Tropical
ARCHITECTURE Group 3
Tropical Design
2ND YEAR BLOCK B
TROPICAL DESIGN
TROPICAL DESIGN
Tropical architecture can be regarded as a type of green
building applicable specifically for tropical climates, using
design to optimally reduce buildings’ energy consumption,
particularly the cooling load.
TROPICAL DESIGN
LIGHT-COLORED
EXTERIORS
The first thing one would notice about tropical-inspired houses
is that their exterior walls always come in pale colors like
white, gray or beige—a characteristic that is reflected in
Trava’s model houses. That’s because colors on the lighter end
of the spectrum cause heat waves to bounce away from a
house’s walls. In contrast, dark-colored walls absorb heat,
giving way to rising temperatures within a building.
TROPICAL DESIGN
EXTERNAL
SHADING
Another distinctive feature of the tropical house design is the
shading outside the house. Whether it’s in the form of the
brise-soleil (sunshades), overhangs, or plants and trees,
external shading also helps to lower internal temperatures.
Also, the brise-soleil, in particular, adds a nice aesthetic touch
to even the simplest-looking residence.
TROPICAL DESIGN
INSULATED
BUILDING
ENVELOPES
Low-thermal conductive materials (such as clay for roof tiles)
reduce heat gain, meaning the house will cool faster and
lessen the need for appliances such as air conditioners. The
insulating material can be purchased separately, though there
are houses that already have it installed, to begin with.
TROPICAL DESIGN
LONG, WIDE EAVES
“Eave” refers to the part of the roof that sticks out beyond the
wall and over the house. The longer and wider it is, the more
easily it can protect a house from the elements. Luckily, this is
a common feature in tropical houses such as Trava’s concept
houses.
TROPICAL DESIGN
OPEN PLAN
LAYOUT
Tropical homes are characterized by open-plan layouts,
though the savvy homeowner would not necessarily want to
leave everything ajar. Aside from security concerns, having too
many open windows would invite excess heat into a house.
Instead, the openings should be positioned in a way that
optimal airflow is achieved.
TROPICAL DESIGN
OPTIMAL
VENTILATION
A well-designed tropical home lets airflow in such a way that,
rain or shine, its interior would remain comfortable. This is
achieved through strategically placed openings and partitions
that allow air to move throughout the house at just the right
velocity and temperature.
TROPICAL DESIGN
EASY
VENTILATION
CONTROL
The beauty of houses with a tropical architectural design is
that the ventilation can be adjusted depending on the time of
the year and what direction the wind is blowing from. For
example, if the wind is coming in from the north, its velocity
can be increased by simply opening the window on the
opposite side.
TROPICAL DESIGN
GREEN (OR
GREEN-INSPIRED)
SURROUNDINGS
The feature that is most closely associated with tropical
architectural designs: Greenery. If the house isn’t already in an
area filled with lush, native vegetation (as is the case with the
model houses in Trava), it should at least have trees and
plants within its radius that facilitate the exceptional cooling
properties of a tropical home.
TROPICAL DESIGN
MAIN
OBJECTIVES
OF TROPICAL ARCHITECTURE
MAIN OBJECTIVES
Maximize filtered air movement/speed up winds
Minimize humidity and avoid mold growth
Provide maximum shade, especially in late morning and all
afternoon
Create a cool and dark microclimate
Low building density for better air movement
Vegetation is desirable as a radiation absorbent surface and for
its evaporative and shade properties. However, it has to be
arranged in a way that does not impede air circulation
Maximize filtered air movement/speed up winds
Air filtration is considered the most common method for cleaning air and used in
many diverse applications; it encompasses multi-disciplinary fields, which add to
the complexity of air filter performance assessment.
HOW TO IMPROVE
VENTILATION IN YOUR HOME
Open doors and windows as much as you can to bring
in fresh, outdoor air.
Filter the air in your home
Consider using a portable air cleaner
Minimize humidity and avoid mold growth
Good air circulation also helps with the evaporation process, which can help
reduce excess moisture in your facility that may attract mold. For instance,
if you have a small water spill on the floor, air circulating throughout your
building can help it dry faster. The same goes for condensation on cooler
surfaces..
A well-designed ventilation system can help reduce humidity and moisture
that can increase the risk for mold growth. In some cases, all that is
required is a well-thought-out air exchange rate. If outdoor air is cool and
dry, bringing more of it indoors may help keep humidity in recommended
ranges.
HOW TO VENTILATE YOUR HOUSE TO
PREVENT MOULD GROWTH
Identifying Problem Areas
Ventilation Strategies
Managing Humidity
Seasonal Considerations and Maintenance
Provide maximum shade, especially in late morning and all
afternoon
Shading your windows from direct sunlight is crucial in tropical climates.
Ideally, the sun shading device should be on the outside of the window.
Shading devices inside a closed glass window will still allow heat to get
in. These include curtains, blinds and interior plantation shutters.
Create a cool and dark microclimate
Small scale patterns of climate resulting from the influence
of topography, urban forms, water bodies, vegetation, etc.
are known as Microclimates. Microclimate refers to the
climate of a site or location. It implies to any local deviation
from the Climate of a large region or zone..
Microclimates exist, for example, near bodies of water which
may cool the local atmosphere, or in heavy urban areas
where brick, concrete, and asphalt absorb the sun's energy,
heat up, and re-radiate that heat to the ambient air: the
resulting urban heat island (UHI) is a kind of microclimate
that is additionally driven by relative paucity of vegetation.
HOW CAN WE IMPORVE MICROCLIMATE?
Landscaping can improve the microclimate around a building, taking advantage of
existing topographical features, adjacent buildings and vegetation for solar protection.
