Arkin Tilt Architects specializes in energy and resource efficient design. Our award-winning projects embody a marriage of thoughtful design and ecology, creating spaces that are both comfortable and lyrical, integrating the natural and built environment. We have extensive experience with solar, straw-bale and other natural building technologies.

Located on a steep, west facing slope of the Lovall Valley, the residence nestles into a saddle in the land tucked behind a small knoll. The residence is segmented into three individual structures both to take advantage of the views and to reinforce the connection with the site: vistas are framed of the classic oak and grass landscape and of the spectacular views both west towards Sonoma and south towards San Franciscc. Organized along the contour of the hill, the indoor rooms create places of privacy while forming more public outdoor rooms between them. Each room balances view and solar gain with careful window placement and shading devices.


The main spaces are of sprayed earth construction-providing both thermal moderation in its 18" thickness and a rich, patinaed finish-with a roof structure of recycled fir trusses and salvaged cypress decking. Rammed earth is used at the fireplace and loggia columns for drama. A corrugated metal roof and plywood and batten siding or cribbing on secondary spaces draw from the agrarian California vernacular giving the buildings a more casual and modern feel.


This project received a Sunset/AIA Merit Award in 2001, an AIA East Bay Award in 2001, and was featured as an AIASF "Small Firms, Great Projects" in Fall 2002.

Edward Caldwell Photography

This sustainable demonstration home is carefully designed to take advantage of the rugged beauty of its site on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, overlooking the Carson Valley. Working with the slope, orientation, and dramatic views, the house is structured around a courtyard oasis shaded with a photovoltaic array. While the garage and guest wing to the west blend into the landscape via sod roofs, the main form juts out like a boulder. Its south-facing roof (oriented for photovoltaic collection) peels up at the corner for passive solar gain and for a dramatic view of snow-capped Job's Peak to the southeast.


Using a variety of natural, efficient, and durable materials-primarily straw bale with an earthen finish (using soil from the site), metal roofing and slatted cement board siding-the finishes harmonize with the landscape and take advantage of the changing desert light.
The house is virtually energy indepen-dent: careful shading and high insulation values and thermal mass keep the structures from over-heating in the summer, aided by flushing of cool night air. In the winter, solar hot water panels located at the edge of the terrace feed a deep-sandbed hydronic heating system, as well as providing domestic hot water. A grid-intertied renewable energy system provides the home's electric needs.


This project received an AIA/COTE Top 10 Green Project in 2005.

Edward Caldwell Photography

This new 1823 sf solar home for a family of four is on an urban corner parcel that features two large coast live oaks. The shape and footprint of the house was carefully configured to preserve and protect the two trees.


A dynamic model of passive and active solar design, the house features south facing windows and internal thermal mass walls as well as solar hot water collectors, solar photovoltaic roof and awning panels, all carefully integrated into the building design. A tower provides access to the roof terrace, daylight, and natural ventilation at the core of the building.


Salvaged and reclaimed resources are utilized throughout the project. These include wall and bookshelf framing from used Douglas fir floor joists, trusses from salvaged beams, ceiling decking from vinegar barrel staves, exterior soffit material from salvaged siding (left unpainted to reveal its former life), salvaged doors, including garage door leaves formerly in use at a Berkeley elementary school, and custom sliding doors and screen panels from sustainably harvested Spanish cedar. The roofing shingles are slates made from recycled rubber automobile tires.


The natural gas service to the house is for cooking and back-up heating, but most domestic hot water and space heating needs are met with solar power. Heat is collected and stored in sand beds beneath the living room, playroom/laundry and garage spaces. The photovoltaic system is direct grid-intertied, featuring a very efficient SunnyBoy inverter. The local utility's electrical grid in this area is quite reliable and there is no battery back-up.


This project received a Sustainable San Mateo County/AIA Honor Award in 2005.

Edward Caldwell Photography