pari-mutuel horse track for Indiana
WESTFIELD
DOWNS
WESTFIELD,
INDIANA
Thesis proposal
Connor Ross - Architeotural designer
Blanche Sobottke - Landscape architectural d.
Paul Laseau - Critio
Stan Geda - Critio
May 15, 1978
51'Co!1
Th",,!
able of contents
~TION
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04~?
J .~'/(,~""?
.Ph7
1
)TION 2
)TION 3
::!TION 4
::!TION 5
~~ON
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" ): t)
6
ABSTRACT
1
PROBLEM
General problem definition
Client
Financial
Growth and change
Related organizations
3
4
5
5
6
BACKGROUND
Critical issues
Key facts
Building type study
FUNCTION
Patron circulation
Employee & service circ.
Backstretch facilities
Horse/patron contact areas
The track and infield
Clubhouse
Grandstand
Administrative offices
Track off1ces
Supporting facilities
Film towers
SITE
Location
Use
Limitations
DESIGN
Project concept
Master plan
Exterior space design
Interior space design
CONCLUSION
One
Two
7
8
8
10
10
10
11
11
11
12
12
13
13
13
16
16
16
18
20
25
30
47
48
APPENDICES
Site analysis
Program of function
Building type study
Exterior design
Interior design
I
II
I
bstract
Ls thesis is an attempt at both solving
This project. involves a number of cri tic~
~omplex
issues.
problem and at organizing
)cess of design for a
~nitude.
t
problem of
the
this
It is of prime importance that
only the final O'ltcome in design be of
~nd
potential, but that the process
Lch i t was done be a compliment
oblems raised.
by
to the
This thesis text i·s pre ...
The mass of people who would
u~
the facility as well as the number ofca
that would accompany them, the horses, t
spectators, the bettors,
track views, sun, wind,
the employees,
the safety of tl
people and the securi ty of the race hors
are some of the issues inherent to
this
type of problem.
ocess involved as well as calling emphasis
thoses facts that separate this project
cri teria that premised design deci sions.
Beyond these issues
aJ
["ed in a matter that suggests the actual
from other sport facilities
crowd developments.
and large
The horse, traditio
a project is a pari-mutuel race track
trademarks, festivity and the race itse:
r Indianapolis. Pari-mutuel betting is
make a horse track unique.
rrently on the verge of becoming legal
form a richness inherent only in horse
Indiana.
The passing of
this bil.l
These
facts
racing.
uld open up Indiana for the development
"the pari-mutuel rqcetrack." The track
In this project, the horse and the proci
nsidered here is both a standardbred
dure the horse takes (prerace activitie;
d a thoroughbred racetrack. It would be
before a race are put on stage.
signed to serve 12,000 spectators and
the backstretch functions are made actio
uld have stables for 800 horses.
The
to the user by placing them within
sign would consist of an overall
site
That i:
the
facility and making them more ceremonia.
ster plan and the development of the
The facility is designed so that a persl
cility in the public interest areas.
attending the track can partake in as man
activities as they wish to. The bettor:
given access to the horse and to the be
19 booths wi thout
obstruction; the spec';'
=or can watch the pre-race activities,
~
~
'~ctive
race track~ a vitality in the tra
to promote public interest.
race, and the bettor. ,All these facts
activity, activity that should pro-
le the track with a rich and festive
losphere, '.an atmosphere that is cred,d only to horse racing.
, backstretch area is located adjacent
, grandstand area;
this location facil-
ltes views and allows a procession of
, horse to the
~ack.
Further, a parade
19 that would show the horses before
race is placed within the facility.
building thus forms two faces.
The
~e
to the track promotes views to the
~e
(inherent in this project) while the
ler face gives views behind to the pale ring and entrance plaza area.
By
Lowing the building to look two ways,
~
people can maintain activity both
LIe there is a race and 'in between
:::es.
The idea'is to give the track
~ivity
as many levels as possible. This
)ught is an attempt to maintain ahighl.y
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roblem
)ari-mutuel horse <track for Indianapolis
)vides' a number of challenging issues to
3
designer.
Large crowds, large volumes
cars, a variety of users and a complex
)gram of functions are all cri teria used
premise this design endeavor.
the mutuels, but also from
tionis discussed.
This information is
creation
'of thousands of new jobs and from the
millions of tax dollars collectec from
racing related businesses, particularly
breeding farms.
These farms would also
beneficial as greenspace industries.
eger,
this first section, background infor-
th~
to bring the racing business to
H<
SU(
a level, horse racing, both stalidardbrec
and thoroughbred, must be treated as a
at which is needed before the problem
quality sport, and as a result, quality
n be started.
facilities will be required. This projs(
This information is used
a client's input would be used in a
n-academic situation.
The five eate-
deals wi th the development of such a faci
ity just north of Indianapolis.
ries ~iscussed are:
General Problem Definition
Since marketing studies show that India-
The Client
napolis.area has both the population anc
Financial
the facilities to support such a race
Growth and Change
track, and because it is centrally locat
Related Organizations
within the state and is easily accessibl
it is a prime candidate for such a devel
opment.
NERAL PROBLEM DEFINITION
The proposed site is on the nor'
side of Carmel, Hamilton County.
It IiI
diana is on the verge of legalizing pari.
just east of US 31, between 146th and
tuel betting in the state.
