Student Intranet - News

Monday, 15 September 2025

Edith Cowan University's (ECU) new city campus will bring unprecedented motion and light to the Perth skyline, with its media architecture revealed today.

When it opens in Semester 1, 2026, a cutting-edge LED façade and immersive digital foyer screen will bring the $853 million campus to life in a vibrant display of art and culture, both inside and out.

Jointly funded by the Albanese Labor Government, the Cook Labor Government, and ECU, the 65,000-square-metre university campus is set to deliver new energy to Perth's CBD and the Perth City Link precinct with a community of more than 10,000 students and staff.

Externally, ECU City boasts more than 2,800 custom LED lattice fixtures integrated into its distinctive fin façade. If placed end to end, the luminous fixtures would stretch nearly five kilometres. This bespoke system allows video integration across two sides of the campus' exterior, creating a dynamic public experience for visitors moving through Perth's city centre.

An impressive four-storey screen inside the building's main foyer is anticipated to be one of the largest indoor LED displays in Australia. At 407 square metres and wrapping across multiple surfaces, it forms an immersive canvas designed for public engagement, creative expression and storytelling.

It will showcase an evolving and curated content program, featuring the creative works of artists and students.

The campus' advanced digital infrastructure is built on the same technology used in global film and gaming production.

Similar technology has been used at iconic international destinations such as Outernet London, Sphere Las Vegas and the AT&T Discovery District in Dallas.

The campus will be the new home of the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), the School of Business and Law, creative humanities programs from the School of Arts and Humanities, including the WA Screen and Media Academy, technology and cyber security programs from the School of Science, and Kurongkurl Katitjin – the University's Centre for Indigenous Australian Education and Research.

Premier Roger Cook shared his excitement about the new campus nearing completion.

"Part of what makes the ECU City project truly extraordinary is the media architecture that powers it. We are talking about the same cutting-edge digital infrastructure that sits behind the LED volume stages used in blockbuster global productions. That means Western Australian students, researchers and creatives will have access to the same tools as the world's leading film, gaming and broadcast industries." the premier said.

"ECU City puts Perth among world-leading destinations. It says to the world that Western Australia is not just participating in the conversation about how technology, culture and education come together, we are leading it.

"This is a project that gives Western Australia's young people the chance to learn and work at the cutting edge. It creates opportunities for industry to partner with education in new and exciting ways. And it cements Perth's reputation as a city of imagination, ambition and possibility."

Acting Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Murray Watt said the project was an exciting one for students, staff and all Western Australians.

“The ECU City project is so exciting for Perth. For students, staff and anyone passing by, this dynamic display will be unmissable in the city centre.

“Perth’s reputation as the City of Lights just got an upgrade, with a spectacular display that will light up the skyline like never before.

“Stretching more than the length of Perth’s Riverside Drive when placed end to end, the LED display is a glimpse into the innovation and culture that will be on offer when ECU City opens its doors in 2026.” Minister Watt said.

ECU Vice Chancellor Clare Pollock said the architecture would open new opportunities for collaboration.

"Our immersive media architecture is unlike anything seen before in Australia. It offers a powerful platform for collaboration between students, researchers, artists and industry.

ECU's industry and research partners will be able to contribute to the activation of these interfaces in surprising and memorable ways, reaching new audiences from our students and local communities to international visitors. Together we can create content and experiences that blend art, technology and storytelling in ways that deeply inspire and connect.

"This is more than a campus. It is a place for imagination, discovery and possibility. It will position ECU as Australia's leading hub for immersive engagement, where education, research, innovation and culture come together as one.

"The opportunities this opens up for our students and the community are limitless, and we can't wait for what the future holds." Professor Pollock said.

Read more about the new media architecture and see a video of it in action.

More information on which courses are moving to ECU City and details about the transitions process for campus changes in 2026. are available here.