The Club Stand

Flemington Racecourse is home to Australia’s most renowned week of horse racing, the Melbourne Cup Carnival. This includes the 159-year-old Lexus Melbourne Cup —a race which is so watched it is commonly referred to as ‘the race that stops a nation’. Custodians of Flemington Racecourse, the Victoria Racing Club, decided that after 92 years the Members’ Old Grandstand had reached the end of its lifespan, no longer meeting modern day requirements. After heritage consultation it was decided that it should be replaced. The brief from the Victoria Racing Club (VRC) for the new Club Stand was to create a symbolic building which would celebrate the incredibly rich heritage of the club, but also exemplify the future. The team responded to the brief with the resolve to create a strong and memorable building—one which would become an indelible part of Flemington’s future. The intention was to not only reinvent the very nature of the grandstand, but also the types of hospitality venues on offer for members. Initial explorations determined a distinctive and clear design rationale which resolved functional problems, but also revealed the potential to create an emblematic stand that acknowledges the site context. The oval shape of the building is fundamental to this and the cornerstone of the design. The Club Stand is positioned near the main entry and is first in a succession of stands at Flemington Racecourse. As a result it is some distance from the finishing line, yet surrounded by activity including the Mounting Yard, Pre-Parade Ring and Members Lawn. Creating transparency throughout the building was therefore essential in order to capitalise on the all-encompassing action of the races. The building’s rounded design acknowledges this context and the sweeping curvilinear and sculptural form of the building allows for a panoramic experience where members are able to watch the theatre of horse racing on all sides. The new stand, with a GFA of 12,967sqm, occupies nearly the same footprint as the former Members’ Old Grandstand, but with greater capacity. Capturing the dynamic spirit of the location, the highly-sculptural and curvilinear design was also inspired by the shape of the racetrack, raceday millinery and Flemington Racecourse’s iconic rose gardens. The five-level stand differentiates itself from other horse racing grandstands, both within Australia and internationally, via the impressive tiered cantilevers which evoke flower petals, provide sunshade and protection for the tiered seating, and also impart a strong sculptural presence. The Club Stand’s improved outdoor bench seating references the original design of the Members’ Old Grandstand seating and is a significant departure from conventional stadium seating. The seating slates—which comprise 18,500 linear metres or 2376 seats—were made from Replas, a recycled plastic product made predominantly from recycled milk bottles and in line with AS/NZS ISO 14021. Overall the building projects an impression of transparency and lightness, enhanced via the mullionless floor-to-ceiling glazing which characterises the perimeter of each level. The well-defined architectural language and design philosophy of the exterior is continued internally, with a continued emphasis placed upon transparency and unobstructed views outwards. Full-height glass walls divide the different spaces, yet allow visibility to be maintained throughout the building. White ceiling coffers, carefully illuminated, are also curved to mimic the underside of the external balconies and bring the architectural expression within. The perimeter columns have been deliberately kept white and are incorporated into the food and beverage elements to ensure legibility throughout the building. On occasions, seating has been wrapped around the white columns to continue the seamless flow. A diversity of dining and entertainment options is provided, with thirteen completely different venues delivering an unrivalled raceday and events experience. The flexible quality of the interior was achieved by considering the hospitality spaces as akin to stage sets, which could be ‘plugged’ into the timeless shell and given distinct personalities in order to appeal to contemporary expectations and the varying needs of members. This approach provides the fitout with additional longevity, and each venue has its own character and brand inspired by the history of horse racing. Situated at the top of The Club Stand, The Roof Garden provides a spectacular new destination for members and offers a racing experience unrivalled across Australia and internationally. The venue is an elevated architectural pavilion with seamless thresholds between the interior and exterior. The façade can be opened, inviting patrons into the expansive timber-decked and hard paved terraces. Landscaping creates a genuine garden atmosphere which can be used for a variety of functions. The team invested a vast amount of time to research and analytical studies, observing and collecting data about visitor movement, patterns and operations. This research informed the design and venues were planned with an understanding of pedestrian movements, ensuring visitor comfort is maintained during peak periods. Celebrating the lineage of The Club Stand was of vital importance and the design is imbued with sophisticated references to the history of the racecourse and the VRC, while at the same time championing its evolution and future. The VRC’s extensive collection of artwork and memorabilia from the former Members’ Old Grandstand such as restored timber benches, newel posts and original signage, are woven throughout providing historic texture. The Club Stand at Flemington Racecourse has reimagined the raceday experience.