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1.0 Introduction to Climatic Design
1.4.5 CLIMATIC DESIGN
Experience of Tropical Living
The Spanish word “vivencias” is used to describe
experiences which are everyday and yet permanent,
those which both form and express our personalities.
In the tropics the vivencias that have the most power
and character are those which arise from the
relations created between man and his surroundings.
In tropical latitudes people live out their relationships
with the environment in a particular way.
Living in a benevolent climate, but where coolness is
a sought-after relief, the body becomes sensitive to
slight changes of temperature and humidity.
If someone wants to rest he or she will move their
chair to take advantage of any breeze, until the most
favourable spot has been found.
This constant search for breeze and shade means
that there is no a unique place in the house set aside
for social meetings.
Bearing in mind that the tropical belt of the planet has
a climate where there are just two seasons, without
Images of the Tropical Living
low temperatures, life is possible throughout the
whole year in covered, but open constructions.
If there is one thing that characterises life in the
tropics, it is the ability to live in close contact with the
exterior environment and enjoy the sensation of
openness and closeness to nature this brings.
Having this experience, and having the in-built
knowledge necessary to make use of the resources
of the environment, are the things which have given
man in the tropics a particular sensibility that qualifies
tropicality as an authentic mode of existence.
Experience in Extremities
On the other hand, the use of artificial microclimates
to create comfortable living conditions is
indispensable in areas where extreme conditions
prevail, and can be considered necessary if one is to
populate certain areas of the planet, but its
application has been much more widespread than
necessary.
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South Pole Station

Arctic Research Lab
https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/38491771784999838/

The Mars Settlements By: AI_Space Factory

Archdaily

Experience in Extremities
In conclusion, much of today’s architecture makes
wasteful and undisciplined use of these artificial
microclimates.
An evolving population which becomes increasingly
demanding and less tolerant in matters concerning
comfort.

The consequences of this, apart from the

deterioration of the environment, are;

The loss of the knowledge handed down by the local

populations on how to create habitable urban space
which uses its natural resources properly, and

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1.1 Microclimatic Considerations: Spaces, Sample 1.4.1 CLIMATE OF THE PHILIPPINES

1.2 Models, Site and Structures
1.3 Types of Climates and General Characteristics The Climate of the Philippines is tropical and
maritime.
1.4 Climatic Data and Analysis It is characterized by relatively high temperature, high
humidity and abundant rainfall.
SITE CLIMATE: CLIMATIC SITE ANALYSIS It is similar in many respects to the climate of the
Climate vs. Weather countries of Central America.
Climate and weather are not the same. Temperature, humidity, and rainfall are the most
Weather is what's happening in the atmosphere on a important elements of the country's weather and
given day, in a specific place. climate
Local forecasts include : .
 Temperature, Temperature
 Humidity, winds, Based on the average of all weather stations in the
 Cloudiness, and Philippines, excluding Baguio, the mean annual
 Prospects for storms or other changes over temperature is 26.6o C.
the next few days. The coolest months fall in January with a mean
Climate is the average of these weather ingredients temperature of 25.5oC
over many years. The warmest month occurs in May with a mean
Some meteorologists say that "climate is what you temperature of 28.3oC.
expect; Latitude is an insignificant factor in the variation of
Weather is what we get". temperature while altitude shows greater contrast in
temperature.
Thus, the mean annual temperature of Baguio with
SITE CLIMATIC: CLIMATIC SITE ANALYSIS an elevation of 1,500 meters is 18.3oC. This makes
the temperature of Baguio comparable with those in
A weather sample: the temperate climate and because of this, it is
Manila: known as the summer capital of the Philippines.
SUN 09.02.2014
Few clouds Humidity
Max: 33.6°C Humidity refers to the moisture content of the
Min: 24.2°C atmosphere.
Risk of precip.: 20 % Due to high temperature and the surrounding bodies
Wind 10.8 km/h ENE of water, the Philippines has a high relative humidity.
Gusts up 19.4 km/h The average monthly relative humidity varies
between 71 percent in March and 85 percent in
A climate sample: September.
Metro Manila has a tropical savanna climate with dry The combination of warm temperature and high
winters. relative humidity and absolute humidity give rise to
Over the course of a year, the temperature typically high sensible temperature throughout the
varies from 22°C in January to 34°C in May. archipelago.
The sky is cloudiest in August and clearest in April. It is especially uncomfortable during March to May,
Precipitation is most likely in July and least likely in when temperature and humidity attain their maximum
April. levels.
The relative humidity typically ranges from 51%
(mildly humid) to 97% (very humid).
The air is driest in April and most humid in August.

