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    Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe: Longchamp bets on futuristic $145M grandstand

    By Matthew Knight, CNN

    Updated 1155 GMT (1955 HKT) October 22, 2015

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    Paris' Longchamp racecourse hosts one of the world's most famous horse races -- the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. The site currently houses two huge grandstands -- side by side -- built in the 1960s. This computer-generated image (and the ones which follow) show how the new design will transform the site when completed.
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    Paris' Longchamp racecourse hosts one of the world's most famous horse races -- the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. The site currently houses two huge grandstands -- side by side -- built in the 1960s. This computer-generated image (and the ones which follow) show how the new design will transform the site when completed.
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    The new design which will replace the old stands is the work of Dominique Perrault. The Paris-based architect has designed iconic structures all over the world and was awarded the Praemium Imperiale -- an annual prize awarded by the Japanese Art Association. <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2015/09/29/sport/gallery/dominque-perrault-architechture-highlights/index.html">Click here</a> to see more of his work.
    Photos:
    The new design which will replace the old stands is the work of Dominique Perrault. The Paris-based architect has designed iconic structures all over the world and was awarded the Praemium Imperiale -- an annual prize awarded by the Japanese Art Association. Click here to see more of his work.
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    The existing grandstands at Longchamp are packed in the first weekend of October for the running of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe -- the richest flat race on turf in the world.
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    The existing grandstands at Longchamp are packed in the first weekend of October for the running of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe -- the richest flat race on turf in the world.
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    But for the remainder of the year, the stands remain largely empty -- around 30 race meetings are held annually at Longchamp, attracting just a few thousand spectators each time.
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    But for the remainder of the year, the stands remain largely empty -- around 30 race meetings are held annually at Longchamp, attracting just a few thousand spectators each time.
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    Perrault's new design includes just one grandstand but will be "transparent," he says, affording views both east and west.<br />"The building has two faces -- one in front of the race and one behind," he says.
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    Perrault's new design includes just one grandstand but will be "transparent," he says, affording views both east and west.
    "The building has two faces -- one in front of the race and one behind," he says.
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    "On each plateau you have some services -- clubs, hospitality space, restaurants -- but you can see in all directions," Perrault explains.
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    "On each plateau you have some services -- clubs, hospitality space, restaurants -- but you can see in all directions," Perrault explains.
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    "The horse-racing side looks out to the east onto Paris, the Eiffel Tower. To the west, you have the River Seine and very nice landscape, a park." <br />
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    "The horse-racing side looks out to the east onto Paris, the Eiffel Tower. To the west, you have the River Seine and very nice landscape, a park."
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    "The idea is you walk on a different plateau and the view on either side is uninterrupted -- like a fluid promenade," he says. <br />Some of the building's architectural details will also echo its natural surroundings. <br />"We have a lot of references to the nature around," Perrault said. <br />"We designed a handrail with a pattern print like a part of the forest. Also we developed some points in the concrete where we printed the scenes of the wood in the 19th century."
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    "The idea is you walk on a different plateau and the view on either side is uninterrupted -- like a fluid promenade," he says.
    Some of the building's architectural details will also echo its natural surroundings.
    "We have a lot of references to the nature around," Perrault said.
    "We designed a handrail with a pattern print like a part of the forest. Also we developed some points in the concrete where we printed the scenes of the wood in the 19th century."
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    Perrault's design was chosen from a shortlist of six. The renovation plan was agreed by France Galop -- the country's horse racing governing body -- in 2011, but funding issues and doubts over Longchamp's viability as a year-round race venue have delayed construction until now.
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    Perrault's design was chosen from a shortlist of six. The renovation plan was agreed by France Galop -- the country's horse racing governing body -- in 2011, but funding issues and doubts over Longchamp's viability as a year-round race venue have delayed construction until now.
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    The project has an estimated cost of €130 million ($145m), Perrault says. Building work is set to get underway after this year's "Arc" and is scheduled to be completed in 2017. <br />In 2016, the historic race will be held at Chantilly, 50 kilometers north of Paris.
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    The project has an estimated cost of €130 million ($145m), Perrault says. Building work is set to get underway after this year's "Arc" and is scheduled to be completed in 2017.
    In 2016, the historic race will be held at Chantilly, 50 kilometers north of Paris.
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    Story highlights

    • Longchamp race track undergoes major rebuild
    • Paris track home to Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
    • Bold design created by Dominique Perrault

    (CNN)It hosts one of the most glamorous days on the sporting calendar, but Paris' Longchamp racecourse has long been in need of a makeover.

