Many of the old quarries used to extract various natural stones such as marble, travertine, granite, andesite and basalt can become idle over time. The re-functioning of quarries, which are carriers of local heritage, is very popular today. These spaces with different colors, textures and spatial characteristics become a playground that supports the creativity of architects and designers in the design process. The repurposing of old quarries is not only important for environmental sustainability but also for the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage. In this issue, we have compiled unique examples of reused quarries that carry the heritage of stonemasonry into the future, where history and nature come together with a sustainable approach.
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Stone Nest Amphitheater
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The Stone Nest Amphitheater, which used to be a small quarry, was brought back to life with an original design by 3andwich Design and He Wei Studio. After the quarries opened in many parts of Weihai in the 1990s with the rapid urbanization of China were closed down for environmental reasons, the design team was fascinated at first sight. The unique curved structure, formed by years of erosion, bears the traces of the old quarry.
The project was shaped around the question “how can we transform the existing quarry into a public space”. Inspired by ancient Greek amphitheaters, the Piazza del Campo in Siena and the Mausoleum of Dr. Sun Yat-sen in Nanking, the architects wanted to combine the original structure of the old stone source with the various features of ancient amphitheaters.
Shaped by the principles of environmental sustainability, the Stone Nest Amphitheater has become a structure where history and nature meet in harmony. The natural form of the old quarry becomes both the background of the theater stage and the center of the performance. This open-air theater has hosted various events by filling the lack of public space in the region and has been appreciated by the people of the region. The Stone Nest Amphitheater is an impressive example of a sustainable approach that revitalizes cultural heritage and preserves the beauty of nature.
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Architectural Design: 3andwich Design & He Wei Studio
Building Date: 2019
Location: China
Photographs: Weiqi Jin
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Nashan Geological Museum
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The Nashan Geological Museum by Xiamen Urban Environment Design & Engineering is located on Nashan Mountain, which is known for its unusual geological features and is home to rich rocky deposits such as basalt, sandstone, sedimentary rock, breccia marble, peridotite, diabase, volcanic stone and volcanic ash. The Nashan Geological Museum was born out of the local government’s desire to preserve the unique natural heritage and raise environmental awareness at the same time. This initiative, which started about ten years ago, combines the goals of making the area a tourist attraction and preserving the ecological balance.
The museum showcases the geological riches of Mount Nashan, inspired by the form of the shield-shaped volcano. The exterior of the building, clad in local stone, blends perfectly with the surroundings. Spiral arrangements in the form of the museum offer visitors a unique opportunity to understand geological processes.
The rooftop outside the museum is used as an observation deck where visitors can enjoy spectacular views. The natural history of the region is emphasized through the natural materials used in the building. With its sculptural and functional structure, Nashan Geological Museum offers visitors the opportunity to explore natural beauty. The museum aims to be an impressive architectural experience center that exhibits the perfect combination of nature and science.
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Architectural Design:Xiamen Urban Environment Design & Engineering
Building Date: 2021
Location: China
Photographs:Yingchun Feng, Zehua Zhou
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Cave Arcari
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Arcari, a quarry for the Pietra di Vicenza stone until its use as a quarry was discontinued, is a long-term professional collaboration between David Chipperfield Architects and Laboratorio Morseletto, well outside any traditional cultural center or even typology. Located at the bottom of a hill near Vicenza, the 60-year-old quarry is a place where nature and architecture mimic each other, where space, material and structure can be experienced as a whole. The Morseletto family, who had previously used the cave frequently for personal events, decided to develop a more permanent solution. Since the tectonic nature of the quarry is very strong, very little intervention was made to the structure. The Arcari Cave reintroduced Vicenza stone into the space with a platform, steps and ramp reminiscent of Adolphe Appia’s stage sets. The platforms are transformed into seating areas that refer to the stepped tiers in ancient Roman theaters. Vicenza stone was the only material used in the project. By quarrying the stone and reusing it in the design, the construction phase continued the quarry tradition. The lighting of the space and stage, designed by Viabizzuno, enriches the atmosphere and adds to the visual impact by illuminating the surrounding water-filled rooms from below. Arcari Cave has managed to create a multifunctional space that preserves and emphasizes the unique qualities of the place.
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Architectural Design: David Chipperfield Architects
Building Date: 2018
Location: ItalyPhotographs: Edmund Sumner
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Pedra Da Ra Lookout
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Designed by Carlos Seoane in Spain, the Pedra Da Ra Lookout is based on a municipal program of the Riveira city council aimed at promoting tourist opportunities. Formerly a natural quarry, the viewpoint has been in use since the 1980s as a hilltop from which a staircase provides a view of the Atlantic Ocean to the horizon. However, as the stairs deteriorated over time and lost their function, it became necessary to renovate them. Carlos Seoane restored the concrete stairs to the natural form of the land. In the meantime, new rocks emerged, prompting a rethinking of the project. Seoane proposed to transform Pedra Da Ra, named after this rock formation, into a unique natural area, taking into account the archaeological texture and landscape value of the Celtic settlement of Cida Castro. As a result of the search for belonging to the place, the materials used in the project were selected from the Confurco quarry, which is still active 10 km away from the hill.