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Rainfall
Rainfall is the most important climatic element in the
Philippines.
Rainfall distribution throughout the country varies
from one region to another, depending upon the
direction of the moisture-bearing winds and the
location of the mountain systems.
The mean annual rainfall of the Philippines varies
from 965 to 4,064 millimeters annually.
Baguio City, eastern Samar, and eastern Surigao
receive the greatest amount of rainfall while the
southern portion of Cotabato receives the least
amount of rain.
General Santos City in Cotabato, the average annual
rainfall is only 978 millimeters.
1.4.2 The Seasons
Using temperature and rainfall as bases, the climate
of the country can be divided into two major seasons:
 Rainy season, from June to November; and
 Dry season, from December to May.
The dry season may be subdivided further into
 Cool dry season, from December to
February; and
 Hot dry season, from March to May.
 Climate Types
 Typhoons have a great influence on the
climate and weather conditions of the
Philippines.
 A great portion of the rainfall, humidity and
cloudiness are due to the influence of
typhoons. They generally originate in the
region of the Marianas and Caroline Islands
of the Pacific Ocean which have the same
latitudinal location as Mindanao.
 Their movements follow a northwesterly
direction, sparing Mindanao from being
directly hit by majority of the typhoons that
cross the country.
 This makes the southern Philippines very
desirable for agriculture and industrial
development.
Based on the distribution of rainfall, four climate
types are recognized, which are described as
follows:
 Type I.. Two pronounced season: dry from
November to April and wet during the rest of
the year.
 Type II. No dry season with a pronounced
rainfall from November to January.
 Type III. Seasons are not very pronounced,
relatively dry from November to April, and
wet during the rest of the year.
 Type IV. Rainfall is more or less evenly
distributed throughout the year.
Prevailing Winds
 The humid southwest monsoon (May-
October) is known as "Habagat".
 The cool and dry winds of the northeast
monsoon (November April) are called
"Amihan".
 These seasons can seriously get mixed up
by the El Niño / La Niña effects.
 El Niño brings dry weather and even
droughts.
 La Niña stands for rainy weather and floods.
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Seasonal Map of the Philippines

Source: DOST- PAGASA

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Climate Diagrams
A climate diagram has 12 columns, one for each
month of the year. J = January to D = December.
The vertical bars (blue or green) indicate the total
monthly precipitation. The right scale shows
the monthly amount of rain in millimeters. These
scales may change between different diagrams.
1.4.3 CLIMATE CHANGE IN THE PHILIPPINES
Climate change is one of the most fundamental
challenges ever to confront humanity.
Its adverse impacts are already being seen and may
intensify exponentially over time if nothing is done to
reduce further emissions of greenhouse gases.
Decisively dealing NOW with climate change is key to
ensuring sustainable development, poverty
eradication and safeguarding economic growth.
Scientific assessments indicate that the cost of
inaction now will be more costly in the future.
Thus, economic development needs to be shifted to a
low-carbon emission path.
Climate change is happening now.
The 3 lines indicate the maximum, average and
minimum daily temperatures.
Though in June in Manila you may expect 280mm
rain or about 9mm per day. Maximum temperature
will be around 31°C, minimum temperature will be
"freezing" 24°C.
Evidences being seen support the fact that the
change cannot simply be explained by natural
variation.
The most recent scientific assessments have
confirmed that this warming of the climate system
since the mid-20th century is most likely to be due to
human activities; and thus, is due to the observed
increase in greenhouse gas concentrations from
human activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels
and land use change.
Current warming has increasingly posed quite
considerable challenges to man and the environment,
and will continue to do so in the future.
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Severe Flooding and Polar caps meltdown are a sign of accelerated climate change effects.

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2.5. BIOCLIMATIC DESIGN
BIOCLIMATIC
It is concerned with the relations of climate and living
organisms
BIOCLIMATIC ARCHITECTURE
Architecture that has a connection to Nature.
Building designs that take into account climate and
environmental conditions to help achieve optimal
thermal comfort inside.
It deals with design and architectural elements,
avoiding complete dependence on mechanical
systems, which are regarded as support.
A good example of this is using natural ventilation or
mixed mode ventilation.
To achieve an acceptable level of habitability and
comfort one needs to make full use of the given
Sun Path
Sun path diagrams are a convenient way of
representing the annual changes in the path of the
Sun through the sky on a single 2D diagram.
Their most immediate use is that the solar azimuth
and altitude can be read off directly for any time of
the day and month of the year.
They also provide a unique summary of solar position
that the architect can refer to when considering
shading requirements and design options.
There are quite a few different types of sun-path
diagrams, however, we will only examine two main
forms.
The Stereographic Diagrams
Stereographic diagrams are used to represent
the sun's changing position in the sky
throughout the day and year.
environmental conditions as resources when
designing a building.
Some issues to be considered includes:
• The problems of excess rainwater disposal,
• Air-cooling,
• Decreasing relative humidity levels
• Reducing excessive glare from the sun.
Although it is true that all these factors affecting
habitability can be dealt with, aided by technology, it
is more economical and less polluting to deal with
them through the design itself, taking advantage of
physical laws.
The challenge for a truly bioclimatic architecture is to
incorporate these laws as the bases of design and as
the starting point of an architectonic style.
In form, they can be likened to a photograph of
the sky, taken looking straight up towards the
zenith, with a 180° fish eye lens.
The paths of the sun at different times of the year
can then be projected onto this flattened hemisphere
for any location on Earth.
Azimuth angles run around the edge of the diagram
in 15° increments. A point's azimuth from the
reference position is measured in a clockwise
direction from True North on the horizontal plane.
True North on the stereographic diagram is the
positive Y axis (straight up) and is marked with an N.
Altitude angles (Elevation Angle) are represented as
concentric circular dotted lines that run from the
centre of the diagram out, in 10° increments from 90
to 0. A point's altitude from the reference position is
measured from the horizontal plane up.
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Fig. 1.4.1 Sun Path Diagram

