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Terrain Nine Design Studio’s Melbourne Workplace
With a refined blend of modern and heritage features, Terrain Nine Design Studio’s moody, atmospheric workspace in Melbourne is the perfect embodiment of its design principles.
For Sneha and Sumedh Shinde, co-founders and directors of Melbourne’s Terrain Nine Design Studio, creating a workspace in a neglected terrace in South Melbourne presented the perfect opportunity to showcase the key drivers of their design ethos. “Our primary goal was to create a comfortable, inviting space that would show our expertise in spatial planning for both commercial and residential projects,” says Sumedh.
“Painting the Victorian accents in pristine white draws the eye to their elegant forms, heightening their visual impact against the darker hues.”
The terrace’s existing floor plan – four interconnected rooms – presented an ideal configuration and was embraced by the duo. “The layout facilitates a smooth flow through the office, allowing us to guide clients seamlessly from initial discussions in the meeting room to collaborative design development in the subsequent spaces,” says Sneha. A sleek new kitchenette at the rear enhances the office’s sense of welcome.
The Victorian-era building had an abundance of natural light but the interiors needed updating. The Shindes opted for a dark, largely monochromatic colour palette dominated by greys, juxtaposed 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,” explains Sumedh. “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.” Interestingly, the designers opted not to paint the ceilings white. “Having the ceilings and walls in the same colour was a deliberate choice to honour the interior height and preserve the eye’s gaze. This creates an unbroken visual line, making the space feel taller and more expansive.”
“The modern, minimalist interior design and neutral colour palette were purposefully chosen to allow the original features to shine.”
Retaining and enhancing heritage features was a priority. “We restored the light colour of the building’s facade, which complements the surrounding street while creating a distinction from the adjacent black, double-storey building,” says Sneha. “Additionally, we preserved and reinstated the original fireplace and ceiling roses … and added a complementary ceiling rose and Victorian arch in the hallway. The modern, minimalist interior design and neutral colour palette were purposefully chosen to allow the original features to shine.”
Furniture, artworks and lighting were also carefully curated to complement the minimalist feel of the space. A Paffe armchair by Giorgio Gasco for Sar Studio – which is based in Pune, India – provides a restful spot for contemplation in the office space while the slim, elongated form of Articolo Studio’s Scandal pendant in white and gold creates an elegant contrast to the black marble table in the meeting room.
For Terrain Nine – the name reflects the foundational nature of its work.and honours the nine celestial bodies revered in Indian culture – the office space perfectly embodies the studio’s thoughtful approach to design, one where functionality and beauty are equally valued. “It is a unique, atmospheric workspace that showcases our ability to craft distinctive, tailored spaces for our clients,” says Sneha.
Architecture and interior design by Terrain Nine Design Studio. Build by Metric Building. Joinery by ABI Interiors and Nikpol. Lighting by Articolo Studios. Flooring by Woodcut. Artwork by Stephen Robert Carlier.
