The Curragh Racecourse

Celebrating the legacy of flat racing Considered one of the best racecourses in the world, as well as the spiritual home of flat racing in Ireland, the new Curragh grandstand and surrounding facilities have received a fitting tribute to its heritage and spirit. The redevelopment at Curragh provides racing amenities with an innovative, world-class design that creates a sense of arrival, atmosphere and excitement. Marked out by a soaring linear roof, the new grandstand builds up the anticipation of race day by bringing spectators together in one exemplary viewing terrace that directs attention to the spectacle of jockeys and horses. The grandstand roof is comprised of three linear planes that are respectful to the Curragh landscape whilst cutting a dramatic and elegant silhouette. Designed as a powerful floating horizontal form, the roof celebrates the horizontality of the landscape and the new racecourse structures set within it. The cantilevered construction emphasises the contrast between the natural undulating forms of the Curragh, and the precision of the man-made. A Sense of Place Located in the heart of the protected grasslands of the Curragh plains, the racecourse is steeped in history and tradition. Integral to the concept behind the new grandstand and wider masterplan is a celebration of this unique landscape, whilst retaining the intimate and distinctive character of the existing racecourse grounds. The materials for the new grandstand were chosen for their links to local flora, geology and the rural context in which they are set. The roof’s Vulcan Copper colour references the rural Irish vernacular and the agricultural heritage of Kildare, while the contemporary panelled roof structure is comprised of aluminium sinusoidal panels, which provide a cohesive and breath-taking appearance amongst the rolling countryside. The upper roof is clad in a ‘standing seam’ metal and ‘bullnose’ edge panels which enhance the sharp and exact roof form. Viewed from near and afar, the dramatic grandstand roof gives the Curragh a unique and distinctive character which respects and enhances the heritage of the Curragh grasslands. Space and connectivity The Curragh provides a compact environment which enhances the race day experience for small and large events. Movement between Champions Hall, the Parade Ring, Bookmakers Ring, the champagne bar, and the racetrack are all intrinsic parts of the race day experience, so the ease and joy of circulation amongst them was paramount to the design process. Each space adds to the character and variety of the site, enhancing the atmosphere of the racecourse. All of the spaces around the grandstand, including the Arrival Plaza, Race Day Hub, and refreshment areas and the Racing Museum, are interconnected with a fluid, open circulation that creates continuity between events, the parkland setting and social gatherings. By including essential functions for racing thoroughbreds in this compact setting, the racecourse experience becomes whole, whilst it sits naturally in the sensitive environment. At the same time, the racecourse has a carefully planned sense of arrival, atmosphere and excitement at all stages. Sustainability Sustainability is at the heart of the racecourse design, and it begins with the existing site. Where possible existing buildings have been refurbished and reused. Where appropriate materials from the demolition of existing structures were reused on site, subject to testing to ensure they were suitable for their proposed end use. This minimised the transport of material off site and importation of new material. Environmental impact was reduced by strategies that included: • Orientation of the building to minimise glare but maximise solar gain where appropriate; • Use of local and low embodied energy materials where possible; • Reuse of construction waste where feasible as graded fill or constituent of new rigid landscape surfaces subject to testing; • Stack effect natural ventilation within the General Concourse; • Building thermal insulation designed to minimise heat loss and limit solar gains; • High efficiency plant including mechanical heat recovery on the general ventilation plant; • Photovoltaic panels; • Solar Thermal Panels; • Rainwater harvesting; • Sustainable drainage systems such as porous paving, porous asphalt and filter drains with shallow swales.