< Horseracing >

 Caulfield, Victoria

Principal Consultant: Hassell+NH Architecture+RWA

RWA teamed up with Hassell Studios Melbourne and NH Architecture to create an ambitious 20-year masterplan for the Caulfield Racecourse to deliver MRC’s vision for the site. The redevelopment seeks to cement the venue as a world class racing, event and recreation facility for members, guests and the local community to enjoy for generations to come. Major changes are proposed to create state-of-the-art facilities including grandstands, horse stalls, mounting yard, arrival areas and public realm. With the addition of a second racetrack and opportunity for lighting, the venue will provide a completely new world-class horse racing experience that celebrate the ‘theatre of racing’. A new multi-purpose event facility provides competitive offerings to host more diverse types of events, both during and outside of racing season.

Perth, Western Australia

Principal Consultant: RWA Sports Architecture 

Located along Perth’s Swan River, Ascot Racecourse is Western Australia’s preeminent racetrack with a popular summer racing season.  Ascot Racecourse is managed by Perth Racing, formerly the Western Australia Turf Club (WATC), with headquarters adjoining the racecourse.  As part of the evolving requirements of the racetrack, RWA were commissioned to undertake a detailed feasibility study to construct a new oncourse stable complex that could incorporate approximately 200 stables.  The Reference Design that forms part of the feasibility study proposes a combination of private and shared amenities including exercise areas, sandrolls, washdown bays, horsewalkers with secure and safe circulation to and from the racetrack at all times.  The project is currently seeking funding from RWWA.

Happy Valley and Sha Tin Racecourses 

Lead Architect: Populous 

Engaged to perform architectural services as an employee of Populous: Ralph Wheeler

The Hong Kong Jockey Club masterplan aims to capture a range of design issues, limitations and opportunities explored over the course of a twelve month study period for both the Happy Valley Racecourse and Sha Tin Racecourse. It also includes in-depth analysis of customer segmentation and customer experiential investigations. Designed as a series of implementation phases over a 15 years time frame, the overall masterplan scope includes over $2.0B of new building works, refurbishment, infrastructure and landscaping. Importantly these works are carefully sequenced to ensure minimal interruption to the racing calendar and the Club’s core business.

 Penang, Malaysia 

Lead Architect: Populous 

Engaged to perform architectural services as an employee of Populous: Ralph Wheeler

This un-built project involved the construction of a new racecourse in Batu Kawan, Malaysia. The proposed site was on a palm oil estate which presented some substantial engineering challenges. The land needed to be filled above local flood levels and the track elevated to ensure that there was no possibility of seawater back flow along the proposed drainage systems. The main grandstand was designed as an elevated pod above a tiered open concourse. Internally the grandstand building design catered for 5,000 spectators with space for an additional 10,000 spectators spread across the adjacent terraces. Unfortunately, unresolved negotiations between the client group and developer prevented this project from being constructed.