"We take pride in finding innovative ways to overcome challenging and complex site- or building-related constraints." —Doug Hilberman
“We’re grateful for the North Bay’s support over the years,” says Doug Hilberman, president of AXIA Architects, on learning the firm was voted Best Architectural/Design Firm in the 2016 NorthBay biz Readers Poll. “We’ve been recognized in five of the seven years that architecture has been a category in the awards. This award is special to us, and we like to view it as a reflection of our engagement in the community architecturally, civically and on a grassroots level. We value our community and strive to enhance it by creating designs that add value and excitement to all of our lives.”
He continues, “Our goal is to assemble the best group of architects in the North Bay and give them the opportunities and resources to passionately support our clients. We commit time to understand our clients, their business models and their strategic plans, and engage in discussions about their future. In many cases, this may require us to brainstorm solutions that extend well beyond the envelope of architecture. Our culture is based on the notion of helping our clients achieve their goals.”
AXIA traces its roots to 1939, to one of the first notable architects in the Sonoma County region, Clarence Felciano. The firm has always focused on serving the North Bay and the North Coast, and its current activities include projects in Sonoma, Marin, Napa, Lake and Mendocino counties. AXIA’s main office is located in Santa Rosa.
When asked about the current portfolio of work, Hilberman says, “It’s diverse but commonly focused on creative solutions to our clients’ specific programmatic needs. We take pride in finding innovative ways to overcome challenging and complex site- or building-related constraints. Our specialties include master planning/regulatory processing, luxury residential, wineries, high-tech, corporate and educational architecture.”
With only 11 people in the office, Hilberman says, “We’ve always remained a mid-size firm by North Bay standards. It helps us provide the best hands-on experience for our clients.” The privately owned firm is in the process of “recreating itself” by rewarding key performing employees with the ownership and profit sharing opportunities. It’s also encouraging its young and upcoming talent to embrace the new ownership and delivery model.
The firm has experienced consistent growth over the past few years, both in financial performance and the types of projects it attracts. In both cases, AXIA is very excited by the current growth and the view ahead.
One of the firm’s most exciting current projects, one that fits with its vision of “extending beyond the envelope of architecture,” is the Epicenter project in Santa Rosa, a mixed-use infill property on Piner Road (near Coffey Lane) for sports and entertainment that’s under construction and scheduled to open later in 2016.
The firm is heavily involved throughout the construction phase of the project and advising on design modifications and adherence to the plans. Hilberman says, “This is a great example of a local firm supporting a local owner to do something uniquely special for the community. We find ourselves personally invested in these types of projects.”
