27 / 36
TexasBuilders.org
27
Builder Profile
researched other techniques for efficient
building over the years but always comes
back to the thermal-mass-wall concept.
His discovery of ICFs in the ’90s got him
excited about the sustainable possibilities
while being able to build in any style, and
he shifted his career to home design and
building full time.
“I get really great performance with the
homes, and most of my business now is
referral through my existing client base
and network of people in the industry,”
said Hoffman. He is now working to push
his business into community development,
with the goal of becoming an NAHB
Green certified community builder. An
eight-home infill development is currently
in the works on a 1.7 acre piece of land.
“We’ve run the energy modeling, and the
energy costs for the 1,850-square-foot
plans will be under $400 in annual energy
consumption to heat and cool the house,”
said Hoffmann. The homes will also feature
rooftop rainwater capture, and Hoffmann
will build an onsite community cistern.
“We had a tremendous amount of rainfall
in Dallas last year. It’s been challenging,
but with the cistern, we’ll be able to
store about 20,000 gallons. It’s basically
integrated storm water management, but
we’ll keep the water to irrigate the site
during the drought period of the year.”
Hoffmann is proud to call Dallas home.
He designed and built his own ICF house
in the area. His residence has a courtyard,
with a style harking back to his Spanish
roots. “Dallas is a hardworking town that
has really impacted and invented a lot,”
said Hoffmann. “The town has a great
energy, and the people are positive here. I
think that’s the reason for the growth, and
Dallas has planned for the growth. We’ve
got a great mass transit system and a great
business climate.” Hoffmann has worked
closely with the Dallas BA and the Dallas
city building department over the years,
putting in the effort to keep the industry
strong and moving forward.
“I don’t like waste,” said Hoffmann. “By
building efficiently we can reduce our
impact and energy consumption which
helps improve the air quality here in
Dallas, and in the broader sense, reducing
greenhouse gas emissions is a benefit we
can all appreciate.” Pictured in this article
are images from some of Hoffmann’s
projects. Featuring ICF walls, outdoor
living spaces, and artistic attributes, the
“playful-meets-modern” look of these
homes exemplifies Hoffmann’s unique
marriage of style and function. “I have a
real appreciation for how impactful our
industry is on the whole,” said Hoffmann.
“It’s very gratifying to know that I’m going
to see families and generations growing
up in the homes I’ve built.”
“By building efficiently we can reduce our impact and energy consumption which
helps improve the air quality here in Dallas, and in the broader sense, reducing
greenhouse gas emissions is a benefit we can all appreciate.”