https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/500603314807932010/

Fig. 1.4.2 Solar Elevation Angle

Fig. 1.4.3 Azimuth

Cylindrical Diagrams

A cylindrical projection is simply a 2D graph of the Sun position in Cartesian coordinates.

The azimuth is plotted along the horizontal axis whilst the altitude is plotted vertically.
Reading off positions is simply a matter of reading off the two axis.

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Fig. 1.4.4 Cylindrical Diagrams

http://2.caps.av-imagination.de/sun-shading-angle-diagram.html Fig. 1.4.5 “L” shaped sundial

Fig. 1.4.6 Example of Obtaining Sun Path Data using Software application, https://www.sunearthtools.com/dp/tools/pos_sun.php

Sundials

One of the oldest techniques to know the time is the direct observation of the sun to get its height or the direction
above special landmarks.

The sundial dates back to the Egyptian Period, together to form a fallen “L” (Figure 4.0) so that the
around 1500 B.C. smaller board could throw a shadow on to the longer
one.
It was also used in ancient Greece and Rome.
The marks on the horizontal board measures the time.
The ancient Eyptians created simple sundials. These
sundials were built with two boards which were put

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Date: 13/09/2019 | GMT8

coordinates: 14.619795, 121.010461
location: 14.61979500,121.01046100
hour Elevation Azimuth
06:44:32 -0.833° 85.63°
7:00:00 2.89° 86.6°
8:00:00 17.4° 90.36°
9:00:00 31.9° 94.46°
10:00:00 46.3° 99.76°
11:00:00 60.39° 108.35°
12:00:00 73.29° 128.49°
13:00:00 79.13° 190.48°
14:00:00 70.14° 239.01°
15:00:00 56.72° 254.35°
Fig 1.4.7 Example of Obtaining Sun Path Data using application,
https://www.sunearthtools.com/dp/tools/pos_sun.php 16:00:00 42.51° 261.7°
17:00:00 28.06° 266.54°
Fig. 1.4.8 Sunpath 3D
http://andrewmarsh.com/apps/staging/sunpath3d.html 18:00:00 13.55° 270.48°
18:59:29 -0.833° 274.17°

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1.5 Bioclimatic charts
Comfort Concepts and Comfort Indices
Passive strategies for building design derive from
climatic conditions, since it is the gap between these
and comfort conditions, and the reasons for this gap,
that create the need to take appropriate measures to
reduce the gap as much as possible, without using
any artificial heating or cooling systems.
In the 1950s, to help the designer choose the most
appropriate design strategies for local climatic
conditions,Victor Olgyay developed what he called a
“bioclimatic chart”.
Olgyay’s bioclimatic chart (Fig. 3.2-1) is a simple tool
for analysing the climate of a particular place.
It indicates the zones of human comfort based on:
• Ambient temperature and humidity,
• Mean radiant temperature,
• Wind speed,
• Solar radiation and
• Evaporative cooling.
On the chart, dry bulb temperature is used as the
ordinate, and relative humidity as the abscissa.
Based on the dry bulb temperature and humidity of a
place, one can locate a point on the chart.
If it lies within the comfort zone, then the conditions
are comfortable. For any point falling outside this
zone, corrective measures are required to restore the
feeling of comfort.
For example, at dry bulb temperature 25 °C, relative
humidity, 50%, none are needed as the point is
already in the comfort zone.
If it is above the zone, cooling is required; if it is
below the zone, heating is needed.
For example, at dry bulb temperature 15 °C, relative
humidity 50%, the need is: 500 W/m2 solar radiation.
If the point is higher than the upper perimeter of the
comfort zone,
air movement needs to be increased. For example, at
dry bulb temperature 30 °C, relative humidity 70%,
the need is: 0.4 m/s wind to reach the comfort level.
For conditions when the temperature is high and
relative humidity is low,air movement is not enough. If
the point lies below the lower perimeter of the comfort
zone, heating is necessary to counteract the low dry-
bulb temperature.
If the point lies to the left of the comfort zone, either
radiant heating or cooling is necessary. Thus, a
bioclimatic chart can give information about the
requirements for comfort at a particular time. Design
decisions can be taken accordingly.
In 1969 Givoni developed a bioclimatic chart for
buildings, correcting some of the limitations of
Olgyay’s diagram.
While Olgyay applied his diagram closely to outdoor
conditions, Givoni’s chart is based on the indoor
temperature of the building, and suggests design
strategies to adapt architecture to climate.
The chart uses as a basis a psychrometric chart on
which temperature and humidity data (monthly, daily
or hourly) are plotted for a given site.
Givoni’s chart identifies a suitable cooling or heating
technique on the basis of the outdoor climatic
conditions.
1.4.1 Givoni charts
There are different types of Givoni charts, adapted to
specific climates, and with a large number of
strategies Software has also been developed that, in
conjunction with a climatic data base, plots on the
chart the values of temperature and humidity,
suggests the best strategies and shows the
corresponding improvement in the comfort conditions
for each strategy.
Six zones for passive design strategies are identified
on Givoni’s chart (Fig. 1.5.1):
1. Comfort zone;
2. Natural ventilation zone;
3. Evaporative cooling zone;
4. High Thermal mass;
5. High Thermal mass and night ventilation;
6. Passive heating.
Three other zones corresponding to different
strategies e.g.
• air-conditioning,
• humidification and
• artificial heating
These are not passive design strategies, so are not
discussed here.
Climatic data (outdoor temperature and relative
humidity) can be plotted directly onto the chart, and
we can check which of the six zones of the chart
those conditions fall into.
The zones are defined, in the chart, as follows.
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Figure 1.5.1 Olgyay’s Bioclimatic diagram, converted to metric