    Next month, following the conclusion of Sunday's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, work will start on a project that owner France Galop hopes will transform the appearance of the historic horse racing venue and secure its financial future.
      Architect Dominique Perrault's futuristic new stand design incorporates "transparent shelves," replacing two rather tired main grandstands.
      Erected in the early 1960s, the stands have always felt slightly at odds with their surroundings in the Bois de Boulogne, an 850-hectare public park on the French capital's western fringes.
      The new building and overall redesign is costing €130 million ($145 million) and will feel less alien in the setting, Perrault insists.
      Read More
      Birdsville: The most famous one-horse town in the world
      Photos: Outback town turns into party capital
      Sunrise over Birdsville and a jockey takes an early morning ride in preparation for the town's big race. The <a href="http://www.birdsvilleraces.com" target="_blank">Birdsville Races</a> were first held in 1882, run between a handful of work horses and watched by a few locals. Today, the event attracts thousands of spectators for the two-day event.
      Photos: Outback town turns into party capital
      ORANGE COUNTY – Sunrise over Birdsville and a jockey takes an early morning ride in preparation for the town's big race. The Birdsville Races were first held in 1882, run between a handful of work horses and watched by a few locals. Today, the event attracts thousands of spectators for the two-day event.
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      Horse owners and trainers from across Australia make the annual pilgrimage to the event described as the Melbourne Cup of the Outback.<br /><br />Located close to border of Queenland and South Australia, Birdsville is 1,500 kilometers (930 miles) due west of Brisbane. Chapman's car journey from Melbourne lasted a marathon 26 hours.<br /><br />"Driving into the town after being on the track for a day is surreal," she explains. "You wonder where all these people came from after only seeing relatively few cars on the track." <br />
      Photos: Outback town turns into party capital
      HORSEPOWER – Horse owners and trainers from across Australia make the annual pilgrimage to the event described as the Melbourne Cup of the Outback.

      Located close to border of Queenland and South Australia, Birdsville is 1,500 kilometers (930 miles) due west of Brisbane. Chapman's car journey from Melbourne lasted a marathon 26 hours.

      "Driving into the town after being on the track for a day is surreal," she explains. "You wonder where all these people came from after only seeing relatively few cars on the track."
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      Black Caviar trainer, Peter Moody was in attendance this year, bringing four horses to race -- but none in the Birdsville Cup. "Birdsville Races is one of the most iconic race meetings of the world, not just Australia," he said.
      Photos: Outback town turns into party capital
      FAMOUS PATRONS – Black Caviar trainer, Peter Moody was in attendance this year, bringing four horses to race -- but none in the Birdsville Cup. "Birdsville Races is one of the most iconic race meetings of the world, not just Australia," he said.
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      The local airstrip, which lies largely empty for most of the year becomes an arrivals lounge and impromtu campsite rolled into one. <br /><br />"People fly by light plane," explains Jo McKinnon from the Birdsville Race Club. "The airstrip is right alongside the pub. Some people even camp under the wings of their plane or sleep in them."
      Photos: Outback town turns into party capital
      FLYING VISIT – The local airstrip, which lies largely empty for most of the year becomes an arrivals lounge and impromtu campsite rolled into one.

