INTEGRAL REMODELING AND EXPANSION OF THE JARAMA CIRCUIT

INTEGRAL REMODELING AND ENLARGEMENT OF THE JARAMA CIRCUIT. MADRID

The award of this project comes from the call of the Royal Automobile Club of Spain (RACE), owner of the circuit, which in December 2012 invited us, along with 9 other teams, to a restricted project competition, which was finally awarded to us in May 2013.

The project that we presented to the Jarama Circuit Commission as an architectural proposal for the complete remodeling of the Circuit’s buildings, within the RACE 2021 Master Plan, defined the actions to be carried out to materialize the image, use and facilities of the Jarama Circuit in the horizon of the year 2021. Our proposal included the reform, rehabilitation and remodeling of some buildings, such as the emblematic Control Tower or the Boxes and Main Grandstand Buildings, along with the expansion and new construction of other buildings such as the Paddock Club or the main grandstand, inside which the new RACE offices would be implemented. It was also planned to replace the clinic building with a more modern one, as well as the replacement of the temporary grandstands surrounding the circuit with permanent ones and the creation of small “hospitality” for each of the complementary tracks of the circuit (Karts, 4×4, learning, etc.). Finally, the construction of an emblematic building for the RACE Foundation, with an undoubtedly museum character, where the valuable work of the RACE Foundation will be exhibited. Finally, the construction of an emblematic building for the RACE Foundation, with an unquestionable museum character, where to exhibit its valuable collection of historic vehicles, as well as to install its restoration and storage workshops, library and archives, an auditorium and a series of ancillary services usual in this type of building.

The work would begin with the remodeling of the control tower. The proposal contemplated the refurbishment and extension of the upper platforms of the tower, converting the three closed floors into a VIP area of the Paddock Club, with a private restaurant, a cocktail bar and a lounge area. A building was designed around the tower as its base, integrating into a homogeneous whole where the Paddock Club lounges were located on the second floor, and a bar-cafeteria and a high-level restaurant on the first floor together with the press rooms, podium area, terrace bar area and the independent timing room.

This phase of the project was developed throughout 2013 and the construction of the Paddock Club and Control Tower, started in June 2014, was completed during the summer of 2015.

The work would begin with the remodeling of the control tower. The proposal contemplated the refurbishment and extension of the upper platforms of the tower, converting the three closed floors into a VIP area of the Paddock Club, with a private restaurant, a cocktail bar and a lounge area. A building was designed around the tower as its base, integrating into a homogeneous whole where the Paddock Club lounges were located on the second floor, and a bar-cafeteria and a high-level restaurant on the first floor together with the press rooms, podium area, terrace bar area and the independent timing room.

This phase of the project was developed throughout 2013 and the construction of the Paddock Club and Control Tower, started in June 2014, was completed during the summer of 2015.

In later stages, the Grandstand Building will be enlarged to form the external image of the circuit from the N-I highway. The extension of the Grandstand Building will be amortized with the location inside it of the RACE central offices, in addition to those of the Circuit and the Driving Schools, maintenance and warehouses. The circuit will have an “exterior façade” that will reflect the importance and possibilities of the Circuit and, at the same time, the RACE will be able to unify its central offices, insurance brokerage, call-center, etc. in a single building of its own.

The renovation of the Pit Building is also foreseen, unifying its appearance, enlarging the older building, transforming it into boxes equal to the more modern pit building. The two remaining pit buildings will be modernized, keeping the structure unchanged, replacing the brick façade with a curtain wall and taking advantage of the roof overhang to enlarge the upper hospitality areas. With this modification there will be 17 double boxes of 12.00 x 12.75 on the first floor and 19 hospitality on the second floor.

The metal grandstands of “Farina” have an aspect of permanent provisionality that does not benefit the image of the circuit from the inside. It is proposed the construction of permanent concrete bleachers that in their lower space will house toilets and open bar bars to serve the pelouse and the bleachers themselves.

Finally, the most important building for the circuit in its 2021 horizon will be the Institutional Building of the RACE Foundation. This building will also become one of the attractions of the circuit, located in a prominent position, near the entrance and forming a square in the Paddock, with the Tower building and the Boxes building. The Jarama layout is what has made it one of the historic circuits and a reference of international importance. Based on the concept of continuous ramp space and the development of the track itself, we designed this building with a floor plan identical to the layout of the circuit, forming a wide ramp where, along three floors in a continuous layout, the exhibition of cars will be housed, recalling this famous track in its interior route through the museum. In addition to the museum, this building will contain the library and archives, an auditorium for 550 people and a traveling exhibition hall. It will also house offices of the Foundation and a store space. The basement of this building will contain a subway parking lot, a vehicle restoration workshop and a place for the safekeeping of vehicles not on display, which will access the interior of the exhibition through a car lift.

This building will mark the completion of the complete remodeling of the circuit facilities and will complete the Jarama Circuit in 2021.