Surf Shack Dreaming

A flat-pack kit cabin designed for all

With the trend of simpler and smaller living spaces for both recreational dwellings and laneway homes, Vancouver-based, The Backcountry Hut Company has been one of the more notable. Their flat-pack kit, inspired by IKEA founder Ingvar Kamprad’s philosophy of providing affordable well-designed products for all, have been so popular since word got out about their huts 2 years ago, they’ve been getting calls from Portland to Brooklyn even before they had reached the prototype phase.

Recently they’ve added a Surf Shack option to their repertoire of hut assembly kits, as seen in this series of visualizations featuring crafted door and drawer fronts by @reformcph for the IKEA SEKTION kitchen system. Visualization work by the @plusvisual.co team: @thehungryarchitect and @kobuslouwza. Let’s take a look!

“Our customers seem to come from diverse backgrounds, but they all share an eye for design, and a creative desire to play some part in the building experience,” says Wilson. The first BHC customers have ranged from semi-retired professors, to younger tech workers. “These are not 2X4 stick-framed, tiny prefabricated structures with vinyl windows. Our customer is looking for a recreational dwelling that is well-designed, with minimal environmental impact.” Co-founder Wilson Edgar.

Though the exterior structure is made from pre-assembled parts, the interior design can be left up to the discretion of the customer. They can either choose from BHC’s spec interior designs (available in frontcountry, surf shack and backcountry options) or design the interior themselves. The BHC process is as unique and efficient as the buildings. BHC engages with the client early to give them an understanding of the product and project budgets. They clarify the entire process and provide specifications outlining the total project budget, a complete permit package, and customized drawings. Their ‘in-house’ team of architects assist with permitting, documentation requirements, and customization.

A “flat pack” kit of parts is delivered to the location, at which point the assembly process starts. Wilson says a team of four can raise the structure in less than a week, without the need for large excavators and other heavy machinery. “In a lot of cases, our customers want to build on their remote dream property, as a way to escape the 9 to 5,” says Wilson.“ Some of those locations can’t accommo-date an intrusive, traditional building process.”