Co-Founder & Principal
Dana Voss
Dana leads design strategy and client relationships across residential and civic projects. A Certified Passive House Designer and LEED Fellow, she pioneered Arkitects’ pro bono commitment from day one.
Our Origin
Two Principals, One Shared Vision
Dana Voss and Marco Eletti met on the University of Oregon thesis review board in 2002. Both were already obsessed with passive-house principles — the German-derived building science that makes homes thermally self-sufficient without mechanical heroics. Two years later, they opened Arkitects in a shared studio off NW Glisan Street in Portland.
From a two-person office they grew steadily, guided by a rule they still enforce today: never take on more projects than the team can do with full attention. Today, 47 full-time designers, architects, and project managers work across two offices — Portland (HQ) and Austin — licensed to practice in 38 states.
The 212 projects completed since 2004 span intimate family residences to civic landmarks like the Harlow Public Library in Eugene and the Cascade Community Health Center in Portland. The 68% repeat client rate is the number they are most proud of.
The People Behind the Work
Meet the Arkitects Team
Forty-seven specialists united by a belief that passive-house design is the most important thing an architect can do for a family and for the planet.
By the Numbers
Twenty Years of Principled Practice
home
212
Projects Completed
Since founding in 2004
favorite
68%
Repeat Client Rate
Clients who come back again
eco
100%
LEED Silver or Higher
Every project since 2021
groups
47
Full-Time Employees
Portland HQ & Austin offices
Values in Practice
A Firm That Holds Itself Accountable
B Corp certification, carbon neutrality, and pro bono hours are not marketing claims — they are audited, published commitments.
verified
Certified B Corporation Since 2019
Arkitects is assessed by B Lab across governance, workers, community, environment, and customers. Re-certification every three years keeps the standard honest. Architecture with a conscience, not just aesthetics.
eco
Carbon Neutral Office Operations Since 2023
Both the Portland and Austin offices achieved carbon neutrality in 2023 through a combination of renewable energy procurement, operational efficiency, and verified offset programmes. The buildings we design are not the only ones we hold to a high standard.
handshake
Minimum 2% of Billable Hours Donated Pro Bono
Every year, at least 2% of Arkitects’ total billable hours are donated to community organisations, affordable housing initiatives, and civic projects that could not otherwise afford professional design services.
shield
Licensed in 38 States — AIA Oregon Firm of the Year 2022
Arkitects holds active architectural licences in 38 states and was named AIA Oregon Firm of the Year in 2022 — recognition for both design excellence and the firm’s commitment to community and sustainability.
“We started Arkitects because we believed the best architecture doesn’t ask you to choose between a beautiful home and a healthy planet. After 212 projects, we’re more convinced of that than ever.”
Dana Voss & Marco Eletti
Co-Founders, Arkitects — Portland, OR
Press & Recognition
As Featured In
Architectural Record
Featured for passive-house innovation and the Harlow Public Library project — recognised as a benchmark for civic sustainability in the Pacific Northwest.
Dezeen
The Meridian mixed-use tower in Austin was spotlighted in Dezeen’s annual round-up of North American mixed-use developments pushing sustainable design boundaries.
Metropolis Magazine
Metropolis profiled Arkitects’ B Corp journey and pro bono programme, calling the firm “a model for how small studios can hold outsized ethical commitments without sacrificing design quality.”
Award
AIA Oregon Firm of the Year — 2022
Ready to Build Something Lasting?
Your Passive-House Story Starts Here.
We work with eco-conscious families across the Pacific Northwest to design homes that are as efficient as they are beautiful. With an average 14-month delivery timeline and three flexible service tiers, there is a path for every project and every budget.