ONE Creative environments was appointed by the Falkland Islands Government (FIG) to design and deliver Tussac House. The challenge was to deliver a non-institutional, flexible, future-proof care facility which was sustainable, thermally and acoustically enhanced, and with low-energy design suited to the South Atlantic climate, that would transform social care for local people.
Tussac House is a state-of-the art new care facility positioned on the coast of Stanley Harbour overlooking the Narrows (the strait that leads into the Harbour). This pioneering 3,600 m2 development, which officially opened in March 2025, sets a new benchmark for social care and assisted living in the Falkland Islands. It provides a high-quality, adaptable environment for older people, individuals with disabilities or learning difficulties, and those requiring dementia care.
From the outset, the design ambition was to create a ‘home for life’: warm, welcoming, and grounded in the island’s culture and natural beauty. The facility includes 27 apartments and 10 single bedrooms, with maximised sea views, assistive technology, and inclusive design supporting physical and cognitive needs. The village feel layout is safe, socially engaging and connected, with communal areas that can host community events and wonderful landscaped outdoor spaces, encouraging independence and group interaction.
At the official opening, MLA (Member of the Legislative Assembly) John Birmingham, portfolio holder for health and social services in the Falkland Islands Government, said: “I would like to thank ONE Creative environments for their contribution to the success of the Tussac House project. At the start of the project, it was envisaged that Tussac House would feel like a home rather than a hospital or an institution and I believe this has been achieved. The official opening was a milestone in the progress of care services provided to our community and the finished building is something we can all be proud of.”
Innovation with site sensitivity
The first of its kind on the islands, Tussac House introduces a holistic care model and architectural innovation not previously seen in the overseas territory.
Early in the concept phase, our architects collaborated with their inhouse structural engineers who proactively proposed a panelised, prefabricated timber frame system. As a construction method familiar to the Falklands, it maximised construction efficiency, minimised on-site waste, and aligned with local construction skills while creating a modern yet contextually sympathetic environment for residents, staff, and visitors.
Glulam portal frames were specified to support large open spaces and to visibly expose the timber, enhancing the biophilic and calming quality of the internal environment. The building was clad in extremely durable FSC-certified Accoya timber (Durability Class I — EN 350), chosen for its low embodied carbon and high resilience to the harsh environment that encounters high UV levels and strong winds and rain.
An offsite premanufactured timber trussed roof was incorporated to provide the built forms of duo pitched roofs that emulate the local vernacular, whilst also being engineered in units for ease of containerised shipping and erection on site, with minimal material wastage. The timber cladding/coloured rooftops mirror the surrounding area with consultation feedback stating that the building form and colours “feel just like Stanley”.
The site presented notable technical challenges. Located on a steep coastal hillside with soft blue clay, traditional piling methods were unfeasible due to a lack of local equipment. Instead, our civil and structural engineers specified a shallow raft foundation, replacing unsuitable soils with engineered fill from a local quarry. Early collaboration with the quarry’s laboratory ensured compliance testing for materials used in fill, aggregates, masonry blocks, and gabion baskets.
Natural environment and biophilic design
Nature played a central role in shaping the design approach in a sensory-rich setting. Residents with dementia, in particular, benefit from the warm textures and tactile qualities of the materials used.
The building’s wings are arranged to maximise coastal views over Stanley Harbour and The Narrows, reinforcing a sense of place and calm. Each wing concludes with access to dementia-friendly landscaped gardens designed by our in-house landscape architects with a secure wandering loop so that the residents do not get confused or lost during relaxing walks. The inclusive designed external spaces help to reinforce the ethos of encouraging active independence and regular exercise, in the fresh air; while sometimes a harsh environment, the Falkland Islands has some beautifully sunny days that can be enjoyed.
The building’s biophilic strategy not only improves visual and physical comfort but supports social and mental wellbeing. Naturally finished timber cladding and glulam structures offer a familiar and natural material palette, enhancing the therapeutic environment. By prioritising sensory experience, the design ensures the facility is not only functional, but deeply supportive of its residents’ holistic needs.
Environmental performance and sustainability
Tussac House was designed with a fabric-first approach, ensuring high thermal performance and airtightness was achieved, which provides thermal comfort for elderly residents and helps reduce noise from the nearby port. The airtight timber frame and roof structure also support energy-efficient, controlled natural ventilation, helping to limit the spread of airborne infections. Triple-glazed, accessible windows and patio doors enhance U-values, eliminate thermal weak points and contribute to the acoustic strategy. Independently controlled underfloor heating offers full coverage, barefoot comfort and reduced energy use by efficiently warming a thermally optimised environment.
The building integrates efficient, low-energy systems designed for minimal environmental impact, climate-adapted design, natural light and heat recovery ventilation strategies, to deliver a high-performing, sustainable facility with reduced long-term operational costs:
- A fabric-first approach resulted in U-values below local and UK Building Regulation standards and an air permeability target of <3 m3/(h·m2) at 50 Pa.
- For structural elements, ONE set a target of 201 kgCO2e/m2 — 60% of the 2030 LETI Residential Target. By the end of RIBA Stage 4, it achieved 196 kgCO2e/m2, surpassing this goal.
- The building targeted an A-rated Energy Performance Certificate, an emissions rate of 47.8 kgCO2/m2/yr and regulated energy use of 215.7 kWh/m2/yr.
FSC-certified Accoya timber was selected for its low-carbon footprint and tested on-site for resilience against the Falklands’ climate (for a number of years prior to construction). Where feasible, local materials and labour were used, minimising emissions and strengthening the local economy. Gabion baskets originally intended for retaining walls were repurposed following discovery of stable rock faces, further reducing embodied carbon.
Collaboration and delivery
Logistical constraints from the islands’ remote location required meticulous planning and agile project management. Close collaboration between our multidisciplinary design team, the client, healthcare and therapy leads, FIG Project Managers, and the local delivery team was key. Using a BIM (Building Information Modelling) workflow, the 3D design environment helped coordination of architectural, structural and building services elements before construction, while early engagement resolved technical challenges without compromising the architectural vision.
Social value and lasting legacy
Beyond the physical building and gardens, Tussac House delivers long-term socio-economic benefits for the Falkland Islands. It has created jobs, stimulated local industry, and strengthened the provision of care in the Islands. More than a healthcare facility, it symbolises regeneration, resilience, and community partnership. Tussac House combines UK best practice in healthcare design with deep cultural, environmental and site sensitivity attributes, reflecting a true connection with the Falkland Islands community, resulting in a wonderful care facility for local people.
This has been an incredible project working with a fantastic team on the islands. The design of Tussac House works in harmony with the local area while maximising the well-being potential of this wonderful location with stunning views across the harbour, beautifully landscaped external spaces as well as a highly sustainable, accessible new care facility. It has been a privilege to have delivered this project that will provide care and comfort for the islands’ local community now and for future generations.
Craig Walding
Craig Walding is a director at ONE Creative environments, a multidisciplinary design practice headquartered in Worcester, with additional offices in Birmingham, London, and Cardiff. With more than 28 years’ of experience, Craig is ONE’s client lead for the Falkland Islands and other British Overseas Territories, and alongside the company’s Board he oversees the practice’s success both across the UK and overseas.