Melbourne Demolition Atlas Workshop

Melbourne Demolition Atlas Workshop is an exhibition and discussion on demolition created by ACAN. ACAN opposes the prevailing assumption that demolition and rebuilding are the only viable options. Instead, it advocates for the immense potential of preserving, adapting, and transforming existing structures to meet future needs.

Held in the Old Microbiology Building at the University of Melbourne — slated for demolition under the Estate Master Plan — the exhibition presents architectural drawings and photographs that highlight the social and environmental value of this and other significant buildings. Designed by renowned Melbourne architect Frederik Romberg (of Grounds, Romberg, and Boyd), the Old Microbiology Building serves as a case study in the broader conversation on heritage, sustainability, and the built environment.

In addition to the exhibition, ACAN will host a discussion exploring various demolition narratives from across the city, featuring insights from researchers, practitioners, and writers. Attendees are also invited to contribute to the Melbourne Demolition Atlas, an ongoing project documenting threatened and demolished buildings across the city. Part of a growing international series — including demolition atlases in Sweden, the UK, Finland, and Switzerland — this initiative preserves the stories of lost spaces and informs the conversation about the future of our built environment.