Figure 1.5.2 Givoni Bioclimatic chart

Comfort zone
In the conditions defined for this zone, it is assumed that a person is in thermal comfort conditions in the indoor
space (Fig. 3.2-3).

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According to Givoni, it can be noted that people can When the air temperature is near 26°C, solar
be in thermal comfort conditions in different radiation control is necessary to avoid overheating;
boundaries of relative humidity (between 20% and thermal comfort is assumed to be close to 26°C if
80%) and air temperature (between 20°C and 26°C). people are wearing light clothes and there is a small
amount of ventilation.
Figure 1.5.3 Comfort zone
SUSTAINABLE BUILDING DESIGN FOR TROPICAL CLIMATES
When the indoor air temperature is near 20°C, the
effect of wind must be prevented, because it can
cause discomfort

Figure 1.5.4 Natural ventilation zone

THERMAL COMFORT FACTORS

It is impossible to specify precise values for Comfort parameters which would give an environment suitable for
everyone.

The interactions between the parameters have, however, been described by a number of thermal indices such as:
• Optimal operative temperature,
• Comfort zones,
• Predicted mean vote and predicted percentage of dissatisfied which can be used to establish the
conditions under which a percentage of occupants will be comfortable or dissatisfied.

Comfort charts are also available to enable a quicker assessment of the comfort zones, for a predicted percentage
of the population (typically 75%), to be made.

These show given values of certain comfort parameters as a function of the other comfort parameters.

