About Us - Frostwyn Realm Architecture

How We Got Here

Look, we started Frostwyn back in 2012 because someone needed to give a damn about making buildings that actually work in Canadian winters - not just survive them.

After spending years watching architects from warmer climates design structures that'd buckle under the first real snowfall, we figured it's time for a studio that gets it. We're talking proper thermal bridging solutions, snow load calculations that aren't wishful thinking, and materials that won't crack when it hits -30°C.

Our crew's spent collective decades working on everything from residential homes that stay cozy without bankrupting you on heating bills, to commercial spaces that handle Vancouver's rain and Alberta's deep freeze. We've restored heritage buildings that've stood for a century and helped 'em stand for another.

85+

Projects Completed

13

Years Experience

100%

Climate-Focused

The Folks Behind the Blueprints

We're a mixed bunch - some of us grew up shoveling snow off roofs, others studied in Europe and came back realizing Canada's climate demands its own playbook.

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Margaret Frost

Principal Architect & Founder

Started the firm after getting fed up with Toronto firms that didn't understand frost heave. Twenty years in, and she's still the one who catches thermal bridge issues nobody else sees. Margaret's got this sixth sense for how snow's gonna accumulate on a roof - saved us from some real headaches.

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David Thornwood

Senior Sustainable Design Lead

Dave's the sustainability guru who actually walks the talk - his own cabin runs entirely off-grid in the Rockies. He's obsessed with passive house standards and can talk your ear off about R-values. Clients love him 'cause he finds ways to go green without going broke.

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Jennifer Chen

Cold Climate Engineering Specialist

Jen spent five years in Yellowknife dealing with permafrost before joining us. She's the one you want when you're building anywhere the ground freezes solid. Her foundation designs are basically bulletproof - we've never had a callback on anything she's engineered.

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Thomas Redstone

Heritage Restoration Expert

Thomas brings traditional knowledge into every restoration project. He's particularly brilliant at finding ways to modernize old buildings while respecting their original spirit.

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Sophie Laurent

Interior Space Planning Director

Sophie's got an eye for making spaces feel warm even when it's freezing outside. She studied in Montreal and somehow makes even our most utilitarian commercial builds feel inviting.

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Ryan MacLeod

Project Coordinator

Ryan keeps everything running on schedule, which isn't easy when you're dealing with Canadian weather delays. He's the guy who actually reads the fine print and makes sure permits don't get stuck.

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Aisha Okonkwo

Commercial Design Architect

Aisha specializes in making commercial buildings that don't look like boring boxes. She's got a knack for blending functionality with actual aesthetic appeal, even when budgets are tight.

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What Drives Us

Honestly? We're tired of seeing buildings fail in the cold. There's something deeply frustrating about watching a beautifully designed structure crack, leak, or cost a fortune to heat because nobody factored in actual climate conditions.

Every project we take on, we're thinking about how it'll hold up in a blizzard, how it'll handle spring melt, whether the HVAC system's gonna work when it hits -40. That's not extra - that's baseline for us.

We want buildings that last generations, not just decades. The kind of structures your grandkids will still be using, still be comfortable in, without needing major overhauls every few years.

Our Approach

We start with the climate, then work backwards. Sounds obvious but you'd be surprised how many firms do it the other way around. We're looking at wind patterns, snow accumulation zones, sun angles in winter - all before we even sketch the first design.

Materials matter huge. We've got preferred suppliers who actually test their products in cold conditions, not just lab temps. And we're constantly experimenting with new solutions - green roofs that handle freeze-thaw cycles, triple-pane windows that don't fog, insulation that actually performs at its rated R-value in real conditions.

Every building's a collaboration. We work closely with clients to understand how they'll actually use the space, not just what looks good in renderings. Function comes first, beauty follows naturally when you get the fundamentals right.

Ready to Build Something That Lasts?

Let's talk about your project. We'll be straight with you about what'll work and what won't - no sugarcoating, no overselling. Just honest advice from folks who've been doing this for years.

Get In Touch