Aberdeen quarry opens up a rich seam of housing
March 16 2018
Circling the southern flank of the flooded excavation will be a continuous tiered block of accommodation stepping between three ten storey ‘hills’ inspired by the peaks of Glen Coe with an opening at their base.
The brownfield site was previously in use as part of quarrying activity but has been sealed off amidst concerns as to the stability of the quarry cliff, resulting in all new developments in the area turning their backs to the inadvertent water feature.
To remedy this IBI plan to open up public access to the quarry perimeter with a promenade along the quarry lip, with a modular build stacked behind in a conscious evocation of the piles of granite blocks which would once have been stockpiled there and extending the cliff-face skyward.
A materials palette of masonry-based off-white cladding panels will be used, with granite reserved for the ground floor, with the modular build employing off-site fabrication techniques to speed construction.
This will enable an alternating façade to be created, as detailed by IBI: “A basic chequerboard pattern of ‘In’ and ‘Out’ modules is created, where every ‘Out’ module is flanked by an ‘In’ module and vice-versa. This pattern is comprised of three basic modules. ‘Living In’, ‘Living Out’ and ‘In’. ‘Bedroom In’ and ‘Living In’ are the same.
“'Out' modules are comprised of vision glass and solid panel, whereas both 'In' panels are comprised of three large vision glass panels.”
To further encourage footfall a heritage bistro will be located along the water’s edge providing an opportunity to linger, offering a combination of refreshment s and a permanent exhibition of life in the former quarry.
A public promenade will snake around the quarry lip
IBI are keen to establish Rubislaw Quarry as a destination in its own right
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7 Comments
#1 Posted by rod on 16 Mar 2018 at 11:27 AM
wow...... i like it
#2 Posted by Graham on 16 Mar 2018 at 13:01 PM
Wow, agreed. Looks amazing. Not often I say that about new developments.
#3 Posted by TepidMouse on 16 Mar 2018 at 13:44 PM
I have to say, it looks awful. Monolithic, our if context and is reflective of some of the inner London 60’s estates which are being pulled down.
#4 Posted by MoFloDodo on 16 Mar 2018 at 13:59 PM
This reminds me of the park hill estate in Sheffield.
#5 Posted by Bjarke McIngels on 16 Mar 2018 at 14:18 PM
Wow!.........Nope. The reference to Glen Coe has killed for a start..WTF are they on about, what has a this got to do with a housing development, entered via a business park in the west end of Aberdeen?
Is this actually a finished design? if so, why are the floors wafer thin and the pend soffits look so unresolved and pockled together?
While the first image is initially enticing, the other views reveal a disappointing lack of skill.
Is this actually a finished design? if so, why are the floors wafer thin and the pend soffits look so unresolved and pockled together?
While the first image is initially enticing, the other views reveal a disappointing lack of skill.
#6 Posted by pleasantfield on 19 Mar 2018 at 13:15 PM
I too for once quite like it. The gaps at the ground and first floor will make interesting winter wind tunnels. It will be interesting to see if they hold to that part of the design. Anyways it will please the high divers who can do an Acappulco from the top storey into the flooded quarry.
#7 Posted by Terra on 28 Sep 2018 at 11:46 AM
thats braw. hope it gets built.
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