Thornfield Consulting Corp designs cold-formed steel. Steel stud framing and the ceilings that hang from it are what we do, and we have kept our scope deliberately narrow so that the work in front of you is the work we do every day. We support wall and ceiling contractors, general contractors, architects, and owners throughout British Columbia and beyond, and our team holds professional engineering registration in BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Washington.
Specialising has a practical payoff. We know the sections, the screws, the clips, and the catalogues without looking them up, we know where cold-formed steel gets expensive and where it does not, and we know which details cause trouble on site because we have watched them get built. From pre-tender pricing support to field reviews, we are an active part of your team, working through design questions and representing your interests.
With over 200 projects logged and more than 35 active long-term clients, our practice is built on technical rigour and genuine partnership. Our guiding belief is simple: any material used beyond what the code or the project truly requires is a wasted opportunity. We deliver framing that is not just correct on paper, but buildable and economical on site.
Matthew brings years of engineering experience to every Thornfield project, along with a genuine passion for the craft. He is dedicated to streamlining the design process, developing innovative methodologies and building his own software tools to make the most of time and resources.
His specialty is cold-formed steel (steel stud), where he focuses on optimizing materials and minimizing labor. Drawing on a deep knowledge of the cold-formed steel code and material specifications, he pushes the material to its limits while keeping every design safe, and he actively seeks out collaboration to trade insights and take on the industry's harder problems.
He sits on the CSA S136 technical committee, the Canadian standard that governs cold-formed steel structural members, which keeps him close to how the code is written and interpreted rather than just how it is applied. Registered across several Canadian provinces and U.S. states, and able to register in others as projects require, he supports work over a broad region.
His guiding belief is simple: any material used beyond what the code or project truly requires is a wasted opportunity. Across hospital, commercial, institutional, and industrial projects, that mindset lets him deliver cost-effective solutions without compromising quality or safety.
Matthew Elgersma, Principal
In the Field
The Work Behind the Drawings
Steel stud framing is where our practice lives. From layout to the last stud, we design systems that install cleanly, coordinate with every trade, and stand exactly as drawn. These are the structures our drawings become.
Load-bearing walls, ceiling systems, and interior partitions, all engineered to be buildable, efficient, and clear on paper before anyone picks up a screw gun.
Our calculations run on Pierpont, a cloud based structural design platform built by the engineers who use it. Its tools cover cold formed steel, structural steel, masonry, wood, and concrete, each validated against Canadian standards such as CSA S136, S16, S304, and O86, and every design exports as a clear, professional calculation report.
The same platform keeps our projects organized, our details consistent, and our quality checks documented. It is a big part of how we deliver quickly without cutting corners. For a closer look at how we use it, read our blog post on designing with Pierpont.
Exterior steel stud engineering for this Clinical Support and Research Centre, including panel lifting design and custom lifting lug development. We worked closely with the client, fabricator, and installer to support prefabricated wall panels, with a focus on constructability, lift sequencing, and site efficiency. Lifting and handling forces were treated as a primary design case, allowing panel geometry, connection detailing, and lug placement to be coordinated early. Rendering by Diamond Schmitt Architects.
Steel Stud and Ceilings
North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant
North Vancouver, BC
Steel stud and ceiling engineering for the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant, a major Metro Vancouver infrastructure project. Conceptual rendering courtesy of Metro Vancouver.
Steel Stud and Ceilings
Prince Albert Victoria Hospital
Prince Albert, SK
Design and field reviews for the steel stud walls and ceilings for this hospital in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. Rendering courtesy of the Government of Saskatchewan.
Steel Stud and Ceilings
Broadway Subway Stations
Vancouver, BC
Structural design of steel stud systems for Vancouver's Broadway Subway project, which includes six stations. Given the scale and complexity, careful coordination with multiple consultants has been essential throughout construction.
Steel Stud and Ceilings
Burnaby RCMP Headquarters
Burnaby, BC
Steel stud, 3D modeling, and ceiling engineering on the new 129,000 sq.ft. three-storey RCMP detachment headquarters, the City of Burnaby's largest civic building project. Rendering courtesy of the City of Burnaby.
Steel Stud and Ceilings
PNE Amphitheatre
Vancouver, BC
Engineering for the steel stud systems on this landmark project. Initially retained by the general contractor for pricing drawings of the parapets forming the arch exterior, we were later brought on by the wall and ceiling contractor to complete engineering for the remainder of the project. Rendering by Revery Architecture.
"Thornfield is a great company to cooperate with. At any point of the project, quality of service and solution-focused approach is their priority. Very knowledgeable and skilled professionals. I would highly recommend this firm to everyone."
KamilProject Manager at Wall and Ceiling Contractor
"Matthew was the engineer for my shop construction and was great to work with. I’ve since worked with him on one of my railing projects. Good decisions."
Marten KerkhoffOwner, Tenmar Contracting
"Matthew has been very professional and easy to communicate with. Looking forward to working together on more projects in the future."
JustinOwner at Chilliwack Steel Fabricator
"We renovated our townhouse in Chilliwack and had some structural engineering considerations. After phoning around town, there were very few who were willing to take on such a small, one-off job. Matthew was ready and willing to help us out. I am very grateful to him for taking on our project, doing so quickly and affordably. I’m happy to say our renovations are complete, including removing walls and adding beams."
Chilliwack HomeownerTownhouse Renovation
"I really appreciate Thornfield Consulting and the great job they have done over the years. I would recommend them to any job out there. They have been great. Their staff are really polite and very helpful, and most importantly very knowledgeable."
NickForeman at Wall and Ceiling Contractor
Our clients consistently tell us how much they value our involvement. We're more than just a consultant who sends drawings, rather, we're an active part of the team. Whether it's coordinating with trades, owners, or GCs, working through design questions, or representing your interests in meetings, we show up prepared, engaged, and focused on solutions. You can rely on us to keep things moving and make your job easier at every stage.
