HOUSE OF TERRAIN NINE by Terrain Nine Design Studio

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 color 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 color 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 color was a deliberate choice – it honors the interior height and preserves 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.