About Us | Tundra on Quinthar Architecture

How We Got Here

Started out of a Calgary basement back when everyone thought building up north meant slapping extra insulation on southern designs and calling it good. Yeah, that didn't work out well for anyone.

Spent our first few years mostly fixing other people's mistakes - buildings that couldn't handle permafrost shifts, heating systems that gave up when temps dropped below -30, windows that turned into ice sculptures every winter. Fun stuff.

These days we work with communities across Canada's north, designing structures that actually understand what extreme climate means. Not just surviving it - working with it.

The People Behind The Projects

Small team, big experience in places most architects never visit

Sarah McKenzie

Lead Architect

Grew up in Yellowknife, knows cold-climate building isn't theoretical for folks living up there. 15 years making sure structures don't just stand - they belong.

Marcus Chen

Structural Engineer

Spent 8 winters on-site in Nunavut before joining us. If he says a foundation'll hold through freeze-thaw cycles, you can bet on it.

Kateri Whiteduck

Community Relations

Connects traditional knowledge with modern design. Makes sure we're actually listening to the people who'll live and work in what we build.

David Thorsen

Energy Systems Specialist

Obsessed with making buildings use less energy while keeping people comfortable at -45. It's possible, just takes someone who actually cares enough to figure it out.

What Makes Us Different

We don't design from a desk in the south and ship plans north. That's how you get buildings that fail in year three when permafrost decides to shift.

Every project starts with site visits - and we mean actual time spent understanding the land, the climate patterns, talking with locals who've been there through decades of weather. You can't fake that kind of knowledge.

We spec materials that handle extreme temperature swings. We design mechanical systems with backup plans for the backup plans. We think about how someone's gonna maintain this thing when the nearest supplier's a plane ride away.

Sounds basic, but you'd be surprised how many firms skip this stuff.

What Clients Actually Say

"

We'd been through two other firms before Tundra on Quinthar. They actually showed up during winter to see what we were dealing with. Building's held up through three brutal seasons now without a single issue. Finally feels like someone got it right.

Jennifer Arnaquq

Community Center Project, Iqaluit

"

Our heating costs dropped by almost 40% compared to the old facility. Sarah's team designed something that works WITH the environment instead of fighting it. Plus they stayed within budget, which honestly shocked us.

Robert MacLeod

Industrial Operations, Inuvik

"

They didn't just design a building - they listened to what we needed as a community. Incorporated traditional elements that matter to us while making something that'll last. That respect meant everything.

Chief Thomas Beardy

Cultural Center, Muskrat Dam First Nation

Our Approach to Northern Design

There's no cookie-cutter solution when you're building in Canada's north. Every site's got its own challenges - different permafrost conditions, varying daylight hours, unique community needs.

We start every project by shutting up and learning. What's the history of this land? How do people actually use spaces here? What's failed before and why?

Then we design with real-world constraints in mind - limited construction seasons, material transport challenges, maintenance accessibility. Beautiful architecture means nothing if it doesn't work when it's -40 and the closest repair shop's 500km away.

Sustainability isn't just a buzzword for us. It's about creating buildings that reduce environmental impact while actually improving quality of life for the people using them. Energy efficiency saves money AND reduces carbon footprint - pretty straightforward when you think about it.

Let's Talk About Your Project

Recognition & Certifications

We don't do this for the awards, but it's nice when people notice

LEED Accredited

Green building standards

RAIC Members

Royal Architectural Institute

Arctic Design Award

2022 Excellence

15+ Years

Northern projects

Ready to Start Your Northern Project?

We're based in Calgary but work across Canada's north. Let's figure out what you need.

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