151st streets, and it is about a 20-25
The horse
cing interests promoting the bill reason
minute drive north from downtown India-
at the state would benefit not only from
napolis.
e site is approximately 25 acres o£
CLIENT
atly rolling £armland with enough topoaphical change to provide interest but
The client is made up of three basic or.
t too much to cause serious problems.
ganizations:
1. The corporation organized to fi-
is easily accessible £rom US 31 and is
~
enough out of the city to lend itsel£
~al-connected
sport such as horse racing.
nance the project.
This
corpor~tion
is
made up of private investors.
2.ThoroughbredRacing Association pa~t
e project involves deveIoping a master
not
an for the site, with £acilities to
rather a reference source with interest
~ve the general public/spectators, trac*
in ,the project.
ninistrators/support and the animals
i
their owners and trainers.
The track
I I provide £or both standardbred
)roughbred racing.
and
o£ the £inancial investment,
3. U.S. Trotting Association - a roJ
similar to that 6f the above-mentioned
thoroughbred association.
Thoroughbred racing
r be where the big money is, but the
For this thesis project, representing tl
:ing interests in Indiana at this time
the £inancialdevelopment corporation is
generally geared more toward stan-
the office of Ralph Wil£ong, Village Far
~
~dbred,
~onger
~e
Standardbred also carries
rural feelings, and it may appeal
to the public initially.
Once the
of Carmel.
The Village Farms office ind
cated that for a success£ul race track t
£acility must be of a high quality.
The
3ter plan has been completed, a detailed
also indicated that financially it would
;ign of the grandstand and ,surrounding
be better to prepare a smaller £acility
~a
will be completed.
and expand later according to need.
The thoroughbred and trotting associatio
ar,e more interested that the' track and t
,cilities
con~orm
to their standards in
'der to promote quality racing.
'e
di~~erences
A~ter
There
between the standards
Operations
o~
the initial track has been built,
the corporation can be reprganized to f
le two organizations, but _they can be
nance the track, buildings and grounds
Irked together
upkeep and
suc~ess~ully.
~urther
~acility
development
(see appendix ~or sample corporate stru
ture)~
:NANCIAL
.nancially, the proposal
~or
a-horse
~ack
is a $14-16 million investment.
~der
~or
maximum economic
GROWTH AND CHANGE
In
~lexibility
,ithout undue government restrictions),
1e investment should be made by a corpoltion
o~
private stockholders. Bank loans
1d bonds may be used to gain additional
lncis.
1.7 million potential patrons.
Initial
a large crowd is expected to be about 8
thousand.
I~
the popularity
o~
the tra
increases over the years and the crowds
grow to the 15-20 thousand mark, expansion is certainly required.
~oject Phasing (Construction)
le project should be divided into three
lases:
Phase 1 -
Within a 60-mile radius o~ the site are
Site work, including piles
and rough excavation
Phase 2 - Grandstand and.stipplemen--tary_buildings
Phase 3 - Building
scape
~inishes
~eatures
and land-
The expant~
sion wo ld be in those areas serving
spectator such as additional grandstand
seating, additional parking spaces, add
tional racetrack personriel, additional
betting windows, additjonal service
~a­
cilities (~ood, restrooms, ~irst aid,
in~orma tion) •
Adminis tra ti ve spaces
COl
probabley remain the same, unless addi-
onal administrative personnel was re-
~or
ired to cover the expanded areas.
ings must
community-owned utilities.
con~orm
All bui:
to local and state
building codes, and must be inspected a"
the number
horses involved in the
o~
the correct times by the proper author-
ce is raised, than the backstretch
cilities
uld be
~or
ities.
both horses and humans
incre~sed.
These would be such
The thorough bred and standardbred racil
ings as stables, exercise areas, groom-
associations are devoted to promqtinghi
g areas, storage, parking and utilities.
standards in horse racing, thereby main·
st
taining the integrity
o~
the anticipated dxpansion would
o~
the sport and
in the same basic locations on the site
strengthening public approval.
the original
track will be a member of these associa·
~unctions,
uld be extensions
o~
since they
those
~unctions.
tions and must comply with their standa]
LATED ORGANIZATIONS
Many
o~
the standards involve the opera.
tion
o~
the track and. the running
races
~ill
e location
o~
the project requires that
comply with the zoning requirements
stfield and Hamilton County.
This rae
~orm
o~
thE
the administrative end, but 1
these req·uirements the proper
~aci~
ities must be included in the design.
o~
Any
The State Racing Commission also has reg
anges or variences in zoning regulations
lations coverlng the running
11 have to be taken care
and the system o~ wagers.
Proper ~acilj
ties are needed to insure accurate repol
o~
by the client
rough the city and county planning agen-
es/commissions.
Any use o~ local utility
o~
the raCE
ing o~ mutuels, and a testing area is
stems by the race track development must
needed to determine the identity o~ the
~ply with the utility companies'
horses and to determine· whether or not
rd~
and regulations.
stan-
The same is true
they have been drugged.
ackground
has always been one o£ the most di££i-
CRITICAL ISSUES
lt problems in architecture to deal with
rge numbers o£ people.
The problems
These cri tical issues include the £ollow:
at arise range £rom those. o£ a large
owd to those o£ the individual.
Both
ndititons demand a sensitive design and
understanding o£ people,
peop~e.who~
1. Dealing with large crowds o£ people
intentions, purpose, movement, service
and sa£ety
ry in as many aspects as one coula name.
