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Perak Turf Club - The Redeveloped Grandstand And Racecourse
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Subject :Perak Turf Club - The Redeveloped Grandstand and Racecourse
Published By : Published by the Asian Building and Construction Magazine
Location : Golf Club Road, Ipoh
Estimated Year : 1971
Media Type : Article
Source : The Perak Turf Club, Ipoh
Remark : MODERN GRANDSTAND
AT REDEVELOPED IPOH RACECOURSE
In 1964, the Perak Turf Club decided to demolish and completely rebuild their existing grandstand and other facilities at Ipoh, 140 miles northwest of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Their first move was to sponsor an international architectural competition for the design of all new buildings. Also required was a master plan which would enable rebuilding to take place over a number of years, while still allowing racing to continue and, at the same time, causing the minimum inconvenience to race goers.
The competition was won by a group of Melbourne architects. In 1968, the architectural firm of Joyce Nankivell began work on the project; its first stage of construction, including a grandstand and its ancillary buildings, was completed early this year at a cost of about US$7 million.
The Grandstand
The grandstand accommodates about 10,000 people and is capable of future extension. A central spire and concourse along the length of the building contains vertical circulation systems (stairs, escalators) and other service facilities (mechanical plant, lavatories, stories, etc.). The entrances are sheltered with concrete canopies and flanked by pools containing fountains.
On the ground floor are extensive circulation areas – also administrative offices, restaurants and some bar and betting facilities. Above on the first floor on the side away from the track are the main Tote Hall and betting facilities.
On the track side of the concourse are the main spectator seating and standing areas, ramped to the viewing lawns in front.
A third floor concourse leads to VIP and members’ boxes. A special feature of the design is the provision of twin 180 ft high towers on the line of the winning post. They support facilities for stewards, committee members, judges, broadcasting, camera patrol and photo finish. Special lifts connect these areas with the ground floor.
At the west end of the grandstand are the jockeys’ and stewards’ facilities. These, in turn, connect with weighing in, saddling, stabling, all leading to the track via the parade ring.
The grandstand is extensively air-conditioned using 400-ton centrifugal chillers; an air blower system provides an adjustable outlet in front of each seat in the outside spectators area.
Construction
The main structure of the grandstand is reinforced concrete. An in-situ finish was achieved by careful detailing of the timber shuttering. However, the design had to allow construction to proceed, without the use of tower cranes, which were unavailable.
The main structural frames are balanced cantilever beams spanning 190 ft. the roof and intermediate elements are precast concrete spanning between main structural frames. Materials generally have been used with a natural finish. However, special areas of strong colour have also been provided. Selected Malaysian timbers are used extensively on ceilings and other internal areas.
Interiors and Graphics
The architects have been responsible for the choice of all furniture, fittings, signs and other graphics so that they all relate and are complementary to the design of the building. New design themes include the use of total colour environments for people who love colour; in special areas, walls, ceilings, floors and furniture are all of one colour. Selected Malaysian timbers were used extensively for joinery and furniture. Signs and graphics required special attention, for not only are they prominent but they had to be in Malay, English and Chinese.
Landscaping
Special attention was given to the layout of access roads, car parks and bus stops. Strict north-south orientation was provided to all buildings to encourage natural cross ventilation in the severe hot humid climate.
The areas around buildings were provided with pools, fountains, gardens and trees and shrubs. Extensive lawns were also provided; some of these were sloped to provide good viewing for spectators.
To read more about the history of the Perak Turf Club, click here.
In 1964, the Perak Turf Club decided to demolish and completely rebuild their existing grandstand and other facilities at Ipoh, 140 miles northwest of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Their first move was to sponsor an international architectural competition for the design of all new buildings. Also required was a master plan which would enable rebuilding to take place over a number of years, while still allowing racing to continue and, at the same time, causing the minimum inconvenience to race goers.
The competition was won by a group of Melbourne architects. In 1968, the architectural firm of Joyce Nankivell began work on the project; its first stage of construction, including a grandstand and its ancillary buildings, was completed early this year at a cost of about US$7 million.
The grandstand accommodates about 10,000 people and is capable of future extension. A central spire and concourse along the length of the building contains vertical circulation systems (stairs, escalators) and other service facilities (mechanical plant, lavatories, stories, etc.). The entrances are sheltered with concrete canopies and flanked by pools containing fountains.
On the ground floor are extensive circulation areas – also administrative offices, restaurants and some bar and betting facilities. Above on the first floor on the side away from the track are the main Tote Hall and betting facilities.
On the track side of the concourse are the main spectator seating and standing areas, ramped to the viewing lawns in front.
A third floor concourse leads to VIP and members’ boxes. A special feature of the design is the provision of twin 180 ft high towers on the line of the winning post. They support facilities for stewards, committee members, judges, broadcasting, camera patrol and photo finish. Special lifts connect these areas with the ground floor.
At the west end of the grandstand are the jockeys’ and stewards’ facilities. These, in turn, connect with weighing in, saddling, stabling, all leading to the track via the parade ring.
The grandstand is extensively air-conditioned using 400-ton centrifugal chillers; an air blower system provides an adjustable outlet in front of each seat in the outside spectators area.
The main structure of the grandstand is reinforced concrete. An in-situ finish was achieved by careful detailing of the timber shuttering. However, the design had to allow construction to proceed, without the use of tower cranes, which were unavailable.
The main structural frames are balanced cantilever beams spanning 190 ft. the roof and intermediate elements are precast concrete spanning between main structural frames. Materials generally have been used with a natural finish. However, special areas of strong colour have also been provided. Selected Malaysian timbers are used extensively on ceilings and other internal areas.
The architects have been responsible for the choice of all furniture, fittings, signs and other graphics so that they all relate and are complementary to the design of the building. New design themes include the use of total colour environments for people who love colour; in special areas, walls, ceilings, floors and furniture are all of one colour. Selected Malaysian timbers were used extensively for joinery and furniture. Signs and graphics required special attention, for not only are they prominent but they had to be in Malay, English and Chinese.
Special attention was given to the layout of access roads, car parks and bus stops. Strict north-south orientation was provided to all buildings to encourage natural cross ventilation in the severe hot humid climate.
The areas around buildings were provided with pools, fountains, gardens and trees and shrubs. Extensive lawns were also provided; some of these were sloped to provide good viewing for spectators.
To read more about the history of the Perak Turf Club, click here.
Filename : 20090308-010