Conscious Sustainable Design Meets Pop-Up Placemaking

Over 25 years working with Australia's leading property groups, I've witnessed a fundamental market shift. Today's consumers and retailers no longer respond to cookie-cutter design. They're drawn to spaces telling genuine stories, demonstrating visible commitment to sustainability, and creating authentic connections to place.

This shift isn't just philosophical—it's commercial reality driving purchasing decisions and property valuations.

This is why we are introducing RENU Collective: a strategic extension of Design + Marketing bringing conscious design principles and pop-up placemaking activations to Australian property development through bespoke space activation solutions.

Table of Contents

1. The Market Reality Driving Conscious Design Adoption
2. What Is RENU Collective?
3. Strategic Services Delivering Measurable ROI
4. Case Studies: Placemaking Activations That Worked
5. What we are Working on
6. The Future of Property in this Space

1. The Market Reality Driving Conscious Design Adoption

The Australian property industry faces increasing pressure from multiple directions: the imperative to comply with new rules and regulations, and the growing expectation to conduct business in ways we all know are right—through genuine sustainability initiatives.

With consumers demanding conscious approaches, councils requiring environmental compliance, and competitors seeking differentiation in saturated markets, RENU provides an easy, partner-driven service addressing all three challenges simultaneously.

Through D+M's 25+ years working with Australia's leading property groups, there has definitely been a fundamental shift. Eco-conscious consumers—particularly those in prime property purchasing demographics—actively prioritise businesses demonstrating circular economy commitment and they are willing to invest premium dollars for spaces reflecting these values.

RENU offers a practical solution contributing to meaningful change while delivering commercial advantage, contributing to zero emotional connection or brand differentiation.

This gap between market demand and industry supply represents opportunity for property professionals willing to embrace conscious design principles.

2. What Is RENU Collective?

RENU Collective sources existing materials and reimagines them through conscious design methodology—challenging throwaway culture while creating one-of-a-kind installations activating spaces differently.

We're not a separate business. RENU represents D+M's strategic evolution into conscious design, leveraging 25+ years of established client relationships while pioneering sustainable space activation solutions and pop-up placemaking initiatives.

Our Philosophy: Transform sourced materials into meaningful installations telling stories of renewal where possible and using circular economy principles. Celebrate thoughtful design over mass-produced disposability. Create spaces where people feel comfortable, connected, and inspired.

Our Methodology: We conceptualise and design unique installations using sourced and recycled materials. Property companies implement the designs within their developments. Each piece tells an individual story of conscious transformation—no mass production, every commission bespoke and site-specific.

3. Strategic Services Delivering Measurable ROI

RENU Collective offers comprehensive conscious design solutions across commercial and residential property sectors:

a) Bespoke Design Statements

One-of-a-kind installations for Shopping Centres, hotels, offices, retail, lobbies, and homes. Statement collections, feature walls, hoardings and sculpture tailored to your space and brand, complete with sourcing stories demonstrating sustainability commitment.

Commercial Value:

These installations become powerful marketing assets—Instagram-worthy moments generating organic social content, enhancing property values, and creating memorable brand differentiation.

b) Consultation Services: "Renu-ing Not Replacing"

We can provide professional guidance identifying conscious design opportunities within existing spaces, materials, and assets. Julie Furlong can assess your property, provide strategic recommendations, and outline implementation options—whether RENU delivers or you proceed with your own team.

Strategic Advantage: Unlock commercial value of existing assets while minimising waste, reducing replacement costs, and demonstrating circular economy commitment to consumers and retailers.



c) Placemaking Activation

Community engagement combining integrated workshops teaching conscious design principles, display installations throughout your property, and educational signage connecting to circular economy. Perfect for shopping centres, developments, and community spaces.

Marketing Impact: Transform properties into community hubs generating positive media attention, driving foot traffic, and positioning your development as sustainability leader.

d) Material Sourcing & Decluttering Services

Professional assessment of commercial developments, office clearances, and homes for reimagining potential. We curate materials and coordinate donations to your nominated charity, turning surplus into purposeful contribution.

For residential property professionals, this service extends to creating bespoke design statements infusing spaces with personal meaning, or developing "wow factor" installations for critical selling periods creating unforgettable impressions elevating property appeal.

e) Private Showcases & Events

Host memorable, purpose-driven events connecting your clients and network to sustainability stories. Perfect for property professionals building relationships through conscious design showcases.

f) Consignment Fundraising

We provide reimagined pieces from RENU's collection for your fundraising event, install them beautifully, and promote through our database. Percentage of sales benefits your nominated cause while demonstrating corporate social responsibility.

g) Artist Connection & Coordination

Connecting property developments with ethical, sustainable artists for wall activations and murals reflecting local area character and community stories. RENU manages coordination, sourcing, design alignment, and installation—creating Instagram-worthy moments and authentic narratives.

h) Collaborative Opportunities

RENU welcomes skilled collaborators sharing our commitment to challenging throwaway culture: sourcing partners, creative collaborators, workshop assistants, and community connectors earning income aligned with their values.