      "People fly by light plane," explains Jo McKinnon from the Birdsville Race Club. "The airstrip is right alongside the pub. Some people even camp under the wings of their plane or sleep in them."
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      The Birdsville Hotel, which is also the only pub in the town, is the place where locals and racegoers flock to during the weekend. The drinking hole is a popular stop-off point for backpackers from all over the world and probably the most famous Outback bar in Australia. Around 80,000 cans of beer are consumed during the weekend.
      Photos: Outback town turns into party capital
      WATERING HOLE – The Birdsville Hotel, which is also the only pub in the town, is the place where locals and racegoers flock to during the weekend. The drinking hole is a popular stop-off point for backpackers from all over the world and probably the most famous Outback bar in Australia. Around 80,000 cans of beer are consumed during the weekend.
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      Birdville Bakery owned by Dusty Miller (pictured) and their savory pies are also a must for all visitors. Many opt for curried beef, but some tourists are brave enough to sample the famous curried camel pie. Miller estimates he sells around 10,000 pies during race weekend.
      Photos: Outback town turns into party capital
      EYES ON THE PIES – Birdville Bakery owned by Dusty Miller (pictured) and their savory pies are also a must for all visitors. Many opt for curried beef, but some tourists are brave enough to sample the famous curried camel pie. Miller estimates he sells around 10,000 pies during race weekend.
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      "No trip to Birdsville is complete without a visit to the Birdsville Pub and Fred Brophy's Boxing Tent, the last of its kind in the world, where visitors have the chance to challenge Fred's Boxing Troupe," Chapman says.
      Photos: Outback town turns into party capital
      BOXING CLEVER – "No trip to Birdsville is complete without a visit to the Birdsville Pub and Fred Brophy's Boxing Tent, the last of its kind in the world, where visitors have the chance to challenge Fred's Boxing Troupe," Chapman says.
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      Fights are open to all with Brophy offering a prize purse of AUS$30 a minute if a challenger defeats one of his fighters.
      Photos: Outback town turns into party capital
      PUNCH DRUNK – Fights are open to all with Brophy offering a prize purse of AUS$30 a minute if a challenger defeats one of his fighters.
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      Ladies pose for a photo beside the Birdsville racetrack -- a welcome splash of color amid a sea of scrub and dirt.
      Photos: Outback town turns into party capital
      HATS OFF – Ladies pose for a photo beside the Birdsville racetrack -- a welcome splash of color amid a sea of scrub and dirt.
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      It's not something you'd see at Royal Enclosure at Ascot but Birdsville is a place where Elvis impersonators and men in black trilby hats can really let their hair down.
      Photos: Outback town turns into party capital
      24-HOUR PARTY PEOPLE – It's not something you'd see at Royal Enclosure at Ascot but Birdsville is a place where Elvis impersonators and men in black trilby hats can really let their hair down.
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      A jockey poses with a young fan before a race.
      Photos: Outback town turns into party capital
      BACKING A WINNER – A jockey poses with a young fan before a race.
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      Horses and jockeys parade for the punters ahead of Saturday's big race.
      Photos: Outback town turns into party capital
      BEFORE THE DUST SETTLES – Horses and jockeys parade for the punters ahead of Saturday's big race.
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      And they're off! The 12-strong field of the 2015 Birdsville Cup get underway in the one-mile race around the dirt track -- the highlight of the 13-race meet which boasts a AUS$200,000 ($140,000) prize pot.
      Photos: Outback town turns into party capital
      PLACE YOUR BETS – And they're off! The 12-strong field of the 2015 Birdsville Cup get underway in the one-mile race around the dirt track -- the highlight of the 13-race meet which boasts a AUS$200,000 ($140,000) prize pot.
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      Chapman fixed one of her camera's to the starting gate to capture this image using a fish-eye lens.
      Photos: Outback town turns into party capital
      BIRD'S-EYE VIEW – Chapman fixed one of her camera's to the starting gate to capture this image using a fish-eye lens.
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      Chapman took to the skies in a helicopter to capture this shot of the races. Every year, the event raises money for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, donating AUS$40,000 ($28,000) in 2014.
      Photos: Outback town turns into party capital
      FLYING DOCTORS – Chapman took to the skies in a helicopter to capture this shot of the races. Every year, the event raises money for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, donating AUS$40,000 ($28,000) in 2014.
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      Iron Meteorite ridden by James Geppert (left) wins the 2015 Birdsville Cup.
      Photos: Outback town turns into party capital
      RIDING HIGH – Iron Meteorite ridden by James Geppert (left) wins the 2015 Birdsville Cup.
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      Iron Meteorite trainer Jay Morris proudly shows off the Birdsville Cup following the award ceremony. <br /><br />Sharon Chapman will be presenting an exhibition of her Birdsville photos alongside equine artist, Janet Hammill in 2016. You can view more of her work at <a href="http://www.fasttrackphotography.com.au" target="_blank">http://www.fasttrackphotography.com.au</a> and follow her on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/FastTrackPhotog" target="_blank">@FastTrackPhotog</a>
      Photos: Outback town turns into party capital
      WINNERS ENCLOSURE – Iron Meteorite trainer Jay Morris proudly shows off the Birdsville Cup following the award ceremony.

