Elli Terwiel, P.Eng., P.E., MMIE, OLY, joined Metaphystations in 2023, bringing over 10 years of experience designing innovative structures in Canada and the United States. Licensed in both countries, she has experience with a wide range of materials, from concrete, steel, and light-frame wood to heavy timber, cob, straw bale, adobe, shipping containers, earth masonry units, and rammed earth.
Elli spent five years working in the US with Verdant Structural Engineers, a leader in natural building engineering and a major contributor to the Strawbale Appendix of the International Residential Code. During this time, she earned her Master of Management of Innovation and Entrepreneurship from Queen’s University, using the program as a jumping-off point to help develop the Verdant S-SIP panel. She also contributed to the book Essential Cob Construction.
Since returning to Canada, Elli has become a founding member of the Canadian Alliance of Natural Building Engineers (CANBE) and worked on rammed earth and timber frame projects across British Columbia. She also teaches in the Architectural and Engineering Technology program at Thompson Rivers University.
Before becoming an engineer, Elli was a member of the Canadian National Alpine Ski Team, an NCAA Division I athlete, and an overall North American champion in the slalom event. She represented Canada at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. Elli also serves on the board of PacificSport Interior BC, an organization that helps young athletes progress from grassroots sport to national competition.
When not engineering, Elli can be found skiing, mountain biking, hiking in the mountains, milling lumber for projects around her property, or learning French to keep up with her bilingual kids.
