While the drawings, drainage and detailing of the track are precise and unique, the built features were created in a very low-tech manner, like a soap box racing car. Off-the-shelf, various diameter, galvanised hollow metal tubes used to complete the structure’s roofing separation, partitions and safety barriers, gave us the advantages of a light-weight, inexpensive and readily available local material which is highly durable, maintenance free and aesthetically acceptable to the intended user group. The tubes create an ever- changing shadow on the concrete surfaces and appear as a lantern at night, marking the location and subtly bringing life to the landscape and assisting the safety for night riders.The anti-climbing barrier at the end of the retaining wall, designed like a dinosaur’s tail. plays a tune when the wind blows.
The various concrete forms were simply made in a process known for centuries. Earth jumps and banked turns were created by talented bobcat artist/ operators with intimate knowledge of Supercross racing requirements and standards. They are able to read the crest placement of the jumps along the track on the section drawings and finesse these to capture the exact height of each peak and the depth width of each valley between them. Racing activity in rain, snow, compaction, etc. affects the track so that it requires constant maintenance, like many large sport venues. It is very much a living architecture.
The aesthetics of concrete allowed the practical considerations of storage, ramp heights and retaining wall sections to be expressed as individual architectural elements within a single structure. Board-formed concrete, prefinished concrete block and the smooth-faced framing members of the Starting Gates add to the distinct language of each element – at once separate and unified. These elements will age to become a naturalised feature in keeping with the site. This playground/sculpture/structure is intended to bring excitement, comradery and fun to fans and participants of all ages and backgrounds as well as being an elegant representation of architectural play and team work. The huge prize for everyone was the Gold Medal winning ride by Canadian Tory Nyhaug who went on to become a world- renowned BMX Champion. £
all images: Scott Norsworthy
High Start: galvanised hollow tubing used in roof, partitions and safety barriers
52
on site review 44 : play ©
KMA Inc
Made with FlippingBook - PDF hosting