2. Dealing with large n~mbers o£ cars -
h.e Brie£," in re£lection o£ these' points ,.
ease o£ movement, easily accessible, pre
s been written in terms o£ the user. In
tection o£ the pedestrian
is section £ive categories are being
3. Orientation o£ the track
scussed.
the spectator £rom wind, rain and sun;
protectin(
Critical Issues
protecting the horse £rom running direc1
Key Facts
into the sun; use o£ sun to highlight
Building Type Survey
'., the even t s
is hoped that by the care£ul study o£
4. Variety o£ patrons - general specta-
3se topics in terms o£ the user, a more
tor, average better, betting enthusiast l
:urate description o£ the problem will
administrator, horse owner and the di£-
:lult.
£erent age .groups as well
5.
View o£ track - excellent view o£
homestretch, view o£ £inish line, view c
entire track, view without sun distortic
6. Security £or horses and separation £1
patrons - need £or visual contact betwec
horses and spectators but leaving physic
contact to a minimum
o~
Track conditions - necessity
~
sur~ace
o~
track to accimmodate the
types
~~erent
chang-
th~t
become track trademarks, tr2
dition, public relation promotions
8. Atmosphere -
racing
o~
'~hings
~estive
yet
digni~ied
9. Patrons - must cater to a wide variet
10.Racing types - must cater to both sta
dardbred (harness ·racing) and thoroughbr
( FACTS
11.Racing calendar Scale - The need £or scale to the human
di~£erent
seasons a
day and night racing
an individual and as a menber o£ a
)wd
BUILDING TYPE STUDY
Relation o£ patron to horse -
the need
~
a physical
between the hu-
1
and the horse, yet leaging enough in-
separat~on
so as to utilize the vitality
~action
the horses
In~luence
The
~ollowing
site organization, external circualtion,
internal circulation, pedestrian circu-
bu~iness
a~~ect
- how a thriving
organization, and
agri-business in
Tax dollars
Sandown
coming directly and in-
Aqueduct
the track
Use o£ track - potential
~or
Arlington Park
o£~-
Louisiana Downs
lson use
Quality
~acility
- needed to yield
llity racing, quality horses, a quality
;iness and maximum money
Unique character -
Most
o~
the
~acilities
investigated had
similar site Qrganization.
The tracks
~
were older tracks, and generally, all ue
~low
creation
~orm.
Churchill Downs
liana
~rom
~c
lation, concept, track capacity, buildir
on
~etrack-will
~ectly
buildings were analyzed
o~
those
the track
o~
~orm
itsel~
as the organizer in ter
and £unction.
The only exceptic
5
the Sandown race course.
This track
ploited the movement of people at the
~ck.
It
g~nerally
the organizer.
j
used the grandstand
The backstretch area
pre-race activities were all
posi~
oned so as to be of interest to the
ectator.
IILDING CONCEPT
BUILDING
CONCEPT
Inction
I spaces in the following program have
1. Patron Circulation System - There sha
In determined and developed according
be a patron circulation system which
spects the following sequence:
the type of user which they serve.
Individual auto (traveling on highway)
Ise users include:
•
re
Administrative employees
mass auto(parking lot) -- individual pe-
Track employees
destrian -
Horse personnel
The system shall include a main auto en-
Media personnel
trance, additional auto exits, general
S}Jectators
parking, preferred parking (closer to th
major·ex~erior'spaces
serving these
.rs are:
mass pedestrian -- spectator
grandstand), auto drop-off, bus drop-off
and parking.
Patron circulation system
There shall also be pedes-
trian walks form the parking lot to the
Employee and service circulation
. grandstand which aid the transi t'ion from
Backstretch facilities
auto patron to race spectator.
Horse/patron contact areas
entry to the grandstand area shall chann
Track and infield
and disperse patrons upon their entrance
The main
and exit, respectively.
2. Employee and Service Circulation There shall be a separate circulation
system for employees and service vehicle
.The grandstand service area and employee
parking shall be removed from patron ac: tivity areas.
,'.-
'.
,
; J. Backstretch Faciliti'es - The backstret
shall have facilities to stable 800 hors
l the accompanying groomsmen and tack.
against the earth's rotation in the homE
Ire shall be facilities for the back-
stretch.
'etch offices and maintenance, state
so that clubhouse patrons can see the
Incy inspection and
entire track and most general patrons cc
veter~nary
services.
The infield shall be develope(
Ire shall also be food, recreation, and
see as much as possible.
'king facilities for the backstretch
contain a tote board so that spectators
'sonnel.
can know the statistics of each race.
There shall be connections to
track, paddock and exercise areas from
The infield sh
Infield should also be usable as overfl(
I backstretch.
standing room on peak race days.
Horse/Patron Contact Areas - There
The major interior spaces include the
III be a paddock and parade ring so that
;tors and other spectators can easily
IW
the horses before the race.
III be in close
tdows.
proximi~y
This
to the betting
There shall be a winners' circle
)vided for post-race awards and photo/
;erview sessions.
following:
Clubhouse
Grandstand
Administrative Offices
Track Offices
Supporting Facilities
Film Towers
The Track and Infield - The track shall
1. Clubhouse - The clubhouse is for the
a standard one-mile oval with chutes to
racing enthusiast, ttie person who fre-
:ommodate
I
7/8 mile and 1+. mile races.
surface shall be changeable for the
quently uses the track and thus has este
lished himself as a spectator, a bettor
:ferent needs of standardbred and thor-
or a social member of the track.
