Magnus Thorvald
Principal Architect & Founder
"We're not just drawing blueprints here - we're translating the wisdom of Nordic winters into spaces that actually make sense for how people live."
Our Story
Look, I'll be straight with you - Frostbane Veil didn't start in some fancy boardroom. It started on a freezing morning in 2012 when I realized Vancouver's building scene was missing something crucial. We've got this incredible climate, right? Rain, mountains, ocean... but most of the architecture felt like it could've been dropped anywhere from Phoenix to Miami.
Growing up between Oslo and Vancouver gave me this weird double vision. I'd seen how Nordic builders work with harsh climates instead of fighting 'em. Thick walls that breathe. Windows placed where they actually capture light. Spaces that feel cozy without cranking the heat to ridiculous levels.
So yeah, that's what we do here. We blend those time-tested northern principles with West Coast sensibilities. No greenwashing, no trendy gimmicks that'll look dated in five years. Just solid, thoughtful design that'll outlast whatever's hot on Instagram this week.
What Drives Us
Every project's gotta answer three questions: Does it respect the land it's on? Will it still make sense in 50 years? And honestly - would I want to live or work there myself? If we can't say yes to all three, we go back to the drawing board.
The Journey So Far
2012
The Beginning
Started with just me, a drafting table, and way too much coffee. First project was a 900 sq ft cabin retrofit in Whistler. Client took a chance on this nobody with weird ideas about insulation.
2015
Team Expansion
Brought on Sarah and Dmitri - both way smarter than me in their specialties. Sarah's heritage restoration work is absolutely next level, and Dmitri's structural calculations... well, they actually make sense.
2018
Commercial Breakthrough
Landed the Nordstern Commercial Complex project. Somebody actually trusted us with a 40,000 sq ft build. Still can't believe they let us do the green roof system we'd been sketching for years.
2021
Sustainability Recognition
Won some awards for energy-efficient design. Nice validation, but honestly? The real win was when clients started emailing their utility bills showing 60% reductions. That's the stuff that matters.
2025
Present Day
Team of twelve now. Mix of young talent and seasoned pros. We're working on everything from heritage restorations in Gastown to net-zero housing developments. Still feels surreal sometimes.
Our Approach
- Site analysis that goes beyond the survey
- Materials that actually belong here
- Passive design before mechanical systems
- Building for the next generation, not just this one
- Honest conversations about budgets and trade-offs
What We Don't Do
- Cookie-cutter designs
- Fake sustainability for marketing
- Ignoring local building culture
- Ego-driven projects that ignore function
- Promising timelines we can't deliver
The team reviewing plans for a heritage restoration project in Yaletown, spring 2024
Want to Work Together?
Whether you've got a full project brief or just a napkin sketch, let's talk. No pressure, no sales pitch - just a real conversation about what's possible.
Get In Touch