Overview

Fabric Architecture has taken centre stage in the £34M Aintree Racecourse Grandstand redevelopment, due to open in time for the Grand National this April. The tensile membrane roof on the six storey link building that joins the two stands, aptly named the Saddle Bar, has pushed this exciting construction medium to new frontiers.

The design of the structure was developed with Building Design Partnership over the last 2 years, following the success of the new parade ring/winners enclosure canopy installed in 2005, and the bespoke kiosk for Tote bookmakers.

The triple conic canopy, with a surface area of almost 600m2, is fixed to ten perimeter bi-pods, two 9.5m gutters and supported internally by three masts.