Derby Day Favorites: 10 Stunning Examples of Equestrian Architecture

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For horse-racing fanatics, the Kentucky Derby is the highlight of the year — thousands of punters will be in attendance, hoping for generous helpings of sunshine, mint juleps, and good fortune with their betting slips. It will also be a special day for the horse owners themselves, as their thoroughbreds are put to the test in a bid to claim one of the greatest prizes in the sport.

Meanwhile, behind the scenes, owners will be aiming to get their horses in the best condition possible before the big day, and the design of paddocks, stables and training facilities is integral to their chances of success. Even if they are not primed for racing, horses have long been regarded as noble creatures, worthy of world-class architecture to match.

San Cristobal Stables by Luis Barragán. Photo via Remodelista

The classic example is Luis Barragán’s stunning San Cristobal Stables and paddock near Mexico City. Built in 1966, the Mexican modernist’s striking structure — a rare example of multi-chromatic minimalism — illustrated how contemporary architectural design could provide a truly inspired setting for riding. Almost 50 years on, many firms have followed in Barragán’s footsteps, producing modern masterpieces fit for the finest of thoroughbreds. Here are nine more projects designed with horses in mind: gallop through these, and be sure to click on the links for further information on the Architizer database.

The Stork Nest Farm by SGL Projekt

SGL renovated an old farmstead in Semtin, the Czech Republic, to provide a new hotel, conference hall, restaurant, pool, and bowling facilities. The standout feature of the project, though, is a circular riding arena inspired by the nests of storks, native birds that had inhabited the abandoned farm buildings for the previous 90 years.

Al Shaqab Equestrian Performance Arena by Leigh & Orange Ltd.

This high-tech arena in Doha, Qatar, is designed as a double stadium united by a single roof structure: the expansive canopy, inspired by the architecture of traditional desert tents, swoops over an interior performance space, while cantilevering out to provide shade for grandstands facing an outdoor arena. Between the two enclosures, a glazed trio of pods provides additional seating and hospitality spaces.

Stable House by Vibe Design Group

Vibe were tasked with designing an integrated residence, stables, and garage for their client in Diamond Creek, Australia, and united these three elements under an faceted envelope of corrugated zincalume (a zinc-aluminum alloy developed in New Zealand). The design displays a combination of traditionalist and modern elements, with a metallic skin carved open to reveal panoramic views across the countryside.

Equestrian Centre by Antonio Virga Architecte

Located within the Natural Regional Park of Oise-Pays de France in Gouvieux, Antonio Virga’s contemporary equestrian training facility is takes the form of a barn defined by contrasting façade treatments: the lower half of the structure is wrapped in glazing, providing a visual connection between the internal and external spaces of the center, while the upper half is clad in dark slate.

SRS – Equestrian Stable by Robert G. Sinclair Architecture

This stable was built in Snowmass, Colorado, after the original was lost to severe winter storms in 2008. The building was designed as a highly resilient structure, adopting a traditional aesthetic that makes it appear as if it has been around for a century or more. Vernacular elements, including a substantial timber frame with authentic detailing, possess a beautifully textured patina that celebrates the raw materials used in construction.

Equestrian Center by B+C Architectes

B+C Architectes concieved this center in Bois d’Arcy, France, as a trio of forms that have contrast aesthetics to match their different functions. The covered arena and stables are clad with timber that allows for cross ventilation and natural lighting, and covered with grass embankments that merge them with the surrounding landscape and conceal them from passersby. Meanwhile, the staff quarters are placed within in a cantilevered house clad in bright red steel, forming a “bold architectural signal” that marks the entrance to the site.

Griss Equine Vetinary Practice + Doctor’s Apartment by Marte Marte Architects

Located in the scenic heart of their native Austria, brothers Bernhard and Stefan Marte adopted a sophisticated style of minimalism for the design of this equine treatment clinic. The striking modernist structure is constructed using rough reinforced concrete and untreated wood, lending the building aesthetics more in line with a contemporary art gallery than a rural veterinary practice.

Equestrian Project by cc Arquitectos

A finalist in the 2015 A+Awards, this residence in Mexico holds four suites and a kitchen, all beneath a soaring, cathedral-like roof, a timber-framed structure clad in wooden tiles. Along side the main building, the horse’s stable are half buried within the landscape, topped with green roofs which unite the horse enclosures with the surrounding countryside.

The Thacher School, Mulligan Arts Building and Carver Commons by Barton Phelps and Associates

This ranch-style boarding school complex in rural California was designed specifically for its diverse community, comprising 235 students, 40 staff members… and 140 horses. The buildings evoke traditional barn-style agricultural buildings with a modern twist, housing a variety of spaces for practicing a wide range of artistic disciplines. To the rear of the main building, the whole façade opens up with overhead doors, while the roof extends out to form a covered terrace, allowing students to mount their horses right from the auditorium.