Architectural Record – August 2019

(^40) ARCHITECTURAL RECORD AUGUST 2019 IN FOCUS
supported by a diagonal spine truss spans
nearly 148 feet.
Inspired by the Curragh plains, materials
for the new grandstand reflect the rural con­
text. The roof is clad in copper­colored
aluminum panels. On the soffit, those panels
are perforated to provide a visual connection
to the trusses while permitting ventilation
through fans within the roof. Rather than flat
panels, the designers opted for sinusoidal ones
that have greater rigidity and allow supports to
be hidden inside of the curve. A movement
joint across the roof is barely noticeable.
The edge detail was developed to coordi­
nate structural requirements with cladding
elements and the rainwater­collection system,
which utilizes runoff from the grandstand
roof to provide all peak graywater require­
ments on a race day.
Despite taking cues from its surroundings,
the roof’s floating horizontal form highlights
the contrast between the natural undulating
topography around the Curragh and the preci­
sion of the man­made. Says Nicolin, “We took a
simple approach, but, because of some key
solutions and refined detailing, it turned out
to be an extremely elegant and streamlined
structure.” n
AND THEY'RE OFF! The new grandstand is the heroic centerpiece of the reorganized racing grounds. Its dramatic
cantilevered roof is clad in perforated copper-colored aluminum panels. PHOTOGRAPHY: © SPORTSFILE
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