HOBO

What HOBO does

HOBO is a French multidisciplinary architecture collective, legally structured as SAS HOBO Architecture, headquartered in Bordeaux and founded in July 2009 in the aftermath of the Grenelle de l'Environnement. It is positioned as a four-division integrated practice: HOBO Architecture (core design), HOBO Impact (eco-design, environmental and energy engineering, certifications such as BBCA, BREEAM, HQE, BDNA, E+C-), HOBO Digital (BIM/CIM/LIM digital coordination, OpenBIM, DOE BIM lifecycle documentation), and HOBO Exe (TCE turnkey execution and works direction). The firm is staffed by ~50 professionals spanning architects, urban planners, engineers, BIM managers, economists, environmental experts, and works directors, including 11 named partner-associates.

The technical backbone is Full BIM methodology applied to 100% of projects (per company disclosure), combining Building, City and Landscape Information Modeling, VR360 immersive review, dynamic thermal-energy simulation, lifecycle assessment and 50-year DOE BIM as-built documentation. HOBO Digital is a member of Building Smart France, anchoring the practice in open-BIM interoperability. The collaborative workspace BORD'HA in Bordeaux — a self-promoted building combining the agency's HQ, co-working and residential uses — functions as a living showcase and Obeya-style client engagement environment.

Revenue is generated through project-based professional services fees on architecture, BIM coordination, environmental consulting, and construction execution work (professional services model; pricing is project-specific and not publicly disclosed). Client base is split between public-sector programs (lycées, EHPAD, CROUS student housing, regional redevelopment agencies such as SEML des Lasers) and enterprise/private clients including MAAF Assurances, Thalès, OPALINK, 3IS, Euratlantique, and Tour INNOVA. Geographic footprint spans Bordeaux (HQ), Paris (opened 2022), Limoges (added 2023 via merger with HUB architectes), and La Réunion (added 2023 via the same merger). The firm has a partnership network of 70+ external engineering, environmental, and architecture firms (e.g., ARCADIS, ARTELIA, EGIS, INGEROP, ARUP, BERIM) to staff complex multi-trade projects, and has won the national BIM d'OR 2020 in the rehabilitation category.

Name

HOBO

Legal name

SAS HOBO ARCHITECTURE

Website

https://hobo.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

HOBO is a French multidisciplinary architecture collective in Bordeaux offering integrated design, eco-design, BIM/CIM/LIM digital coordination, and turnkey execution across healthcare, housing, education, and tertiary projects for public and private clients in France.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Bordeaux

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Architecture and Design Services: Project-based fees for architectural design services covering programming, schematic design, design development, construction documents, and construction administration across all building typologies including healthcare, housing, tertiary, education, and industrial.
2. HOBO Digital - BIM Coordination: Digital coordination and BIM management services including pre-synthesis, all-trade synthesis, and digital as-built documentation (DOE BIM).
3. HOBO EXE - General Contractor Services: Execution services including engineering, economics, regulations, risk management, work supervision, OPC (Operation Planning Control), and project management for 'turnkey' and classical all-trade work direction.
4. HOBO Impact - Environmental Consulting: Eco-design and environmental consulting including energy and environmental performance studies, carbon footprint assessments, lifecycle analysis, thermal and energy simulations, sizing studies, global cost analysis, and eco-certification support.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

HOBO is a multidisciplinary architecture collective that provides integrated architectural design, digital BIM coordination, eco-design and environmental consulting, and construction execution services for healthcare, housing, education, tertiary, and rehabilitation projects. The firm delivers full project mastery from programming through execution through four interconnected divisions (HOBO Architecture, HOBO Digital, HOBO Impact, HOBO Exe), supported by Full BIM methodology, VR360 immersion, and OpenBIM interoperability.

