Snow-covered modern building against mountain backdrop

Crafting resilient structures that embrace the northern elements

We've spent years figuring out how buildings can actually work with the cold instead of fighting it. There's something honest about designing for harsh climates - you can't fake it when temperatures drop to minus forty or snow piles three meters high.

Arctic residential architecture

What we actually do up here

Working in cold climates isn't just about throwing more insulation at the problem. We've learned that the best buildings respect their environment - understanding wind patterns, snow drift dynamics, and how people really live when it's dark for months at a time.

Our approach comes from years of watching what works and what doesn't. We've seen fancy designs fail because nobody thought about ice dams or how residents would clear their entryways. That's not gonna happen on our projects.

Commercial cold climate building

Northern communities need buildings that last

Every project teaches us something new. Like that residential complex where we redesigned the whole entry sequence because the original plan would've created an ice rink every morning. Or the commercial building where we worked with local crews who knew exactly how the wind behaves in that specific valley.

We're not trying to impose southern building standards on the north. That's backward thinking and it never works out.

More About Us

What we've been focusing on lately

Six main areas where we've built up real experience over the years

Residential Arctic Housing Design

Houses that keep people warm without bankrupting them on heating costs. We've figured out entry sequences that actually make sense when you're carrying groceries in a blizzard.

Commercial Cold Climate Buildings

From retail spaces to offices, these need different thinking. Employee comfort matters, but so does the bottom line when you're dealing with extreme weather conditions year-round.

Energy-Efficient Building Envelope Consulting

The envelope is everything in cold climates. We've tested various assemblies and can tell you what actually performs versus what just looks good on paper.

Snow Load & Wind Resistance Engineering

This isn't optional up north. We work with structural engineers who understand that building codes are minimums, not targets, especially when lives depend on it.

Sustainable Northern Communities Planning

Communities need more than just buildings - they need infrastructure that works when it's cold and dark. We've been part of several master planning projects that actually got built.

Heritage Building Winterization

Older buildings weren't always designed for modern comfort standards. We've gotten pretty good at upgrading them without losing their character or historical value.

Let's talk about your project

Whether you're planning a single home or a whole community, we'd like to hear what you're thinking. Every project starts with understanding what you're actually trying to accomplish.

We're based in Vancouver but work throughout northern regions. Initial conversations are pretty informal - just helping figure out if we're a good fit for what you need.

Get in touch

Office

1247 Pacific Boulevard, Suite 320
Vancouver, BC V6Z 2R6

Send Us a Message