When Lindsey Litke and Chris Russell asked Kevin and Heather of Fritz Tiny Homes to create a custom off-grid getaway on wheels for their Refuge Bay glamping resort in Alberta, Canada, they insisted the dwelling have as many windows as possible. “We wanted our guests to feel nature no matter the season, and to be able to take in all the wildlife, seasonal changes, and growth cycles—for them not to miss a moment,” says Lindsey.

Refuge Bay is set on 640 acres of land, where black and white poplar, birch, tamarack, and pine trees tower above vibrant wildflowers, a 167-acre wetland with a lake, and wild strawberry, raspberry, and saskatoon bushes. “Chris and I purchased the land from my parents, who’ve farmed it for more than 50 years,” says Lindsey. “We wanted to provide for my parents’ retirement and keep the generational land in the family.”

After purchasing the property, Lindsey and Chris began to use it as their own (massive) campground, pitching a tent in various locations to experience the topography, the wildlife, and the seasons. “During Covid, we camped on the land and felt such relaxation and rejuvenation,” says Lindsey. “When I was a little girl, I built stick forts around the land with my cousin, so it’s always held a special place in my heart—we want to do our best to preserve it while offering others the opportunity to have the same kind of restful experience and escape from urban life.”

$19,127 Foundation	$11,476 Framing & Exterior Envelope	$15,780 Windows & Door
$17,214 Exterior	$5,260 Electrical	$18,170 Plumbing & Boiler System
$7,651 Insulation	$8,276 Interior Finishes	$2,391 Flooring
$12,432 Concrete Tile & Counters	$17,214 Cabinetry	$1,913 Shower Glass & Mirror
$4,782 Appliances	$2,869 Furnishings	$25,821 Solar Package
$7,651 Heated Off-Grid Shed	$14,713 Blinds, Water Tanks, & Additional Customizations
Grand Total: $192,740

So, with a nature-first mindset, Lindsey and Chris developed and opened Refuge Bay in 2021 with a two-person geodesic dome with transparent walls. “Accommodations that incorporate nature are an important part of our vision,” says Lindsey.

In the fall of 2022, Lindsey and Chris decided it was time to add a second dwelling, and they sought something that could be constructed off-site, that would function in extreme weather, and that would be self-contained with little need for additional infrastructure. “We wanted to preserve the land, and since we operate year-round, we needed an accommodation that would tolerate winters as cold as negative 40 degrees Fahrenheit,” says Lindsey. “Self-containment was also huge, as we’ve no access to water or electricity hook ups.”

Shop the Look

After discovering Alberta-based Fritz Tiny Homes on Instagram, Lindsey and Chris decided to reach out. “They’re local, so they understand our weather conditions,” says Lindsey. “We also fell in love with their designs, and we were drawn to the fact that they have a very intentional approach and really take time to understand what’s important to their clients.”

Kevin and Heather Fritz drew up plans for a steel and glass–wrapped, 300-square-foot, off-grid house with white oak and ipe interior finishes, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a spa-like bathroom. “The glass wall in the bathroom creates the feeling of showering outdoors,” says Kevin. “Lindsey wanted us to place windows wherever we could—the whole front nose of the tiny home is glass, so the living room feels like it’s limitless.”

To ensure that the tiny house could operate completely off-grid in negative 40 degree weather, Kevin and Heather had to get creative. “We added a heated shed to the outside and ran hydraulic lines from the shed—where propane tanks and a full solar system are located—to the home,” says Kevin. Fresh and grey water tanks located beneath the home are also heated by the hydraulic lines.

“The entire home runs on propane, fresh water, and solar, so it has the smallest footprint and lowest impact that it can possibly have,” says Heather. “At the same time, it’s super resilient because it can withstand Alberta weather.”

The Fritzes installed the tiny home at the tail end of winter using a seasonal road, and in the summer, it can only be accessed by hiking in or using a utility vehicle. “The location is a long way from civilization,” says Heather. “It’s in the middle of nowhere, so you’re able to unplug and immerse yourself in nature, yet it’s completely comfortable and luxurious.”

“A Nordic-style sauna and a wood-fired hot tub are arranged a stone’s throw from each accommodation, and guests can use them freely and at whatever time they choose,” says Lindsey. “If the northern lights are out at two in the morning and you want to pop into the hot tub to watch, no one will stop you.”

When asked about her favorite aspect of the new accommodation, Lindsey couldn’t choose just one. “I love the bathroom and the natural feel of the shower with its views and concrete and ipe finishes,” she says. “It falls in line with water therapy and just slows you down. But I also love how in only six months, it went from an idea to a fully functional unit that I want to move into.”

More Budget Breakdown stories:

A Family Builds a Tiny ADU for $46K—and You Can Purchase the Plans

It Took 40 Days and $46K to Build This Tiny House in Texas

A $237K Tiny Home on Wheels Brings Kids, Parents, and Their Parents Together

Project Credits:

Design & Construction: Fritz Tiny Homes / @fritztinyhomes

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