--- title: "Arkin Tilt Architects — Architects & Building Designers | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/arkin-tilt-architects-pfvwus-pf~436221546 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~436221546.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Arkin Tilt Architects" category: ["Architects"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/9a13c1d30f5e4914_9156-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "1101 8th Street, Suite 180, Berkeley, California 94710, United States" latitude: 37.8696 longitude: -122.2959 phone: "(510) 528-9830" website: http://www.arkintilt.com rating: 5 review_count: 1 best_of_houzz_awards: 6 followers: 665 last_updated: 2026-08-24 --- # Arkin Tilt Architects Original Houzz profile: [Arkin Tilt Architects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/arkin-tilt-architects-pfvwus-pf~436221546) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Architects - **Location:** Berkeley, CA - **Serves:** Berkeley - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (1 review) - **Best of Houzz:** 6 awards (2013–2020), for Design. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Star Houzzer - Houzz Influencer - 100,000 Ideabook Saves Arkin Tilt Architects is an award-winning firm specializing in energy and resource efficient design. Our projects embody a marriage of thoughtful design and ecology, creating spaces that are comfortable and lyrical. We pay particular attention to the integration of the built and natural environments—from siting to careful detailing. We have extensive experience with alternative construction systems, including straw-bale and rammed earth, renewable energy systems, greywater, and non-toxic and recycled materials. Our projects include residential and commercial, park buildings, religious facilities, and Eco-Resort planning and design. ### Services Provided - Architectural Design - Building Design - Sustainable Design - Energy-Efficient Homes ### Areas Served - Berkeley ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Arkin Tilt Architects | | Address | 1101 8th Street, Suite 180, Berkeley, California 94710, United States | | Phone | (510) 528-9830 | | Website | http://www.arkintilt.com | | License Number | C22459 / C32386 | | Followers on Houzz | 665 | **Social profiles:** - Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/arkintiltarchitects/ - Blog — http://www.arkintilt.com/ ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Arkin Tilt Architects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/arkin-tilt-architects-pfvwus-pf~436221546) - **Website:** http://www.arkintilt.com - **Phone:** (510) 528-9830 ## Credentials - **Best of Houzz:** 6 awards (2013–2020), for Design. **Affiliations** - [Public Architecture](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/professionals/schools-and-organizations/public-architecture-pfvwus-pf~1703615405) ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 1 review** ### All 1 review **★★★★★ — canan, June 2012** > I contacted Arkin-Tilt by email because I liked their work on their website. They kindly offered me lot's of good advice, long distance, by email, for many months before I felt that I was abusing their kindness and asked them to sign a contract with us to help our restoration project in Italy. At that time being an English speaker I could not find good/sound advice on ecological restoration in Piedmont region in Italy. We worked with them in this long distance manner for nearly 3 years until our project was finalized. Their help was precious, we held many skype calls to chat with each other and reviewed things via emails, and I can easily say we couldn't have done it without their help. Their creative, timely, patient & their technical knowledge/advice is superior. They are able to suggest alternatives (we were on a real tight budget). > > Once our house was finished we also had a nice visit from them. When they arrived at our home in Italy, even though we saw each other face to face for the first time , it was as if long lost friends had made a visit. > > They are special people to work with, I would highly recommend them to anyone who wishes to do an ecological/environment friendly building (new) or do a restoration like we did. :-)) ## Selected projects - [Vine Hill Straw Bale Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/vine-hill-straw-bale-residence-pj-vj~527227) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 7 - [Cabana at Roanti Orchards & Vineyards](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/cabana-at-roanti-orchards-and-vineyards-pj-vj~2154138) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 7 - [Mill Valley Straw-Bale Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/mill-valley-straw-bale-residence-pj-vj~2154121) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 10 - [Eastern Sierra Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/eastern-sierra-residence-pj-vj~2154100) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 10 - [Sonoma Residential Home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/sonoma-residential-home-pj-vj~1815747) - Location: Sonoma, CA - Photos: 9 - [Project Green