An ecological, re-purposed and innovative restoration of a 20 acre gravel quarry is the type of project that one dreams about in design school. At Studio 2112 we are incredibly fortunate to be partnering with HGA, Cell Signaling Technologies, Hancock Associates Engineers and Columbia Construction to transform this former quarry site in Manchester-by-the-Sea to the new headquarters for the Cell Signaling Technologies operations. Sited at the edge of Rt 128 and adjacent to the Manchester Athletic Club, the restored campus landscape will provide dynamic ecology encompassing grassland habitats, meadows, successional forest, and rain gardens along with walking paths and public access to the Trustee’s Monoliths trailhead.

The main quarry escarpment is preserved as the core of the design and serves as a focal point between the building wings. The vertex between the buildings is anchored by an upper courtyard that has open views to the northern conservation areas.

Building and site materials take their cue from the quarry stone and surrounding woodlands. Stone walls, paving and salvaged boulders from the quarry are incorporated into the design. A network of pedestrian walkways encourage movement and exploration of the various landscapes characters connecting people with the present and history of the site. Irrigation is provided by a cistern recovering rain and roof water, building condensate and reverse osmosis reject. The project is designed for resilience as a net-zero campus embedded in an ethos of health, wellbeing and stewardship.

This project is currently in the site enabling phase.