4. Case Studies: Placemaking Activations That Worked

Through D+M's property marketing expertise, we've delivered numerous pop-up placemaking activations demonstrating how conscious design creates measurable community engagement and commercial impact.

Case Study One: Park Sydney Village Easter Bunny Community Placemaking Activation

One-Line Summary: Local schools decorated bunny standees, creating community-driven Easter activation with zero additional creative costs.

Key Stats:

• Community co-creation model
• Zero additional creative costs
• Schools as natural ambassadors
• Exceptional social media engagement

Use When: Discussing community engagement, budget-conscious activations, school partnerships, Instagram-worthy moments

Key Quote: "Transformed a simple Easter display into a community celebration of local creativity and connection, all while working within budget constraints."

Case Study Two: Kellyville Grove Christmas Tree Placemaking Activation

One-Line Summary: Schools painted recyclable cardboard Christmas trees, demonstrating circular economy principles through festive placemaking.

Key Stats:

• Recyclable materials throughout
• Sustainable Christmas activation
• Schools amplified through networks
• Educational circular economy messaging

Use When: Discussing sustainability, circular economy, seasonal activations, environmental innovation

Key Quote: "The synergy between environmental awareness and community creativity provided compelling campaign edge, demonstrating how festive placemaking can inspire joy while championing a more circular, connected future."

Case Study Three: Artist Murals & Local Creative Partnerships

One-Line Summary: Coordinated local sustainable artists to create murals reflecting neighbourhood stories, transforming blank walls into community landmarks.

Key Stats:

• Transformed under utilised spaces
• Authentic local character
• Significant social media engagement
• Press coverage generated
• Ongoing talking points created

Use When: Discussing artist coordination, blank wall activation, local storytelling, Instagram-worthy installations

Key Quote: "Authentic local storytelling through professional artistic execution. These installations became landmarks within their communities, driving both foot traffic and positive brand association."

5. What we are Working on

Circular Economy Workshop: Hands-On Placemaking Activation

Concept: Transform public spaces into temporary creative studios where communities learn sustainable design principles through practical experience.

How It Works:

Phase 1: Pre-Event Display (4 weeks)

• Professional installations featuring consciously sourced materials
• Modern ceramic vessels with natural branches, dried elements, sculptural forms
• Educational signage with QR codes for workshop registration
• Minimalist aesthetic elevating the space

Phase 2: Two-Day Workshop Event

• High-visibility common area activation
• Participants paint/texture old ceramic vessels using sustainable materials
• Create sculptural arrangements with natural elements
• Hands-on circular economy education
• Take home completed creations

Commercial Benefits:

• Drives foot traffic during 4-6 week activation period
• Creates Instagram-worthy moments throughout property
• Generates database acquisition through QR registrations
• Positions organisation as sustainability leader
• Delivers authentic content for marketing campaigns
• Builds ongoing community programming relationships

Ideal Partners:

• Shopping centres seeking community differentiation
• Councils delivering sustainability initiatives
• Property developments requiring activation
• Retirement communities building programming
• Corporate offices embracing circular economy
• Community spaces needing engagement solutions

6. The Future of Property in this Space

As we accelerate towards AI-driven everything and reshape how we work and interact, the importance of authentic experiences in physical spaces should be prominent. As property experts, our job is to remind us who we are and where we come from. This isn't about rejecting progress; it's about ensuring we don't lose our identity and connection to place in the digital rush. Consumer expectations are shifting towards these experiences, and people crave grounding spaces. These are environments with genuine materials, natural elements, and conscious design that reconnects them to something real and tells a story.

RENU Collective is the start of a practical solution, transforming this challenge into commercial opportunity through conscious design

The question isn't whether to embrace conscious design; it's how quickly you can leverage it to create spaces that matter—spaces that remind us of our humanity. If you would like to connect and activate your space consciously, perhaps renewing materials you already have, I am all ears.

Interested in This Activation?

Contact Julie Furlong directly to discuss customising the workshop for your space, community profile, and objectives.

Email: julie@designmarketing.com.au

Phone: 02 8969 6333

LinkedIn: Julie Furlong

Website: www.designmarketing.com.au

About the Author

Julie Furlong is the founder of Design+Marketing (D+M), an award-winning Sydney-based agency specialising in property marketing and end-to-end brand solutions. Through RENU Collective, D+M's strategic extension into conscious design, Julie brings 30+ years of experience working with Australia's leading property groups to deliver sustainable space activation and bespoke design statements that create competitive advantage. Combining strategic thinking with circular economy principles, Julie strategically transforms sourced materials into one-of-a-kind installations that challenge throwaway culture while driving measurable commercial results.