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The Psychrometric chart shows the standard comfort
zone in yellow.
The cumulative hours at each temperature and
humidity are shaded in increasingly darker olive
green.
Selected strategies extend the comfort zone without
mechanical heating or cooling.
Manila experiences large percentages of humidity
and high temperatures throughout the year.
Implementing natural ventilation, the building will be
able to reduce mechanical operations for a significant
part of the year.
Bioclimatic charts also show the influence on
thermal comfort zones of changing building related
parameters
Three of the comfort parameters relate to the
individual:
• Metabolism,
• Clothing and
• Skin temperature.
The other factors are linked to the surrounding
environment:
Metabolism is the sum of the chemical reactions
which occur within the body. The aim is to maintain
the body at a constant internal temperature of 36.7
degrees C.
Because the temperature of the body is usually
higher than that of the room, metabolic reactions
occur continuously to compensate for loss of heat to
the surroundings.
Production of metabolic energy depends on the level
of activity in which the individual is engaged.
The met is the unit of metabolic energy and is
equivalent to 58 watts per square meter.
The surface area of the human body, on average, is
1.8 square meters.
Office work, for instance, generates approximately
0.8 met Playing squash produces approximately 7.0
met.
The thermal resistance of ordinary summer clothing
is 0.5 clo while that of indoor winter wear is 1 clo.
The clo is the unit of thermal resistance due to
clothes and is equal to
0.155 square meter per watt.
Skin temperature is a function of metabolism,
clothing and room temperature.
Unlike internal body temperature, it is not constant.
Room temperature
Measured with an ordinary dry bulb thermometer, is
very important to thermal comfort since more than
half the heat lost from the human body is lost by
convection to the room air.
Relative humidity is the ratio (expressed as a
percentage) of the amount of moisture in the air to
the moisture it would contain if it were saturated at
the same temperature and pressure.
Except for extreme situations (when the air is
absolutely dry or it is saturated), the influence of
relative humidity on thermal comfort is small.
In temperate regions, for instance, raising the relative
humidity from 20% to 60% allows the temperature to
be decreased by less than 1K while maintaining the
same comfort level. Generally, the relative humidity in
a room should be between 40%, to prevent drying up
of the mucous membranes, and 70%, to avoid the
formation of mould in the building.
The average surface temperature of the surfaces
enclosing a space is the mean radiant temperature.
As a simplification, this can be taken to be the mean
of the temperatures of the surrounding surfaces in
proportion to their surface areas.
If a building is well insulated, the temperature of the
internal surface of the outer walls is close to room
temperature.
This reduces the radiative heat losses and therefore
increases the feeling of thermal comfort.
The velocity of the air relative to the individual
influences the heat lost through convection.
Within buildings, air speeds are generally less than
0.2 metres per second.
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The relative air velocity due to the individual’s activity
can vary from 0 to 0.1 metres per second for office
work to 0.5 to 2 metres per second for someone
playing squash.
It is crucial to remember when designing spaces for
human occupancy that people are not best suited to
entirely “comfortable” conditions.
In fact, we are conditioned to adapt to quite major
changes in our environment, and the absence of
these can create a feeling of discomfort.
The pattern of variation is also important.
People are more tolerant of changes which they
understand, such as a sunbeam, and particularly
those which can be controlled.
Causes that are not obvious, or with which the
occupant has little sympathy, such as those caused
by a faulty air conditioning system, cause the most
stress.
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Figure 1.5.5 Naatural Ventilation

Figure 1.5.6 Evaporative cooling zone

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Figure 1.5.8
High thermal mass and night ventilation zone for cooling

Figure 1.5.7 High thermal mass zone for cooling

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Figure 1.5.9 Passive heating zone
Natural Ventilation zone
If the temperature in the indoor space exceeds 26°C
or relative humidity is quite high, natural ventilation
can improve the thermal comfort (Fig. 1.5.4). In hot
and humid climates, cross ventilation is the simplest
strategy to adopt if the indoor temperature is almost
the same as the outdoor temperature. Givoni
assumes that the maximum allowed indoor air speed
is about 2 m/s, thus ventilation maintains comfort up
to an outdoor temperature limit of 32°C
The direct cooling of the indoor spaces through
evaporative cooling needs a good ventilation rate to
avoid the accumulation of water vapour.
In the evaporative cooling process, both the
temperature and the humidity of air change along the
lines of constant wet bulb temperature and enthalpy.
There is no change in heat content and the energy is
merely converted from sensible energy to latent
energy (Fig. 1.5.6).
Evaporative cooling
Water evaporation can reduce air temperature and at
the same time increase the relative humidity of a
living space.
High thermal mass and night ventilation
Thermal mass can be used in conjunction with night
ventilation of to provide passive cooling (Fig. 1.5.8).
During the night outside air is circulated through the
building, cooling the building fabric. The cooling that
is stored in the building fabric is then available to
offset heat gains the following day and keep
temperatures closer to comfort limits.
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2.0 Tropical Design Strategies
Tropical Climate: Hot-Humid Localities
(Characteristics, Problems and Goals)
Climate Responsive Building Design
2.1 Passive Design
The term “passive design” refers to a building whose
architectural features are such that they take
advantage of local climatic resources to provide an
indoor environment which is as comfortable as
possible, thus reducing energy consumption due to
the need for mechanical heating or cooling.
So-called solar architecture has been classified as
passive or active, depending on the
technologies/techniques used for solar collection.
Solar passive is a term applied to a building where
solar radiation enters the interior space through
windows, while solar active refers to a building where
solar thermal collectors are added to the architectural
envelope. It should be noted that in solar passive
buildings solar energy can be used only for space
heating, while in solar active buildings solar energy
can be used for space heating, space cooling and hot
water production.
Another term often used to define passive
architecture is “Bioclimatic architecture”, which was
introduced for the first time by Olgyay (1963) and
later developed by Givoni (1969). More recently the
term “green architecture” is also used, which includes
the principles of passive or bioclimatic architecture.
Passive solar heating
The use of the passive solar heating is more suitable
for the locations where seasonal air temperatures are
lower than 20 °C (Fig. 1.5.9). Thermal insulation of
the building, because of the heat losses, and
appropriately sized glazed windows facing towards
the sun in the coolest period are recommended.
Conventional buildings do not use the resources of
their natural environment effectively, but consume
energy and materials and produce waste (Fig. 3.1-1).
Houses like these create costs and environmental
problems by necessitating extensive supply and
disposal facilities.
A bioclimatic building is completely integrated into the
cycles of nature and is able to use them without
causing damage (Fig. 3.1-2). The interaction of the
main cycles involving the basic elements of soil,
water, energy and air should be carefully considered
and integrated into the design of buildings and
residential developments.
In passive architecture the means that the architect
can use for creating a thermally and visually
comfortable indoor environment are: solar radiation,
wind, orientation and shape of the building, thermal
mass of walls and roof, thermal transmittance and
colour, opening size and type of glazing.
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Figure. 2.1.1Conventional building design

