Set on the northern edge of suburban Tea Tree Gully, Harpers Field Sports and Community reimagines a traditional sports precinct into a landmark regional hub for recreation, connection and inclusivity
We were engaged by the City of Tea Tree Gully to design a flexible, future-ready precinct that seamlessly integrates high-performance sport with multi-functional community infrastructure.
Home to the Golden Grove Football & Cricket Club, the $12.5 million redevelopment includes a contemporary two-level Sports Club featuring unisex changerooms, umpire and medical facilities, a gym, meeting rooms, a commercial kitchen and bar, and a flexible 300-square-metre function space. A grandstand and elevated viewing platform overlook the main oval, offering an inclusive spectator experience.
At the heart of the site lies a landscaped public plaza, designed as a civic spine that links the Sports Club with a purpose-built Community Building. This shared space brings together nature play, public art, market zones and gathering areas, fostering casual use and social connection. The Community Building is equally adaptable, with a dividable function room, breakout spaces, a maker space, meeting rooms, a catering kitchen all designed to support broad community use.
A key design driver was accessibility. Built on a site with a 13-metre level change, the project removes physical barriers by eliminating internal stairs and using a network of ramps and landscape pathways to connect all areas. This terrain-responsive approach creates visual and physical continuity across the site.
Sustainability and long-term value were embedded throughout the project, with features such as integrated stormwater management, solar PV systems and durable material selections supporting environmental performance. Developed in close collaboration with SANFL, SACA, council and local stakeholders, the facility strengthens both established sporting pathways and wider community participation.
By blending performance, adaptability and placemaking, Harpers Field sets a new benchmark for inclusive, community-driven recreation facilities, designed to evolve with the needs of the people it serves
