RMIT, Polestar and Green Magazine Present an Exhibition Exploring Material Cycles and Sustainable Architecture

 “Circularity: Materials + Form” will run from June 27-29th in Fitzroy, Melbourne, showcasing projects from the RMIT Master of Architecture Design Studio and Research Elective

MELBOURNE, 22 May 2024: An innovative exhibition exploring circular material economies and green architecture will open on Thursday 27 June at a pop-up space on Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, presented by RMIT University in partnership with Swedish electric performance car brand, Polestar, and Green Magazine, Australia’s leading publication on sustainable design.

The exhibition will feature groundbreaking projects developed by students of  RMIT’s Master of Architecture Design Studio and Research Elective and will delve into the possibilities for a new energy architecture, reimagining the built environment through the lens of renewable energy production and circular material economies.  

“Students were challenged to envision a built environment premised on reduction, repairability, remanufacturing and re-use, repurposing, recycling, and longevity,” said Ian Nazareth, lecturer from the School of Architecture and Urban Design at RMIT University.  

“This exhibition explores these radical reimaginings of energy and material cycles and architecture’s role within them. What if we expand the time scales of buildings and architecture to match that of material evolution? What if buildings only represent a temporary stage of a material’s lifespan? Ian said.

The exhibition will present a variety of projects through videos, simulations and drawings, accompanied by material experiments and design artifacts.  

Jonathan Williams, Head of Marketing at Polestar Australia said, “At Polestar, we’re committed to sustainability but we know that ambition without action isn’t enough.  That’s why we’re transparent about the impact of our products and working towards developing the world’s first truly climate-neutral car by 2030. The project seeks to eliminate all greenhouse gas emissions from every aspect of production.  

“We also believe in collaboration with other industries to find solutions that may not yet be available. Working with the students at RMIT University to discover new material innovations is an exciting initiative for us locally. We can’t wait to see how some of the ideas take shape,” Jonathan added.

For 17 years green magazine has sought to highlight the work of innovative architects and designers, particularly those striving to develop new ideas and technologies to combat issues of waste and energy consumption. 

“Green Magazine is thrilled to partner with RMIT and Polestar to bring this inspiring exhibition to life,” said Tamsin O’Neill, editor of Green Magazine. “ ‘Circularity: Materials + Form’ showcases the innovative thinking and creativity of the next generation of architects, highlighting the crucial role sustainable design plays in shaping our future. 

This exhibition not only emphasizes the importance of rethinking material cycles but also encourages a broader conversation about the intersection of architecture, sustainability, and renewable energy. We believe this event will spark meaningful dialogue and inspire tangible action towards a more sustainable built environment.”

Circularity: Materials + Form will run from Thursday, June 27th to Saturday, June 29th at 181 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy. The exhibition is free and will be open to the public between 10am – 5pm. 

About RMIT
RMIT Architecture is interested in ideas-led, venturous, design experimentation and exploration – aspiring to contribute to the future of the discipline. The school focuses on the realisation of innovative practices, with deep ties to a contemporary global context. 

RMIT University

About Polestar
Polestar (Nasdaq: PSNY) is the Swedish electric performance car brand determined to improve society by using design and technology to accelerate the shift to sustainable mobility. Headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden, its cars are available online in 27 markets globally across North America, Europe and Asia Pacific.

In Australia, Polestar is based in Sydney, NSW. A total of six retail locations, known as Polestar Spaces, are available for customers to engage with Polestar Specialists, arrange test drives and schedule handovers.

The Polestar 0 project supports the company’s ambitious goal of creating a truly climate-neutral car by 2030. The research initiative also aims to create a sense of urgency to act on the climate crisis, by challenging employees, suppliers and the wider automotive industry, to drive towards zero.

Polestar