Boldly Balanced – Quarry Box by MCK Architecture and Interiors

In response to the organic shapes and raw surfaces of the nearby quarry, the aptly named Quarry Box is an offering of stillness and solace designed to balance the surrounding context. MCK Architecture and Interiors uses the dynamism of the changing surrounds as inspiration to create an anchored and linear home that quietly engages with the landscape.

Almost retreat-like in the experience that has been created, Quarry Box combines strong lines and extensive open glazing to allow for an ease of passage between inside and out. The combination of the defined built form and the buffering of soft landscape to the outer extents of the site helps temper the location of the nearby quarry. The home becomes a statement, responding through a presence of contrast. The site itself is expressed by the rigidity of the rockface it sits next to, yet the approach is one that celebrates a smooth finish and form. Sitting on what was one a disjointed site, the result is anything but. Instead, MCK Architecture and Interiors has created a home that feels controlled, measured and conceived with a clear vision.

Almost retreat-like in the experience that has been created, Quarry Box combines strong lines and extensive open glazing to allow for an ease of passage between inside and out.

In preparation for the coming years and the changing needs of family life, the openness and embedded functionality into the planning was key. The separation of zones across levels also helps create areas of reprieve while still having larger areas for gathering and entertaining. “Visual integration within the theatre of the natural landscape was a key approach to the conceptual design of Quarry Box,” describes Steve Koolloos, Director of MCK Architecture and Interiors. “The result is bold in form yet with a calm interior serving as a sanctuary shaped largely by the needs of a growing family for whom the site’s natural features will remain a constant backdrop to their ever-changing lives.”

“The connection and separation of spaces is playful,” adds Steve, “where functionality is optimised through features such as the modest double-height void connecting the living room to the bedrooms’ level via a small internal balcony.” The outdoor spaces throughout play a pivotal role in both allowing the home to breathe and encouraging the daily functions to be able to spill out into the landscape. The opportunity to live in such a unique location also calls for an engagement with the surrounds, and the visual openness and clear views help ensure a connection to context remains throughout.

“Visual integration within the theatre of the natural landscape was a key approach to the conceptual design of Quarry Box,” describes Steve Koolloos, Director of MCK Architecture and Interiors.

To be time efficient, prefabrication was used to add another layer of control over the outcome of Quarry Box. The simplicity and refinement of the resolve by MCK Architecture and Interiors also brings another layer of sustainability, readying the home for many years to come.