~hbred
clubhouse offers relief from'the larger
racing. The track 'shall be ori-
;ed to prevent the spectator from look=
into the sun and to let the horses run
1
The
number of people using the general grand
stand area.
It also provides a nicer an
e complete view of the racetrack.
The
between people.
It
i~
the place for the
th~
rance cost for the clubhouse is higher
bettor, the place for
novice, the
n that for the general grandstand area.
place to view all the preceeding; it is
ist of spaces included in the club-
the congregation point for the whole pro-
se is as follows:
ject.
This area costs only the admissio]
cost to get in, and it includes the fol•
lowing spaces.
Clubhouse Dining
Clubhouse Bar/Lounge
Lobby
Clubhouse Betting
Betting booths
Clubhouse Seating
General public food areas
Concessions
First aid
Restroom Facilities
General public seating
(See the appendix for program of
Reserve seating
square footages for these spaces)
Standing area
Grandstand - The grandstand
I
are~
is for
Concessions
Restrooms
general public who:
- a~e at the track for the first time
have more interest in the horses
are avid betting enthusiasts and
3. Administrative Offices - The adminis-
need more flexibility between the
trative offices house the blood of the
-b~tting
~indows
racetrack; it is where the decisions of
and'the horses
-are more interested in the different
I
the racetrack are made.
This area needs
levels of involvement on the ground
relief from the crowds, but it needs to
level
be close enough so as not to be blind of
the crowds presence. This area contains
grandstand area should accommodate
'ge crowds
at
a quick-moving pace.
Tt
this aFea that reflects the interaction
various functions,
functions ranging fron
accounting to the scheduling'of horses f(
ch race.
5. Supporting Facilities - The supportir
A list of spaces follows.
Director offices
facilities revolve around the horse.
Accounting department
area provides the horse with bedding,
Computer facilities
grooming and grazing areas.
Printing facilities
contains facilities for the groomsmen al
Storage and files
horse attendants.
~mployee
This area
All track service, s·
rage arid maintenance is also contained
restaurant and locker area
Conference room
this area.
This area contains
Restrooms
services needed to put ·on a horse race
a~l
to maintain the entire project.
direct charge of the many employees
~
decisions made in
Feed storage
Backstretch recreation
the supporting facilities area. It is
th~
This al
Horse stables
work in the grandstand, on the track,
this area that
the
includes:
Track Offices - The track offices are
~t
Tl
.!.
administrative area are carried out.
LS area needs to be located appropriate-
Restrooms
Office
Backstretch cafeteria
to carry out the functions it holds.
Veterinarian
includes these areas:
Maintenance buildings
State officials office
Main loading doce
Racing officials office
Employee locker area
Switch board
Supply storage
Police area
Conference room
6. Film Towers - The film towers are
Restrooms
for the media, the announcer, the filmi)
Employee restaurant and locker area
of the race and the photo finish.
USI
It il
important that this area be located so
~
have adequate view to the entire track
j
GRANDSTAND
SEATING
to be directly over the rinish line.
includes:
Official of':fioes
Audio-visual
Lounge
Restrooms
~ANDSTAND
2
CLUBHOUSE
LOBBY
, i
)
~IL
_
.....
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BETTING
.UBHOUSE
UBHOUSE
I
SEATING
DINING
DIRECTORS
6
STATE' OFF.
OFFICES
RACING OFF.
ite
emphasize the need for this to be a higt
3 site of Westfield Downs is just north
the city of Indianapolis.
~dies
quality establishment.
Marketing
show that this is an excellent
3a for a harse racing facility.
The site is currently chiefly agricultur
The
atral location within Indiana is easily
al land.
cessible from even the outer reaches of
is found alohg Cool Creek, which runs
e state and from neighboring states as
north to south across the site, particu-
11, via the interstate highway system
larly at the northern end, where there i
the Indianapolis International Air-
a nice stand of mixed mesophytic forest.
j
The only noteworthy vegetatior.
The Indianapolis area also has a
The topography of the site is generally
fficient population to support such a
suited for such a development, although
cing facility.
some problems may arise from its gentle
rt.
rolling nature' and the need for a flat
a 320-acre
~ite
tr~ck and large parking areas.
is on US 31, between
However,
','
rmel and Westfield,
just 25 minutes north;
downtown Indianapolis.
stfield~s
c~
artd fill and are quite buildable Lthougt
It is under
some require added drainage.
jurisdiction and is properly
ned for a racing facility.
the soils are suitable to accommodate
Most of the
rrounding area is currently farmland,
Perhaps the chief limitation that thesi
some of it is expected to change to
places on the design of the development
t
~gle-family
residential, county park,
concerns the location of the track.
The
i
commercial/planned development. The~e
one-mile track is of ' fixed dimensions ar.
3
some mixed feelings within the county
can take a limited orientation to the
~milton)
about the proposed racingfacil-
north-south line.
r.rThe City of , Carmel is particularly
~y,
to
properly place the track on the portion
,
fearing the movement of
It is impossible
~undesire-
of the site east of the creek.
Les" into their communi ty. Such feelings
.
- -
'-
~tand
The gran
also cannot be built within the
ZONING
ek's flood plain.
additional limitation concerning the
Lndstand location is the presence of a
III Oil pipeline running diagonally
'oss the site.
No permanent structures
trees can be placed within
;ht-of-way.
i
I'
Direct
~cess
its 50'
to the site
limited to Grassy Bran~h, 146th and
st streets, with 151st showing good
:ential for a major entry since it has
I
best direct connection to US 31 which
.1 carry much of the race traffic.
