Team - Habitance

Meet Your team

Habitance was founded by husband Alex and Ali Hoffmann to provide sustainable design of, and for the Sunshine Coast. Alex, a registered architect in both Queensland and the UK, has 30 years experience and leads a team of energetic agile designers with a driving passion for Energy Positive Architecture.

With a seasoned background in business, marketing and events, Ali's management skills complements the design team creating a strong supportive environment in which design flourishes.

Our progressive attitude has shaped an environment where open, robust, engaging design discussions can take place. We include our clients and collaborators in interactive creative workshops enabling concepts to be debated and developed as we progress through the design stages.

This process improves not only the quality of what we do, but ensures the client is happy with the end result, echoing our three objectives of connecting communities, improving wellbeing and generating energy.

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Alex Hoffmann

Director

Master of Design (UrbDes)
BA (Hons) Architecture

With over 28 years’ architectural experience, in London and Brisbane, Alex has a passion for energy positive architecture delivered through a discerning eye for design.

With experience across complex user-oriented projects and a particular expertise in transport, residential, education and civic architecture. Alex is recognised as having an ability to work at both a city and building scale leveraging this capability to unlock better places through design.
Using a unique combination of creativity, vision, and an acumen for understanding the bigger picture enables Alex to engage in rigorous design processes leading to high quality outcomes for clients. Habitance is Alex’s vehicle to offer clients a high level of international expertise through a personable and professional approach, creating mutually beneficial interactions.
Alex has lived in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland for 13 years, commuting to Brisbane for 12 of them. Now with a 5 minute journey to work, he is able to enjoy more time with his family, being out in the garden, managing his veggie beds, making furniture, and following sport, particularly rugby union.

Ali Hoffmann

Studio Manager

Bachelor of Business
Diploma of Events
Diploma of Travel & Tourism

Ali is a motivated and enthusiastic professional with over 30 years’ experience in business, sales and marketing, and business development. Customer-focused and driven, Ali has the ability to deliver targeted marketing campaigns, and industry relevant events.

A natural problem solver with strong networking capabilities, Ali’s business acumen enables her to ensure the studio runs smoothly, allowing the team to focus on design.

In her spare time Ali enjoys camping, beachcombing, jigsaws, music, jumping on the mower, and organising social events.

Josh Scott

Design Techncian

Diploma of Building Design

Josh combines Gen Z high level computer skills with a positive and hard working attitude.

A key member of the team, he enjoys investigating design solutions, utilising his innate understanding of complex computer programs.

After completing a Building Design Diploma, Josh worked in construction acquiring manual and practical experience on site to add to his skill set. This combination enabled Josh to understand the whole process from designing the build, following the plans as a tradie during construction, to seeing the completed project and handing the keys over to the client.

Away from work Josh is a keen amateur cook, is a hobby blacksmith and enjoys being a positive role model to his nephew.

Bella

Business Development Dog

Bella is an integral part of the Habitance Team, taking her role as Business Development Dog very seriously. She encourages people walking by to stop and pat her, offering an opportunity for them to ask what we do. She also likes to woof at other dogs and make friends with people eating pizza next door. Bella also likes photobombing, sleeping and chewing her feet.

Maggie Buckle

Design Techncian

Dual Diploma in Building Design and Interior Design

A multi skilled individual, Maggie’s creativity and passion for nature, nurture, the arts, and architecture has led her to complete a dual diploma in Building Design and Interior Design.

Formerly working in Real Estate, Maggie observed a growing distance between buildings and the personalities that occupied them. Her aim is to create environments that value personal expression within the individuals’ space. With a growing interest in gardening, self-sufficiency and landscape architecture, Maggie aims to develop her diverse range of talents with the team at Habitance.

To relax, Maggie likes gardening, painting portraits in her home studio, playing the banjo and driving round the sunny coast in her MX5.

Patrick Nispel

Senior Urban Designer

Master of Design (UrbDes)BA (Hons) Architecture

With a passion to shape the built environment and local communities in a healthy and sustainable way, Patrick uses his extensive knowledge, diverse skills and broad project experience in architecture and urban design from across multiple countries.

Patrick believes the opportunity lies in challenging the norm to identify opportunities to create energy positive environments for individuals and communities alike.

Bilingual, logical and an analytical thinker, Patrick is a highly self-motivated individual, with the ability to work effectively with internal and external team members. He has a passion for sustainable design solutions including passive solar design, sub-tropical design, energy efficiency and ‘Passivhaus’ principles. Patrick used to compete internationally in Athletics and having pursued the Olympic Dream as an athlete his aim is to be involved with architectural and urban design projects related to Brisbane 2032.

Away from work Patrick plays sports, enjoys camping with his family and has just finished designing his own energy efficient home on the Sunshine Coast which his family plan to move into in 2022.