A horsey story

The horse has always been present in the day-to-day life. It is part of the human history and also an important part of the society development, at the very beginning in the work process and in battle, then as a loyal partner in sports and therapy. The existence of this symbiosis, from which humans have gained the most, spans a period of almost six millennia. The value of this animal was much more known and appreciated in the past, when people lived near horses using their character and strength: they used them in war as “war machines” or as a mean of transport, for traction, or for plowing the land - by attaching a plow. This animal is so familiar to us, humans, that when we look at it, we forget the days when kings and queens rode horses, or the days when they filled the royal parades and elegant streets of pre-modern cities.

From military-noble to entertainment-populist, these values of the horse have played out throughout equestrian history, despite revolutions, wars and industrialization, in various environments with ascending or descending influence, but essentially unchanged, from the desire to show the skill of both the horse and the rider. The chosen theme within the diploma project refers to the revitalization of the Rădăuți Stud Farm and its hippodrome, by improving the existing equestrian center.

The place I chose is located in the northeast of Romania - a small town surrounded by mountains and forests. Currently, the stud farm deals with breeding and training horses, as well as the organization or participation of the club in various competitions, but, due to the lack of necessary spaces, these activities have become increasingly rare. Although they work together, the stud farm (or the horse shelter), and the racing place are separated by a poorly circulated street. The racing area is surrounded by tall fir trees, like a vegetal enclosure which bites from the density of the build tissue, letting the city breath. On one side of the racetrack, there is an old-white tribune, small in size compared to the representation field. It is opened towards an area specially designed for ‘the jumping over fences’. Under the grandstand there are some horse boxes, currently unused.