Transforming a neglected terrace in South Melbourne into a minimal but refined office was the perfect opportunity for Terrain Nine Design Studio’s founders Sneha and Sumedh Shinde to showcase the key drivers of our design thinking.
The terrace’s existing floor plan – four interconnected rooms – presented an ideal configuration to work with. The layout facilitates a smooth flow, allowing us to guide clients seamlessly from initial discussions in the meeting room to collaborative design development in the subsequent spaces.
The Victorian-era building had an abundance of natural light but the interiors needed a serious overhaul. We opted for a dark, largely monochromatic colour palette dominated by greys, with white highlights in furniture, lighting and decorative objects, as well as heritage features such as arches and ceiling roses. The monochromatic colour scheme imbues the space with a sense of depth and unity.
Painting the Victorian accents in pristine white draws the eye to their elegant forms, heightening their visual impact against the darker hues. This minimalist, monochromatic approach cultivates a cohesive, emotionally calming ambience. Having the ceilings and walls in the same colour was a deliberate choice – it honours the interior height and preserve the eye’s gaze. This creates an unbroken visual line, making the space feel taller and more expansive.
The terrace’s heritage features were retained and, in many cases, enhanced. The modern, minimalist interior design and neutral colour palette were purposefully chosen to allow the original features to shine. To distinguish the terrace from a black, double-storey building next door, the facade was painted white with black accents, adding immeasurably to its street appeal.
Furniture, artworks and lighting reflect the space’s minimalist essence. These include a Paffe armchair by Giorgio Gasco for Sar Studio, which provides a spot for contemplation in the office, and a slim-line Articolo Studios Scandal pendant light in white and gold, an elegant contrast to the black marble table in the meeting room.
