We had a lively and stimulating conversation with Vincenzo Avanzato, the very multicultural founder of Avanzato Design Group, on the symbiotic relationship between interior design and home automation. Vincenzo is part of a movement combining the talents of interior designers and home automation integrators. He has his unique fingerprint on design projects all over the world and is currently lending his creative genius to an awe-inspiring south Florida venture with Acoustic Architects.
Acoustic Architects (AA): Tell me about your story and how you got into the design world.
Vincenzo Avanzato (VA): I fell in love with interior design by accident. After coming back to Europe, I found myself in Milan looking for employment in the commercial art field and I stumbled into an interior design school, the sensation I got after being shown the work of students attending this school influenced my decision to go back to Los Angeles where I attended school. And I entered Interior design school at UCLA.
AA: How did you create Avanzato Design? What makes Avanzato Design unique?
VA: Avanzato was created because I was given an opportunity to occupy an office space after my first client’s signed their contract. Fate comes in many ways such as my realization that interior design was the career I chose. I can say I am only as unique as my clients are. If they are brave enough to experiment with something different like the use of color and mixing of styles, their open-mindedness allows me to study different techniques. It opens my creativity to the challenge of being unique.
AA: How has your design philosophy changed over the years?
VA: I’ve stayed true to my promise to achieve something exceptional and rare for each project, but the industry has changed over the years. The hotel industry has opened up the doors for people to be braver. Examples are there to see, for the client to relate to, so we can expand on the creativity. Our clients are more likely to be open to bold design ideas. Also, home automation allows plenty of out of the box thinking.
AA: What influenced the evolution of your design strategies?
VA: Constant contact with my clients. Clients generally don’t fully understand or know what truly goes on behind the scenes. I feel it is important to make sure they know I am there working on their project. Thoughtfulness for the client has influenced this.
AA: Which markets (geographically) have you gotten to work in?
VA: Europe, The Middle East, Mexico, Venezuela, Haiti, and South Florida.
AA: Which types of projects give you the most satisfaction?
VA: Projects that offer Carte Blanche. Being given permission to work without limits, and then getting to surprise my client. For example, I got to do a project in Miami where the client told me to “…be ‘Ralph Lauren’ from Miami.” So I got to do something very different. My client simply told me what was desired, and I took it from there with total artistic freedom.
AA: How has smart-home innovation changed your approach to Interior design?
VA: Great question! It is rewarding to be able to make things discrete rather than an eye-sore. We are finally getting rid of black TV screens.
AA: How has working with Acoustic Architects influenced your design strategies?
VA: These guys are on top of everything. They bring new ideas that we designers are most of the time unaware of.
AA: How has your relationship with Acoustic Architects evolved over the years?
VA: Well, I knew Acoustic Architects when it was just Aaron and Spencer. Now they have grown into a niche not only geared toward the general market but also to more exclusive clients. These clients require not only good design ideas but also the promise of staying ahead of the curve.
AA: How are you and Acoustic Architects working symbiotically to meet each other’s needs as designers?
VA: We listen to each other. And we work toward the common goal of making sure our clients are fully satisfied.
AA: On the subject of home automation, what are your clients most excited about? Do most people seem to be aware of the possibilities that are available?
VA: No, they are not aware of the possibilities. They depend on us as professionals to lead them on the right path.
AA: Can you share any stories about projects that have included home automation?
VA: We are currently working on a project in a home that has a very traditional design style. The challenge was to create a home theater that disappeared into the architecture and decor of the room, while also preserving the integrity of the of the sound quality coming from the walls.
AA: Now that home automation is so prominent, what does the future look like for Interior Design?
VA: Creation, staying ahead of the norm. How boring if we just stayed in the norm.
AA: Any word of advice to new interior designers regarding home automation?
VA: People think they know what they want in technology. But is it really functional for everyday living? There has to be a signature between the two trades with full coordination. If we ask a home automation professional to be part of the team, to make the design functional, there has to be a crossover where the ideas come together.
Responsive Living, the term coined by Acoustic Architects founders, Aaron Flint and Spencer Hauldren, is the concept of seamlessly enhancing the client’s unique lifestyle using smart home technology. Responsive Living allows you to interact with your space via touch input, voice command, and predictive automation, placing you in full control of your home.
If you would like to learn more about home automation, feel free to connect with us. We will be happy to schedule a demo with you.
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