Perth’s CBD is transforming with the rise of the new Edith Cowan University (ECU) City Campus. This major development includes a world-class university precinct and the state’s own Performing Arts Academy. As the structure reshapes the skyline, its identity has become bold, visible and easy to recognise through the use of sky signs. ECU City sky signs are now illuminating the sky of Perth’s CBD. Read more in our Case Study here.
Every day, thousands of commuters, students, visitors and arts audiences move through the CBD. The new campus requires high-impact branding that stands out from all angles. Large illuminated sky signs achieve this by creating a strong visual presence. As a result, these signs help ECU City announce its arrival, support wayfinding, reinforce its brand and strengthen its role as a cultural and educational anchor in Perth’s expanding city centre.
Why the Signage Is Needed
Sky signage shapes how a major institution presents itself. ECU City needed signs that offered clarity, visibility and strong recognition across the entire precinct. The signs also had to work well in both day and night conditions.
In addition, they needed to capture the attention of the many people who pass the campus each day.
For this project, the sky signage needed to:
- Create a visible presence across the Perth skyline
- Identify both the Performing Arts Centre WAAPA and the wider ECU City campus
- Assist with wayfinding for students, staff and visitors
- Provide strong and consistent visibility through LED illumination
- Support ECU’s modern and forward-looking identity
The campus sits in one of the busiest parts of the CBD. Therefore, high visibility is crucial. Sky signs achieve this by cutting through a crowded visual landscape and drawing attention from long distances.
A Continued Partnership with Multiplex
Signs & Lines was proud to continue its long-term partnership with Multiplex. Multiplex is one of Australia’s leading builders and has delivered many of Western Australia’s most recognisable projects. Our team has supported Multiplex on a wide range of signage installations. These include Brookfield Place, major health facilities, commercial towers and earlier stages of the ECU City campus.
This partnership is based on trust and quality. Multiplex relies on our ability to deliver large and complex signage solutions. These solutions require expert engineering, technical skill and detailed planning. Because of our strong working relationship, the ECU sky sign project progressed smoothly and safely on a very active construction site.
Why Sky Signs Matter
Sky signage is a long-term investment that strengthens brand visibility for decades. Signs positioned at height become permanent markers across the skyline. As a result, they help define the identity of important institutions like ECU. They also guide people toward the campus and support navigation throughout the CBD.
Key benefits of sky signs include:
- High visibility from long distances
- Continuous exposure through LED lighting
- Strong durability with low maintenance needs
- Excellent long-term value because the signs continue advertising on their own
For ECU, these sky signs act as clear visual symbols of the university’s presence and its commitment to education, culture and community.
Scope of Works
The ECU City sky sign project required engineering, fabrication and installation expertise. Each stage involved close collaboration with Multiplex and specialist access teams. This ensured safe and smooth delivery from start to finish.
- Samples and prototypes to refine finishes and lighting effects
- Fabrication of six major sky signs, including three ECU letter sets, the full ECU and Edith Cowan University sign, the standalone letter ‘U’ and the Performing Arts Centre sign
- Integration of high-performance LED systems
- High-level installation using rope access teams and cranes
- Lower signage installation using a cherry picker and our in-house team
This combination of precision fabrication and detailed installation planning ensured that each sign met engineering standards and matched the design vision for the campus.
Execution and Delivery
Every sign was checked during fabrication to ensure durability, even lighting and visual consistency. Prototypes allowed the client to confirm colours, finishes and lighting levels before full production. Once fabrication was complete, the signs were delivered to site and lifted into position through coordinated crane and rope access methods.
Upper-level installations required careful planning around weather, access and safety conditions. Our team worked closely with Multiplex to ensure each lift was completed smoothly. Lower-level signs were installed using elevated work platforms and coordinated with other site activities. A big shout out to our site installation crew and contractors who with the help of cranes, booms and rope installation set the new signs in place. No mean feat given the city centre location and construction site. As a result of a solid team effort, the project progressed efficiently and met key construction deadlines.
Why Signs & Lines
Signs & Lines brings more than thirty years of experience in illuminated and large-scale signage. Our skills cover design, engineering, fabrication and installation. We excel in projects that require technical expertise, careful planning and high-altitude work.
The ECU City sky sign project highlights why leading builders continue to choose us. Our work is safe, reliable and built to last. Most importantly, our signage enhances the identity of every site it supports.
This project is explored further across our ECU City campus Case Study for wayfinding here.
For more information, contact us on +61 8 9274 5151 or email admin@signsandlines.com
