The Desert Crown Stand
Project
The Desert Crown Stand represents a transformative reimagining of Nottingham Racecourse, including a sustainable new grandstand - a vision which honours the racecourse’s legacy, whilst setting a lasting and innovative racing industry benchmark to excite future generations.
Targeting Nottingham’s vibrant student population, the multifaceted structure adopts a ‘translucent bookshelf’ passive design concept, where layering of superimposed floors creates a dynamic interplay evocative of the motion of racehorses. A disrupted top level serves as the proverbial head of the racehorse, with expansive views over Colwick Park.
Research
This project addresses flood mitigation through the strategic integration of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS). With a focus on constructed wetlands, permeable paving, and green roofs, the design responds to site-specific conditions in order to manage surface water naturally and effectively. Through the use of a mixed-methods research approach with a literature review, hydrological evaluation, and case study comparison, the research identified constructed wetlands as the most effective site solution, followed by permeable paving and green roofs. These findings directly informed the spatial planning and design strategy. While limited by access to simulation tools, the project highlights the potential of SuDS to shape water sensitive landscapes.
