Ten years after the original collaboration, Mim Design returns to Bank House to refurbish the Sub-Zero Wolf flagship showroom.
Nestled within one of Melbourne’s many laneways, Bank House was first established in 1903 as a correspondence school before evolving into an office hub. Within this historic setting, a renewed collaboration unfolds between premium appliance brands Sub-Zero & Wolf and Melbourne interior design firm Mim Design.
“Mim Design and Sub-Zero Wolf have always been closely aligned,” Mim Design founder and principal Miriam Fanning says. “Our team’s deep understanding and appreciation of both the product and showroom experience informed the partial refurbishment.”
Returning to the site allowed the studio to reassess the original design and introduce new ideas that heighten the showroom’s presence, customer experience and relationship to its heritage setting. “We honoured the building that it once was,” Fanning reflects, retaining the original framework while working with its proportions and arched windows to engage with the rhythm of Bank Place.
The brief called for a “forward-thinking” refresh aligned with the brands’ evolution over the past decade, with a focus on gathering and interaction. Select appliances, including the Wolf Dual Fuel Range and Sub-Zero Classic Series Side-by-Side refrigerator/freezer with dispenser are heroed within a space designed for both display and use, shifting easily between cooking demonstrations, workshops and industry events.
The showroom features a space dedicated to industry events, workshops and cooking demonstrations, with Signorino natural stone chosen to accentuate the stainless steel and glass elements of the Sub-Zero & Wolf appliances, including the Wolf Dual Fuel Range and Sub-Zero Classic Series Side-by-Side refrigerator/freezer with dispenser.
Half of the existing floor plan was reworked to form distinct zones, with each product line given its own spatial expression. In response to a desire for a more layered brand journey, Mim Design introduced a ‘shopfront’ concept kitchen, paired with natural Signorino stone and an alfresco appliance display. A dedicated wall traces the brands’ histories, reinforcing their longevity within the design industry.
Sub-Zero and Wolf’s core brand pillars also informed the design language. “It’s the idea of a mixing bowl, combining hot ovens and cooktops with cold refrigeration and freezers,” Fanning explains—a concept subtly reflected in the red and blue logos.
Mim Design’s return to Bank House underscores its close relationship with Sub-Zero Wolf, one that continues to evolve independently, yet resonates greatly when brought together.
Sub-Zero Wolf, together with Mim Design, created a hub where you can plan and design your own kitchen. This space replicates the floorplan of a kitchen space, making it an inspiring and practical model for kitchen design.
