Marketing One Valpy as a contemporary, urban workspace with five-star service required a design to match. We took this 1980s building in the centre of Reading which had been vacant for some years and carefully targeted the design interventions to produce an effective, yet economically viable scheme. The entrance, foyer and façade of the property have been re-designed to improve the ‘kerb appeal’ of the building. Replacing the existing dual entrance with a portal has transformed the sense of arrival and added architectural clarity and a strong central focus that was previously lacking. The original dark façade has been transformed by adding opaque glazed spandrel panels whilst altering the window bay proportions has lightened the elevations. Internally, suspended ceilings were removed and the in situ concrete soffit exposed, resulting in ceiling heights of upwards of 2.8 metres. Contemporary suspended light fittings offer up and down lighting provision, giving occupiers maximum flexibility within a modern, airy office environment.