As a practice, HSSP Architects places great emphasis on continued learning for our team whether that be CPD, attending events, training, in-house mentoring, or group collaboration.

As of the scale of HSSP’s projects continues to expand and with sporting buildings being part of our repertoire, we thought a day out at Royal Ascot would provide the perfect companywide relevant architectural educational experience at this level as it fuses these attributes.

Prior to our day, we undertook research of the history of Ascot Racecourse, and particularly the latest grandstand unveiled in 2006. It was really interesting to learn about the challenges the architects faced, the masterplan for the site, and how nature and the surrounding soaring trees, provided inspiration for the design.

Speed of construction was fundamental, so a prefabricated modular structure was selected. We learned about the sweeping roof, finishing materials and how moving of the parade ring created a central visual focus point for spectators and their engagement with ceremonies before and after the races.

Highways also played a part; to alleviate two roads crossing the racetrack, the racecourse was realigned with two underpasses created to carry the public roads beneath the racetrack.

It was fantastic gaining the knowledge before our day and to then see the sheer scale of such an immense building successfully constructed from this methodology. It is exceptionally impressive when approached from the main front entrance and everyone experienced the wonder of seeing how excellent architecture, landscaping and scene setting meticulously combine.

By HSSP Architects