TOA MODULE 4

Tropical Architecture
Authorship + Disclaimer
This work is the property of
Pedro Santos Jr. and Dianne Ancheta.
For questions, contact the authors at
arch.pedrosantosjr@gmail.com and
arch.dianneancheta@gmail.com.
Creative Commons
This presentation is licensed under the Creative
Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0
International License. To view a copy of this license, visit
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/
PART 4.1
Elements, factors, and concepts of climatic
design
Climate basics
“Climate”
A measure of the average pattern of variation in
temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, wind,
precipitation, atmospheric particle count and other
meteorological variables in a given region over long
periods of time.
CLIMATE VERSUS WEATHER
▪ Climate is different from weather, in that weather
only describes the short-term conditions of
these variables in a given region.
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS
▪ Solar radiation or sunlight
▪ Air temperature
▪ Atmospheric humidity
▪ Precipitation
▪ Wind
THE KÖPPEN SYSTEM
▪ One of the most widely-used climate
classification systems.
▪ It was first published by Russian German
climatologist Wladimir Köppen in 1884, with
several later modifications by Köppen himself,
notably in 1918 and 1936.
THE KÖPPEN SYSTEM
▪ The system is based on the concept that native
vegetation is the best expression of climate.
▪ Thus, climate zone boundaries have been
selected with vegetation distribution in mind.
THE KÖPPEN SYSTEM
▪ The Köppen climate classification scheme
divides climates into five main groups, each
having several types and subtypes:
▪ Type A: Tropical climates
▪ Type B: Dry (arid and semiarid) climates
▪ Type C: Temperate climates
▪ Type D: Continental climates
▪ Type E: Polar and alpine climates
TROPICAL CLIMATE (A)
▪ Found in a nearly unbroken belt around the Earth
at low latitudes, mostly within 15° N and S.
TROPICAL CLIMATE (A)
▪ Their location within a region in which available
solar radiation is large and relatively constant
from month to month ensures both high
temperatures (generally in excess of 18 °C) and a
virtual absence of thermal seasons.
TROPICAL CLIMATE (A)
▪ In A climates, the terms “winter” and “summer”
have little meaning, but in many locations, annual
rhythm is provided by the occurrence of wet and
dry seasons.
TROPICAL CLIMATE (A)
▪ Type A climates are controlled mainly by the
seasonal fluctuations of the trade winds and
monsoons.
▪ Köppen specifies three A climates:
▪ Tropical rainforest climate (Af)
▪ Tropical monsoon climate (Am)
▪ Tropical wet-dry climate (Aw)
Recommended forms and orientations for isolated buildings in different climatic regions.
TROPICAL
Cebu, Philippines
DRY CLIMATES (B)
▪ Arid and semiarid climates cover about a quarter
of Earth’s land surface, mostly between 50° N
and 50° S, but they are mainly found in the 15–
30° latitude belt in both hemispheres.
“Arid”
A land or a climate having little or no rain and is
typically too dry or barren to support lush
vegetation.
DRY CLIMATES (B)
▪ They exhibit low precipitation, great variability in
precipitation from year to year, low relative
humidity, high evaporation rates (when water is
available), clear skies, and intense solar radiation.
DRY CLIMATES (B)
▪ Köppen’s classification recognizes three B
climates:
▪ Tropical and subtropical desert (BWh)
▪ Mid-latitude steppe and desert climate (BSh)
▪ Tropical and subtropical steppe climate (BSk)
Recommended forms and orientations for isolated buildings in different climatic regions.
DRY
Phoenix, Arizona
TEMPERATE CLIMATES (C)
▪ These climates have an average monthly
temperature above 10 °C (50 °F) in their warmest
months, and an average monthly temperature
above −3 ° C (27 F) in their coldest months.
TEMPERATE CLIMATES (C)
▪ In Europe this includes areas from coastal
Norway south to southern France.
▪ In Asia, this includes areas from South Korea, to
east- China from Beijing southward, to northern
Japan.
Recommended forms and orientations for isolated buildings in different climatic regions.
TEMPERATE
Haus, Norway
CONTINENTAL CLIMATES (D)
▪ These climates have an average temperature
above 10 °C (50 °F) in their warmest months, and
a coldest month average below −3 °C
▪ These usually occur in the interiors of continents
and on their upper east coasts, normally north of
40°N.
Recommended forms and orientations for isolated buildings in different climatic regions.
CONTINENTAL
Alberta, Canada
POLAR CLIMATES (E)
▪ These climates are characterized by average
temperatures below 10 °C in all 12 months of the
year.
▪ This includes the following subtypes:
▪ Tundra climate (ET)
▪ Snow and ice climate (EF)
▪ Highland climate (H)
POLAR
Northern parts of Alaska
Climate of the
Philippines
CLIMATE OF THE PHILIPPINES
▪ The climate of the Philippines is tropical and
maritime.
▪ It is characterized by relatively high temperature,
high humidity and abundant rainfall.
▪ It is similar in many respects to the climate of the
countries of Central America.
EL NIDO
Palawan, Philippines
SAMAL ISLAND
Davao, Philippines
SIARGAO ISLAND
Surigao Del Norte, Philippines
PANGLAO
Bohol, Philippines
CARAMOAN
Camarines Sur, Philippines
BANTAYAN ISLAND
Cebu, Philippines
BORACAY ISLAND
Aklan, Philippines
PALAUI ISLAND
Cagayan Valley, Philippines
PAGUDPUD
Ilocos Norte, Philippines
GREAT STA. CRUZ
ISLAND
Zamboanga City, Philippines

"Isla Great Santa Cruz53" by Wowzamboangacity - MGM.

