Woods Bagot will lead the interior fit out for the $150 million Australian Turf Club (ATC) redevelopment at the Royal Randwick Racecourse, the biggest investment in a Sydney sporting facility since the Sydney Olympics.
The ATC’s brief to base building architect fitzpatrick+partners was to create a new world-class grand stand and Theatre of the Horse parade ring.
The design solution is based on combining the footprint of two existing grandstands and linking them together to create a new five-storey double sided grandstand, overlooking both the main straight and the new parade ring.
The interiors concept design and elements used are to reinforce the architectural design and form that will be undertaken by fitzpatrick +partners.
Woods Bagot’s work designing the acclaimed Ivy in Sydney helped secure the contract at Randwick. Images: Trevor Mein
Woods Bagot announced its plans will draw on references from the past to create a ‘simple and elegant’ backdrop for a multitude of spaces.
“The redevelopment is an opportunity to redefine and elevate the ‘proposition’ of Royal Randwick as a destination for racing and inner-city events. The design intent is to use materials and forms to create portals that will frame key areas and create a visual and functional hierarchy,” said Amanda Stanaway (pictured), senior associate, Woods Bagot.
Conference and exhibition spaces as well as ‘destination dining spaces’ will form part of the design for the new fit-out. The architects say the creation of unique typologies of space will serve to attract new membership, existing members and the general public.
“The journey of the consumer and accessibility to ‘spaces’ within the new fit-out will be critical to the designs’ success. Key to achieving this is through the development of a bold and graphic design language that will assist in defining the diverse range of spaces and speaks to the array of demographics the venue will attract, said Wade Little, senior associate, Woods Bagot.
“Scale, colour and light will also be central to capture the energy and enable dynamic movement across the new spaces,” he said.
ATC chief executive Darren Pearce said the redevelopment, the biggest investment in a Sydney sporting facility since the Sydney Olympics, will mark a new era not only in racing, but in the larger leisure and entertainment market.
“Royal Randwick will be transformed into the most sophisticated racing and entertainment venue in Australia,” Pearce said.
“No longer will racegoers look to overseas racecourses as the best in the business; we will set the new benchmark here in Sydney.
“Upon completion, the much loved Royal Randwick will once again hold its rightful place as the heart of Sydney racing.”
The redevelopment of Royal Randwick has commenced following the historic Grandstand Finish race meeting held on the 5 November 2011, and will continue through until autumn 2013. During the construction period, the racecourse will continue to host major Carnival race days with a reduced crowd capacity.