Home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/project-green-home-pj-vj~1512870) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 6 - Description: Our clients had ambitious goals: a 'Beyond-LEED-Platinum,' Net-Zero Energy, and Passive House certified home on a budget that would be a comfortable family home. The result is a compact 2500 SF family home, with four bedrooms plus a "senior suite." The home is traditional, but also uncompromisingly modern, from its open floor plan to its well-sealed envelope and advanced, high-efficiency heating system. - [Mt. Veeder Residence at Camalie Vineyards](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/mt-veeder-residence-at-camalie-vineyards-pj-vj~1513155) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 6 - Description: This modern farmhouse is sited against the hillside to the west, protecting it from summer afternoon sun while still opening to the vineyard surrounding it. Balancing intimacy and openness, the house is designed to function for a family of four plus frequent weekend guests, using as little energy as possible with no petroleum resources. Simple passive solar strategies are combined with a sophisticated heating system that integrates hot water provided by solar collectors along with a heat transfe… - [Caner/Beier Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/caner-beier-residence-pj-vj~1513169) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 7 - Description: Located on a steep, west facing slope in Napa County, the residence nestles into a saddle in the land tucked behind a small knoll. Segmenting the program into four individual structures take advantage of the views and reinforces the connection with the site. The main spaces are of sprayed earth construction, with a roof structure of recycled fir trusses and salvaged cypress decking. Rammed earth is used at the fireplace and loggia columns. A corrugated metal roof and plywood and batten siding on… - [San Carlos](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/san-carlos-pj-vj~454992) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 5 - Description: A remodel of a 1915 Piedmont craftsman residence, Designed by Arkin Tilt Architects (www.arkintilt.com). We excavated and added 600 square foot of living space under the existing first story. Two new bathrooms were added, and the back end of the house was opened into a great room and new kitchen. Some design elements include recycled glass terrazzo counters, stained concrete floors with hydronic radiant heating, reclaimed Carrara marble kitchen counters, and tons of clear fir exposed beam framin… - [Sustainable Modern California Residence by Arkin Tilt Architects](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/sustainable-modern-california-residence-by-arkin-tilt-architects-pj-vj~1225918) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 3 - Description: Miles off the highway, nearly to the end of a one way road, David Arkin and Anni Tilt’s design for this sustainable private residence combines Watershed Block, straw bale, and reclaimed redwood. The weight of the Watershed Block base, in some locations serving as retaining walls, creates both a structural and visual anchor to the lighter straw and wood components. The block veneer on the gunite walls of the lap pool rise directly from the ground. The Watershed Blocks for this sustainable private… - [Rosenberg / Zuckerman Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/rosenberg-zuckerman-residence-pj-vj~1075263) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 10 - Description: The home is nestled along a contour of a natural ‘bowl’ with rocky terrain rising up around the east, north, and west sides, and excellent views to the south and southeast. The upslope portion of the site is rugged – dry in summer and verdant in winter, and studded primarily with stunted blue oaks. There are significant rock formations throughout the site, with clear evidence of volcanic activity. The buildings follow the topography and capture passive solar heat in the winter months. They featu… - [Bennett Valley Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/bennett-valley-residence-pj-vj~383474) - Location: Santa Rosa, CA - Photos: 18 - Description: Architect: Arkin Tilt Architects This home is an expression of the best of an integrated design process. We were selected early in the design phase and were involved in dialogue with the client and architects to optimize budget and overall green building strategies. Passive solar and energy efficient design are the principal elements of this modern vernacular style home, which resulted in an Energy Star certification. Resource conservation, durability and healthy indoor air quality strategies we… - [IdeaGarden](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/ideagarden-pj-vj~38570) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 14 - Description: The owners conceived of their project as a fertile ground for bringing together people and ideas. The 100 year-old Victorian farmhouse clearly had good bones but was thermally challenged in both summer and winter. Our clients felt that the original Victorian had a certain charm