Figure. 3.1.2 Bioclimatic building design

Figure. 2.1.2 In a hot-humid climate overhanging

roofs help to reduce the glare from the sky

2.1.1 Natural Ventilation Daylight Quality

Natural ventilation affects three issues:
• Health,
• The energy balance of the building and
• Thermal comfort.
It affects health because of the relationship between
air changes and air quality.
2.1.2 Daylighting
Taking advantage of daylight is essential for
sustainable architecture in any climatic conditions, in
order to provide visual comfort, reduce the amount of
conventional energy used and, at the same time, to
diminish thermal gains indoors caused by artificial
lighting.
Besides the quantitative requirements for the
minimum indoor illumination level, qualitative
requirements are related to the uniform distribution of
daylight indoors.
The ratio of minimum to maximum illumination levels
indoors has to be controlled to avoid high luminance
differences in the visual field. Another impact on the
qualitative requirements for visual comfort is caused
by direct sunlight indoors, whose reflection may
cause glare.

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Figure. 2.3.4 Impact of window shape on air
velocity
Source: Chandra, Subrato, Philip W. Fairey, and
Michael M. Houston. 1986. Cooling with ventilation,
Solar Energy Research Institute.
http://www.fsec.ucf.edu/en/publications/pdf/FSEC‐CR‐1658‐86.pdf
Figure. 2.3.5 Different window types; in brackets
the effective open area
(permeability) as percentage of the opening area
Roughly 40% of the unwanted heat that builds up in a
house comes in through windows: their protection
from the sun is thus imperative.
Sunscreens are an effective means of reducing
undesirable solar light. Louvres are an effective
shading system only if they reflect light towards the
ceiling.
Openings should be large, in order to allow natural
ventilation. It is best to expand them horizontally.
Not all types of window favour natural ventilation to
the same extent.
The best ones are those which permit the maximum
adjustable effective open area (also called
permeability)such as the casement, jalousie and
awning types.
2.1.3 Shading devices
Solar gains are controlled most effectively with
sunshades outside the windows.
As the sun is always high in the sky at the equator,
horizontal shading devices are the optimal choice for
north and south-facing facades.
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Horizontal overhangs located above the windows on

the north and south-facing facades are very effective
and should extend beyond the width of the
window to shade it properly.

Horizontal overhangs on the east and west-facing

windows need to be very deep for protection in the
early morning and in the late afternoon, and are not
recommended.

2.1.4 Thermal insulation

Thermal insulation in tropical climates has to be

considered both in the highlands, where
temperatures can be such that some heating is
required.

In warm humid climates with adequate natural

ventilation indoor and outdoor air temperature is the
same. Insulation would have the function of reducing
the heat flow due to solar overheating
of external surfaces. Roofs receive far more solar
energy than walls and, unlike them, cannot be
shaded; thus roof insulation is most critical.

2.3 Site planning

Figure. 3.7-16 Solar protection types
2.3.1 Microclimate
The conditions which allow energy to flow through the
building fabric and determine the thermal response of
people are local and site-specific.
These conditions are generally grouped under the
term microclimate, which includes the:
• wind,
• radiation, The density and size of the built area affect the
• temperature, degree to which the microclimate can be modified in
• and humidity terms of wind conditions, air temperature, radiation
experienced around a building. A building by its very balance, and natural lighting. This density depends
presence will change the microclimate by causing an on the proportion of the land covered by the buildings
obstruction to the wind flow, and by casting shadows and the average height of the buildings (the effect of
on the ground and on other buildings. which can be modified by the relative heights of
A designer has to predict this variation and take its individual buildings on site).
effect into account in the design. Density also creates the heat island effect, which can
be mitigated by reducing the total paved area allowed
The microclimate of a site is affected by the following on site, and the services networks in terms of cost
factors: and technologies.
• landform, Each building type and combinations of different
• vegetation, building types (i.e. detached/semi-detached,
• water bodies, courtyard/ patio, high rise and row buildings) form a
matrix of environmental conditions that affect both
• street width and orientation,
macro and microclimate around and inside the
• open spaces and
building.
• built form.

