November 30 2022

Quarry Studios by Moxon Architects has been crowned as the winner of the RIAS Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland Awards 2022.

The forest retreat serves as the head office for the Aberdeenshire practice, combining office space and a community cafe deep within the Cairngorms National Park.

Employing local timber in deference to its setting the low-energy design snuggles within the lip of a former quarry with a minimum carbon footprint, modern construction techniques and a fostering of biodiversity serving as lynchpins of the design.

Architect Amin Taha, chair of this year's jury, wrote: "... Quarry Studios demonstrates exceptionally careful thought in creating a high quality and tactile building that is full of detail, while also delivering broader social outcomes. Moxon Architects have designed a building that is highly sustainable – not only in terms of its carbon footprint and support for local biodiversity, but also in how it acts as a catalyst for supporting local businesses and its community.”

Moxon saw off competition from Forth Valley College – Falkirk Campus by Reiach and Hall Architects; High Sunderland, Galashiels by Loader Monteith; Jedburgh Grammar Campus, Jedburgh by Stallan-Brand Architecture; and Lockerbie Sawmill by Konishi Gaffney to secure the award.

Photography by Tim Soar

5 Comments

#1 Posted by James Hepburn on 30 Nov 2022 at 11:57 AM

Was this the only entry? Seems to sum up Scottish architecture. Poor.

#2 Posted by eh on 30 Nov 2022 at 15:51 PM

What exactly is poor about it? Looks like a pretty nice building to me...

#3 Posted by Jonathan on 1 Dec 2022 at 10:40 AM

Beautiful building and well deserved award! Nice to see the winner not always going for the biggest budget projects, and the high standard of entries once again showcasing great Scottish Architecture.

James shame you seem to feel the need to insult a whole nation of people involved in Scottish Architecture (are you friends with Giles Coren? he recently wrote an article to insult all UK Architects). Hope you have a lovely Christmas full of cheer.

#4 Posted by MV on 1 Dec 2022 at 12:53 PM

I think it's a very worthy winner!

#5 Posted by Randy Hall on 2 Dec 2022 at 09:47 AM

This is quite special. Well done to all at Moxon.

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