2
GIONAL
SITE SYNTHESIS
LOCATION
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esign
, design o£ this project covers a mul;ude o£ scales.
~n
PROJECT CONCEPT
The planning and de-
approach proceeded £rom the largest
Conceptually, the approach used in this
is similar to that used by the
LIe (the automobile) and ended with the
proj~ct
Lllest scale (the individual). For this
Sandown Race Course in England.
Lson, this section has been divided into
proach utilizes all the activities that
lr categories.
occur at a racetrack for the spectator's
This aI
In basic terms this means
.Project Concept
enjoyment •
Master Plan
that the pre-race activities become as
Exterior Design
important as the actual race.
Interior Design
cept allows a more even spread of activ-
This con-
le£ully this £orm o£ organization will
ity throughout a race day •
. ow one to understand this project from
a level of interaction between the spec-
, initial organization down through the
tator and the horse that o£ten is lost
'£erent scales.
at other present-day tracks.
le an
The outcome will pro-
understandin~
o£ the design as
.1 as reflect the process by which it
I
aocomplished.
It also alIa
This means
that the excitement of a race can nowbe
extended beyond the two minutes it takes
to run the race, and this excitement can
begin as soon as possible for the spectator. The fOllowing is the sequence tha
the horse takes be£ore and after the rac
. 1. horse brought from stable
2. horse inspected
3. horse paraded in the parade ring
4. horse taken to paddock for final
adjustments
- -_ _
~
_____________________
· ____
__
M~~·'t~W
·.'.M~~'e
.~-A
RADE ROUTE
rural area.
From the cr o 0k the imaeewou
change sequentially to a more active
urban setting at the grandstand.
The
image would then return to the original
rural-like image at the stable area.
~I~~·~~~~+-~~+-~
I1
ilk
~ '~~~----~~4-~
§I~~~~~~~
5. horse parades to track
SITE CONCEPT
t~ starting
gate.
6. start of' race
7.
f'inish of' race
8. winner's circle ceremonies
9. horses returned to paddock and
stables
image in mind f'or the f'acility is
ved f'rom the healthy creek that runs
ugh the site.
starting image.
The creek, is used' as
The creek portrays
image of' a f'ree and lackadaisical
2
TER PLAN
stands also provides sufficient room for
developing the pre-race activities into
master plan of the site has been de-
major space behind the stands and for
mined by recognition of the concept of
buffering the potential residential deve-
e total race experience" along with
lopment south of' the site.
limitations and opportunities set by
Locating the backstretch {stables'
site.
th
jn
southwest corner of the site proviues thl
of these limitations is that the track
located west of the creek (there isn't
ugh room east of the croek).
The re-
necessary security separation between thl
masses of patrons and the horses, while
still allowing visual contact f'rom the
ning eastern part of the site is less
area behind the stands.
ling and sizable enough to accommodate
the usual feeling of' isolation from the
massive amonnts of' parking required,
This eliminates
horses that is created by the line of th4
ating the parking east of the creek
track and the infield when the stables a:
o
indeed located behind the backstretch,
creates the opportunity to use the
ek as boundary between the world of' the
and the world of horse racing.
the track.
0:
Instead, the patron can batt.
identify the sequence that the horse
goe~
through, and the stronger impact of the
northern portion of the area west of
Horses' presence leads to a better total
creek has the best topographic peten-
race experience.
1 for the track locatioh.
Situating
grandstand on the south side of the
One of the key problems of this project
ck would be best for spectator sun
is to provide for the movement of large
entation and for sun-orientation and
numbers of people.
th rotation for the horses in
conflicts between patrons, service vehic-
etch.
thehome~
This location of' the track and
In order to prevent
les, empl?yeesand horses, two separate
'culation systems have been developed.
, with and entrance to the site
~rom
south an 146th st., is used by·track
~loyees,
other system is strictly
,n and
vehi~les.
horsemen, and service
~ollows
the seqence
the
~or
o~
pa~
individ-
. auto
mass auto -- individual pe-
itrian
mass pedestrian -- spectato·r.
main entrance is on 151st st., since
i
.s is the most direct route
.ch will carry the bulk
.~~ic
and allows
o~
e~~icient
us
~rom
31
the race
tra~~ic
~low.
, parking is served by ,a perimeter road
that
,p-o~~
tho~e
patrons
or the
~ho
wish to use the
pre~~rred
parking can by-
s the general parking
tra~~ic.
The
rons in the general parking area walk
m their cars to a bridge over the creek
move along a pedestrialn walkway to
I
grandstand.
.nsition
I
~rom
The walk will make the
the naturalistic aura
creek to the more controlled,
,ting
o~
the grandstand area.
:e days, when' even the
~art~est
II
o~
urban"
On peak
portions
the. parking lot are used., a mini bus
,1 help shorten the walk ~or some patrons.
HEMATIC
MASTER PLAN
JAL MASTER
n'leW . . . . _
.
