Epsom Downs Racecourse – New Grandstand – The Duchess Stand
Architect: Limbrick
Customer: Willmott Dixon Construction/NHE Joinery
WIllmott Dixon and NHE approached John Porter Doors directly to assist in the engineering of a doorset package for the new Duchess Grandstand project. The technical issues surrounding this design and build scheme was to match the existing paldao timber and veneers. Paldao, an attractive timber choice, was by 2008 an exceptionally expensive timber and outside the budget which was under extreme commercial pressure.
Additional technical issues surrounded the initial ‘match existing’ requirements, as paldao can display a wide range of colour variations. This alone would challenge the consistency and reliability of a paldao solution.
In consultation with all parties, the specification was changed to a more economic, but arguably no less prestigious, American black walnut solution. Together the partnership of doorset manufacturer, quality joinery sub-contractor and main contractor worked smoothly and another high quality scheme was delivered on time and on budget.
Epsom Downs is a Grade 1 racecourse near Epsom, Surrey, England. The ‘Downs’ referred to in the name are part of the beautiful North Downs. The course is best known for hosting the Epsom Derby, the United Kingdom's premier thoroughbred horse race for three-year-old colts and fillies, over a 1.5 mile distance. The racecourse is between Epsom, Tadworth, and Langley Vale.
The first recorded race was held on the Downs in 1661 and racing continued until the summer of 1780 when Edward Smith-Stanley, 12th Earl of Derby, organised a race for himself and his friends to race their three-year-old fillies.
