Relative Projects

Let’s go. 18th May: HOW DESIGN CAN CHANGE THE WORLD. Relative Systems Collingwood Studio A discussion in the here and now. 20th May: IT’S 2100. WELCOME TO THE SYMBIOCENE. At NGV Great Hall An interactive presentation set in the future. Search at: designweek.melbourne @ngvmelbourne

[HOW] DESIGN CAN CHANGE THE WORLD As part of #melbournedesignweek Panel discussion — 18th May 2026, 6-8pm. Book via design week.melbourne **Almost sold out** Participants Laura Thompson — Clothing the Gaps Dhiren Das — Relative Systems Lou Dyer — KeepCup Fiona Killackey — Panel Host This panel brings together designers, social entrepreneurs and creative thinkers to explore the real impact of design – beyond aesthetics and awards. A discussion on how design can be a force for social, environmental and cultural good. Through practical examples and honest discussion, the panel examines how design thinking can be used to create positive change in business, brands and the wider world. * Design-led projects that have transformed behaviours and outcomes. * Insights into how inclusivity, sustainability and strategic systems thinking can create long-term change. * Practical ways to measure and communicate the impact of design, from environmental to social outcomes. * Stories from leaders working across architecture, fashion, product and brand. * A clear understanding of how design and strategic design thinking can shape not just what we make, but how we live and work. This event is for anyone interested in the role of design in creating meaningful, measurable impact across business, brands and society. @clothingthegaps @keepcup @mydailybusiness_ @relativesystems @ngvmelbourne

IT’S 2100. WELCOME TO THE SYMBIOCENE. What if the future isn’t something that happens to us, but something we design together? #melbournedesignweek 2026 Unfolding across three 1-hour panels from 10am to 1pm, speakers will reflect on the key pillars of Culture, Technology, and Economy, the day opens a space to ask: what choices and values got us into the symbiocene by 2100, and what can we bring back to the decisions we are making right now in 2026? 20TH MAY 2026 from 10AM - 1PM. ////// Book via MDW website ////// Speakers  Alison Page – Award-winning First Nations artist and designer Andrew Simpson – Founder and Director, Vert Design Dhiren Das – Director Relative Systems Elliat Rich – Designer based in Mparntwe (Alice Springs) Erin O’Donnell – Associate Professor, Melbourne Law School, and Deputy Chair, Birrarung Council Glenn A. Albrecht – Environmental philosopher, author Earth Emotions (2019) and The Symbiocene: Our Only Future (2027) Katherine Trebeck – Program Director, Economy Ronnie Scott – Associate Professor, novelist, comics scholar, and co-director of RMIT’s non/fictionLab Hosts Naomi Stead – Associate Deputy Vice Chancellor, Engagement, RMIT University Andy Marks – Executive Director, The Symbiocene Institute Ewan McEoin – Senior Curator of Contemporary Design and Architecture, National Gallery of Victoria Presented by @rmituniversity & @symbioceneinstitute & @ngvmelbourne Looking forward. @relativesystems

Melbourne design week 2026 But First, Country: An Evening of Connection One-night gathering centred on food, culture, and connection. The event brings together mob, allies, and supporters in an intimate, welcoming setting that encourages investment in First Nations design futures. Guests are invited to yarn, connect, and celebrate. The atmosphere is shaped through music, and a curated visual environment featuring imagery of Australian endemic flora. Styling and spatial design transform the installation into a vibrant, sensory experience. More than an installation, it is a moment of gathering, grounded in joy, storytelling, and collective presence, where people can eat, listen, laugh, and feel good together. Honestly just come yarn and have fun fuck yas Link in bio

@architecture_au : Peninsula University Hospital by Bates Smart and Architectus. Our client: Exemplar Health and Capella. Our Scope: Ground plane design strategies, modular fitout concepts and material systems for social / food / retail / related public interfaces. Situated on Bunurong Country.

#RelativeSystems design systems for upcycling demolition material. Prototypes in progress.

#RelativeSystems works at the convergence of industrial design, low carbon materials and the built environment — to rethink architectural elements as interconnected systems. We’re all on this journey together. The culmination of our collective’s work over 12+ years, looking at major projects from the macro to micro. Working across advanced fabrication, material reuse and design systems. After years of R&D and conversations with industry - [reflecting back on a 2008/09 project around repurposing materials saved from demolition during the build of Marc Newson’s Qantas lounges] we are working with industry partners to rethink resource value for purpose-led environments. Watch this space. (📷 @blachford )

Relative Research: 2023 drop in to the #blackandwhitebuilding – central London’s tallest engineered timber building. Later that year @waughthistletonarchitects were named Architect of the Year and the project won the 2024 RIBA National Award. LCA stats — Upfront embodied carbon of 343kgCO2e/m2, which is 43% below the London Plan Guidance. Two thirds of that carbon is sequestered within the building fabric (-231kgCO2e/m2). The building elements can be disassembled at end of life instead of demolished. Commercial stats — two thirds of the project leased prior to build completion, rents at around 40% above market rate. As important as its ESD credentials, is the multi-layered return on investment in terms of place value, user experience, asset value, brand exposure and attracting tenants with ESG goals. All of these were pretty well nailed for @theofficegroup , who are both the developer and flexible workspace operator. Financed by @blackstone - yes the global investment fund, and it was a front cover project for them. Architect Andrew Waugh is speaking today @unimelb as part of the Wood Solutions timber futures event. #masstimber #decarbonise #returnoninvestment #cityoflondon #relativeprojects #research

Relative Research: Station F Paris is the world’s largest incubator for start-ups. In its first year there were 1,034 startup members within the adaptive reuse campus. We’ve referenced this project since its opening in 2017 and were glad to see it still thriving while on a recent field trip — a good measure of success of its tiered model for businesses of all sizes. Design by @wilmotteassociesofficial #paris #architecture #adaptivereuse #startup #ecosystem #relativeprojects #relativeresearch

There are few cities that appreciate design details in shaping urban identity and public realm more than Paris. Not to be underestimated in how people connect with the emotive quality and experience of a neighbourhood, increasing its value to people and arguably extending the lifecycle of buildings. #paris #publicrealm #urban #timeless #material #architecture #details #relativeprojects

Relative Research: fly by. #livingplaces Copenhagen. Demonstrating a LCA footprint (embodied and operational carbon) of 3.85kg/CO2e/m2/year calculated over 50 years, while matching market price for a conventional Danish single family home. Prototypes by Effekt, Artelia, #velux and Enemærke & Petersen.

Park and Play #mobilityhub, relevant and beautiful almost ten years on. Nordhavn, Copenhagen @jaja_architects #urbanamenity In the background is Cobe’s transformation of a former grain silo into housing. It upcycled 2,740 cubic metres of concrete equal to 500t of CO₂e. Clad with prefab facade modules. Glass box restaurant on top. @cobearchitects