November 10 2020

Moxon Architects have settled into a purpose-built headquarters for 25 staff within a former quarry in the Cairngorms National Park.

Surrounded by protected woodland Quarry Studios is anchored by twin 'vertical concrete chimneys' which mark the public-facing side of the practice and private office space, each half segregated by a massive timber wall slicing through the low-profile main body.

Employing a hybrid steel and timber frame, sheet metal roof and black timber walls the roof is set in parallel with the excavated quarry lip, falling in step with the quarry sides and ending at a covered collonade toward the heart of the site.

Moxon managing director Ben Addy said: ‘Quarry Studios has seen Moxon Architects commission, design and build a bespoke home for our team in Scotland, offering us unique freedoms combined with the inherent challenges of being client, architect and contractor. The location has afforded us the privilege to showcase our understanding from a client perspective combined with the knowledge and environmental commitments we hold as architects."

This arrangement accords opportunity for interior spaces to be paired with appropriate outdoor areas with offices opening onto a courtyard and clerestory glazing connecting the studio with a roof terrace.

Remediation of spoil and regrading the land has facilitated native planting Interlocking timber walls are formed from Douglas Fir, sourced and worked locally. Green credentials are further burnished by redirecting rainwater to a newly formed bog with natural ventilation and a 250m borehole tapping thermal energy from the granite bedrock.

Generously spaced working areas marry well with current social distancing rules and a public cafe will operate from the site for six days per week.

11 Comments

#1 Posted by Damp Proof Membrane on 10 Nov 2020 at 10:18 AM

What a wonderful project. Good work.

#2 Posted by Bill S on 10 Nov 2020 at 10:21 AM

This looks brilliant, and the idea of a public cafe introducing a further income stream for the office is clever.

#3 Posted by Whispering Andy on 10 Nov 2020 at 11:23 AM

Whisper it......but that is truly magnificent! Think I'll be arranging a wee catch up with my friends at Moxon some time soon.

#4 Posted by WFH on 10 Nov 2020 at 12:29 PM

Looks like a lovely space to work from, but has no one told Ben Addy that wfh is the future?
£1million is a fair spend for any company in the current climate but putting 25 skilled jobs up there will hopefully have a nice impact on the local economy.

#5 Posted by WFTO on 10 Nov 2020 at 14:24 PM

Beautiful project, stunning site, fantastic detailing.
Very well done Moxon!

@ WFH - Not sure how long your projects take to design, gain consent, detail and build, but I suspect this project may hae been conceived before the start of lockdown.

#6 Posted by mick on 10 Nov 2020 at 14:25 PM

It is really refreshing to witness imaginative, responsible architecture within such a context. I have to pinch myself that this is in Grampian not Scandinavia. Well done Moxon.

#7 Posted by MV on 10 Nov 2020 at 17:35 PM

Fantastic.

#8 Posted by Wizard of William on 10 Nov 2020 at 18:37 PM

Looks good, those photos are so processed it is hard to tell if they are real or CGI.

#9 Posted by CG on 11 Nov 2020 at 09:05 AM

Fantastic.

#10 Posted by Peter on 11 Nov 2020 at 11:32 AM

Well done! Now show us some good architecture, starting in Glasgow immediately.

#11 Posted by Jane Park on 12 Nov 2020 at 17:25 PM

Those pictures look like they could have been taken in Japan.

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