MEMLA Landscape Architects were engaged in 2019, following an invited tender process, to lead the landscape architectural design and coordination of a new community sporting precinct at R.F. Miles Reserve, Seaford. Central to the project was the integration of a two-storey pavilion within a highly constrained coastal site adjacent to Kananook Creek, requiring careful consideration of existing vegetation, flood behaviour and long-term ecological resilience. 

The design response prioritised the retention and protection of significant coastal Banksia vegetation, which forms a defining ecological and visual character of the reserve. These remnant trees informed both the spatial planning and material expression of the project, with built form and access paths positioned to minimise impact on root zones while reinforcing a coastal identity. Collaboration with Melbourne Water ensured flood modelling outcomes were embedded within the design, guiding grading and stormwater treatment. 

The broader works included an AFL-standard oval upgrade, netball courts, cricket nets, pathways, car parking and extensive indigenous planting, all designed to enhance connectivity to Kananook Creek and strengthen habitat value. The pavilion itself is partially embedded into the landform, providing shelter from coastal conditions while maintaining visual permeability across the reserve. The result is a cohesive, ecologically responsive landscape that supports community use while celebrating and preserving its coastal context.