ARCH has delivered the first international campus for Japan's Nihon University in Newcastle, Australia.

A unique project for both Japan and Australia, the vision for the new School of Law was to create a hub for international exchange programs and provide teaching spaces, student accommodation and a link with The University of Newcastle. The move to Newcastle was part of the Japanese Government's New Growth Strategy, which involved the internationalisation of Japanese universities.

ARCH prepared the original masterplan for the site including a variety of options incorporating the heritage buildings on and adjacent to the proposed campus. Through a collaborative design process, the proposed facility, designed by Japanese practice Azusa Sekkei with ARCH, delivered an interactive living and learning environment as the foundation of its planning program.

The new buildings form part of a campus complex, as well as the adaptive reuse of the former courthouse building. It offers student accommodation, and educational spaces, with repurposing the old courthouse to house the administrative elements of the university and library/conference rooms.