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RADAR
FEATURES
COMMENT
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| | RADARCOLLABORATION FJMT/SPOWERS’ NEW CAMPUS WEST PRECINCT BRINGS A NEW COLLEGIATE “HEART” TO THE CITY OF JOONDALUP.
TEXT STEPHANIE JACKSON PHOTOGRAPHY JOHN GOLLINGS
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THE INSPIRATIONAL BUILDINGS of Campus West precinct at Edith Cowan
University Joondalup result from the successful joint venture of FJMT, Sydney, and
Spowers Architects, Perth. The partnership combines the international experience
and design pedigree of FJMT with the proven capability, national reputation and
professionalism of Spowers.
The precinct design concept has evolved from the careful analysis of the precinct
context bordering the city of Joondalup and the relatively young campus of Edith Cowan
University. Scattered with remnant native trees and spread over an undulating
landscape, the campus already boasted some large and impressive buildings. The role of
the Campus West precinct is to reinforce existing axial relationships and cross-campus
pedestrian links, and to form the new “heart” of the campus.
Acting as a gateway into the ceremonial Graduation Quadrangle, the iconic
Chancellery Building is an evocative and symbolic built form. Moulding the land to suit
the purpose, the quadrangle rises up over the Business and Public Management
Building to act as tiered seating and then descends down in a grand stair to join the
existing campus pedestrian promenade. The double height colonnade to the south-east
face of the Business and Public Management Building has a direct relationship with the
adjacent campus buildings, a more direct response to the context of the internal street.
FJMT/Spowers have created a building precinct that is sometimes landform,
sometimes image. The classic campus components – colonnade, quadrangle and
amphitheatre – serve to create a usable and inviting space while advanced technology
marries with mystical forms and an architectonic use of the vernacular timber, steel
and concrete.
Many analogies can, and will, be made of the Campus West precinct with its
soaring, delicate colonnade and dramatic symmetry. Ultimately the creation of a
memorable architectural image has been achieved, one that will help identify and
symbolize ECU’s motto – “Freedom through Knowledge”.
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Copyright © 2010 Architecture Media Pty Ltd
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