At home on the Range. Energy-positive architect sets up shop in Mapleton

Habitance started in January 2021 on a dining room table in Flaxton and by the end of March had grown to a team of five, in a studio in Mapleton, plus an office dog.  

On Thursday October 18 newly-appointed Queensland Government Architect Leah Lang officially opened the studio with a ribbon cutting with fellow industry professionals and local dignitaries.

Practice Director Alex Hoffmann started the business from home earlier this year following a pandemic-related redundancy from his Principal’s role in Brisbane. 

After working for large architectural firms in the city, the opportunity to start over enabled Alex to focus on current issues including the growing population, housing crisis, climate change and how embracing energy positive design was critical for the growth and sustainability of the region.

“Our aim is for the buildings we design, to produce more energy than they need, which positively impacts the lives of the people using them, the surrounding community and future generations,” Alex said. “Whether the building is a station, a multi-residential development, a community hall or a living space, we should be engaging long-term sustainable design from the outset.”

Queensland Government Architect Leah Lang is excited about what the practice can bring to the region. “Alex and I worked together producing a best practice guideline about the importance of quality design,” she said. 

“Alex’s commitment to good architectural design, a thorough process and highly valuing the impact this has on people and the environment, is very clear, which is crucial to meet carbon zero target by 2050.”

Local Town Planner Liam Pinese, who has worked on the Coast for 16 years, is thrilled by the Habitance teams’ passion for sustainable and socially responsible design. 

“It gives me renewed hope, confidence and passion that the development industry in the region is heading in the right direction,” he said.

Habitance focuses on ‘Infrastructure, Community, and Living’ , drawing on Alex’s  nearly 30 years experience. 

After commuting to Brisbane from the Sunshine Coast Hinterland for 12 years,  he now travels five minutes to the studio in Mapleton and is delighted to be working on projects in the region he calls home. The business employs five talented staff and is busy on a range of projects across the region.

• For more information, please call Habitance Architects 07 5408 4144 or Ali Hoffmann on 0405 848007 or email hello@habitance.com.au.