Community Highlights: Meet Joe Lopez of Habanero Architecture

Today we’d like to introduce you to Joe Lopez.

Hi Joe, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I am originally from Merida, Mexico where I grew up with architecture all around me. My mother worked as interior designer and several relatives were in the construction business. I always had an entrepreneurial calling. Previous to moving the United States, I ran a design-build studio where I worked as an architect and general contractor. As principal in charge I was able to design several small residential and commercial projects. In 2009 I moved to North Carolina and started my lengthy process of becoming a licensed architect in this country. Along the way I was able to work for amazing local architects that inspired and help me get where I am today. I was honored to work for great firms where I was exposed to a diverse collection of projects of different scales and complexities. Today, after 12 years of being a resident of our beautiful State of North Carolina, i am just happy to be able to use my architecture to enhance our communities and people’s lives.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I would say that the biggest obstacle for starting Habanero Architecture was getting licensed. The naming of the firm, branding, marketing, business planning and the process of registering the firm was very smooth, in fact I enjoyed. When my wife and I moved to North Carolina, it was the middle of the last recession in 2008 and just getting a job in the field was tough. I ended up working in retail jobs to earn money to pay bills and start our life here in the US. The licensing process was not an easy endeavor. Working, studying and having our first child was a full time commitment. Once licensed I decided to take the leap to open for business but COVID hit and the uncertainty of the market was very daunting. However, I can say today that the growth of the Triangle Area this last year and the boom of the housing market during the pandemic has helped my business to move along.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
We are an intentionally small architecture firm. We like working one-on-one with our clients to ensure that our ideas reflect the best version of your design. In other words, we value design quality as much as customer services. We are an Award-winning studio, Habanero Architecture is a creative, holistic and pragmatic design firm. Our projects are the reflection of careful analysis of your ideas and collected data transformed and amplified into simple, modern, functional and beautiful spaces. Regardless of budget or scope of work, our ideas are proven to be your best asset. Our portfolio includes high-end residential and small commercial projects. Our studio name depicts the kind of projects that specialize, We like to design bold and not bland solutions.

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
We think of Modernism as a state of mind, not as a style. What I mean is that we do not take modern to a literal formal expression as pure lines or cubes per say. We like questioning the purpose of the space, listening to the aspirations and understating the functional necessities of the client. Once we understand the true purpose of the project, we start offering creative and innovative ways of enhancing it.

“It is imperative that our architecture has a purpose and meaning; a soul. We think that offering this to a building goes beyond a listing of spaces, four walls, and a roof; it provides a cohesive sense of identity that evokes excitement and brings the best out of our daily lives.” Joe

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: habaneroarchitecture.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/habanero_architecture/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HabaneroArchitecture/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPSdQL0eNw719MCPEs3LQjQ

Image Credits
All images are courtesy of Habanero Architecture taken by Architect (Joe Lopez) with the exception of Interior Greenwood Residence shot by Janssen Strother Photography.