Architectonic Services

RCTC was established in 1847 in Calcutta, British India to promote and foster the sport of horseracing in the sub-continent is currently one of the largest race venues in India. Of all the stands (galleries made for race viewing), the RESERVE STAND was completed in 1921 with typical Edwardian Architecture, suitably adapted to suit the Indian context. 

The Club wanted to renovate and restore this stand as well as modernize the club activities. In order to give back to the Reserve Stand its lost glory, a multi-factoral approach was adopted. The usage pattern of the building earlier was studied viz-a-viz the activities currently proposed to be conducted in the Club, based on which relevant spaces were identified and constraints were resolved. The process was undertaken with a philosophical approach, to understand first, what people valued most in the existing old building, beyond its practical utility, and then use the same understanding to ensure any work undertaken would cause minimum damage to the features that hold the building, yet make it comfortably functional and easy to maintain.

Various Interior décor features were incorporated keeping the bygone era in mind. Flooring was basic chequered, ceiling was predominantly rectilinear with the colour predominantly kept white to enhance sense of space and walls displaying an extraordinary mixture with oak or walnut wall paneling on one hand, wallpapers on the other. Doors and windows had glazed panels, rectangular bevelled clear glass panes with door frame and door stiles made of polished wood with ornate metal fittings with elaborate architrave along the doors made of marble.

Elaborate fire places formed the cynosure of all activities during the Edwardian era. As the fireplace is functionally redundant today, it was replicated to be the focal point of the wall paneling, displaying paintings and trophies all around it and was designed as a combination of wooden paneling and stonework. 

Modern intelligent building services like MEP, HVAC, Fire Detection & Protection systems, Public Address Systems, Surveillance Systems were integrated into the building in such a manner that not only have they been concealed wherever necessary, but the process of concealing them has generated the vocabulary of wall paneling, false ceiling systems etc.