After two decades at 55 Lemon Street, our Truro team had outgrown their townhouse studio. Not wanting to leave the heart of their historic town, the opportunity arose to move down the road into 81 Lemon Street, a Grade II-listed architect’s office turned estate agent’s, once occupied by Silvanus Trevail.
Prominently located on the edge of Truro’s main shopping street, the building was the perfect find, but needed to be reimagined by our interior design team to be fit for a modern, creative architect’s studio.
A fresh take on tradition
Inspired by local artists, particularly Alasdair Lindsay, the interior centres around colours that embody Cornwall’s vibrant spirit. Each room has a unique atmosphere, but together they create a harmonious balance, like a well-composed painting.
To tie each space together, a golden yellow statement door invites you through the building—with the same golden hue also used in lighting and shelving—while pared-back, contemporary tartan carpets add a touch of playfulness throughout the office.
Low Tide Newlyn, Alasdair Lindsay, image courtesy of the artist
Workspaces with a twist
In the main office, a minimalist interior with abundant natural light provides a serene working atmosphere. The focal point is the plaster-panelled ceiling, with its period details emphasised by discreet lighting.
Just off the main office, we juxtaposed the quiet interior with a striking ground-floor studio painted in International Klein Blue. Visible from the street, the bold walls create a memorable impression for onlookers, especially at night.
For times when people want a more informal environment to develop ideas and plot their way through project work, we created a relaxed, private space to get creative, spread out with markups and sketches, dive into bids, and host hybrid meetings around a uniquely designed table.
Upstairs, the main meeting room is the centrepiece. Doubling as a lounge, the soft, contemporary seating offers a quiet place to sit, collaborate, and host gatherings. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer a picturesque view over Lemon Quay, while a light gold ceiling ties the space into the overall interior, creating a warm glow from street level at night.
The key for me was to understand the personality and culture of our team in Truro and find a way to unify this with Stride Treglown’s ethos. It had to match the mindset I had when designing our other recent studio refurbishments, while ensuring the vision reflected both the Truro studio and our wider practice.
I worked closely with the team to define what makes this office unique. The result is a playful workspace that celebrates its Cornish location and is reflective of the Truro team.
