About Us - Grimthornia Architecture Studio

Our Story

Started back in 2012 when three of us were sitting in a cramped Vancouver coffee shop, sketching building designs on napkins. Yeah, those napkins are still pinned to our studio wall.

We'd all spent time working in Scandinavia - different firms, different cities, but we came back with the same obsession: that clean, honest approach to building that respects both people and planet. Not the trendy minimalism you see everywhere, but the real deal that's been refined over generations.

West Vancouver became our home base because, honestly, where else can you get that perfect blend of mountains, ocean, and clients who actually care about doing things right? The Pacific Northwest climate isn't so different from Nordic regions anyway, which makes our approach feel natural here.

These days we're a team of 14, and every project still gets the same treatment - no cookie-cutter solutions, no greenwashing, just thoughtful design that'll stand the test of time.

Our Philosophy

Honest Materials

Wood should look like wood. Stone should feel like stone. We're not into hiding what buildings are actually made of - that's just weird.

Light Matters

When you've lived through Nordic winters, you get it. Natural light isn't just nice to have, it's essential for wellbeing.

Long-Term Thinking

Trends fade. Good design lasts. We're building for your grandkids, not for next season's Instagram feed.

Site Respect

Every location tells a story. Our job is to listen and design something that belongs there, not force our vision onto the land.

Our Journey

Milestones that shaped who we are

2012 - The Beginning

Three architects, one shared vision. Started with a tiny office and our first residential project in North Vancouver.

2014 - Recognition

Won our first Canadian Green Building Award. That validation meant everything to us back then.

2017 - Expansion

Moved to our current Marine Drive studio. Finally had space to breathe and brought on five more talented folks.

2020 - Heritage Focus

Completed our first major heritage restoration project. Fell in love with preserving architectural history while making buildings work for modern life.

2023 - International Collaboration

Partnered with studios in Oslo and Copenhagen. Full-circle moment connecting back to our Nordic roots.

2025 - Today

Over 80 completed projects and still learning something new with each one. That's what keeps it interesting.

Meet The Team

The people who actually do the work

Sarah Grimthorn

Co-Founder & Lead Architect

Spent five years in Stockholm before coming home. Still makes the best Swedish coffee in the office.

Marcus Chen

Co-Founder & Sustainability Director

The numbers guy who makes sure our green promises actually add up. Helsinki trained, locally obsessed.

David Thorson

Co-Founder & Design Principal

Copenhagen background, Canadian roots. Somehow convinces clients that less really is more.

Elena Virtanen

Senior Interior Architect

Actually from Finland. Joins us remotely half the year, somehow makes every space feel like home.

James MacDonald

Heritage Restoration Lead

Local history buff who treats every old building like it's his grandmother's house. In a good way.

Priya Sharma

Visualization & Modeling Director

Makes our sketches look real before they're built. Clients love her, contractors rely on her.

Want to Work With Us?

Let's talk about your project over coffee. We promise to actually listen before diving into solutions.

Get In Touch