ONE OF A KIND TREATMENT IN A BESPOKE AUTO WORKSHOP

If you have attended Tutto Italiano or any Cars & Coffee event, you may have seen more than a few cars with a futuristic-looking “AVI” sticker on them. AVI is a bespoke workshop in Newton that provides custom work for discerning car owners, but it’s so much more than that. Though it started with work such as stereo installations, the outfit has evolved to ambitious custom jobs, including entirely reimagined interiors.

AVI recently moved into its cutting-edge facility, complete with multiple 3D printers, laser CNC, fully enclosed detailing suites, and much more. I first covered AVI for the Boston Globe over a decade ago, and it’s incredible to see the evolution and growth of the operation, which is the brainchild of Safi Barqawi. The new facility was designed by his wife, Tiffany Barqawi of Barqawi Design. The old place was 2,400 square feet. “We were busting at the seams,” said Safi. In regards to the old location, Tiffany commented, “We used to joke that it had speakeasy vibes. The space wasn’t really reflective of the quality. When we got the new building we wanted a place that had the ‘wow factor,’ but also reflective of the quality of the work”

Back a decade ago at the original Newton facility, I walked into the garage as Safi was installing a stereo system in a Factory 5 Shelby Cobra. It was a modern head-unit, but behind the facade of a more period-correct radio. In the next bay over, he was working on a (literally) one-of-a-kind Bertone Mantide, upgrading some of the electronics. This was indicative of the incredible work he was doing back then…all in intimate confines. It was all part of AVI’s OEM-Plus philosophy— make modifications and upgrades in a tasteful and seamless manner that one might even think or assume was a factory upgrade.

Safi went to Boston University for Biomedical Engineering and a Master’s degree in Medical Imaging, but rather than follow in this career training, he wanted to follow his passion and opened AVI between degrees. After more than a decade at their original facility, AVI has moved into a modern space on the other side of Newton. Tiffany was instrumental in the visual presentation that heralded a new era for AVI. This took the form of fluted wood, a neutral color palette, and the marble paint job on the floor. “Funny thing is Safi was very vague about the design,” Tiffany laughed, “But I knew he wanted a timeless look, along with some trends worked in.” Tiffany and Safi are investors in EVA, a new restaurant on Newbury Street. She also led the design there. “Safi and I were brought on as investors, and I was brought in for styling. [The former tenant] ‘Cafeteria’ had a very special place in our hearts because we had our rehearsal dinner there.”

Good design is good design, no matter if it’s in the business of food or cars, but there are some details that only an automotive shop could pull off. The lobby is decorated with a full exhaust system and an engine block table. One whole wall is dedicated to wheel concepts and an interactive video screen that allows Safi and his team to walk potential clients through a virtual tour. The fact that the new facility occupies the space of a former Tweeter location brings the property full circle.

And with the new facility, comes new ambition. AVI has invested in the equipment and the skilled staff to take on bigger and more creative projects. “We’re building a Land Rover Defender for a client from the ground up and it’s probably our most exciting project.” Safi explains, “We are able to do everything that we want to do from the ground up.” They are personalizing the instrument cluster using a customizable digital panel where the analog gauges used to be, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. It will receive a modern touchscreen infotainment system, a 360-degree parking camera array, and more. This Defender will also receive a full reimagined dash, thanks to 3D printing. It will also have a custom-built gun safe that only unlocks using the RFID bracelet or fingerprint reader.

The entire Land Rover project (which is still underway at the time of this writing) afforded Safi and his team the ability to add capabilities. Safi explains, “We all wanted to keep growing, learning, and pushing boundaries, as well as get new technology into the old facility. But we didn’t have the space.” Today, AVI has the space, equipment, and staff to tackle a growing number of jobs, including ceramic coating, paint correction, window tinting, compressed air/dry ice component cleaning, and a number of other vehicle upgrades. They also have a brand-new flatbed tow truck with a retractable cover so that vehicles are protected from the elements during transit.

“The biggest thing is for someone to feel proud and excited to bring their cars here,” Tiffany explained. “What I want people to see when they come in here is ‘passion.’” continued Safi. “ What I want them to see is that, ‘Oh, these people care. Oh, these people are excited.’ We’re lucky to have such a large, passionate car community here in Boston. And it’s a big family.” And if there’s one thing that’s evident from a walk through AVI’s facilities, it’s that passion and excitement radiate from every corner.