ARM’s task was to develop specific guidelines from an existing masterplan, embellishing and adapting it to suit market requirements. The development guidelines consider precinct-level and lot-level design, place management and governance. We considered the University’s existing policies, guidelines and visions and integrated them into a relevant, customised strategy.

The place-driven strategy for the first-stage precinct focuses on active living and community, and links in with the existing Curtin Stadium precinct and the wider campus. There is an opportunity for food markets, a climbing wall, an outdoor cinema, courts for various ball games and designated yoga space.

A developer has now been engaged to realise Stage 1. We expect this to include student housing, residential and short-stay apartments, commercial office space, retail and student amenities. There could also be incubation spaces (premises for start-up technology firms straddling the university and commercial sectors).

Curtin also engaged ARM to prepare similar guidelines to develop the campus’s academic heart precinct. This plan sets out a framework for significant new development in the core of historic buildings and green spaces at the centre of the campus.