Edith Cowan University (ECU) has announced that a consortium of leading local, national and international architects will design the $695 million ECU City Campus.
Australian architectural firm Lyons, Perth-based Silver Thomas Hanley and international architects Haworth Tompkins, have been announced as the successful design team for the ECU City Campus – the centrepiece of the $1.5 billion Perth City Deal.
The appointment is one of the largest contracts to date to come from the Perth City Deal, announced last year, which brings together all three levels of government to help secure the long-term prosperity and liveability of Perth by promoting a vibrant city centre.
“ECU City Campus is transformational not only for our university, our students and staff, but for Perth. The new campus will represent the future of university education and is one of the state’s largest and most exciting building projects,” said ECU Vice-Chancellor Professor Steve Chapman.
“Lyons, in partnership with Haworth Tompkins and Silver Thomas Hanley, will bring a combination of local knowledge, design leadership, renowned expertise, and world-leading specialist capabilities that will capture our ambition and ensure the seamless delivery of the project,” he said.
Lyons and Silver Thomas Hanley have an extensive background in collaborating on award-winning major university and research building projects.
Lyons is recognised for its designs at leading city-based universities including RMIT, Melbourne and the flagship STEM precinct at the University of Newcastle.
Perth-based architects Silver Thomas Hanley designed ECU’s Joondalup science building, featuring the world’s largest periodic table.
International firm Haworth Tompkins is celebrated for its cutting-edge creations in performance spaces, including the revitalisation of The National Theatre in London.
“We are looking forward to these extraordinary minds not only conceptualising but delivering this unique project,” said Professor Chapman.
The $695 million ECU City Campus is jointly funded by the Federal Government ($245 million), the Western Australian Government ($150 million) and ECU ($300 million).
Both the Australian and Western Australian Governments have welcomed the contract appointments.
Western Australian Minister for Transport, Planning and Ports, the Hon. Rita Saffioti, said: “The Perth City Deal will help re-energise the city and encourage more people back into the Perth CBD.”
Also appointed is global engineering company Stantec, who is the Lead Engineer for Civil, Structural and Building Services. Stantec is recognised for many Perth landmarks, including Elizabeth Quay, the Westin Perth and more.
Marshall Day will carry out the City Campus’ acoustic engineering, following its successful acoustic delivery of Optus Stadium. Urbis has also been appointed to lead the town planning.
“This $695 million project will support Perth’s economic recovery by supporting over 3,000 construction jobs, creating over 380 ongoing jobs, and delivering much-needed economic stimulus,” said Federal Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, the Hon. Paul Fletcher.
One of Australia’s largest providers of quantity surveying, Donald Cant Watts Corke, is already working on-site.
“I’m proud to say there are 23 Australian companies involved in this project, and the vast majority are Perth-based companies. We are delighted to have them on board and offering their skills and capabilities to this transformational project,” said Professor Chapman.
The campus will be constructed on two lots adjacent to Yagan Square and will bring new life to the city with an estimated $1.5 billion economic output across the next four years, delivering more than $7.5 billion to the WA economy in the longer term.