-
PLAN
A
BACKSTRETCH / BTABLEI
D
ONE-MILE TRACK
G
GENERAL PARKINO
•
EMPLOYEE
•
'R(FERRED PA""ING
H
FUTUnE
C
GRANDSTAND COMPLEX
F
JlfDIST'''AN WALKS
PARKING
NAKINO
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -.------
rE
SECTIONS
GROOMING AREA
PARKlwO
site sections
rLrl
o
TYPICAL -BACKSTRETCH-
.,
SECTION
PEDESTRIAN
GENERAL
p
WALKS
PARKING
TRACK
CLUBHOUSE TURN
TYPICAL PATRON
CIRCULATION SECTION
QAAMDS'AND
TR~
TRACK
HOMESTRETCH
TYPICAL
8A(
INFIELD SECTION
---.,---------------------------_
...
road to permit
rERIOR SPACE DESIGN
bac~-up
of cars without i
paring traffic on 151st street.
tron Circulation - individual auto -9S
auto -- individual pedestrian
control point, the patron has the
choice of entering the general parking
lot or following the perimeter road tot1
pedestrian -- spectator
9
~he
Once pa
preferred parking and special drop-off.
to Circulation - The main patron auto
~rance
to the site is from 151st street.
The general parking lot accommodates ap-
avoid traffic complications, the entry
proximately 3700 cars.
set back 1000 feet from the intersec-
creek, and as i t curves, it is divided
)n of 151st and Grassy Branch. 151st
~eet
must be widened and improved to
into
fou~
wedges.
It runs along tb
large segments by greenspace
Each section is also divided in
ldle the mce traffic, and as part of
half by a minor road that runs the lengt
Ls improvement, it is turned into a tree-
of the lot.
led boulevard to accomplish the follow-
the follo,,,ing.
1. Patron can circulate through the
~.
1. To create a strong entrance state-
lot without having to return totl
main parking lot road.
ment
2. To maintain existing c-ountry "green"
2. Attendant parking on heavy race d
and avoid a continuous span of four
days can fill the forward parts
lanes of asphalt
the lot (near the creek) quickly,
3. To create a buffer for the residences on the north side of the street
t
This arrangement accomplish
boulevard is continued into the site
0
then the back portions.
3. Western edge of the parking lot
c~
act as a drop-off for the full
maintain a continuity of the entrance
length of the lot for general par
)erience.
ing patrons and for mini-buses on
The control point (fees, et.c.)
far enough into the site on the entry
r
peak race days.
4. Orientation of rows directs patrons
ward the goal of the west edge of the 10
movement toward creek bridges.
5.
aisles between them point the patron to-
Disinct lot sections make it eas-
There a patron takes a bridge across the
ier to locate an individual's car
creek,to a walkway.
(aided by lot identification signs~
feeling is naturalistic.
6. Greenspace reduces scale of massive
parking lot.
The walk pro-
.
cedes as the creek on one side and the
rising topography to the west form its
edges.
I
At this point, the
preferred parking lot (reserved and
.son parkipg) is separated from the gen.1 parking lot by the
~reek
and is
l~
As the patron nears the entry,
the path curves toward the'grandstand
and is lined lvi th trees. The space has
take.n on a formalized plan, wi th plantin/
'ved by the perimeter road. It is closer
beds forming an edge to the plaza area
the grandstand entry, and its users
which _permits free-flowing movement
id the bulk of the masses of general
through two curved rows of trees and
king patrons. In this area is also the
around a central fountain. The paving
p-off for preferred parking, the handi-
lines of this plaza direct the patron
ped, taxis, and buses.
to the grandstand area entrance and
Bus parking is
ng the edge of this lot so that it is
continue through the entrance into
venient for arriving and departing
the next space as a common element.
rons.
estrian Circulation - The pedestrian
culation system must collect patrons
m numerous points and funnel them to
main entrance to the grandstand area.
sosystem begins the moment a patron
ves his/her car.
The rows of cars and
____~____--____------__-----;--------------------~--~TT~=~zmzm·-···~--·~m------____==__
AZA
SLOW-UP
entrance plaza plan
BACKSTRETCH
ckstretch, Service,
CONCEPT
and Employee Circulation single entry to the site serves employ-
s, service vehicles and horsemen.
The
ployee( parking and'grandstand service
ck are out
o~
the sight lines
ons and are separated
~orm
retch by security points.
o~
the
the pa-
back~
Track main-
nance is located withiri the backstretch,
~ever,
since these
~acilities
aiso ser-
ce the stables.
The organization
ckstretch
promotes the
itsel~
1. Backstretch
state
of~ices~
o~fices,
o~the
~ollowing.
maintena~e,
veteranarian,
~ood
service and recreation are general-
to the horses.
6. Area drain§ down roads between st
ly centrally located.
2. The strong visual contact to the
backstretch
~rom
~rom
the area be-
hind the grandstand and
helps to setthe image
in the mind
o~
bles.
US 31
~rom
o~
the horse
the spectator.
3. There is the needed security sepa-
Track and
In~ield
- The track is a one-
mile oval with chutes Cor
1t
mile chutes.
can be changed
The
sur~ace
m~le
and
71
ration between the patrons and the
for the
horses.
oriented nearly perpendicular to a north
4. Room
~or
expansion is there
i~
ne-
cessary.
5. There is a
di~~erent
types
o~
racing.
south line to keep the sun out
o~
It i
the
spectators' eyes and out of the horses'
bu~~er
~rom
the highway
eyes in the homestretch.
The horsGS are
'0
~
able to run against the rotation
earth in the homestretch. The
o~
in~ield
the track is developed to:
1. allow
~ull
view of the track from
the clubhouse
2. allow good view of track from the
general seating in the stands
3. direct vision to key points in the
race when a complete view is not
possible,
4. be used for overflow patrons on
peak race days
5. retain drainage from the track and
the infield
6. give spectators a clear view of the
tote board and
winne~s
circle.
