Passive-house thinking
High-performance envelopes, daylight-aware planning, and durable material choices shape homes that feel calm, efficient, and resilient in every season.
Beautiful passive homes for generations to come
Homes That Endure
Arkitects is a boutique architecture firm specialising in passive-house residential design for eco-conscious families in the Pacific Northwest. We believe great homes should be beautiful, efficient, and built to last generations.
Founded in 2004
by principals Dana Voss and Marco Eletti in Portland, Oregon
Completed 212 projects
across residential, civic, commercial, and mixed-use work
Repeat client rate: 68%
earned through clarity, rigor, and long-term trust
A quieter kind of luxury
For first-time homeowners, sustainability can feel abstract until it is translated into comfort, lower energy demand, healthier interiors, and better long-term value. Arkitects designs homes that make those benefits tangible from the first sketch onward.
Our residential work is informed by the wider technical depth of a practice licensed to practice in 38 states, with 47 full-time employees across two offices: Portland (HQ) and Austin. Since 2021, 100% of projects target LEED Silver or higher, and office operations have been carbon neutral since 2023.
Certified B Corporation
Certified B Corporation since 2019, with a minimum 2% of billable hours annually donated to community projects.
Tools that reduce surprises
Uses Revit, Rhino, and Enscape as primary design tools to help clients understand space, detail, and performance before construction begins.
A disciplined process
Average project delivery timeline: 14 months from contract to construction documents, giving homeowners a realistic framework for planning.
Designed with craft, backed by proof
Arkitects is best known here for refined passive homes, but the studio’s broader body of work demonstrates the rigor behind every residential commission. Notable completed projects include Harlow Public Library in Eugene, The Meridian mixed-use tower in Austin, and Cascade Community Health Center in Portland.
Winner: AIA Oregon Firm of the Year, 2022. Featured in Architectural Record, Dezeen, and Metropolis Magazine. Current backlog: 18 active projects valued at $340M in construction cost.
A first-home process that feels clear
Choosing an architect for your first home should feel grounded, not intimidating. Arkitects offers three service tiers so clients can engage at the level that matches their goals, timeline, and readiness.
Whether you need early feasibility or full project leadership, the studio balances design ambition with disciplined documentation and a calm, transparent decision-making process.
01
Concept Only
Ideal for site evaluation, early planning, and establishing the design direction before larger commitments are made.
02
Design + Documentation
A strong fit for homeowners who want a complete design package with clear drawings ready for pricing and coordination.
03
Full Service
For clients seeking continuity from first ideas through construction-phase support and a highly guided experience.
Hourly rates range from $145 (junior designer) to $295 (principal), giving homeowners transparent expectations before the project scope is defined in detail.
“The best sustainable home is not a performance checklist. It is a place that supports daily life with grace, efficiency, and lasting beauty.”
That philosophy guides Arkitects across every scale of work, from boutique residential commissions to award-winning public and mixed-use projects.
Ready to begin thoughtfully?
If you are planning your first home and want a partner who values sustainability, craftsmanship, and clarity in equal measure, Arkitects is ready for an honest first conversation.
Why homeowners choose Arkitects
- Clean, minimal design sensibility rooted in the Pacific Northwest
- Proven technical depth with 212 completed projects to date
- Environmental accountability from B Corp certification to carbon neutral operations
- A studio culture built for long-term trust, reflected in a 68% repeat client rate