( CNN ) It lays claim to being the most isolated human settlement on earth , a volcanic archipelago in the South Atlantic Ocean , home to just under 270 people . Now , the tiny settlement of Tristan da Cunha is seeking the help of architects and designers the world over to secure its future well into the 21st century . With the help of the Royal Institute of British Architects ( RIBA ) , the UK overseas territory is holding an international competition to improve aging infrastructure and make the island self-sustainable as it approaches the 200th anniversary of its settlement . As a sign of just how removed Tristan da Cunha is from the rest of the world , there are only seven family names on the islands . Those who live there are mainly the descendants of Dutch , American and Italian sailors as well as 19th century British explorers . There are also a handful of expatriate Brits . But watching hit TV series `` Lost '' or reading up on William Golding 's `` Lord of the Flies '' wo n't be required research for competition entrants . Instead , those with experience of renewable energy in remote regions , modern housing and developing cost-effective agrarian systems are encouraged to apply . `` The competition is looking at enhancing the built environment on the island ( and ) making all structures more energy efficient , '' the island 's administrator , Alex Mitcham told CNN when visiting the UK recently . Mitcham explained that most existing homes and public buildings on Tristan da Cunha are small , bungalow-type structures made from made from a mix of concrete and local volcanic rock . Few have simple insulation that can lead to energy savings while the infrastructure for things like renewable power generation and internet provision remain limited . The island is also only accessible by sea 60-days-a-year through a small port in its only town , Edinburgh of the Seven Seas . According to James Porter of RIBA Competitions , contestants will have to factor in irregular design questions such as `` how can we get the material ashore and how can we actually think of ways that we can put things together once there ? '' `` There are limitations on the amount of cargo that can be trans-shipped , '' he added . In total , Tristan da Cunha is made up of four islands . Tristan is the largest land mass and the only one to house people . Two more unpopulated islands , Nightingale and Inaccessible , lie close by . A third , Gough , is situated roughly 230 miles away . Both Gough and Inaccessible are UNESCO World Heritage sites . The closest mainland port is Cape Town , South Africa , some seven days sailing time and 1,750 miles north-east . Tristan already has a pub , shop , cafe , dance hall , museum , catholic church and swimming pool . There are also two expatriate doctors , two Tristanian nurses and school teachers with some 30 students of varying ages . The island 's main industry is lobster fishing , with exports reaching as far afield as the U.S. , Australia , Japan and the EU thanks to a fishing company that has exclusive rights to fish in the surrounding waters . Tristan earns additional income from the sale of unique stamps , coins and handicraft souvenirs , Mitcham explained . Modest revenue also flows from tourism and visitor accommodation . `` As it is the remotest inhabited island in the world , the Tristanians are already very self sufficient , being able to produce many of their own foodstuffs ( like fish , livestock and potatoes ) , '' Mitcham said . However , the cost of living has increased in recent years , he added . With limited transport and communication links , the islanders are also keen to see how they can reduce their reliance on fossil fuels , improve the energy efficiency of properties and reduce imports . `` We are slowly updating 40-year old infrastructure , '' Mitcham said of the last time the island experienced a major redesign . That modernization happened roughly a decade after the island was evacuated temporarily due to ongoing volcanic activity . Before that period , the main way for the islanders to communicate with the outside world was by Morse code . Things have already changed a lot since then , however . `` A new water system , electrical system and waste water system have just been completed , '' Mitcham said . `` And with the 200th Anniversary of the founding of Tristan ( 2016 ) almost upon us it is an appropriate time to look at new initiatives that may be able to help the future viability of the community . '' Interested architects have until mid-June to submit their initial ideas . The best will be whittled down to an initial 20 and then five after further analysis between June and September . Porter and Mitcham say the islanders will have to apply to the UK and possibly the EU for grants to fund the project . The winner is penciled in to be announced in June 2016 . The most important aspect for applicants is to `` identify cost-effective and practical solutions to improve the energy efficiency ( through renewable energy sources ) of properties , '' Mitcham said `` as well as modernizing ... government structures . ''
Tristan da Cunha holds competition for architects and designers . Islands are most isolated inhabited archipelago on earth .