"";'
~n-"ec"-.===-
.-' ......'....
~
.
SPACES DESIGN
~RIOR
SCHEME 2
general project concept implies the
I
!d
~or
a multi-directional view, a view
.t would allow a spectator to see both
, staged events (the race, start and ~.
lish) and the unstaged events (pre-race
ivities, the inspection, parade kaps
paddock). There is also a need to keep
an internal zoning so as to allow the
~erent
activities to
ci~ically,the
~unction
mass of people, areas of
ting, orientation points, etc.
EI
smoothly.
mustal~_
2
work with one another to allow a clean
working building. The "section" of' the
building organized the design.
o~
A system
voiumes was developed with a circula-
tion corridor between each. This allO\ved
1. the circulation to act as a naturl
boundary between the larger
volu~
2. the volumes to have a directed vi,
3. a clean system
o~
circulation to
each volume
4. a relatively open plan to
rein~or
the concept of staged and unstage 4
events
5.
a clean structural system that
SCHEMATIC SECTION
maintains £lexibility to the p1an
6. a clean mechanical system to complement the
structur~l
system
7. a curtain wall system to maintain
£lexibility in plan.
I
general organization consists
'e-£loor building.
o~
a
Four o£ these would
divided between the grandstand and the
lbhouse areas. The top two £loors would
allocated £or the clubhouse area, and t
, two lower £loors would house the
~ID
SYSTEM
gra~
2
, -
grandstand £unctions.
"
Additionally, a
plaza area is adjacent the lower leve1
the grandstand area.
0
The purpose o£ the
plaza is to introduce the spectator to
the building as well as to order the pre
race activities previously discussed.
Secondly, the plaza acts as a primary
£ocus to the upper £loors.
----------------------
........------------_._------------- - - - - - - - - -
C\...UBHOUSE.
CONCOURSE
.';-.
., ........
.
CONOOUR8C.
,-
......... ZA
STANOING
@
cross section
~
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TR,
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o~
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JE CORNER
AERIAL VIEW
SE CORNER
PARADE RIN'(3 AERIAL
"
--~-------------------------------
.
P. R. V1EWII'·IC',
'--._"'-.....
OUTH
-..
I tAL
__......
~--.
'
SIDE
--~----------'------'----------------
VIDEO ~CREEN
(~~()r---JY
ORSE
PASSWAY
-
~VILION
u
TO TRACK
WARM-UP TRACK
-
NW CORNER
--~------------------------------------------------------.-------------------
CORNER OF PROJECT
ARADE
,
,
..
/"
<
.
RING
3EATING
:::NTRANCE
----~---------------------------.----------
:onclusion
activity or involvement of' the spectatol
is betting, f'iguring odds, and all
thin~
evaluating this project, one might
associated with betting. A bettor is mu.
Lassif'y it as being a "variation on a
concerned with the horse, the odds and'
Ierne."
outcome of' the race.
1
That is to say, it is a conven-
Lonal approach to the problem, but the
~phasis
on the subject matter is non-
~&ditional.
The major dif'f'erence is the
>rogram" of' the horse r'ace itself'.
The
By pulling the hOl
.
out of'the stables and placing it on dis.
'play (the paddock), the bettor can look
at the horse,
talk with other bettors
about it, set the odds and in all
ca~es
'pical horse track holds one race per
become involved. This thought in simpli:
lure
terms is'a f'orm of activity, an activit~
This indicates that a person has
>proximately 55 minutes/hour f'or some
;her interest.
The extreme would be' 55
"
that can be
~xploited
to benef'it all whl
• attend the irack. The bettor gains conveJ
_nutes of sitting and waiting f'or the
ience, the novice gains entertainment
lxt 2-minute race.
f'ound nowhere but at the track, the own.
It is our concept to
lveal many of' the pre-race activities
gains dollars, etc. Realizing how this
Ir the spectator to watch.
idea may seem romantic, it is really an
These pre-
lce acitivities or "unstaged events" will
attempt to provide activity at the tracl
.low a person a better understanding of'
that will complement the race.
te horse and of the race.
always felt that any activity that can
The "unstaged
I have
rents" also dramatize the race itself' in
gained without invention (an activity tl
tat a person can trace the entire process
is existing rather than one made) will
horse goes through before and af'ter the
more successf'ul in the f'imal outcome.
Lce.
C,
lr Concept had a second important ef'f'ect
l
the project.
At a race track, a major
viewpoint, and a better final product wa
created.
concept of a high-quality establish-
3
~t
where one can experience the "total
~e
experience" is revealed in the final
sign of this project.
By emphasizing
pre-race activities as well as the
3
~e,
a richness is added to the race day.
Ls added richness and festivity not only
<:es a fuller race experience but also'be exploited to make this racetrack
~
)fi table.,
And for this particular de-
~n,
it is especially important that the
~ck
make money, since it is an extremely
pensive development.
The high expense
perhaps a drawback of this design, and
~
possible that a different 'layout and
rferent detailing could reduce the cost
1 still maintain the concept of "the
~al
race experience."
Ls thesis project certainly required
~h
archj_ tectural and landscape archi tec-
ral input. As a result,
bot~
students
Lned exposure to the other's field, de-
sions could be made
u~ingm6re
than .one
B.
•
TE
ANALYSIS
K· 5
.H· 7
G· 6
Ft:I
I.'