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A correct mix of building types could help in achieving

adequate sun protection and ventilation:

• high-rise buildings can increase ventilation

in a dense development;

• low-rise buildings should be sited so that

they avoid excessive heat exchange with
the environment and utilize their link with
open spaces

2.3.2 Urban layout and external space (Macro)

Urban layout greatly depends on climate and should
be designed differently in each climatic zone. The
basic concerns are the provision of shading and air
movement. The orientation of streets and the layout
have a significant effect on the microclimate

2.2 Building Shape and Orientation

2.2.1 Orientation according to sun and Wind

Building orientation in tropical climates is very critical,
and the basic rule is: minimise facades facing east
and west and take into account local prevailing
winds, because of their connection with natural
ventilation.
The best orientation of a building with respect to the
sun is common to all climates in Tropical countries,
because they spread over a small range of latitudes
around the equator.
In this range the solar path is such that a significant
amount of solar energy can fall on east and west-
facing facades, where solar protection is difficult.
Therefore the most suitable building orientation and
shape is that which is elongated along the east-west
axis, in order to maximise the north
and south-facing facades (which are easy to protect
with small overhangs) and minimise the east and
west-facing ones (which are difficult to protect), thus
reducing heat gains to a minimum.
2.2.1 Building Shape
The capability of a building to store or release heat is
related to its volume (and to its mass and shape),
since losses or gains take place through its surfaces.
Thus, the ratio of surface to volume determines the
heating rate during the day and the cooling rate
during the night.
For the purposes of natural lighting and natural
ventilation, a long, narrow shape is better than a
square one
The optimum shape depends upon the type of
tropical climate.
Figure. 2.2.1 Orientation according to sun and
wind
In hot-humid zones, where the daily temperature
swing is small and relative humidity is high, the shape
should be as open as possible in order to allow
natural ventilation.
At the same time, however, sun protection is
essential and all possible measures should be taken
to provide it.
2.3 Roof and Wall Design
Decisions about roof shape, colour and composition,
and the colour and composition of walls are crucial
because they determine the overall performance of a
building.
Roof
The roof is the part of a building which receives the
most solar radiation.
The outer surface absorbs radiation and heats up;
the roof then transmits this heat to its inner surface,
which increases in temperature, radiating inwards,
heating up the indoor air, and finally being absorbed
by the occupants and objects inside.
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www.arch2o.com
Wall
Walls constitute the major part of the building
envelope.
A wall which is not protected from the sun heats up
and transmits heat to the inside. The thickness and
material of a wall can be varied to control heat gain.
The resistance to heat flow through the exposed
walls may be increased in the following ways:
• increase the thickness of the wall;
• adopt cavity wall construction;
• use walls made of suitable heat insulating material;
• fix heat insulating material on the inside or outside
of the exposed wall;
• use radiant barriers;
• apply light colored
Wall Insulation
The use of multi-layered construction has to be
seriously considered for east – west-facing walls.
Thermal mass of walls
What really counts is not the mass of the wall but the
combination of mass and thermal resistance and the
ability of this combination to attenuate and delay the
external heat wave.
Solar protection of walls
East and west-facing walls especially should be
shaded, by pergolas or other means, as shown
below.
2.4 Building Materials and Thermal Insulation
Building materials play a significant role in
sustainable architecture.
The heat flow rate through the various components of
a building, its time lag and amplitude decrement as
well as the energy storage capability of the building
are all governed by the materials used, which also
determine the embodied energy of the building.
The choice of materials is therefore crucial from the
perspective of both the thermal performance and the
environmental impact of the building.
In all tropical countries, traditional construction
materials and methods are still used in buildings.
Some of the advantages of traditional materials are:
• Ample supply,
• Low environmental impact,
• Low cost, and
• Good reaction to climate;
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Moreover they can be handled by local skilled labour,

who are familiar with both the production and repair
of traditional constructions.

Sustainably managed materials

The use of sustainably managed materials is an

environmental responsibility, contributing to a
sustainable habitat.

The degree of sustainability of a material/ component

can be evaluated by means of the Life Cycle
Assessment (LCA), a technique for assessing
environmental impacts associated with all the stages
of a product’s life, from-cradle-to-grave :
• from raw material extraction through MEPS
processing, manufacture,
• distribution,
• use,
• repair and maintenance,
• to disposal or recycling of the materials).

Recommended Maretials
Walls
• Brick and block products made up of
recycled content.
• Earth blocks
• Stones
• Organic, vegetal materials
Roofs
• Burnt clay tiles.
• Concrete tiles.
• Natural stone (flag stone, slate).
• Organic, vegetal roofing materials Polystyrene Based Materials
bamboo, leaves,thatch, wooden shingles.
• Bituminous roofing.
Insulation materials
• Glass fibre insulation
• Cellulose insulation- Typically made from
recycled newsprint, and can usually be
produced locally.
• Moulded Expanded Polystyrene (MEPS)-
Commonly known as “beadboard”.
• Extruded Expanded Polystyrene (XEPS)-
This is a closed-cell foam insulation similar
to MEPS.

