Wilderness Construction | Case study
Nels Bight Ranger Cabin
The Challenge?
Design and build a 500 square foot off-grid cabin in remote Cape Scott Provincial Park.
The Crux?
The build will take place in the dead of winter on the northern coast of Vancouver Island. There is no road access and the build will take place completely off-grid.
If you have ever stepped inside the Nels Bight Ranger Cabin you will understand what an amazing project this was to work on! Two hours on logging roads and seventeen kilometres of hiking takes you to an expansive two kilometre stretch of white sand beach. Snuggled in between the area where the cedars stop and the tides cease to flow stands the Nels Bight cabin, home to summer Park Operators at Cape Scott Park.
The two-story 500 square foot custom designed log cabin was prefabricated. Each package of materials (70 in total) had to be packaged and shrink wrapped for weather. Then, we flew in each package in sequential order at the start of each shift in pace with the construction work taking place. In the middle of winter, our crews spent week-long shifts clearing the building area, pouring the foundation, installing engineered diamond pier footings and constructing the cabin completely off grid. Solar and water-catchment systems had to be installed to support the parks staff that would be stationed there for years to come.
The project required a remarkable balance of beautiful backcountry design and practical off-grid functionality suited to the windy and wet conditions of this northwest stretch of coast.
Location:
Cape Scott Provincial Park, Vancouver Island
Date:
2015
Client:
BC Parks
Scope:
• Project Management
• Design
• Backcountry Construction
“In 2013, 43K Wilderness Solutions managed for BC Parks, West Coast Region the planning, design and relocation of the Nels Bight Ranger Cabin in Cape Scott Provincial Park. The following year 43k proved to be the best choice for installing the new cabin given the remoteness and logistical demanding environment. 43K’s out of the box approach and attention to detail resulted in a safe and cost effective outcome for this project. This was one of many projects where 43K continues to be a solid choice for both project management and construction services for our agency. On behalf of BC Parks, Capital Investment Program I’d like to thank 43K for their contributions to the betterment of our Provincial Park facilities. Keep up the good work!”