      Sharon Chapman will be presenting an exhibition of her Birdsville photos alongside equine artist, Janet Hammill in 2016. You can view more of her work at http://www.fasttrackphotography.com.au and follow her on Twitter @FastTrackPhotog
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      "Everybody is happy with the project because it has got more green space," Perrault told CNN.
      "For me, I like the relationship between the architecture and nature -- it's very smooth, very delicate and poetic also."
      A series of concrete plateaus will house restaurants, bars and terraced hospitality spaces with panoramic views.
      "You can see in all directions," the Paris-based architect explains.
      "The trackside looks out to the east onto Paris, the Eiffel Tower. To the west, you have the Seine river and a park. The idea is you walk on a different plateau and the view on either side is uninterrupted like a fluid promenade."
      Service buildings currently scattered around the site will also be demolished and rebuilt as pavilions, while the racecourse's historic structures will be renovated.
      The passion of the Palio
      Photos: A horse race like no other
      The Palio di Siena is a horse race like no other on earth. The mad, sometimes brutal dash around the Tuscan city's Piazza del Campo has been contested since medieval times. <br /><br />The biannual event, which takes place on July 2 and August 16, sees Siena's neighboring districts battle it out for supremacy and bragging rights. The race lasts barely 90 seconds with 10 jockeys riding bareback three times around the piazza in front of a baying crowd. Unlike traditional racing, horses that unseat their riders can still win.<br /><br />As Siena gears up for this year's second race on Sunday, British photographer <a href="http://www.gregfunnell.com/#!/index" target="_blank">Greg Funnell</a> explains what it's like to be in the thick of the action at this extraordinary spectacle.
      Photos: A horse race like no other
      The Palio di Siena is a horse race like no other on earth. The mad, sometimes brutal dash around the Tuscan city's Piazza del Campo has been contested since medieval times.

      The biannual event, which takes place on July 2 and August 16, sees Siena's neighboring districts battle it out for supremacy and bragging rights. The race lasts barely 90 seconds with 10 jockeys riding bareback three times around the piazza in front of a baying crowd. Unlike traditional racing, horses that unseat their riders can still win.

      As Siena gears up for this year's second race on Sunday, British photographer Greg Funnell explains what it's like to be in the thick of the action at this extraordinary spectacle.
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      "Covering any large sporting and cultural event like the Palio is an exciting opportunity," Funnell told CNN.<br /><br />"The spectacle provides ample opportunities to grab a wide range of images conveying the event and surrounding atmosphere. Races have a defined timeline which means building a narrative is quite straightforward but often involves shooting ahead of the race as well as after."<br />
      Photos: A horse race like no other
      "Covering any large sporting and cultural event like the Palio is an exciting opportunity," Funnell told CNN.

      "The spectacle provides ample opportunities to grab a wide range of images conveying the event and surrounding atmosphere. Races have a defined timeline which means building a narrative is quite straightforward but often involves shooting ahead of the race as well as after."
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      "The Palio is a hugely colorful event but I've always enjoyed shooting in black and white -- for me the Palio feels quite timeless, and the absence of color helped maintain that feeling," says Funnell, who attended the event in 2014.<br /><br />"The race itself takes places after hours of parades and build up ... the importance of the race to the cultural identity of the Sienese cannot be taken lightly and is something very difficult for an outsider to fully grasp."