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2.5 DESIGN GUIDELINES ACCORD ING TO
TROPICAL CLIMATES
2.2.1 Building Orientation
Building orientation in tropical climates is very critical,
and the basic rule is: minimise facades facing east
and west and take into account local prevailing winds
because of their connection with natural ventilation.
2.3.1 Site plan
• Houses should be located on sites exposed to sea
breezes; avoid sheltered sites. Trees should be used
for shading.
• Layouts should be open, so houses should be
widely spaced to allow maximum ventilation in and
around buildings, which should be spaced at a
distance of 7 times their height if facing each other;
closer if staggered.
• At high urban densities, building height should be
increased in preference to an increase in ground
coverage.
2.3.2 Building plan
• Single banked houses provide maximum ventilation.
• Buildings raised above ground favour ventilation; as
wind velocity increases with height, high-rise
buildings are appropriate.
• Apartments in multi-storey buildings experience
better ventilation.
• Main elevations should face north and south and
buildings should be orientated with the long axis
running east-west to provide effective shading -
unless the direction of the prevailing breezes
• Openings should be large and shaded, with sill
height not above 0.9 m.
• Roof overhangs not less than 0.6 m, preferably as
wide as 1.0 m ,
suggests an offset from this orientation - and raised
above the ground.
• Shaded verandas for houses or balconies for flats
are essential.
• Bedrooms should be located upstairs to provide
maximum access to cooling breezes and to provide a
sleeping area separate from other zones that may
have gained heat during the day.
Room organization strategies
When designing so as to profit as much as possible
from the benefits of natural ventilation, both cross
and stack, organisation of the rooms plays an
important role.
2.3.3 Structures
• Lightweight and light-coloured or reflective roof and
walls (possibly operable); shaded outdoor porches.
• Ceilings highly desirable for heat and sound
insulation.
• Air cavity between ceiling and roof, which is
permanently ventilated and provided with reflective
foil to block radiant heat; roof pitch to vent roof heat
gains.
• Wing walls should be constructed to channel
predominant breezes through the building• All fixed
• The size should be preferably at least 50% of north
and south walls.
• Shallow floor plan of one-room width to allow
maximum cross ventilation.
• There should be vertical space for upward
movement of heat from ground floor (internal stairs).
• Shading should be insulated or reflective to
avoid radiant heat gain at openings.
• Fly-proofing should be installed
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Figure.2.5.1 Use open plan interiors to promote natural cross ventilation

Figure. 2.5.2 Room organization strategies facilitating both cross and stack ventilation
Source: G.Z. Brown, M. DeKay, Sun, Wind & Light, Wiley, 2001

2.6 Lessons from the past

The term vernacular architecture is used to describe The knowledge of traditional energy-saving
structures built by people whose design decisions are technologies can be integrated into a new
influenced by their traditions and their culture. construction at the initial phase of the building design
process and vernacular cultural traditions can be
Vernacular architecture varies widely with the world’s usefully preserved.
vast spectrum of climate, terrain and culture and it
is important to recognise that it contains inherent,
unwritten information about how to optimize the
energy performance of buildings using low cost local
materials.
Over the course of time, indeed, vernacular dwellings
have evolved to respond to the challenges of climate
and to cultural expectations in a given place.

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https://ranaostar.blogspot.com/2018/03/maranao-torogan-
declared-national.html

Tigwahanon Manobo Houses

Bahay Kubo

Bahay na Bato

Ifugao House

Maranao Turogan House

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Early Bahay na Bato

Ar. Manosa’s Transformation of Filipino Architecture

GELOMañosa’s house with tiered canopy evocative

of the bahay-kubo.
The pool is positioned in front of the house which
gets maximum sunlight.
https://lifestyle.inquirer.net/41077/the-new-guard-at-manosa-
co-inc/

Felipe Agoncillo House

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bahay_na_bato

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References:

SUSTAINABLE BUILDING DESIGN FOR TROPICAL CLIMATES

Principles and Applications for Eastern Africa
First published in Nairobi in August 2014 by UN-Habitat.
Copyright c United Nations Human Settlements Programme 2014, HS/013/15E
ISBN: 978-92-1-132644-4

G.Z. Brown, M. DeKay, Sun, Wind & Light, Wiley, 2001

On Comfort in TropicalClimates.
TheDesign and Operation of NetZeroEnergyBuildings.
AurélieLenoir
HAL Id:tel-01100526 https://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-01100526 Submitted on6Jan2015

https://www.sunearthtools.com/dp/tools/pos_sun.php
http://andrewmarsh.com/apps/staging/sunpath3d.html
https://lifestyle.inquirer.net/41077/the-new-guard-at-manosa-co-inc/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bahay_na_bato
https://ranaostar.blogspot.com/2018/03/maranao-torogan-declared-national.html

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