Emporium House

Perfectly located for work, weekends and everything in between, Emporium House sits in the heart of Reading. This dynamic town offers a growing business scene, riverside walks, independent cafés and a strong cultural mix that continues to attract professionals and creatives alike.

AWW were appointed on both Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the development, with the Interior Design team brought in during Phase 2 to specify all base finishes, design the resident amenity spaces and select finishes for the apartments. The result is a cohesive interior language that supports contemporary Build to Rent living while complementing the wider architectural vision for the scheme.

The ambition for Emporium House was to create buzzy, exciting and genuinely usable spaces where residents can socialise, work, entertain and unwind. Working closely with the client and operator team, we explored how residents would realistically use the building day to day, ensuring each space responded to evolving lifestyles and patterns of living.

With the continued rise of remote and hybrid working, co-working and work-from-home amenity spaces quickly emerged as a priority, allowing residents to step out of their apartments while remaining comfortably within the building. As Phase 1 already provided facilities such as a gym, our focus was on delivering complementary amenity spaces rather than duplicating what already existed.

The spaces designed by AWW include an entrance lounge, games room, media room, work lounge, event and flexible space, and a garden room. A warm, complementary colour palette was developed to ensure the interiors felt inviting and domestic rather than stark, allowing the amenity spaces to feel like an extension of residents’ homes. This palette was carefully aligned with the operator and building brand to create a cohesive identity throughout.

A strong connection to the central courtyard was also key. Spaces such as the games room and garden room were designed to encourage indoor–outdoor living, supporting wellbeing, movement and informal social interaction.

The interior design at Emporium House was driven by the creation of warm, flexible and highly usable spaces that respond to the realities of modern Build to Rent living. Amenity spaces were designed to feel welcoming and domestic, acting as an extension of residents’ homes rather than formal communal areas.

The entrance lounge provides a flexible arrival space for residents and guests, accommodating informal working, socialising and operational needs. Games and media rooms adopt a colour-drenched approach to create intimate, calming environments supported by bespoke joinery for storage, screens and refreshments. The work lounge responds directly to the rise in remote working, offering a comfortable alternative to the apartment through bespoke workstations, planting and integrated refreshment points.

Event and garden rooms were designed to be adaptable, allowing the spaces to evolve alongside residents’ needs, from co-working and workshops to social events. Across the apartments, finishes were informed by detailed Build to Rent market research, balancing durability, ease of maintenance and long-term appeal. Neutral palettes were layered with subtle variation, including alternating kitchen finishes across floors, to provide choice while maintaining a cohesive identity.

AWW developed a clear design narrative through a comprehensive look and feel pack, including concept imagery, material boards and visualisations. Space planning was undertaken in close collaboration with the architectural team to ensure efficient, flexible layouts.

The interiors were delivered through a coordinated technical drawing package supported by regular presentations and workshops with the client, operator, contractor and specialist consultants. In total, 428 apartments were completed alongside a suite of resident amenity spaces. While FF&E, signage and styling were delivered by Focus, AWW provided furniture-led space planning to inform their specifications and ensure consistency throughout the scheme.

Emporium House targeted a BREEAM Excellent rating, embedding sustainability principles into both the building and its interior environments. The amenity spaces play a key social role, providing places that actively support community building in the heart of a bustling town centre.

By offering dedicated spaces for working, socialising and relaxation beyond the apartment, the design encourages connection, reduces isolation and positively supports resident wellbeing.

Clear sightlines, intuitive layouts and well-defined amenity zones support both resident experience and day-to-day building management, creating a safe, legible and welcoming environment for everyone using the building.

Amenity spaces at Emporium House are free to use for every resident, whether living in Building East or Building West. Thoughtfully designed to suit a variety of moods and moments, these spaces strike a careful balance between relaxation and socialising.

All amenity areas are supported by fully Doc M compliant WC provision, ensuring inclusive and accessible design throughout the development.