How We Got Started
Look, we're not gonna claim we've always had it figured out. Frosthal Quintor started back in 2012 when two architects - one obsessed with Scandinavian minimalism and another who couldn't stop thinking about BC's raw landscape - decided to see if those ideas could actually work together.
Turns out, they could. And honestly, Vancouver needed it. We were tired of seeing buildings that ignored our climate, our light, our actual way of living here on the coast.
We've grown from that cramped Gastown office to a proper team of fifteen now, working out of West Georgia. Every single person here holds their AIBC credentials, and yeah, we're proud of that - but what matters more is that we've stayed committed to designing spaces that actually make sense for how Canadians live.
Our Design Philosophy
We don't do cookie-cutter. Every project starts with listening - really listening - to what you need, what the site's telling us, and what'll work in ten, twenty, fifty years.
Nordic Roots
We're inspired by that Scandinavian approach - clean lines, natural materials, spaces that breathe. But we're not copying some Stockholm apartment. We're adapting those principles to West Coast realities.
Sustainability First
It's 2024. If you're designing buildings without thinking about energy, materials, and longevity, you're part of the problem. We've got LEED APs on staff, but honestly? It goes deeper than certifications.
Canadian Context
We live here. We know the building codes, the weather patterns, the local suppliers. Your project isn't just beautiful renders - it's something that'll actually get built and work properly.
The Credentials Bit
Since you're probably wondering - yes, we've got the paperwork sorted:
- ✓ Licensed with the Architectural Institute of British Columbia (AIBC)
- ✓ Members of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC)
- ✓ Multiple LEED Accredited Professionals
- ✓ Passive House Designer certifications
- ✓ Over 180 completed projects across BC
But honestly? What we're most proud of is the clients who come back for their second and third projects with us.
Meet Some of the Team
Margareta Frosthal
Principal Architect, AIBC
Started her career in Oslo before moving to Vancouver in 2008. She's the one who'll push back if your ideas don't make environmental sense.
David Quintor
Principal Architect, AIBC, LEED AP
Born and raised in Squamish. Studied at UBC and spent five years with a firm in Copenhagen. Brings both worlds together.
Priya Sandhu
Senior Designer, M.Arch
Our interior space planning specialist. If you're wondering how to make 800 square feet feel like 1200, she's got ideas you haven't thought of.
Thomas Bergstrom
Technical Director, P.Eng
Makes sure everything we design can actually be built. Saved us from some pretty ambitious cantilevers over the years.
What Working With Us Looks Like
First off, we're gonna ask a lot of questions. How do you actually use your space? What bugs you about where you live or work now? What's your timeline? We need the real answers, not what you think architects wanna hear.
Then we'll do our homework - site analysis, code review, feasibility studies. We'll show you options, not just one "perfect" design. Because there's always more than one way to solve a problem.
Throughout the whole process, you'll know what's happening. No architect-speak, no mysterious delays. Just honest communication about where we're at and what comes next.
Why Vancouver?
This city's got a unique set of challenges and opportunities. The rain, the light, the earthquake zone, the insane real estate market - all of it shapes how we design.
We've watched this city grow and change. Seen neighborhoods transform. Dealt with the housing crisis firsthand in our work. It matters to us that what we create adds something meaningful to the urban fabric.
Plus, we're close to some incredible natural beauty. That Scandinavian connection to nature? It's not theoretical here - it's literally a 20-minute drive to trails, water, mountains. Our designs reflect that relationship.
And the local building community's solid. We've got relationships with contractors, suppliers, and trades who get what we're trying to do. That matters when you're pushing for better building practices.
Want the Full Story?
Come visit our studio. We'll show you models, share some coffee, and talk about what's possible for your project.
1420 West Georgia Street, Suite 800
Vancouver, BC V6G 2Z3