The first designs of the new state-of-the-art ECU City campus have been unveiled, showcasing how the world-class university campus will reshape the Perth CBD and redefine higher education in Western Australia.
“The concept design reveals a unique and welcoming campus that completely defies traditional expectations,” said ECU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Steve Chapman CBE.
“We have a clear vision and ambition for Western Australia’s first comprehensive city campus, and that is to deliver a remarkable university as well as a landmark for Perth’s CBD.”
“Students, staff and visitors will be treated to a sensory experience from the moment they step in. It will be like nothing they have ever known.”
“ECU City’s design, both physically and symbolically, reaches outwards, with a strong visual connection to its surrounds. It will be a university on show – inviting people to connect and be involved with what is occurring within.”
“The campus will be purposefully embedded with industry and connect the commercial, cultural and entertainment precincts of Perth, and is designed to project life, energy, and opportunity into the heart of our city. Its proximity to industry is a game-changer for engagement and partnership with business.
“This is a once in a generation opportunity to create what we see as the university of the future, and to reinforce ECU and Perth as a highly desirable centre of education, research, innovation and performance,” said Professor Chapman.
Developed over two sites directly opposite Yagan Square and spanning Karak Walk, ECU City will include vast windows and galleries across 11 super-levels that expose cleverly stacked performance spaces, studios and state-of-the-art digital labs.
Opening to William Street Mall at Yagan Square, the university will offer new vibrancy through its dynamic digital media façade, and an immersive entrance that envelops Perth Busport, while activated streetscapes and lively common laneways will connect to Roe, Queen, and Wellington Streets.
The campus will integrate creative industries, business and technology courses with ECU’s internationally recognised Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA). Bespoke theatres have been designed to place Perth on the world stage.
ECU City campus is a key project in the $1.5 billion Perth City Deal, a collaboration between the Federal Government and Western Australian Government to revitalise the Perth CBD. It will see more than 9,000 students and staff calling the campus home by 2025.
“The Morrison Government has committed $245 million for the new ECU City campus, which will not only bring together students, teachers and experts from across disciplines, but it will help reinvigorate the Perth CBD by creating an important feature in the city’s cultural landscape,” said Federal Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP.
“The economic impact of the development will also be significant, with the project supporting over 3,000 jobs during construction and providing an estimated $1.5 billion boost to the WA economy over the next four years.”
Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan added, “This job-creating project is part of the extensive investment my Government is making in infrastructure and transport for the future. This is part of a once-in-a-lifetime transformation of our city centre, and will grow Perth’s reputation as an innovative and vibrant city,” he said.
“This project will create local jobs, activate Perth and deliver world-class university education in the CBD. We believe ECU City will attract investment in Perth, boost the visitor economy, provide a boost for CBD businesses and further cement Perth’s reputation as a great place to live, work and visit,” said Premier McGowan.
A development application for the mid-rise ECU City campus will be lodged with DevelopmentWA later this month, with early site works expected to commence later this year. For more information, visit: www.citycampus.ecu.edu.au for details.
Image: Yagan Square – ECU City campus (supplied)