and should remain essentially unchanged, but that the renovated kitchen and dining room addition should have an open 'Zen' sensibility connecting it to the surrounding garden. Improving the home's energy efficiency was a… - [Chalk Hill Off-Grid Cabin](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/chalk-hill-off-grid-cabin-pj-vj~41397) - Location: Nevada City, CA - Photos: 10 - Description: This 872 s.f. off-grid straw-bale project is a getaway home for a San Francisco couple with two active young boys. This simple, straw-bale volume opens to a south-facing terrace, connecting it to the forest glade, and a more intimate queen bed sized sleeping bay. An open loft above the kitchen provides additional sleeping space for kids and guests. - [High-Performance California Courtyard Home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/high-performance-california-courtyard-home-pj-vj~264156) - Location: Palo Alto, CA - Photos: 11 - Description: On a north-sloping acre in west Palo Alto, this house is carefully sited and detailed to maximize the experience of the semi-rural site while remaining comfortable year round. Rigorous design, testing and construction detailing resulted in an elegant, high-performance house that is perfectly suited to its climate and the exacting needs of the outdoor-oriented family it houses. - [Vine Hill Road Straw Bale Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/vine-hill-road-straw-bale-residence-pj-vj~144455) - Location: Sebastopol, CA - Photos: 8 - Description: Located on a 15-acre former Christmas tree farm, the over-grown Scotch pines were removed to reveal pockets of native oak, fir and redwood. Modest volumes are sited to celebrate and enhance this newly revealed landscape. While less than 2500 sq.ft., the house feels relaxed and gracious as it frames a large courtyard. Natural materials and landscape-based shading strategies give richness and texture to the simple passive solar volumes. Glazed corridors further blur the division of house and lands… - [Santa Cruz Straw Bale House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/santa-cruz-straw-bale-house-pj-vj~41370) - Location: Santa Cruz, CA - Photos: 9 - Description: Our clients wanted to push the ecological envelope while providing a fun, comfortable house for their family of six, along with a second unit for rental or aging parents. Combining cutting-edge mechanical technology with natural building techniques, passive solar strategies, and locally sourced elements, this house is designed for net-zero energy and minimal carbon footprint. - [Urban Farmhouse Kitchen](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/urban-farmhouse-kitchen-pj-vj~41427) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 6 - Description: Remodeling the kitchen of a 100 year-old farmhouse into a cozy, functional space while respecting its long and complicated history was no easy task. While the space of the kitchen is now only slightly larger, the end result is spacious and light-filled. [See all 18 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/arkin-tilt-architects-pfvwus-pf~436221546) ## Community Q&A **Q: nettifisher@gmail.com** *(in Photo Questions)* Is this roof standing seam and what is the colour? Thanks. It looks great A: 17" DesignSpan standing seam roofing, from AEP Span, in a zincalume finish, both top and bottom. it's the exposed underside you see on the overhangs—clean and fire resistant. **Q: Please describe the "ice house"ventilated roof** *(in Photo Questions)* please give details on construction -- Thanks A: Prior to widespread use of refrigerators in homes, ice was cut from frozen lakes, stored into the summer, and delivered to homes to be placed in one's 'ice-box'. The structures for storing the ice were called 'ice-houses' and these often featured a double roof; the upper roof shaded the lower roof, and air flowing between the two would carry away the sun's heat before it could migrate through the lower roof. In this home's roofs cool air enters at the lower eaves and leaves at the ridges, similarly helping to keep the spaces below cooler. The lower roof is insulated much as one typically does. The eaves feature 'Vulcan Vents' that prevent hot embers from entering during a wildfire, and the overhangs are framed with the 2x4s that create the ventilated cavity. **Q: What are the dimensions of the tub with and without the storage?** *(in Photo Questions)* A: The tub is Kohler's 'Tea for Two' set in a deck that is 3' x 6'; the shelves and steps are of even width and 10" deep each, totaling 56" deep by 72" wide. **Q: Size of this room?** *(in Photo Questions)* Do you know offhand what the dimensions of the room are? Thanks! A: The kitchen is 17'-6" x 15'-0". **Q: Can you tell me more about the ceiling?** *(in Photo Questions)* A: Clear Douglas fir boards with gaps between them, against a ceiling painted black. **Q: Color of the white siding.** *(in Photo Questions)* Could you please tell me the brand and name of the white siding? The contrast with the cedar is just perfect. A: 7" exposure Hardie-Plank lap siding with a Linen White paint finish. --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-08-24.*