Business Details
Sustainable Architecture & Green Building Design
Arkin Tilt Architects is an award-winning firm with decades of combined experience in sustainable design and ecological architecture. Founded by David Arkin and Anni Tilt, our practice integrates passive solar strategies, alternative construction methods like straw-bale and rammed earth, and renewable energy systems to create buildings that harmonize with their environment. Our expertise spans residential, commercial, and public projects, emphasizing resource efficiency, thermal performance, and lyrical connections to natural landscapes.We prioritize collaborative client relationships, ensuring designs reflect both functional needs and environmental stewardship. With LEED-certified professionals and pioneers in carbon-sequestering materials, we demonstrate authority through industry leadership, publications, and educational workshops. Our commitment to transparency, ethical practices, and community engagement underscores our trustworthiness in advancing ecological design.
Services
Sustainable Architecture
Passive Solar Design
Straw Bale Construction
Earth Building Techniques
LEED Certification
Highlights and features
- We offer over 20 years of experience in sustainable architecture and alternative construction methods.
- Our team pioneered carbon-sequestering straw-bale building techniques in California.
- LEED-certified professionals ensure compliance with rigorous green building standards.
- Collaborative design process prioritizes client vision and environmental context.
- Award-winning expertise in passive solar and net-zero energy systems.
Associations and certifications
- AIA
- LEED AP
What people say
Terrific experience
Excellent at eliciting needs
Super-creative solutions
Energy efficiency seamless
Award-winning expertise
Services
Sustainable Architecture
Our sustainable architecture focuses on minimizing environmental impact through energy-efficient layouts, locally sourced materials, and integration with natural ecosystems. We prioritize passive solar heating, daylight optimization, and water conservation systems. Clients benefit from reduced operational costs and healthier living environments while achieving carbon-neutral goals.
Passive Solar Design
Passive solar strategies optimize building orientation, thermal mass, and natural ventilation to regulate temperature without mechanical systems. We analyze microclimates to maximize winter heat gain and summer cooling, reducing energy consumption by up to 70% in California's diverse climates while maintaining aesthetic integrity.
Straw Bale Construction
Straw-bale walls provide R-30 insulation using agricultural waste, sequestering carbon and eliminating the need for timber framing. Our techniques ensure durability exceeding 100 years, with thick walls enabling built-in seating and deep windowsills while meeting modern fire and seismic codes.
Earth Building Techniques
Rammed earth and soil-cement systems create thermally stable structures using on-site materials. We employ stabilized earth for seismic resilience and combine it with insulative envelopes to expand usability across climates, offering timeless textures and reduced embodied energy.
LEED Certification
We guide projects through LEED certification, documenting energy performance, material sourcing, and water efficiency. Our Platinum-certified projects demonstrate mastery in meeting rigorous sustainability benchmarks while enhancing marketability and long-term value for clients.
People
David Arkin
Co-Founder / Architect
Licensed architect with 30+ years in sustainable design, founder of California Straw Building Association, and former director of Solar Living Institute. B.Arch from University of Minnesota, specializing in passive systems and community planning.
Anni Tilt
Co-Founder / Architect
Princeton civil engineering graduate with expertise in ecological wood use and LEED-certified projects. Former member of Fernau and Hartman Architects, focusing on workplace design and sustainable materials research.
Devin Kinney
Project Architect
UC Berkeley graduate with experience in residential and institutional eco-design. Specializes in integrating renewable energy systems and client-focused sustainability solutions while balancing aesthetic and functional requirements.
Tavi Hillesland
Architectural Designer
Cal Poly SLO graduate with minors in sustainable environments. Focuses on rural architecture and low-impact buildings, combining interdisciplinary design principles with hands-on construction knowledge for holistic project delivery.
Philomena Reinmueller
Sustainability Specialist
Stanford engineer and London Met architect with expertise in off-site construction and vernacular typologies. Researches low-carbon materials and applies European alpine building traditions to modern ecological challenges.
Questions
What sustainable building certifications do you specialize in?
We specialize in LEED, Passive House, and Living Building Challenge certifications, ensuring projects meet rigorous environmental standards through energy modeling and material transparency.
Can straw-bale construction work in wet climates?
Yes, our straw-bale designs incorporate protective roof overhangs, moisture barriers, and breathable plasters to ensure durability in varied climates like Northern California's rainfall patterns.
How do you integrate solar energy with architectural design?
We combine passive solar orientation with photovoltaic systems and thermal storage, optimizing building forms to maximize solar gain while maintaining aesthetic coherence.
What's your approach to remodeling existing buildings sustainably?
We prioritize material reuse, enhance thermal performance through insulation upgrades, and integrate renewable systems without compromising structural integrity or historical character.
Do you work outside the Bay Area?
While based in Berkeley, we've completed projects across California and collaborate with remote teams using digital modeling tools for accurate design implementation nationwide.
How do you control construction costs with eco-materials?
We balance premium sustainable materials with efficient design, local sourcing, and volunteer labor for techniques like straw-bale installation to maintain budget feasibility.
