Our Philosophy

The Backcountry Hut Company was founded in 2015 with the shared dream of creating a simple recreational structure that could be easily installed in virtually any remote location. 

Our founders, Wilson Edgar and Michael Leckie, are no strangers to adventure and the wild unknown. Born east of the Rockies, they each migrated their way out West on different paths, following the seasons and chasing adventure in the mountains and along the coast. Wilson’s experience with the outdoor community in the Pacific Northwest and Michael’s background in creating award-winning modernist architecture led to the development of the first prototype Backcountry Huts, with the goal of creating a prefabricated modular shelter that combined practical utility and a minimalist aesthetic. As development progressed, the team reached out to Vancouver-Island based Cyrill Werlen, a master builder originally from Switzerland, who brought his appreciation for quality wood construction and the concept of self-assembly to the project. 

Working through the elements, both materially and naturally, realizing the impact of each individual detail on the collective whole, our team developed, tested, and built for five adventurous years before launching original collection.

Design

Our collection of modernist recreational structures are architecturally-designed to rigorous standards, and combine practical utility and an essentialist aesthetic. Creating purposeful products that reflect our passion for design and our dedication to delivering outstanding products is at the heart of what we do. 

Sustainability

Our dedication to environmental stewardship drives every aspect of our business. We select high-quality materials using renewable resources with responsibly managed sources. We operate with a zero-waste philosophy and are dedicated to delivering a product that is deeply considerate to the well-being of people and the planet.

Steadfast

We operate with a focus on sustainable growth that  requires diligence and celebrates longevity, considering short and long term impacts on current and future communities. From the durability of our physical products to the growth of our team and envisioning the evolution of our company, we believe that sustainable growth is the key to authentic success.

Innovation

Our products, technologies, and methodologies are developed with the goal of creating efficiency and value for our clients and partners. Using advances in building science and a systematic kit-of-parts methodology, our prefabricated mass timber structures are modular, scalable, and designed for utility and durability.

Integrity

We nurture a positive and inclusive culture that supports creative and personal development and fosters open, respectful, and meaningful relationships with our team, collaborators, clients, and communities. We operate with respect and accountability and hold true to communicating openly and transparently.

Empowerment

We have honed our products and process with client participation in mind, with an emphasis on self-assembly and collaborative construction. The homeowner is invited to play an active role, creating a meaningful connection between dweller and dwelling. Active involvement at any stage in the process positively impacts the bottom line.

Craftsmanship

Our prefabricated kits merge traditional European wood construction techniques with contemporary innovation in manufacturing and assembly. We are focused on quality and precision, with a high degree of architectural coordination and intentional detailing in each of our systems, resulting in ease-of-assembly.