ECU City: A Transformative Landmark for Perth
ECU City stands as the flagship development of the Perth City Deal – a significant collaboration between the Australian Government, Western Australian Government, City of Perth and Edith Cowan University. Designed by Lyons in partnership with UK-based Haworth Tompkins and Perth’s own Silver Thomas Hanley, with the major builder being Multiplex Constructions, this $853 million project is scheduled for completion in late 2025. Once open in Semester One, 2026, ECU City will inject new vitality into the heart of Perth, energising the city’s business, cultural, and entertainment districts.
Positioned on a site that has served as a place of learning for over two thousand generations, ECU City acknowledges the deep cultural heritage of the Whadjuk Noongar people, the Traditional Custodians of Boorloo (Perth). The University embraces this legacy with humility and purpose, shaping a vision for the campus that honours the past while looking firmly to the future.
Rising across 11 super-levels and covering more than 65,000 square metres, ECU City is one of Australia’s most complex and expansive university developments to date. With the building’s striking façade now largely complete, the campus stands as a proud new icon in Perth’s cityscape.
Designed to reimagine higher education and foster industry collaboration, ECU City will feature cutting-edge spaces for learning, creativity, performance and innovation, including:
- Eight public performance and rehearsal venues for WAAPA, hosting over 300 performances annually.
- Next-generation teaching, research and industry facilities, including a live Cyber Security Operations Centre (Cyber SOC).
- State-of-the-art radio, television and film production studios.
- Creative spaces, including visual arts and design studios.
- A fully equipped moot court for law students.
- Public galleries and flexible event spaces.
- An industry engagement hub to connect students, professionals and entrepreneurs.
Targeting a Five Star Green Star rating, the project will feature adaptive and energy-efficient climate control with natural ventilation.
When completed, ECU City will integrate creative industries, business, and technology courses with ECU’s internationally recognised Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA). The new campus aims to attract more than 9,000 students and staff when it opens in 2025, growing to more than 11,000 students and staff by 2034.
Project Timeline:
- Site establishment: May to December 2022
- Construction commencement: Quarter 1 2023
- Completion: Late 2025
- Campus opens to students and staff: Semester One, 2026
The landmark ECU City project is part of the Australian Government’s broader strategy to continue investing in building a strong future for our nation, whilst transforming Perth into a university city, putting Western Australia on the map as an education powerhouse.
Draftech’s Involvement:
Our team played a key role in overseeing service coordination and delivering precise mechanical construction documentation for the North Tower. To keep everything on track, we implemented weekly coordination reviews, ensuring a seamless process from start to finish.
One of the biggest challenges? Maintaining headroom and keeping pathways clear in open-ceiling areas, all while ensuring critical equipment could move freely. Every decision required meticulous planning to prevent clashes and maintain efficiency.
With a complex building like this, breaking up the model by discipline was essential. At the same time, every piece of hardware had to meet the latest specifications—no compromises.
Every penetration—whether a pipe, duct, or tray passing through a wall—needed to be precisely cut and sealed according to the wall type’s specifications. We didn’t just track these penetrations; we ensured each one was properly signed off, reinforcing the building’s structural and fire integrity.
This project featured a diverse range of wall types, from high-performance acoustic barriers to fire-rated partitions. Each required careful consideration at every stage, from design through to final handover. Attention to detail wasn’t just important—it was critical.
Draftech – Your Project, Our Expertise
For more details about Perth’s state-of-the-art University, please explore the links below
https://www.citycampus.ecu.edu.au/construction
https://www.multiplex.global/projects/ecu-city-campus/
https://www.ecu.edu.au/newsroom/articles/news/ecu-city-campus-reaches-new-heights
https://www.stantec.com/en/projects/australia-projects/e/ecu-city-campus
Testimonials
Very professional and efficient organization. Delivered a great product to a tight deadline.
ACE Power
Karl and the team are very professional and have a vast knowledge of BIM coordination.
Dwayne Willaims Babinda Electrics
We had multiple large projects with tight deadlines and needed a company we could trust. The teams delivery, attention to detail and understanding of what is being designed is always executed to a high standard.
Martin O’Donovan Envar Engineers
Draftech offered a flexible and reliable approach to working collaboratively with our team. They met our expectations and quality requirements and also offered up new ideas.
Draftech have proven to be a valuable and trustworthy resource and we will continue to work with Draftech on other projects.
Simon Marsden Umow Lai
Draftech is different from others in the professionalism and features they provide.
The ability to walk through projects in real time online provides invaluable insight into problem areas and helps provide an efficient resolution on the spot without many phone calls, emails and the necessity for us to paw through countless drawings to understand the issues.
Todd Morris Manager - Air mech
Draftech were put forward to FIP Electrical as the solution to Coordinate, Model, carry out clash detection, provide Electrical Services Shop Drawings, as built documentation and completed electrical model.
Simon Thorpe FIP Electrical
In close collaboration Draftech set up all our systems and model deliverables. In this process Draftech have proven to be a valuable resource for us and demonstrated commitment, understanding and professionalism.
David Skelley DJCoalition
Draftech’s attention to detail and proactive nature throughout the project assisted us in identifying issues before becoming evident on site, saving us both time and unexpected costs.
Matt Payne PJM Engineering Services
They delivered very high quality Revit models and associated 2D documentation at key milestones, working to a tight budget and in strict accordance with the Architects’ BIM requirements.
Peter Thomas Geoff Hesford
We found Draftech’s work to be of high standard and the team delivered exactly as agreed, in fact, when we considered the project complete, Draftech put further resources into the project as they were not satisfied.
John Johnson Beca
Engaging Draftech during design gave us the tools to make smart decisions.
Hansen Yuncken Design Manager - Michael Harkins
The drafting service is timely, reliable and fit for purpose for the built environment.
Peter Harvey Harvey Industries
Draftech stands apart from other drafting services that we have previously used in their attention to detail and ability to adapt to the individual client’s requirements.
Doug Holt McCaig Aircon
I can confidently recommend Draftech as a solid and reliable supplier, and experts in their field. I look forward to working with them again in the near future.
Chris Behan Norman Disney & Young
After seeing the benefits Draftech provided us on the Townsville Hospital Redevelopment we have set up a relationship with Draftech and intend to continue to use their BIM knowledge and skills for our future projects.
Brad Lund Energy Power Systems
Draftech has no competition as they are in a class of their own.
John Boyes Babinda Electrics
Draftech Developments Drafting and Design Capabilities, in conjunction with their outstanding level of Client service and support has provided great solutions to our engineering and Drafting Design portions within our Gorgon Barrow Island Project.
Aaron Hazelton Applied Electro Systems Pty Ltd
Draftech set up necessary systems and workflows very quickly, but also setup auditable estimating and weekly cost tracking processes that we utilised, requiring little maintenance.
TOM PURDON MPM GROUP
