For Lili, people remain at the forefront, be it during her travels, culinary explorations, or in shaping interior environments. Lili leads with a focus on creating community and human connection in her work, crafting every detail to shape a timeless outcome.
You’ve been with Venko for 7 years, and you’ve worked with Tina before – How did you meet, and what brought you back?
That was a very long time ago – We met as graduates – I won’t tell you the year! Over the years, we moved to different companies and caught up at industry events. Then one day, Tina called me. She was putting together a team of like-minded designers who she really enjoyed working with, and well, here I am 7 years later. We’ve gone from three people to a team of eleven. There’s a vibrant team spirit in the office that I love; that’s what makes us Venko – we take having fun seriously.
Is there a trend you hope won’t make a comeback?
Probably the first thing that comes to mind is more of a cultural trend in workplaces. When I first started out, the workplace was based around cubicles, and everyone worked in isolation, and people rarely knew their team. It’s the complete opposite now. Obviously, it varies from business to business, but at Venko, I think that human contact and communication are important, especially to our design process. We focus on shaping spaces to build a connection in our work. This applies to any sector, not just the workplace, but it’s particularly important when I can see isolation creeping back in with the shift to WFH.
Is there a trend you hope will make a comeback?
Drink carts?
As an avid foodie, are there any aspects you think overlap with interior design?
I’d say community. There’s a sense of community generated around food. That’s what I love about it – particularly with my family – who love sharing it, discussing it, fighting over it. A connection to culture, past or place; like a recipe handed down to you from your great-great-grandmother. I try to instill community and encourage human connection into all the projects I design.
I’m drawn to how food can soften the experience of a space or help bridge social gaps in workplaces – everything comes out during a meal, let alone a couple of drinks. A cup of tea can soften a difficult conversation with a co-worker, and sharing a cake on someone’s birthday creates a collective experience for the whole office. Food is a level playing field; anyone can have a valid opinion on it. How do we allow for these meaningful interactions, and how do we encourage more of it? I design breakouts and kitchenettes to be the beating heart of a workplace (see 1 Spring St below). Mind you, they used to be a small room out the back with no windows, so we’ve come a long way.
“I’m drawn to how food can soften the experience of a space or help bridge social gaps in workplaces.”
You’ve been away on a well-deserved break, but were you able to mix work and pleasure? How was the Venice Biennale?
It was amazing – each of the pavilions had incredible works on display. The theme this year was ‘Laboratory of the Future’ – how do we as designers adapt to our rapidly changing world and respond to contemporary political, economic, and climate issues forming in front of us. A couple of my favourites were about bringing it back to basic design principles; they achieve far more impact than you may otherwise think.
At the Swiss pavilion ‘Neighbours’ – the designer talks about the relationship between two pavilions that once architecturally spoke to each other and were designed to be free-flowing. Over the years a wall was built, and the design intent was lost. Although a wall is a simple structure, it can operate as a ‘political statement’; think the Berlin wall or the infamous Trump wall. Her intervention was to simply demolish part of the wall and offer a unified experience. We’re preoccupied in our cities and designs to keep everyone out; what opportunities have we missed by not letting everyone in?
Another that stayed with me was the exhibit at the Japanese pavilion, ‘Architecture, a place to be loved.’ Design is more than just a structure; it’s a way for people to connect to a place or people. A space to create memories and share stories. It was a celebration of the building’s craftsmanship, the history, and the people.
For me, it was a gentle reminder that sustainability is a well-designed space, timeless and crafted to last without forgetting that there’s a social responsibility. It must enhance the experience of the occupants or it’s not worth the resources.
Is there a Venko project you’re most proud of?
Where do I start? Probably working with Court Services Victoria has been the most rewarding for me. Using my knowledge of other sectors to innovate and rethink how the court system could be improved for the end-users. I’d say collaborating with Greenaway Architects and Court Services Victoria to bring their Bundoora Koori rooms to life has been a career highlight (see image below). It was a really informative process and helped me become more aware of the cultural traditions of our First Nations People.
What is the most important element of design?
Spatial planning. Even the best-looking spaces quickly lose their appeal if they don’t function properly.
What spaces do you gravitate the most?
Spaces that play with light and volume and generate community.
Do you enjoy any hobbies?
Food! I love cooking and trying new recipes, and I’ve recently picked up cycling! (Lili recently cycled the Atlantic coastline of Portugal from Porto to Sintra on her European holiday and is now a regular commuter into the office).
Given the choice of anyone in the world, who would you want your dinner guest to be?
David Attenborough or Doctor Karl. It would be so interesting to pick their brains.
After a long week what’s your guilty pleasure?
A good glass of red wine.
I could have answered that.
I think everyone in the office could have!
The Drill
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Matte or Gloss? Matte
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Complementary or monochrome? Monochrome
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Burgundy or terracotta? Black?
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Large format or Mosaic? Large Format
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Mural or sculpture? Sculpture
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WFH or Office? Office.
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Coffee or wine? Wine
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London or Paris? Paris
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Beach or snow? Beach
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Night in or night out? Night out
Last one, if you were able to live to the age of 90 with either the body or mind of a 30-year-old and live another 60 years, which one would you choose?
This one is so hard! I always ask my mom this. I’d prefer the body so you can be active or keep traveling, but if you can’t absorb the places you visit or what you’re doing, what’s the point?
Further Reading: