Dominique Perrault Architecture's new Paris Longchamp Racecourse to open Sunday

Back in September 2011, Dominique Perrault Architecture won the international competition to renovate the historic Longchamp Racecourse in Bois de Boulogne, Paris. Following a little over two years of construction, the racecourse will celebrate its inauguration on April 29.

As part of the redesign, the French practice replaced all the 1960s-era spectator stands with one tribunal structure. The architects wanted the new racecourse to be more pared down and functional, while paying homage to its legacy and Bois de Boulogne's landscape heritage.

Designed like a set of "transparent ‘shelves’”, the horizontal structure creates generous perspectives of the racecourse landscape. Spectators will be able to view the entire racecourse whether they are on the terraces, walkways, or open staircases.

The four-level structure comprises about 10,000 seats, a restaurant, a rooftop terrace, five reception rooms, five bars, a brasserie, and separate facilities for the press and hospitality. The first two levels are open to the public, the third floor is reserved for jockeys and owners, and the fourth and fifth floors are designated VIP areas. All the levels are slightly offset from each other, with the last level overhanging by about 20 meters.

The former buildings that housed support services for the races were demolished and rebuilt as pavilions, and four existing historic buildings were renovated, including: the administrative pavilion, the horse stables (which were extended), the offices in the 1920s-era “Totalizer” building; and the restoration of the 1921 Pavilion tribune originally built by architect Charles Adda.

Project details:

Architect: Dominique Perrault Architecte (DPA/Paris)
Engineering departments:
-economist: RPO, Paris
-museography: Renaud Pierard, Paris
-structures: Tractabel Engineering, Gennevilliers
-fluids: Oteis, Rosny-sous-bois
-facades: Terrel, Boulogne-Billancourt
-acoustic, lighting: JP Lamoureux, Paris
-landscape architect: Ter, Paris

Site area: 63 ha
Built area: 15 000 m² SDO / 60 000 m² SHOB
New jockey club tribune area: 34 000 m²
New Jockey-Club tribune dimensions: 160 m x 35 m / Height : 23 m
Lawn area: 55 000m² (35 000m² added)
Photovoltaic panels area: 600 m²
LEED / certifications: HQE - regulatory obligation RT2012 for the new buildings
Heating: 100 percent of geothermal energy

All images courtesy of Dominique Perrault Architecture.