Success Speaks Volumes - Made With Volume

In her column highlighting local small businesses, Waltham Forest Business Network’s Jo Sealy meets a spatial designer
Carlo Viscione at work (credit Katharine Peachey for The Modern House)
A spatial designer brings together unique skills; expertise from various fields such as space planning, materials, fixtures and fittings, lighting, detailing and construction.
Made With Volume, founded by spatial designer Carlo Viscione, works with spaces for residential properties, boutique retail spaces, public experiences and installations.
The firm works on the intersection of design and architecture, offering a full range of services ranging from feasibility studies, planning application and building regulation drawings, to full construction drawings and 3D visualisations.
Carlo’s background is in designing space for retail and leisure, however he has always had a passion for architecture and unusual properties. He tells me: “Designing commercial spaces can be very interesting as well but for me, designing for people is very rewarding. People’s homes are inherently personal and yet they rely on professionals who will help and guide them to realise the full potential of their property.”
Since starting his company two years ago this month, Carlo has been fortunate to be able to share the highs and lows of business with a strong network of architecture and design friends, sharing experiences, ideas and moral support.
“They have been tremendously supportive in helping us achieve one of the company’s biggest achievements so far – the refurbishment of a science lab into a private residence. It was a major challenge but completely worth it!”
The conversion of the school laboratory in Trumpington Road, Leytonstone, was awarded a commendation at this year’s Waltham Forest Design Awards for ‘most creative building re-use’ and has also been shortlisted in the London Construction Awards and Real Homes Transformation Awards.
Carlo continued: “Finding new business and clients who are willing to embrace design as a process and opportunity to create outstanding spaces together can be challenging.
“Making spaces feel homely yet look contemporary, light and minimal is very hard work! It involves a lot of design thinking and collaboration with manufacturers and contractors, and each project is approached differently; clients often need to be ready for that.”
Made With Volume is also getting involved in community projects and does pro-bono work for local charities and community groups.
“Starting my own business and having projects in the borough that I live has been great. There have been so many lessons learned. It’s very rewarding seeing a project through from concept to completion and how we helped people live and work better.”
What advice would Carlo give to other entrepreneurs? “Never be afraid to admit when you don’t know something or when you’re wrong. Be honest to yourself and your clients.”

For more information about Made With Volume:
Visit madewithvolume.com
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