Joseph Emberton was born on 23rd December 1889 in Audley, Staffordshire. After leaving school he worked for a local architects firm before winning a scholarship to the Royal College of Art in Kensington, where he studied under W.R. Lethaby. Post graduation, Emberton went to work for the firm of Trehearne and Norman, and after service in World War I moved to Burnet, Tait and Lorne. At Burnet, Tait and Lorne, Emberton worked with Thomas Tait on Adelaide House, the first building in the City of London to use a steel frame construction.
In 1922, Emberton went into partnership with Percy Westwood, a noted shop designer. Emberton first designs for the new partnership were a pair of stands for the 1924 British Empire Exhibition. With Westwood, Emberton would design a range of buildings; houses, factories, offices and shops. After 4 years, Emberton set up on his own, and go on to design some of the standout modernist buildings of the 1930s. His first big project was the extension to Olympia exhibition site in Kensington from 1929, which included a new hall and a multi storey garage.
In 1930, Emberton was commissioned to design a new clubhouse for the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club in Burnham-on-Crouch, producing one of the earliest and best examples of the International Style in Britain. Also on the coast was a group of buildings at the pleasure resort of Blackpool from 1935, including the Fun House, the Grand National and Blackpool Casino. Emberton continued his retail design in this period with two of his most famous buildings, both in Central London, Simpsons of Piccadilly and the His Masters Voice record shop (both 1936). In the postwar period, Emberton went into partnership with Tim Tardew and Carl Ludwig Franck, producing a number of social housing estates in Finsbury. Health problems forced Emberton into retirement in the 1950s, and he died after giving a speech at the Architecture Club in 1956.
Buildings Brunswick Close Estate, Dorset House, Chapman House, HMV, Finsbury Estate, Finsbury Library, Great Portland St, Simpsons, Summit House, Turnour House, Turnpike House
In 1922, Emberton went into partnership with Percy Westwood, a noted shop designer. Emberton first designs for the new partnership were a pair of stands for the 1924 British Empire Exhibition. With Westwood, Emberton would design a range of buildings; houses, factories, offices and shops. After 4 years, Emberton set up on his own, and go on to design some of the standout modernist buildings of the 1930s. His first big project was the extension to Olympia exhibition site in Kensington from 1929, which included a new hall and a multi storey garage.
In 1930, Emberton was commissioned to design a new clubhouse for the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club in Burnham-on-Crouch, producing one of the earliest and best examples of the International Style in Britain. Also on the coast was a group of buildings at the pleasure resort of Blackpool from 1935, including the Fun House, the Grand National and Blackpool Casino. Emberton continued his retail design in this period with two of his most famous buildings, both in Central London, Simpsons of Piccadilly and the His Masters Voice record shop (both 1936). In the postwar period, Emberton went into partnership with Tim Tardew and Carl Ludwig Franck, producing a number of social housing estates in Finsbury. Health problems forced Emberton into retirement in the 1950s, and he died after giving a speech at the Architecture Club in 1956.
Buildings Brunswick Close Estate, Dorset House, Chapman House, HMV, Finsbury Estate, Finsbury Library, Great Portland St, Simpsons, Summit House, Turnour House, Turnpike House