VRC CLUB STAND, FLEMINGTON

KNAUF HELPS EXPRESS INTERIORS MEET A CURVY CHALLENGE

Multiplex commenced development of The Club Stand in 2016, a new world-class facility for Victorian Racing Club (VRC) Members at Flemington Racecourse. A priority on the VRC’s 2010 Masterplan, given the old Members’ Grandstand was reaching the end of its life, the $128 million project was designed by Bates Smart Architects, envisioning a five-storey structure of elegant curves.

The new Heritage Victoria-approved stand extends existing VRC Member facilities with multiple bars, restaurants, lounges, betting facilities and over 2,000 grandstand seats. The historically significant Members’ Bar has been carefully reconstructed to maintain its traditional ambiance.

Other special features include a magnificent central lobby and curving grand staircase, plus a Roof Garden drawing inspiration from Flemington’s garden setting with extraordinary views of the track and Melbourne skyline.

“This was an extremely challenging project. With the assistance of KNAUF, EXPRESS have been able to deliver a fantastic result on time and budget.”                                                                                              GREG EDWARDS, CONSTRUCTION DIRECTOR, EXPRESS INTERIORS                                                                                                                                      

THROWN A CURVE BALL

Express Interiors was contracted to provide the linings for all internal walls and ceilings – commencing work onsite in October 2017 – with the stand ready for occupancy from August 2018, in good time for its use during the Spring Racing Carnival.

The principal challenge of the project was meeting design requirements for curved walls, ceilings and pillars with an extremely tight radius. As a public building, The Club Stand was also subject to strict BCA and acoustical requirements, so called for wall and ceiling linings with specific technical attributes.

According to Express Interiors Director Greg Edwards, “The challenge to deliver a project of this size with the amount of feature curved walls and ceiling was huge. Your business reputation is on the line. I’m very pleased to say a world class result was achieved, thanks largely to the great collaboration between Knauf and EXPRESS Interiors.”

HELP AT HAND

During 2017, Express Interiors worked closely with long-term partner Knauf to develop different wall and ceiling designs required throughout the structure. The Knauf Architectural & Engineering Team developed a detailed Specification and Value Engineering (S.A.V.E) proposal specifying and visually illustrating 19 optimum solutions based on relevant BCA regulations and Australian Standards across a wide range of technical plasterboard products and fixtures.

In achieving the desired curved surfaces, Express Interiors was assisted by Knauf technical advice and onsite support throughout the project.

Greg Edwards says, “Regular walkthroughs were completed between EXPRESS INTERIORS and KNAUF Engineers and Technical Management to assess quality of wall and ceiling installations, compliance to specifications and to provide advice on any technical aspects or concerns.

Knauf was involved very early in the specification process and provided a number of design initiatives that reduced costs and improved on site production. ”

The project was completed on time and on budget, with The Club Stand set to provide a greatly improved Member experience for the 2018 Melbourne Cup Carnival and many years beyond.

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