invisible studio elevates its workspace with timber structure

located in a forested area near bath, UK, architecture practice invisible studio has built a timber structure to serve as a workshop and office space. the design team followed the project through construction, and also enrolled neighbors and friends (all paid at an equal rate) to help. the building’s frame is composed of untreated and unseasoned logs, which were sourced from the woodland surrounding the site.

all timber used to build the studio was sourced from nearby the site

image by andy matthews (also main image), all images courtesy of invisible studio

the studio includes a 55 sqm enclosed office space, which is elevated above an outdoor workshop area below. located adjacent to a slope, the upper level is accessed via a wood plank bridge that extends from the higher ground. three of the exterior surfaces are wrapped in horizontally banded wood boards, which visually contrast the black envelope behind. the fourth elevation is enclosed with a polycarbonate panel wall, with windows placed in it to provide clear views to the forested context. the roof has a uniform slope, and is designed to collect water, which feeds into an attenuation pond to serve the site’s ecology.

three of the exterior surfaces are wrapped in horizontally banded wood boards

image by andy matthews

being that none of the workers had previous construction experience, the project was developed to utilize unskilled labor techniques, with minimal drawings. this process allowed for and embraced ad hoc discoveries and in-progress decisions. any mistakes that resulted from the amateur nature of the fabrication team were left unconcealed in the finalized structure.

located adjacent to a slope, the upper level is accessed via a wood plank bridge

image by andy matthews

all of the timber for the structure was sourced from nearby the site, and milled over a period of only two days. the use of very local wood informed the overall project, creating design constraints but also keeping costs down. all construction processes and material choices were based on economic efficiency.

the building volume is elevated above an outdoor workshop area

image by andy matthews

the timber posts pass through the interior studio space

image by piers taylor

a mixture of blurred and clear views are provided of the forest context

image by piers taylor

image by andy matthews

the project was developed to utilize unskilled labor techniques

image by andy matthews

image by andy matthews

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project info:

location: near bath, UK
project cost: £15,000
design and construction team: invisible studio / piers taylor, alan matthews, bernard twist, simon schofield, alfie dring, cuffer matthews, luke desborough
photography: andy matthews, piers taylor