In an exclusive one-on-one, we spoke with Zeno Lo, Co-Founder and Director of Inch. Interior Design. In this in-depth conversation, Zeno reveals how his early passion, bold decisions, and unwavering focus helped him sculpt an award-winning smart-living interior design firm in Hong Kong. Read on to witness how determination, creativity, and a human-first philosophy shaped both his career and the brand.

Rooted in Passion: The Journey Begins

Zeno’s story starts with childhood fascination for interior spaces. After initially enrolling in a business program, he made a bold pivot:

“I dropped out of the business program…and enrolled in a design program in Hong Kong to further develop my interest.” 

This fusion of business acumen and design sensibility laid the solid foundation for his entrepreneurial venture. Cementing his skills, Zeno started his professional journey as an assistant interior designer at a local Hong Kong firm, channeling theory into real-world projects.

 Leap of Faith: Founding Inch. Interior Design

Determined to manifest his vision, Zeno left his firm and launched Inch. Interior Design. What began as an ambitious start-up has blossomed into an award-winning powerhouse focused on luxury residential and commercial spaces infused with smart-home technology. Today, Inch.’s portfolio extends to interiors, public areas, art installations, furniture, and exhibitions — always prioritizing harmony and client experience.

Overcoming Adversity: Youth Versus Credibility

Zeno admits that establishing trust in Hong Kong’s competitive design market wasn’t easy.

“Customers in Hong Kong typically seek out designers with extensive experience. Therefore, being young can occasionally make it difficult to gain the trust of clients.” 

His strategy? Embrace lifelong learning, draw inspiration from diverse sources, and laser-focus on client needs. His mantra: “never stop learning, work extremely hard, and be mindful of everything you do.”

Architecting a Brand: Defining Inch.’s Identity

Company with Soul

Inch. isn’t just a design agency—it’s a creative collective of thinkers, artists, and adventurers. The team is committed to crafting lifestyle- and experience-oriented spaces.

Multifaceted Portfolio

Beyond personal living areas, they design public spaces, functional furniture, exhibition layouts, and art installations—each meticulously optimized for space, light, and flow 

Awards and Recognition

Inch.’s reputation is backed by accolades: Hong Kong Most Outstanding Leaders Award (2021), The Smartest Business Award (2021), Hong Kong Professional Interior Design Association recognition (2020), and more. Such honors reflect their industry leadership and innovative spirit.

 Smart Living: Technology Meets Design

Zeno is a pioneer in integrating smart-home technology into design. From the outset, Inch. collaborated with a smart homeware brand to build a showcase smart interior design exhibition hall, combining tech, fashion, and immersive living.

This pioneering approach keeps Inch. at the forefront of smart-technology trends, making environments not just beautiful—but interactive and future-proof.

Design Philosophy: Beyond Aesthetics

Zeno’s team adheres to a design philosophy built on these pillars:

• Innovation, luxury, style, comfort, practicality
• Attention to furnishing, material choice, artistic conception, and functionality

Their aim? To exceed client expectations, delivering not just aesthetics—but emotions, utility, and delight.

 Leadership with Empathy: Cultivating Talent

Teamwork as the Core

Zeno’s management style is rooted in collaboration, growth, and cross-functional learning. He fosters a supportive environment where open discussions on sales, design trends, and client solutions are common.

Role Rotation

By rotating responsibilities, team members gain exposure across different tasks—enhancing adaptability and collective expertise. This builds a workforce ready to innovate and react dynamically.

The Road Ahead: Five-Year Vision

• Smart-Living Explosion

One of Inch.’s strategic goals is to further embed smart home systems into luxury living. Clients can expect seamless experiences backed by cutting-edge automation and control.

• Commercial Expansion

Inch. plans to extend its reach into commercial developments, diversifying from residential to offices, hospitality venues, and exhibitions.

•  A Fusion of Styles

Perhaps most exciting: Zeno intends to introduce French interior style to Hong Kong—combining European elegance with local sophistication.

 What Makes Zeno Lo Stand Out

• Bold mission: From business-student to design-leader.
• Smart fusion: A rare blend of artistic creativity and tech integration.
• Supportive leadership: Nurturing environment for team growth and innovation.
• Impressive vision: Smart-living, design diversity, and international inspiration.

Final Reflection: The Human Touch in Design

Zeno Lo personifies the human side of design—a strong dreamer who remains humble. From his early years filled with curiosity, through bold career moves, to building a forward-thinking studio, his journey is defined by passion, learning, and empathy.

His story—and that of Inch. Interior Design—encourages us to remember:

Trust in your vision, stay curious, and uplift others through creativity.

As Inch. continues to craft Hong Kong’s luxury smart-living spaces, its legacy is rooted not only in achievement—but in genuine care, creativity, and connection.