Moxon is an architect company which combines excellent designs, technical talent and flawless delivery. The company was founded in 2004, since then they have gained some major clients, including leading cultural institutions and national rail providers such as Transport London, Hauser & Wirth, Argent King Cross, Lend Lease and HS2 Ltd. Moxon prides itself on having a diverse workforce and exceeding the needs and expectations of their clients, while maintaining sustainability and charisma. Moxon Architects has its own office and café in the Cairngorms National Park, Quarry Studios.
Moxon won the Scottish Design Awards for Architecture Practice of the Year in 2019 and 2021, as well as the UK-wide Infrastructure Practice of the Year in 2019 and 2021. The building uses a simple steel frame, sourced from local agricultural fabricators, which can withstand significant amounts of snow and Deeside's extreme winter weather. The building also features a limited range of finishes, primarily a black aluminium roof, which complements the surrounding environment. The architects decided to create a design that would have minimal impact, both environmentally and visually. They achieved this to a large extent, the building fits into the existing contours of the quarry, from the roadside the building could easily be missed from the main Deeside road.
As the name suggests, the building is situated in a low-lying area within a former quarry. The building is surrounded by dense woodland which is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) on the edge of Crathie. The site was originally intended to be sold for housing and had been used by the Council as a depot in the past, so the removal of tar and debris was a priority. The SSSI woodland surrounding Quarry Studios was extended into the quarry, 50-60 new trees were planted and a pond was created, creating a rich ecosystem around the building and car park. The building uses a simple steel frame sourced from local agricultural fabricators.
The café has become a successful tourist attraction and the building has an interesting design. The building represents the private and public aspects of the practice, encouraging collaboration and concentration in response to the growth of the practice over the years. The café offers an appealing menu of coffee specialities, venison salami and kimchi. The addition of the café has provided an invitation to the public and employment opportunities for the café staff.