Forest School Camps
The Big Roof, completed in 2024 by Invisible Studio and Mole Architects, is a 745m² single-storey building located in the Cambridgeshire Fens. Designed for Forest School Camps (FSC), a volunteer-run charity providing educational camps for children, the structure replaces three dilapidated agricultural buildings, offering a centralized hub for storage, training, and community.
The design prioritizes sustainability and low embodied energy. The building's timber frame supports 15-meter-span trusses, eliminating the need for steel portal frames and reducing carbon footprint. Clad in black corrugated fiber cement, the exterior is both durable and cost-effective. Interior spaces feature plywood linings, concrete screed floors, and sheet linoleum, creating robust environments that are easy to maintain.
At the heart of the building is a 7-meter-high central bay known as 'the lantern,' designed for drying and repairing tents. Surrounding this are flexible spaces, including a kitchen, dining area, and workspaces for volunteers. The building's orientation and design promote natural light and ventilation, enhancing the working environment.
The Big Roof has been instrumental in enhancing FSC's operations, providing approximately 400m² of storage for camping equipment and facilitating the charity's educational programs. The project exemplifies how thoughtful design can create functional, low-energy buildings that serve both environmental and community needs.