HGE is an employee-owned firm specializing in municipal projects for Oregon coastal communities since 1952. We are proud to be a rural firm with diverse clients and building project types throughout the region and State.
OFFICE
Our approach is based on open lines of communication, collaboration, and a constant eye toward problem solving at every level. We regularly schedule formal face-to-face meetings and virtual conferences, or reach out in convenient texts, emails, and quick phone calls. You can feel confident that your project will achieve a professional result while receiving the personal attention we give to each of our clients.
We use a variety of tools to help us perform the best work possible. Our workstations are updated regularly with the latest components and software to ensure efficient, professional quality production. Our large format printers are capable of printing, scanning, and copying any plans, no matter how old they may be.
At HGE, we work on a variety of projects, from large municipal jobs to residential remodels. Collaboration between staff and clients is emphasized in our projects through regular meetings, informal design charrettes, and office-wide afternoon critiques. We enjoy building lasting relationships with our clients as we work with them to complete projects and bring their visions to life.
TEAM
Joe is President of HGE and manager of the architectural practice and has held this position since joining the firm in 1995. He has experience with a wide variety of building types from small residential projects to complex multi-million-dollar commercial projects with large consulting teams of design architects, structural, mechanical and electrical engineers. His involvement has been in all phases of work including pre-design, technical needs assessment reports, programming, preliminary design, master planning, public meeting representation, construction document preparation, bidding, and construction administration. Joe enjoys all facets of the profession including the friendships formed with HGE clients and the construction community. He lives in Coos Bay and enjoys getting outdoors fishing in the local rivers, duck hunting in the Coquille Valley, and in the shop building/repairing wooden boats. Stephanie Martell is a Registered Landscape Architect, Certified Erosion and Sediment Control Lead, and the Principal Landscape Architect at HGE Architects, Inc. in Coos Bay, Oregon. She is a graduate of the University of Oregon, where she received a dual bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture and Environmental Studies. Since joining HGE in 2007, Stephanie has been involved with all aspects of site development from conceptual design through construction administration for a variety of land uses and project types. She provides full technical support during the entire project, acting as a resource to the Project Architect and Team, providing landscape and site design services as well as in-house management support to assure that timing, production efforts, and deliverables are meeting/exceeding expectations. She ensures that the development of each project site meets environmental and zoning requirements while assisting the Project Team with overall design, ensuring seamless integration with consultants and a responsiveness to functional program and cost issues. Stephanie has extensive knowledge of plant communities in the Pacific Northwest that work well in our coastal environment. She is experienced with Green Infrastructure, Low-Impact Development, and stormwater management systems as they relate to site design, including bioswales, filter basins, and rain gardens. Stephanie’s professional interests include sustainable design, urban design, stormwater management and design, site master planning and site improvements, and coastal/waterfront design. Notable projects include: North Bend Grant Circle Pedestrian Plaza, Coquille Riverwalk Pedestrian Walkway, Coos Bay School District Madison School Renovation Site Design, Bay Area Hospital Parking Expansion and Community Cancer Center Site Design, and Florence City Hall Remodel / Addition & Site Improvements. Stephanie resides in Myrtle Point and lives a dynamic life raising a family and volunteering in the community as a youth basketball and track coach, 4H leader, and has served on the school board and city council. Andrew joined HGE Architects in 2014, after 23 years with another local firm. He brings with him over 30 years of architectural design and project management experience. He has a broad experience with various building types such as commercial buildings, historic building restorations and adaptive re-use, waterfront boardwalk design, RV parks, school district master planning, school buildings, financial institutions, medical buildings, restaurants, automobile dealerships and numerous residences. Andrew graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Architecture and Bachelor of Architectural Studies degree from Washington State University in 1987. Besides enjoying designing buildings and seeing them through to construction, he is also involved with the local community, serving on various city committees throughout the years, leading historic walking tours of the downtown every spring, raising a family, running and biking and the occasional pick-up basketball game. Sam first started assisting in our office while in high school, where he started drafting plans in AutoCAD. He officially joined HGE in 2018 as an emerging professional, completing his licensing requirements in 2022. He works to develop projects from schematic design through construction documentation and into CA. During his time at HGE, Sam has worked on projects ranging from residential additions, complete building overhauls, restaurants, and new school buildings. He enjoys the opportunity to work on a variety of project types. While not at the office, Sam is a passionate hobbyist woodworker, and is currently using those skills to restore a 1927 craftsman bungalow. He enjoys exploring the cliffs, beaches and sloughs along the coast with his wife, their little baby boys, and of course their energetic dog as well. Amy Marino is a designer and project manager working toward her architectural license. Amy rejoined HGE Spring 2019 after working for us in 2012 & 2013 and returns with 12 years of experience which includes project programming, planning, interior design and construction development, construction administration and project management. Dom earned his Bachelor of Architecture at the University of Oregon, where he graduated cum laude with a minor in Landscape Architecture in 2020. He joined HGE thereafter and became a licensed architect in 2024. He has experience with a range of project types, including libraries, schools, fire stations, residences, and various commercial projects. Outside of work, Dom stays busy renovating his home, and enjoys running, making music, and exploring the coast with his wife. Gidgette joined HGE in 2014 with 17 years of accounting experience. She is responsible for our business office and human resources as well as project and administrative duties. She assists project managers with contract preparation and administration, as well as project manual and specification editing. She also provides Notary Public services for our office. While raising her children she was actively involved in their activities and is still an active member in her community. She is currently on the Board of Directors of Sumner Rural Fire Department. She is an avid traveler, reader, knitter and spends a lot of time in the kitchen baking. Tess graduated from Ferris State University in Michigan in 2013 with a bachelor’s degree in English. Since graduating, her professional experience has been in office administration, community management, and advertising. Tess and her husband fell in love with the Pacific Coast and moved from Arizona with their two dogs in the summer of 2020. As the Administrative Assistant for HGE, she assists the team with correspondence, document development, and office organization. She enjoys exploring the local lakes and rivers, curling up with a good book, or playing video games with friends in her free time.
HISTORY
What started as R.H. ERICHSEN, CIVIL ENGINEERING in the basement of Roy Erichsen’s home in 1952 rapidly grew to become HGE with the addition of architects Bruce Harlan and Richard Gessford. The three professionals, whose initials gave HGE its name, provided architectural, engineering, and surveying services to the community for many decades. The company’s size continued to ebb and flow over the years, at one point boasting 30 employees and a second office in Portland.
HGE has been an active member of the Coos Bay community since its inception, not only helping give rise to vital infrastructure and buildings that lend Coos Bay its character, but also contributing its services around the state.
HGE has historically specialized in the engineering of water and sewage treatment plants, pump stations, and street and parking improvements, both locally and as far afield as Douglas, Lane, Yamhill, Tillamook, Deschutes, Baker, and Wallowa counties, and even California.
Some recognizable historic architectural projects in the community include the Coos Bay City Hall, Pony Village Mall, North Bend Fire Station, US National Bank in Coquille, various school buildings such as Millicoma School, Sunset Middle School, Southwest Oregon Community College (SWOCC), and extensive work on Coquille and Marshfield High Schools.
In 2016, after 25 years of operation out of the Park Building at 375 Park Avenue, HGE moved to our current location at 333 S. 4th Street, near downtown Coos Bay. Today, the company continues to evolve and grow. HGE is an integral part of the Oregon Bay Area, providing a creative work environment for staff and striving to provide excellent service to our clients, today and in the decades to come.