York Racecourse – Pre-Parade Ring and Saddling Boxes
The need to redevelop was driven in part by a desire to improve the flow of horses and ensure clear equine and public segregation for safety reasons.
The stables at York are located at the opposite side of the track and the horses are walked across 45-60 minutes before a race. This is a longer time period than other courses and this necessitates more extensive facilities for the Pre-Parade Ring and allows increased racegoer viewing of the horses at close quarters.
The new Pre-Parade Ring is sheltered by a series of buildings around its perimeter. The buildings are separated to reduce the massing and to allow each to have its own identity and clarity of purpose. It is kept as a clear courtyard form with the primary building being the new two storey Weigh-In Building on the eastern boundary.
The pre and post race activities are separated to keep a very clear equine circulation with unsaddling taking place at the rear of closed boxes and washdown in a dedicated Washdown yard. The vet facilities are readily accessible to both pre and post race activities.
The construction draws on the materials of the racecourse with a palette of loadbearing brickwork, timber and slate to create recognizable building forms.
2015 York Design Awards Winner – Large Non-Residential Category
York Racecourse – Pre-Parade Ring and Saddling Boxes
The need to redevelop was driven in part by a desire to improve the flow of horses and ensure clear equine and public segregation for safety reasons.
The stables at York are located at the opposite side of the track and the horses are walked across 45-60 minutes before a race. This is a longer time period than other courses and this necessitates more extensive facilities for the Pre-Parade Ring and allows increased racegoer viewing of the horses at close quarters.
The new Pre-Parade Ring is sheltered by a series of buildings around its perimeter. The buildings are separated to reduce the massing and to allow each to have its own identity and clarity of purpose. It is kept as a clear courtyard form with the primary building being the new two storey Weigh-In Building on the eastern boundary.
The pre and post race activities are separated to keep a very clear equine circulation with unsaddling taking place at the rear of closed boxes and washdown in a dedicated Washdown yard. The vet facilities are readily accessible to both pre and post race activities.
The construction draws on the materials of the racecourse with a palette of loadbearing brickwork, timber and slate to create recognizable building forms.
2015 York Design Awards Winner – Large Non-Residential Category