Orford Ness: former RFC Officers' Mess and AWRE canteen building

The former Officers' Mess at Orford Ness was built by the Royal Flying Corps around 1915 and was used by Watson-Watt for early radar experiments.

The building is made from pre-cast concrete blocks and features a felted and pitched timber roof. An extension to the west, known as the AWRE extension, is constructed from red brick. The overall plan of the structure is 'T' shaped.

Externally, the former Officers' Mess is a four-bay building with a gable roof. It has four timber casement windows on the north and south elevations, although some of these are early 21st century replica timber windows. The main entrance is located on the east elevation. On the south elevation, there is a truncated brick chimney stack, likely for a stove or fireplace. Attached to the west end is a single-storey, flat-roofed extension from the 1950s, which includes casement windows and a door on the west elevation.

Inside, there are few remaining fixtures and fittings. The exposed Belfast roof trusses from the 1915 phase have been partially reconstructed.

Additionally, there are several concrete footings and mast bases related to radar experimentation from the mid-1930s, consisting of two groups of four for transmitters to the north and south of the building, and one large base for a receiver to the west.