In addition, the reuse of stone tiles called “pedras vellas” and recycled cobblestones from the remains of stone quarried from the area are used to pave low-cost and low-maintenance paths. Pedra da Ra has a spatial layout with various paths and moving forms that do not focus on a single central point, making it possible to look at nature from different points and allowing visitors to rediscover the stone texture that gives a sense of belonging to the place.
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Architectural Design: Carlos Seoane
Building Date: 2016
Location: Spain
Photographs: Ana Amado
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Quarry No.9
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Since 2022, DnA_Design and Architecture has been transforming abandoned quarries in China into public facilities to revitalize the region. Rare in the architectural world and offering an extraordinary aesthetic, Quarry No.9 welcomes visitors with an intriguing interior where rocks are skillfully carved and daylight filters through a thin passage. The lower part of the building with its narrow entrance was shaped by machines, while the upper part was created by hand. These two contrasting yet dominant construction methods reveal the architectural expression and design language of the space. Quarry No.9 has acoustics that are incidental to most quarries, so after technical improvements and acoustic optimization, it was transformed into a platform for lectures, performances and even traditional Wuju operas. A flat stone stage and recessed seating area were added to the pedestal of No.9. On rainy days, the water that begins to accumulate inside the building creates a mirror effect and offers a visual feast within the structure. The sound of dripping water complements the acoustic richness of the space. Aiming to offer its visitors a multifaceted experience both visually and acoustically, Quarry No.9 offers a unique discovery for visitors in terms of architectural design.
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Architectural Design: DnA
Building Date: 2022
Location: China
Photographs: Ziling Wang, Xiandu Scenic Area
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Quarry No.8
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A few meters away from the DnA-designed Quarry No. 9 is the entrance to Quarry No. 8, which is divided into several interior platforms and houses reading and working spaces. The quarry reaches a height of about 40 meters as it moves further into the interior of the mountain. Quarry No. 8 was formed by hand quarrying stones from top to bottom. The stone terraces lining the interior offer visitors both an architectural and intellectual experience. The space has been transformed into an open library, taking care to preserve the existing stone platforms. New concrete steps and seating areas made of steel and pressed bamboo are adapted to the quarry. This carefully designed structure of the interior space offers visitors private spaces for access to knowledge and creativity. Bookshelves and workspaces with a common language become an integral part of the mountain of knowledge.
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Architectural Design: DnA
Building Date: 2022
Location: China
Photographs: Ziling Wang, Xiandu Scenic Area
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Quarry No.10
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Quarry No.10, the third revitalization project designed by DnA, has been transformed into a stepped seating area with wooden details so that visitors can observe all the processes of stone. Quarry No.10, located to the west of the access road used by all quarries, is located in a forested area. The ramp on the access road turns into a viewing platform about 3 meters high. Regular live performances by local stonemasons showcase the now vanishing artifacts that have shaped the area for so long. A circular spectator stand extends into the quarry, offering visitors a place to watch the performances from the grandstand and enjoy the view from the upper platforms. The tribune, built with local stone, is divided into platforms by a central staircase. Created by quarrying stone blocks, the structure has a form that extends towards the sky and is bathed in sunlight in the early afternoon. All of these projects, which reconnect the local community with its millennia-old history and heritage, are drawing attention to the reuse of quarries.
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Architectural Design: DnA
Building Date: 2022
Location: China
Photographs: Ziling Wang, Xiandu Scenic Area
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Roman Quarry
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One of the oldest in Europe, the St. Margarethen Quarry in Burgenland, Austria, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2001. The sandstone quarried from the quarry was used in the construction of St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna, as well as many other landmark buildings of the time. Today, the quarry has been transformed by AllesWirdGut Architektur and hosts operas, festivals, classical music concerts and theater plays. The performance center, built in the center of the local and natural quarry, offers visitors an impressive atmosphere under the sky, away from the noise of the city, and takes the events to the next level. The location of this quarry, which is unique in Austria, and the fascination of the stone source surrounding it reinforce the spatial effect.The path that visitors take from the parking lot to the auditorium seats is functionally well designed and prepares the audience to be part of the mesmerizing experience. The basic idea of the design was to extend the ambience of the spectacular rock landscape throughout the theater arena, making it a tangible and palpable experience on many different scales. This design idea has resulted in an art center that conveys the majesty of the quarry to the visitor, and that transcends the usual balance between architecture and nature. The architectural form resembles an actively used quarry, creating a unique ambience with its unique location in Austria.
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Architectural Design: AllesWirdGut Achitektur
Building Date: 2008
Location: Austria
Photographs: Hertha Hurnaus
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Simay Sevimbige / Editor & M.Sc. Interior Architect