David Houbaer and Alec Balcombe are dhab Studios, a young Tasmanian duo that offer creative solutions across lighting, interiors and furniture
January 7th, 2013
Your top 3 influences
A: Reaction from the user, Dave and the issue at hand.
D: Creative thinking, Tasmania and Mentors.
The moment you knew you wanted to be a designer
A: University motivated me to pursue a career in design, realising I had the ability to enhance people’s lives.
D: Skipping school classes to go and tinker in the design and technology department.
Favourite local landmark/building
A: Does the beach count?
D: The local drinking hole.
Favourite material
A: I wouldn’t have a favourite as such, every material is suited to a purpose or application. But there is an amazing beauty in wood, especially some of the Tasmanian natives.
D: Play-dough. It’s fun, colourful and perfect to get those initial concepts in to something tangible.
Favourite international landmark/building
A: My mum has a villa on the Isle of Kythira in Greece, located in a little village. It’s very basic and honest and really focused on the simpler side of things.
D: The Sagrada Família by Antoni Gaudi. I haven’t been there YET, but since learning about the history of the project I am constantly amazed!
Biggest career moment
A: If I could call 12 months a career it would come down to Launch Pad. We were lucky enough to be a part of the shortlist – and that really lead our studio into some great opportunities.
D: Launchpad, and the repercussions that lead to our first SID. I had a lot of fun!
Dream Project to work on
A: I’d like to work on an experiential event – something to wow someone’s senses with one overwhelming show or performance or experience.
D: An event/festival like Tommorowland in Belgium where creativity would have no boundaries.
Dream person to collaborate with
A: Richard Branson
D: Banksy
Favourite decade of design
A: 1948 – 1958.
D: 1890 – 1910.
Favourite Chair
A: Eames Lounge and Ottoman. Wooot wooo!
D: Paimio Chair – Alvar Aalto
#1 Concern for the design industry in the coming decade
A: Saturation
D: Consumables that have no regard for their life cycle.
Which items in the workplace can you not live without
A: My headphones. There’s nothing like rocking out to some beats when you’re on a roll in the workshop.
D: The whiteboard. It’s always covered with something that’s probably only legible to me!
The most unusual/interesting thing about the way you work
A: We hold our ‘board meetings’ on surfboards.
D: I enjoy the spontaneous decisions in working for yourself, and not following a routine.
dhab Studios
INDESIGN is on instagram
Follow @indesignlive
A searchable and comprehensive guide for specifying leading products and their suppliers
Keep up to date with the latest and greatest from our industry BFF's!
At 3daysofdesign 2026, AHEC’s immersive exhibition traced the journey of American hardwood from forest to finished product.
When Italian furniture maker, Pedrali partnered with design studio, Formafantasma, the collaboration was always going to result in something both elevated and imbued with impeccable detail and flair.
The Geelong College’s Sport and Wellbeing Centre ‘Belerren’ designed by Wardle is designed around bringing in natural light. But Shade Factor’s job was to help modulate and precisely control it for the most important competitive moments.
As Woven Image celebrates 40 years, it introduces a new collection developed in collaboration with Australian artist Ben Goss, inspired by his original artwork Where the Kookaburra Sits into a vibrant collection of digitally printed EchoPanel® murals and patterns.
In contemporary interiors, ensuring a sense of comfort and wellbeing means designing and specifying finishes and products that support all the senses.
FASHION EXPOSED is Australasia’s largest and most comprehensive fashion trade fair. It covers all fashion categories in a relaxed, inviting atmosphere that includes excellent facilities for buyers, media and VIP guests.
The internet never sleeps! Here's the stuff you might have missed
A wander around a BACHLI showroom reveals a tapestry of captivating furniture designs, curated precisely and craft-led. Thanks to its longstanding partnerships with iconic designers, BACHLI has become a go-to for discovering the most exciting established and emerging Australian and international brands. Initially based in Melbourne, BACHLI have recently expanded into Sydney with their Surry Hills showroom, increasing their presence and opening their invitation to the design-savvy and curious nationwide.
Born out of Saturday Indesign research, our new Social Club is a space for younger, junior designers to meet and discuss the issues of the day — and it just hit Melbourne for the first time.