Product overview

HOBO is a multidisciplinary architecture collective offering integrated services through four interconnected divisions: HOBO Architecture (core design), HOBO Impact (eco-design and environmental certification), HOBO Digital (BIM/CIM/LIM digital strategy and coordination), and HOBO Exe (execution, engineering, and turnkey delivery). The firm operates from its collaborative headquarters BORD'HA in Bordeaux, with additional offices in Paris, Limoges, and La Réunion. The divisions are designed to work together, with Digital and Exe supporting the Architecture division to provide comprehensive project delivery from programming through construction.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• HOBO IMPACT: Expert team in energy performance and environmental design, providing eco-conception services from programming through building operation, including carbon footprint, life cycle analysis, thermal simulations, and eco-certification.
• HOBO DIGITAL
• HOBO EXE

Products and services

• HOBO Architecture

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% of projects delivered with collaborative digital model (Full BIM)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• AIA (Ingénierie TCE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTCE (Tous Corps d'État) engineering partner providing structural, mechanical, and electrical engineering expertise on projects.
• ACTIOMcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngineering partner for TCE coordination on complex projects.
• ARCADIScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational engineering consultancy providing infrastructure and building engineering services.
• ARTELIAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngineering and consultancy group providing multi-disciplinary engineering services.
• ARUPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal engineering consultancy providing structural, MEP, and specialist technical services.
• BERIMcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngineering consultancy providing building engineering and technical coordination services.
• BETEMcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuilding engineering firm providing technical engineering services.
• EGIScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor French engineering group providing building and infrastructure engineering services.
• INGEROPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngineering consultancy providing infrastructure and building engineering.
• SYSTRAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngineering consultancy specializing in transport infrastructure and urban development.
• NOBATEKcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironment and sustainable construction consultancy specializing in eco-design and environmental engineering.
• DEERNScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuilding physics and sustainability consultancy providing energy and environmental engineering services.
• GROUPE 6coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor French architecture firm with complementary expertise for joint project development.
• GROUPE FRANCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture firm partner for collaborative project development.
• SCAUcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor French architecture firm for collaborative architecture projects.
• Building Smart FrancecoreTechnology or IntegrationHOBO DIGITAL is a member of Building Smart France, the French chapter of the international open BIM standards organization, ensuring interoperability and data exchange standards across all projects.
• HUB architectescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture firm merged with HOBO in 2023, bringing expertise in Limoges and healthcare sector (SANTÉ), expanding HOBO's regional presence and sector capabilities.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• AREP: Large French multidisciplinary architecture, urban planning, and engineering firm (SNCF subsidiary) focused on mobility, public infrastructure, and sustainable design. Comparable in scale and multidisciplinary integration to HOBO across French public-sector bids.
• SCAU Architecture: Established French multidisciplinary architecture firm covering urban planning, architecture, and interior design across major public and private commissions. Listed as a core HOBO partner, with similar project profiles in institutional and tertiary work.
• Groupe 6: Major French multidisciplinary architecture firm with complementary expertise across healthcare, education, tertiary, and complex public projects. Listed as a core strategic partner of HOBO, indicating overlapping clientele and project scope at similar scale.
• AIA Ingénierie: French multidisciplinary architectural and engineering firm providing design, structural, MEP, and project management. Listed as a core TCE partner of HOBO, with directly comparable scope on healthcare, education, and tertiary projects.
• Architecture-Studio: International French architecture firm with large-scale projects in housing, culture, education, and urban planning. Comparable multidisciplinary approach with shared focus on social and sustainable housing programs.
• Valode & Pistre: Prominent French architecture firm with strong focus on sustainable design, large-scale offices, healthcare, and urban projects. Directly comparable in low-carbon and eco-design expertise and project scale.
• Wilmotte & Associés: Renowned French architecture firm operating across culture, education, housing, and luxury sectors at comparable scale and with similar multidisciplinary ambitions and French-market concentration.

Others

• Egis: Major French engineering and project management group providing building, infrastructure, and multidisciplinary design services. Listed as a HOBO partner; broader engineering scope but competes on integrated design-and-execution mandates and project bidding capacity.
• Arcadis: International design and engineering consultancy providing sustainable building, infrastructure, and project management solutions. Listed as a HOBO partner, with broader portfolio scope but comparable overlap on integrated design and execution mandates.

Broad incumbents

• BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group): Internationally established architecture firm with strong sustainability, BIM, and integrated design approach. Comparable emphasis on digital coordination and eco-design; broader global scope and French mid-tier public-sector work less central.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hobo-architecture

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about HOBO