French Race Track Redesign

It can be a balancing act to make something cost effective, practical, yet appealing and comfortable. This was one of the challenges in the redesign of Paris’ Longchamp Racecourse, a scenic horse-racing venue in France. However, hosting Europe’s most important horse race, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, means accommodating 60,000 fans—a number that hardly resembles the track’s typical attendance. A smaller, more comfortable, complex was preferred by the owners, one that could take advantage of the forest surrounding the area, as well as its view of the Eiffel Tower. The facility, was also in desperate need of a more cohesive campus, as multiple renovations and extensions led to a not-so-friendly network of buildings and spaces.

The capacity issue was addressed via temporary facilities that would be set-up during peak times during the racing season. Perrault, instead, focused on movement and transparency in the facility, as well as his desire to see it mesh with the autumn woods. It turns out, metal mesh, from gkd proved the answer. Golden sheets of metal fabric—Escale 7 × 1.5—wrap the grandstand, delivering visual lightness, as well as kinetic movement, via a façade that opens and closes when needed. For continuity, the same metal fabric is used in the interior, in concert with acoustic mesh panels, to create a feeling of grace and elegance,
worthy of such a historic and memorable building.