k. She is also the author of 101 Things I Didn't Learn in Architecture School, recipient of the 2023 Dulux Study Tour Prize, and winner of the Australian Institute of Architects' 2020 National Emerging Architect Prize.
Simon Clark - Sustainable Homes Melbourne
Simon Clark is President of the Sustainable Builders Alliance and co-host of The Sustainable Builders Yak podcast. He is a registered builder and founder of Sustainable Homes Melbourne, which designs & builds beautiful, comfortable, and energy-efficient homes across Melbourne’s inner suburbs. With over 25 years in the construction industry, and a qualified carpenter by trade, Simon is on a mission to help Australia catch up with the rest of the world in creating a low-carbon, and sustainable construction industry.
About Sustainable House Day
Sustainable House Day (SHD) is a national event by Renew connecting Australians with practical ideas, expert advice and real homes creating more comfortable, efficient and climate-ready living.
Following SHD, join our expert-led online series covering affordable retrofits, all-electric homes, EVs, passive design, wildlife-friendly gardens, biophilic design and future-ready strata living. Hear from leading architects, builders, designers and energy experts sharing practical advice, real-world lessons and live Q&A to help you create a more sustainable home.
Our Sponsors
Sustainable House Day and the online event series wouldn't be possible without our amazing sponsors, we are so grateful for their support.
Principal Partner: Bank Australia
Valued Sponsors: Envirotecture | NSW Architects Registration Board | Victorian Energy Upgrades | Victorian State Government | NSW Government | SEC Victoria
Council Sponsors: City of Boroondara | City of Yarra | Merri-bek City Council | Mount Alexander Shire Council | Mitchell Shire Council | Mornington Peninsula Shire |
Darebin City Council | Byron Shire Council
Workshop Partners: Envirotecture | Light House Architecture and Science | Habitat Connection Co. | Cooee Architecture | The Sustainable Builders Alliance | Sustainable Homes Melbourne | Undercover Architect | Tim Forcey | Get Off Gas | Tim Eden | Strata Answers | Nicki Hodgson | Anderson Architecture
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
