Equestrian Centre

The equestrian centre forms part of a wider rural estate masterplan and is currently in the pre planning stage. The proposal brings together a comprehensive set of facilities including a clubhouse, stable yard, covered riding arena, external paddocks, and a dedicated dressage arena, creating a fully integrated equestrian environment.

The key challenge was to organise a complex and highly functional equestrian programme into a coherent architectural composition that supports both operational efficiency and the quality of the estate experience, while maintaining a strong relationship to the surrounding landscape.

The solution arranges the stables in a horseshoe configuration, enclosing a central paddock that becomes the focal point of the yard. This layout improves efficiency of movement and supervision while also creating a calm, sheltered internal courtyard for horses. The enclosed form helps define a clear spatial structure within the wider estate landscape.

The entrance to the centre is formed through the clubhouse building, which acts as both arrival point and social heart of the scheme. This element provides a transition between public and private areas of the facility, accommodating rider facilities and club functions while framing views into the yard and paddock beyond.

Water is a key organizing element within the design, introduced as both a functional and experiential feature. Dedicated wash bays, bathing areas, and drinking points for horses are carefully integrated into the stable arrangement, reinforcing the practical requirements of equestrian use while adding clarity and rhythm to daily operations.

The wider masterplan situates the equestrian centre within a carefully structured landscape of paddocks, arenas, and circulation routes, ensuring seamless integration with the rural estate setting. The design balances operational efficiency, animal welfare, and landscape quality to create a refined and highly functional equestrian environment.