Sarah Laing has designed her own confectionery emporium as part of her university degree.

The 22-year-old was asked to redesign a well-known listed building as part of a design exhibit at Northumbria University.

So Sarah, of Tunstall, Sunderland, decided she would utilise the interior of Emerson Chambers in Newcastle and transform it into a chocolate paradise.

The building occupies seven floors and, although there are no plans to revamp it, it makes an interesting case study for students.

Sarah created an egg-shaped structure in the centre of the building that would house a chocolate fountain, with top-quality confectionery for sale throughout the facility.

The Emporium would be run as a free resource for families with educational facilities where visitors could learn to make some of the products on sale.

A chic teashop and restaurant is also incorporated in her design.
Sarah's design echoes the original use of the building which originally housed shops, offices and a basement restaurant.

A self-confessed chocaholic, Sarah said: "The concept would offer a family day out with a difference and I felt this type of resource was something Newcastle lacked.

"I see this venture as being slick and high-fashion in a similar vein to Hotel Chocolat but really quite unique and unlike anything else available elsewhere.''

Teenage crime and obesity led fellow student Henry Marks to envisage a different use for the building – a centre for children and young people.
His plans involve a host of facilities such as a climbing wall, graffiti areas, recording and dance studios, running track, assault course and a smoothie bar.

Both students' plans for the building can be seen at Reveal, the first final year exhibition in Northumbria University's new multimillion pound premises at City Campus East.

The free exhibition showcases the talent of students across the design genre and is open to members of the public until this Friday at the School of Design, Northumbria University.

Both students will then take their designs to the New Designers' exhibition in London in July.

New Designers is the foremost event in graduate design, showcasing the work, energy and talent of about 4,000 designers.