We've spent years figuring out what actually works when you're building in places where winter isn't just a season - it's a lifestyle. Our services aren't pulled from some textbook; they're born from real projects in places that'll freeze your coffee before you finish it.
Look, building in extreme cold isn't about slapping extra insulation on a standard design and calling it a day. Every project we touch gets the full treatment - from understanding how wind patterns'll hit your site to making sure your mechanical systems won't give up when it's -40 outside.
We design homes that don't just survive winter - they embrace it. Think passive solar orientation that actually makes sense for northern latitudes, entry sequences that keep the cold where it belongs, and floor plans that let you enjoy those long winter nights without feeling like you're in a cave. We've done everything from compact cabins to full family homes, and yeah, they all stay warm without bankrupting you on heating bills.
Energy efficiency in the Arctic isn't a nice-to-have - it's survival. We're talking serious envelope performance, thermal bridging details that actually work, and ventilation systems that recover heat without freezing up. We've tested these solutions in the field, not just on paper. From triple-glazed window specs to mechanical system selection, we know what'll keep running when it matters most.
Building sustainably up north means understanding permafrost, sourcing materials that can handle the journey, and designing systems that work with nature instead of against it. We've partnered with local communities and learned what actually holds up over decades, not just what looks good in a rendering.
Your building doesn't exist in a vacuum. Snow drifts, ice dams, frozen ground - it all matters. We design landscapes and site features that work with winter conditions. Windbreaks that actually break wind, drainage that handles spring melt, and outdoor spaces you can still use when there's three feet of snow on the ground.
Sometimes you just need someone to check your work or troubleshoot an existing building. We do thermal imaging, energy modeling, and envelope assessments. Found more than a few "mystery" cold spots that turned out to be totally avoidable construction mistakes. We'll tell you what's wrong and, more importantly, how to fix it.
Building off-grid or in truly remote locations comes with its own set of headaches. Limited construction windows, material logistics, local labor constraints - we've dealt with it all. From Yukon to northern BC, we help you plan projects that can actually get built, not just designed. That means realistic schedules, phasing strategies, and backup plans for when (not if) something goes sideways. We've coordinated builds where everything came in by barge or ice road, and learned the hard way what you can't leave to chance.
Every project's different, but our approach stays consistent. We listen more than we talk (at least at first), we ask annoying questions about things that'll matter later, and we don't disappear once the drawings are done.
Site visits, climate data, your actual needs vs. your Pinterest board
Concepts, iterations, energy modeling, reality checks
Detailed drawings that contractors can actually build from
We stick around through construction when things get interesting
Whether you've got a fully-formed idea or just know you need something that'll handle serious cold, let's chat. Coffee's on us (assuming it doesn't freeze).