I· II
K· 4
.... 1- II
... K· 2
.K· 6
.J. 3
.A·11
92 Sell.or C.lizens Cenler
(300 N. Tallp.y Ave.)
....... 1(. 3
9~ Service and Siores ................ A· II
94 Serv.ce dnd Sioreo Annex
(1303 B.,Ihel Ave.) .
. ....•. £·14
95 SOCIology (182:> Aiver&ide Ave.) ..... 1· 8
96 SnClOlogy Annux
(710 N. McK.nloy Ave.) ............ 1- 8
117 Spec.al i'lograms House
(325 N. McKanley Ave.,
. .. . .•... K· 5
98 Spec,al Educalion Anne. (Hearingj
(201 N. fall"y Ava., .............. K· 1
119 Slad.um ............•.•...•...... B·I 0
100 Sludehal<er·East Halls: Huribul.
Menl< (women)
H·16
'.101 Sludebake.·We;1 Halls: Davidson.
Painlor(womcn); Palmer.
Wh.lcraft (men)
.. H·15
102 Stud~nl Co"ter. l. A. p.ttenger
... ,1·5
103 Srudanl Voluntary Serv.cos
(400 N' McKillloy Ave.)
1(·6
104 Sw.nlrnir.g Pool.
.. F·12
105 feac~efS College Annex No
(319 N. McKinley Ave)
K· 5
106 fe .chero College Annex No.2
'(321 N. Mcl<intej Ave.) ............ K· 5
101 Teachers College Bu.;dan9 ......... Ii· 8
TenniS Courts.
G·13. 1·3. 1·13. J. 2
Thealre
.................. H·IO
Track
........... 13·11
Tr2ft.c. Salely. ann Security
(305 N Collf'ge Ave.) .
. .. K· 4
112UIlIversilyHdil
.............. H·tt
11:'1 Un,v'''''ty Puhlrcahon.
(b20 N McKanley Ave'
I· 8
114 V,sl!in,] ,,",.usc AssociAtion
(2500 Belhel Avc.)
..... C·tO
lt~ Wagoner H"lIs: Burkharl. Jeep (men). J. 3
116 West Quaerangle 8u.ld:09 ...... '" H· 3
tl7 Wuodworth Halls: Brady. Crosley,
Rog<3rs. Wood (women). . ......... 1-11
108
109
110
111
NOT SHOWN ON MAP
Cooper Memo, ial Woodland Area.
Foreign Languay" House. 3309 Beth
Om" WOOdS, Gaston Quadrangfe
K.\sehnan Can.er. 3149 Un"a'''ly AI
Televisl.:tn House, 245 Mlnnelrlsta BI
WrltJ Ule Pre.erve (S'xteen Acres).
Wh.le A.ve, 1:11_0.
®
indicale. parking
~~al
~ ::-::-a-
" -
t
..... K- S
.H- 7
.G- 6
F-Il
.. I· 8
ve.)
... K- 4
....... 1- 8
.. K- 2
.K· 6
.J- 3
92 Samor Cillzens Center
(300 N. Tall~y Ave.) .............. K- 3
93 Service and Slores .........•...... A- 9
94 ServIce and Slores Anne.
(1303 Belhel Avo.) ...........•... E-14
95 SocIOlogy (1825 A,vorside Ave.) ..... 1- B
96 SocIology Anno.
(710 N. McKonley Ave.) ............ 1- B
97 Speci,,' Programs House
(32!> N. McKinley Ava.' ....... ,.. K- S
98 SpecIal Educalion Annex (Hearong)
(201 N. Talley Ave.' .............. K- 1
99 Shd,um ........................ B-l0
100 ShlllelJaker·Easl Halls: Hurlbul.
Menk (worn"n)
.. H-16
101 Sludebaker·Wc.' Halls: DavIdson.
Palnler(women). Palmor.
Wh.le"," (menl.
. .... H·15
102 Student Cenler.l. A PI""nller ...... J- 5
103 Siuneni Valur,lary ServIces
(400 N. McKInley Ave.) ............ K- 6
104 SWlmn"ng 1'001 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F-12
105 Teach~rs College Annex No.1
(319 N. McKinl"y Ave.) ........... K- 5
106 Teach"" C"IIege Annex No.2
. (321 N. McKtnley Ave.) ............ K- 5
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
Tunnis Courls.
. G.13. 1·3. 1-13. J- 2
Thealre
.H.10
Track. ..
. . . . . . . B-l1
Trafhc. Sa',,'y. and Securily
(305 N. Cull<1ge Ave.) . . . . . . ..... K- 4
UnIverSIty Hall.
. . . . . H-11
Unlverslly PulJlocaliolls
(6<0 N McK'nley Ave.,
........ 1- 8
Vls,I'ng Nurse Associallon
(2500 Belhel Ave.)
... C.l0
WagollOI Hdlls: Our~harl. Jetlp (men) .•1_ 3
Wesl Quadranyl" Bu.'dlng .......... H- 3
Woodworth Halls: Brady. Crosley.
NOT SHOWN ON MAP
Cooper Memorial Woonland Area
Foreign Language House. 3309 Be
Ginn Woods. Gaslon Quadrangle
KIt~elman Center. 3149 UmvBrr.ity
Teh!vi5lon House. 245 M.nn",'riSla
Wild lite Preserve (51:•. le,=,n Acre3'
Wt,,'e A,ver Blvd
fn
"".d.":"'''~~~).~~
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