Venti House

Located in the rapidly evolving neighbourhood of Stratford, East London, Venti House is our second student accommodation project delivered in partnership with Watkin Jones, this time for Fresh Student Living. Designed to support the growing student population connected to nearby universities and cultural institutions, the scheme responds to the changing expectations of modern student living. 

AWW was appointed to shape the look and feel of the accommodation and design the extensive amenity spaces, with a clear ambition to establish a distinctive identity while creating an environment that supports wellbeing, connection and community. The challenge was not only to deliver a high quality student living environment within a dense urban setting, but also to address the growing issue of urban loneliness among students living away from home for the first time. The project needed to balance privacy with opportunities for social interaction, creating spaces that feel welcoming, inclusive and genuinely human. 

Our vision for Venti House was rooted in storytelling, creating spaces with a strong sense of identity, place and belonging. Drawing inspiration from Stratford’s rich textile and weaving heritage, the design reinterprets traditional weaving techniques, textures and craftsmanship into a contemporary student living environment. This narrative informed every aspect of the interior design, from tactile material palettes and layered finishes to feature acoustic panels, tiling and artwork inspired by woven surfaces. Warm neutral tones are paired with deep blues, burnt oranges and rich reds, referencing dyed yarns and textile traditions while bringing warmth and character to the spaces. 

Beyond aesthetics, the design strategy focused on creating a sequence of spaces that encourage connection in a natural and comfortable way. The vision was to support a variety of social behaviours — from lively interaction to quiet side by side working — recognising that meaningful community is often formed in the spaces between private rooms.

The design development centred around creating a rich mix of communal environments distributed across the ground and first floors, giving students multiple opportunities to socialise, study, relax and connect. Each space was carefully considered to support different modes of use and varying levels of social interaction. 

A generous reception and social lounge form the heart of the scheme, designed to blur the boundary between circulation and occupation through integrated seating, refreshment areas and informal gathering spaces. Additional amenity spaces include games lounges, study areas, karaoke and media rooms, podcast studios, private dining spaces, a gym and vibrant laundry areas designed to encourage casual interaction and moments of connection throughout daily life.  Materiality, lighting and furniture selection played a key role throughout the delivery of the project. Rounded domestic-scale furniture, tactile finishes and warm lighting helped create spaces that feel approachable, calming and homely, elevating the experience beyond standard student accommodation. Acoustic treatments and carefully integrated joinery further supported comfort, functionality and concentration within quieter study spaces. 

At the heart of Venti House is a commitment to creating spaces that enrich people and communities — places where students feel supported, connected and part of something bigger. The design actively responds to the emotional and social challenges often associated with student living in large cities. Rather than creating purely functional amenity areas, the spaces were designed as social catalysts that encourage interaction without forcing it, allowing students to engage at their own pace. 

Choice and inclusivity were central to the user experience strategy. Students can move between lively social environments, quieter shared spaces and more intimate settings depending on their needs and preferences. This layered approach creates opportunities for both connection and retreat, supporting wellbeing and reducing feelings of isolation. Accessibility and neurodiversity were also carefully considered throughout the scheme. Wide circulation routes, accessible bathrooms and adaptable kitchen spaces are paired with calming sensory elements, clear wayfinding and flexible low-stimulation environments to ensure all students feel comfortable and supported within the building. 

Venti House has been designed to offer long-term value for both residents and operators through flexible, future-focused amenity spaces that support evolving student lifestyles and patterns of living. The variety of communal settings allows the building to adapt to different forms of use, operator-led events and changing resident expectations over time. 

The project demonstrates how thoughtful interior design can elevate the student living experience, transforming accommodation into a place with identity, warmth and a genuine sense of belonging. By embedding storytelling, wellbeing and inclusivity into the design strategy, Venti House moves beyond standardised student housing to create a vibrant urban community designed for modern living.