Flemington Racecourse
Project Details
Location: Flemington VIC
Completion Date: October 2005
Size: 923sqm
Fabric: PVC – Serge Ferrari 702T2
Client: Victoria Racing Club
The tree-like canopies at the entrance to Flemington Racecourse are a unique architectural statement that provides a dynamic meeting point at the famous racecource.
The Brief
The fabric structure at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, installed by MakMax Australia, provides shade and weather protection for punters and a place to meet, greet and gather prior to entering the grounds.
Home to the Victoria Racing Club and their world famous Melbourne Cup Carnival, Flemington racecourse attracts around 300,000 attendees over the 4-day event. The unique and visually exciting shade structure at the entrance to the course provides race-goers an exciting and dynamic entrance point to the carnival.
The Concept
Creating a structure that replicated trees proved challenging but the successful fabric structure now provides a focal point to the entire site. The central column of the PVC fabric structure represents the trunk of the tree while the lightweight steel frame elements represent the trees main branches. The seams and weld points of the fabric have been cleverly designed and arranged to symbolise the smaller branches of the tree.
The series of 6 inverted cones that make up the canopy help to channel to storm water runoff into a retention tank, which in turn is used to water the surrounding gardens and trees.
After dark the fabric structure transforms into a giant lantern, guiding the last punters to leave the track to the car park, railway station and bus-stop.
