Longchamp from the middle of the 19th century. - the site of the most important equestrian competition in Europe, since 1920 known as the "Prize of the Arc de Triomphe" (Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe). In the 19th and early 20th centuries. horse races in Longchamp, on the border of the Bois de Boulogne, attracted aristocrats and bohemians, they were portrayed in their works by Zola and Degas. Since then, Longchamp has not lost its status, but over the years, the hippodrome complex has turned into a set of poorly connected buildings of different times, surrounded by a landscape protected by the state.
Perrault has preserved all the historically important buildings, uniting them with the help of a wooden boardwalk "Les Planches" ("boards") raised above the ground, covered, like plane trees on Parisian boulevards, with canopies made of metal mesh. Despite their permeability, they will be able to protect visitors from wind and sun, and in the dark they will serve as a support for lamps.
The second element of the project was the new stands. This is a "stack" of concrete platforms that are slightly shifted east-west to bring spectators closer to the track, and south-north so visitors will be closer to the finish line. Their "movement", among other things, providing protection of the public from bad weather, the architect compared to a horse gallop.
The stands will be completed by a transparent block of the Grand Panorama restaurant, from where views of Paris and the Seine will open. The restaurant, museum, golf course, separate pavilions will be open to visitors all year round, which will also be facilitated by the newly designed entrance to the complex. The landscape design of the territory immediately surrounding the complex will be updated. The project involves the use of geothermal and solar energy, green roofs, water purification systems.
N. F.
