Ascension Island, a remote and unique location in the South Atlantic, is facing a pressing housing crisis. The combination of an aging property inventory, limited development over the years, and the island’s vital role as a hub for strategic operations has created significant pressure on its housing stock.

PLP Labs Lead Savannah Willits and Tim Hall of Light House Designs visited the island earlier this year on a collaborative reconnaissance mission.

They found that the island’s housing needs are particularly complex due to its geographic isolation. Transporting building materials over vast distances is costly and time-consuming, making it essential to prioritise designs that minimise material requirements. Modular and prefabricated construction techniques could be game-changers, as they reduce waste, require fewer resources, and can be efficiently shipped and assembled on-site.

Additionally, Ascension’s environment presents unique challenges. Housing solutions must be durable enough to withstand the island’s harsh weather conditions while being sustainable to preserve its delicate ecosystems. Utilising locally available or recycled materials where possible could further reduce dependency on long-distance imports and lower environmental impact.

Savannah spoke to The Sustainable Design Collective about her work in developing housing strategies for the island. Read her insights in full here.

Find out more about the project on the PLP Labs website here.