About Us | Tundra Quinthorn Architecture

Our Story

Back in 2011, a couple of us were sitting in a drafty cabin in Whitehorse, sketching on napkins and wondering why northern buildings always seemed to be either overheated boxes or freezing nightmares. There had to be a better way, right?

Turns out there was. We started Tundra Quinthorn with a pretty simple idea - what if we designed buildings that actually respected the climate they're in? Not fighting against -40 winters, but understanding them. Using them, even.

These days we're based in Vancouver, but our hearts and our projects stretch across Canada's northern reaches. We've learned more from permafrost, prevailing winds, and local communities than we ever did in architecture school. And honestly? That's exactly how it should be.

How We Got Here

A timeline of freezing our butts off and learning along the way

11

2011 - The Beginning

Founded by three architects who couldn't stop talking about thermal mass at parties. First project was a 800 sq ft cabin that taught us more about humility than success.

14

2014 - Going North

Completed our first community centre in Iqaluit. Spent three months living on-site. Lost feeling in our toes but gained understanding of what northern design really means.

17

2017 - Recognition

Won the Canadian Green Building Award. Nice trophy, but honestly we were more proud of the heating bills our clients weren't paying anymore.

19

2019 - Growing Roots

Moved to our current Vancouver office. Team grew to 12 people who all genuinely enjoy discussing R-values over coffee. We're that nerdy, yeah.

22

2022 - Heritage Meets Future

Started our heritage restoration division. Turns out old buildings knew a thing or two about surviving harsh climates. Who knew? (Everyone. Everyone knew.)

24

2024 - Today

Over 150 projects completed across northern Canada. Still learning something new on every single one. Still sketching on napkins sometimes.

What We Actually Believe

Our philosophy without the fancy architectural jargon

Climate Isn't the Enemy

Look, winter's gonna winter. Instead of building fortress-like structures that fight every gust and freeze, we design spaces that work with the cold. Better insulation, smarter orientation, passive solar that actually makes sense - it's not rocket science, just good planning.

Listen First, Design Second

We've learned that the people who actually live in these places know more than any textbook. Local knowledge about wind patterns, snow drift, seasonal light changes - that stuff's invaluable. We're not here to impose some southern architectural vision on northern communities.

Sustainability Isn't Optional

In northern regions, you see climate change up close and personal. We're not building for today - we're building for 50, 100 years down the line. That means materials that last, designs that adapt, and energy systems that don't cost the earth (literally or financially).

Beauty Matters

Practical doesn't have to mean ugly. A building can be super-insulated, energy-efficient, and perfectly suited to its environment while still being something you're proud to come home to. We're architects, not engineers (though we work closely with some great ones).

The Team

Meet the folks behind the blueprints

Sarah Quinthorn

Principal Architect & Co-Founder

Started designing tree houses as a kid in Alberta, now designs actual houses that don't fall down. Spent two years in Yellowknife learning that architecture school teaches you maybe 30% of what you actually need to know. Has a concerning obsession with triple-pane windows.

Marcus Chen

Senior Architect & Sustainability Lead

Vancouver native who fell in love with northern design during a college field trip to Dawson City. Specializes in passive house standards and can calculate heat loss in his sleep (his partner confirms this is both impressive and annoying). Makes terrible dad jokes about thermal bridging.

Rebecca Tuktu

Heritage & Community Design Specialist

Grew up in Nunavut, studied architecture in Montreal, came back north because she missed the light. Bridges traditional Inuit building knowledge with modern techniques, which is basically what we should've been doing all along. Doesn't suffer fools or poorly insulated foundations.

David Morrison

Project Manager & Co-Founder

The guy who keeps everyone on schedule and under budget (mostly). Former contractor who got into architecture because he was tired of building other people's questionable designs. Can spot a structural problem from 50 feet away. Drinks way too much coffee.

Emma Larsson

Interior & Space Planning Architect

Moved from Stockholm to Vancouver and wondered why Canadian buildings weren't borrowing more from Scandinavian design. Turns out we should've been. Expert in making small spaces feel huge and dark winters feel less bleak. Has strong opinions about lighting fixtures.

James Park

Junior Architect & Tech Integration

Fresh out of school and full of ideas about parametric design and building information modeling. The rest of us are old enough to remember drafting by hand. He makes us better by asking "why not?" about everything. Currently obsessed with geothermal systems.

Plus a rotating cast of engineers, consultants, and interns who keep us honest and occasionally teach us new tricks.

Want to Work With Us?

We're always up for tackling interesting projects, especially the challenging ones that make other firms nervous. Northern climate got you stumped? That's literally our thing.

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