Low building density for better air movement
Air movement through buildings result from the difference in pressure
indoors and outdoors , which may be created either by natural forces
(wind induced pressure difference and stack effect e.g. pressure
difference induced by temperature gradients between the inside and
outside of the building) or mechanical power (fan). Air flow patterns
are the result of differences in the pressure distribution around and
within the building. Air moves from high pressure regions to low
pressure ones.
Vegetation is desirable as a radiation absorbent surface and for
its evaporative and shade properties. However, it has to be
arranged in a way that does not impede air circulation
During the winter it protects from wind and humidity.
However, in summer, it protects against excessive heating of interior
spaces by blocking solar radiation. In dry climates the vegetation
integrated in the architecture humidifies the environment by
cooling the air between 1ºC and 5ºC. The explanation is that the
vegetation expels moisture in the process of photosynthesis
absorbing heat.
In any of these situations, vegetation improves the energy
performance of the building by reducing its consumption in heating
and cooling.
TROPICAL DESIGN
TROPICAL
ARCHITECTURE
TROPICAL DESIGN
SAMOAN
HOMES
Samoans long ago did not install
walls to allow free-flow breezes.
TROPICAL DESIGN
MALAYAN
HOMES
Malayan homes’ plentiful windows
aim to maximize cross-ventilation.
TROPICAL DESIGN
BAHAY KUBO
Living platform elevated on
stilts, adaptation to damp
ground conditions.
High-pitched roof.
Large windows, cross ventilation.
Operable windows.
Wide roof overhangs.
Walls and roof are constructed
of thatch, low U-value.
Bamboo flooring.
Surrounding gardens.
NIPA SHINGLES
MATERIALS USED ROOFING
Nipa gives coolness despite of hot
IN BAHAY KUBO weather
BAMBOO
WALLS/WINDOWS
Bamboo is strong, lightweight, and
flexible; it has diverse, functional
and traditional uses
BAMBOO SLATS
FLOORING/BENCHES/STAIRS
TROPICAL DESIGN
BAHAY NA
BATO
Living platform is elevated,
heavy stone walled ground floor.
High-pitched roof.
Wide eaves, alero.
Large windows, capiz panels.
Ventanillas.
Volada, cantilevered gallery.
Calado, latticed openings above
interior walls.
Operable louvers or jalousies,
dynamic exterior louvers.
Wooden walls, low U-value
MATERIALS USED CAPIZ SHELLS
WINDOW
IN BAHAY NA BATO Provided a cheaper alternative glass
and were durable enough to withstand
the typhoon rains and winds.
ADOBE STONE BRICKS
WALL WALL
Adobe stone are fire resistant, flexible, Bricks has a higher durability and
durable, provide sufficient thermal mass reduces the risk of cracks.
to ensure good efficiency, and good
sound isolation.
CORAL STONE CLAY TILES
WALL ROOF
Coral stone has an excellent Clay tiles can withstand threats
durabilty since coral stone is able such as fire, wind, sun, snow, and
to withstand all types of weather hail.
conditions.
SYSTEM PARTS OF VENTANILLAS
BAHAY NA BATO A small window located right under
the barandilla (window sill).
ALJIBE CONCHA
Cistern storage of collected Latticework panels that framed the
rainwater, underneat azotea. translucent capiz shell
VOLADA CALADO
Cantilevered walkway that runs Piece wooden panels above door or
along the window side around the walls of each room .
house
The consideration of the weather, hydrography and
ecosystems of the environment in which buildings are built
for maximum performance with the least impact.
The efficacy and moderation in the use of construction
materials, giving priority to low energy content compared to
high energy.
5 PRINCIPLES
OF TROPICAL The reduction of energy consumption for heating, cooling,
lighting and equipment, covering the remainder of the claim
ARCHITECTURE with renewable energy sources.
The minimization of the building overall energy balance,
covering the design, construction, use and end of its life.
The fulfillment of requirements of comfort, safety, lighting
and occupancy of buildings.
Consideration of weather, hydrography, and ecosystems is integral to sustainable architecture. Architects and
builders analyze local climate conditions, water bodies' proximity, and ecosystem preservation to create
energy-efficient, eco-friendly buildings that blend harmoniously with nature while minimizing environmental
impact.
The principle of efficacy and moderation in the use of construction materials promotes resource efficiency
and waste reduction in building projects. Prioritizing materials with low embodied energy helps minimize the
environmental impact of construction and contributes to sustainability by conserving energy and reducing
carbon emissions throughout the material's life cycle. These practices are essential for achieving more
sustainable and eco-friendly construction outcomes.
The reduction of energy consumption for heating, cooling, lighting, and equipment in buildings is a
fundamental aspect of sustainable architecture and construction. By implementing energy-efficient design
principles and integrating renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, buildings can significantly
reduce their environmental impact, lower energy costs, and contribute to a more sustainable and resilient
energy future.
The goal of minimizing the building's overall energy balance is to create structures that have a minimal net
impact on energy resources throughout their entire lifecycle. This approach reduces energy consumption,
lowers operating costs, and decreases greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to a more sustainable and
environmentally friendly built environment. It aligns with the principles of green building and sustainable
architecture, which prioritize the long-term well-being of both people and the planet.
Fulfilling the requirements of comfort, safety, lighting, and occupancy in building design and construction is
essential for creating spaces that are not only functional but also conducive to the well-being, productivity,
and satisfaction of their occupants. Architects, designers, and builders must consider these factors to create
buildings that meet the diverse needs and preferences of their users while also promoting sustainability and
safety.
TROPICAL DESIGN
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LISTENING!
SANDALI
WAIT
MATTE
CHAROT!
JAMKKAN
DĚNGDÀI
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