Architecture on Your Terms.

Passive-house (Passivhaus) is a rigorous performance standard — not just a checklist. It requires an airtight building envelope, continuous insulation, triple-glazed windows, and a heat-recovery ventilation system. The result is a home that uses up to 90% less heating energy than a code-minimum house, maintains stable indoor temperatures year-round, and dramatically improves indoor air quality. Every Arkitects project targets these benchmarks from the first design decision.

Construction costs in the Pacific Northwest vary significantly by site, material selections, and contractor market conditions, so we don’t publish a fixed price-per-square-foot. What we can tell you is that passive-house construction typically carries a 5–10% premium over conventional builds — an investment that is routinely recouped within 7–10 years through reduced energy costs, and that dramatically increases long-term resale value. During the Discovery phase, your principal will develop a preliminary cost model to ensure the design aligns with your budget from day one.

Our fees are billed hourly against a project estimate established at contract signing. Hourly rates range from $145 for junior designers to $295 for principals. We invoice monthly based on hours logged, so you always have visibility into where your fee is being spent. For most residential projects, architectural fees represent 8–12% of the total construction cost. A detailed fee estimate is provided before you sign anything.

Yes. Arkitects is licensed to practice in 38 states across the US, and we operate from offices in both Portland (HQ) and Austin, Texas. Our residential work is concentrated in the Pacific Northwest, but we regularly take on projects in Washington, California, Idaho, and Montana. If your site is outside these regions, get in touch — we can discuss licensing and travel logistics during the initial consultation.

Absolutely. Many of our long-term clients began with a Concept Only engagement to test the relationship and explore possibilities, then commissioned full documentation once they secured financing or finalized their site. The concept work is never wasted — it becomes the creative foundation for every subsequent phase. We structure contracts so the transition between tiers is seamless.

Certified B Corporation status, which Arkitects has held since 2019, means we have been independently verified to meet the highest standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. For you as a client, it means the firm you hire is legally and structurally committed to doing the right thing — not just when it’s convenient. It also means we donate a minimum 2% of billable hours annually to pro bono community projects, and have maintained carbon-neutral office operations since 2023.