Inside the Pixelated, Retro Cinema of a Reimagined Racecourse Venue
Joyce Wang Studio’s Genso reimagines the Hong Kong racecourse as a cinematic cityscape of floating neon islands and retro-futuristic streetscapes, immersing a new generation in spirited play
At the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Sha Tin Racecourse, a building once defined by its utilitarian function — an architectural extrusion designed to maximise views of the track — has been reimagined into a cinematic experience. Designed by Joyce Wang Studio, Genso represents a stark departure from the traditions of racecourse hospitality, where guests were tethered to fixed tables and buffets. Instead, the studio has carved out two main floors and two mezzanines into a vertical landscape that favours exploration over static observation, targeting a demographic less interested in traditional betting and more compelled by social connectivity.
The design narrative borrows heavily from the graphic immediacy of manga and the atmospheres of film. Wang describes the resulting environment as a ‘night cityscape’, with ‘different layers and levels to navigate through’. This verticality is negotiated via a series of floating islands — enlarged, neon-clad platforms that function less as utilitarian transit and more as theatrical vantage points. These suspended elements allow guests to witness the shuttle-like movement of the venue from above, evoking a sci-fi dynamism reminiscent of The Fifth Element or Hayao Miyazaki’s airborne castles.
On the lower levels, the energy is democratic and vibrant, mirroring the bustle of a street market. Here, the design emphasises distinct streetscapes, where visitors might cross a visual threshold to discover a curry shop or a burger joint, each zone articulated with unique custom tiling and signage that seemingly pixelates the environment. ‘It's like you've just crossed the road, you're looking down an alley and you see the identity of a completely different streetscape,’ Wang explains. The aesthetic here is ‘digitised but retro’, a deliberate clash of nostalgic arcade culture — complete with equestrian-themed claw machines — and modern graphic identity developed in collaboration with Singapore branding firm Foreign Policy.
As guests ascend, the atmosphere shifts from the communal pulse of the food hall to a more secluded maturity. The upper level houses an izakaya, conceived for ‘a slightly more traditional way of dining’. In contrast to the pop-graphic sensibilities below, this area employs high-end materials, golden hues and traditional patterns embroidered into upholstery, offering a quieter, more intimate engagement. This flexibility was central to the studio’s challenge, as the venue needed to accommodate everything from simulation rooms to educational workshops.
Beyond its aesthetic layering, the project’s key challenge was balancing high-traffic utility with an immersive sense of place. The result is a venue that successfully circumvents the singular focus of its past, offering instead a fluid environment where guests might linger for an entire afternoon. Wang and her team have reimagined what a racecourse space could be, ultimately creating a venue that serves as a celebration of community and play for a new era of spectators.
Text by Katherine Ring
Images by Common Studio
