Doug Hilberman
“When I look to giving back and engaging with community, it’s important to bring the community up as a whole to enrich the environment.”—Doug Hilberman, president, AXIA Architects
Born in New Jersey, Doug and his family moved to the Bay Area in 1976 when his father, an electrical engineer, took a new position on the West Coast. At the time, Doug was 10 years old and his passion for building and construction had already taken hold. “I had a Tonka Truck fetish when I was young,” he says, pausing to smile. “No doubt, I was headed for construction.”
As a youth, Hilberman played with Lincoln Logs and erector sets, and job sites were a point of fascination. As a teenager, he got involved with the Boy Scouts of America, and his experience still influences him today. “That experience opened my eyes to civic involvement,” says Hilberman, an Eagle Scout, which is the highest rank in the program. One scout rule that especially struck a chord: Always leave the campground cleaner than you found it. “We always did a lot of backpacking and were taught to leave a place better than we found it.”
Hilberman attended architecture school in Oregon and spent the early part of his career as a contractor in residential housing. From there, he went on to work for a firm that designed and built semi-conductor facilities, where microchips are built. “What was interesting was the sheer scale of those projects,” says Hilberman. At one overseas project where he worked, 30 languages were spoken on the job site.
In 2003, Hilberman relocated from Portland to Sonoma County to step into a position at AXIA Architects. “They were looking for someone to diversify and grow the next generation of the firm,” he says. “Upon reflection, I had no idea what I was stepping into.” His mission at AXIA these days is to serve the community and grow the talent and staff of the firm. “What’s fun about my job is to take the baton from the right hand and pass it to the left. We have a great staff,” he says. “They’re talented and dedicated.” AXIA is known for its intellectual approach to problem solving, which it accomplishes by focusing on a thorough understanding of each client, their goals and an intimate connection with the site.
“Every project has its own unique characteristics,” he says. “We focus our efforts on projects that give us the opportunity to add value.” Whether AXIA designs a residential or commercial building, it’s a given that it should be aesthetically appealing and enhance everyday life for those who live and work there. “It’s more than just about aesthetics,” he adds. It’s about the ‘textural quality’ of the design.” In other words, the practical use of a structure and the experiential quality of the space for those who live and work there. When it comes to giving back, Hilberman looks for ways to help people that match his skill set.
He and his family lost their home in Fountaingrove during the 2017 firestorm, but despite his own personal loss, he found the time to help others. Currently, he’s actively participating with the rebuild team in Santa Rosa, and the firm is also supporting those in the community that need their help. “At AXIA, we opened the doors to anyone who needed advice for the next steps in the process,” he says. “We sat down and walked through their stories and offered resources. The firestorm was an absolute catastrophe, But I believe our community will be a case study in how to respond to disaster. It wasn’t perfect, but we got a lot right.”
After 30 years in the business, Hilberman doesn’t intend to slow down anytime soon. “I haven’t gotten that baton to the left hand just yet,” he says with a laugh. “Working with the team here is rewarding, and helping folks grow professionally and getting involved civically. I want to be active in areas where my skill sets add value.”
Currently, he lives in Sebastopol with his wife, Wendy, and two children, Malcolm and Cassandra. One day, Hilberman hopes to rebuild the home they lost. And though his hiking days as a young scout are long over, he’s committed to leaving the places where he lives and works better than he found them. “If I can do that, I’ll live a happy life.”