The most important elements of the country's
weather and climate are the following:
▪ Temperature
▪ Humidity
▪ Rainfall
TEMPERATURE
▪ Excluding Baguio, the mean annual temperature
in the Philippines is 26.6 °C.
▪ The coolest months fall in January with a mean
temperature of 25.5 °C while the warmest month
occurs in May with a mean temperature of 28.3
°C.
TEMPERATURE
▪ Latitude is an insignificant factor in the variation
of temperature while altitude shows greater
contrast in temperature.
▪ Thus, the mean annual temperature of Baguio
with an elevation of 1,500 meters is 18.3°C. This
makes the temperature of Baguio comparable
with those in the temperate climate.
BAGUIO CITY
The temperature of Baguio is
comparable with those in the temperate
climate and because of this, it is known
as the summer capital of the Philippines.
TEMPERATURE
▪ The difference between the mean annual
temperature of the southernmost station in
Zamboanga and that of the northernmost station
in Laoag is insignificant.
▪ In other words, there is essentially no difference
in the mean annual temperature of places in
Luzon, Visayas or Mindanao measured at or near
sea level.
HUMIDITY
▪ Humidity refers to the moisture content of the
atmosphere.
▪ Due to high temperature and the surrounding
bodies of water, the Philippines has a high
relative humidity.
▪ The average monthly relative humidity varies
between 71% in March and 85% in September.
HUMIDITY
▪ The combination of warm temperature and high
relative humidity gives rise to high perceived
temperature throughout the archipelago.
▪ It is especially uncomfortable during March to
May, when temperature and humidity attain their
maximum levels.
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.
RAINFALL
▪ 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. At General Santos City in
Cotabato, the average annual rainfall is only 978
millimeters.
SEASONS
Using temperature and rainfall as bases, the
climate of the country can be divided into two
major seasons: rainy and dry.
SEASONS
▪ The rainy season, from June to November
▪ The dry season, from December to May, which
may be subdivided further into:
▪ The cool dry season, from December to February
▪ The hot dry season, from March to May
CLIMATE TYPES
There are four recognized climate types in the
Philippines, and they are based on the
distribution of rainfall.
CLIMATE TYPES
▪ Type I. Two pronounced seasons: 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.
CLIMATE TYPES
Four recognized climate types in
the Philippines, based on the
distribution of rainfall.

Source: PAGASA
PREVAILING
WINDS
▪ Hanging amihan (northeast),
November-April
▪ Hanging habagat (southwest), May-
October
Monsoon
A monsoon is a seasonal shift in the prevailing wind
direction, that usually brings with it a different kind
of weather.
TYPHOONS
▪ 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.
TYPHOONS
▪ 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.
PART 4.2
Theories and principles of tropical design
 Basics of
passive design
GOALS FOR VARIOUS CLIMATES
▪ Cool climates
▪ Maximum thermal retention
▪ Maximum heat gain
▪ Maximum wind resistance

▪ Temperate climates
▪ Moderate thermal retention
▪ Moderate heat gain
▪ Slight wind exposure (humidity control)
GOALS FOR VARIOUS CLIMATES
▪ Hot-humid climates
▪ Maximum wind exposure
▪ Maximum internal airflow
▪ Minimum heat gain

▪ Hot-dry climates
▪ Minimum heat gain
▪ Moderate wind resistance
▪ Moderate internal airflow
GERONIMO
MANAHAN
“The passively cooled urban house”, a
prototype house designed by Geronimo
Manahan in collaboration with the
Ministry of Energy.
PASSIVE DESIGN
Design that works with the environment to
exclude unwanted heat or cold and take
advantage of sun and breezes (inducing
comfort conditions in the building interiors),
therefore avoiding or minimizing the need for
mechanical heating or cooling.
PASSIVE COOLING
The use of passive cooling principles in the tropics
results in a building that is comfortable, energy
efficient and results in substantial savings in
running costs of both cooling and lighting.
PROS/CONS OF
PASSIVE COOLING
▪ Typically, initial costs for passive
cooling systems will be higher
because these systems are typically
integral to the building envelope
▪ However, this is often offset by the
minimal operating costs required, as
well as the minimized impact on the
environment.
ACTIVE COOLING
A building design approach that addresses the
problem of inducing comfort by means of
equipment that consume energy.
PROS/CONS OF
ACTIVE COOLING
▪ In active systems, the initial cost of
the building envelope will be low.
▪ But this will soon be recouped by the
costs for equipment, maintenance,
and energy consumption.
 Principles of
passive design
PRINCIPLES OF
PASSIVE DESIGN
 Avoid heat gain
 Encourage natural ventilation
 Make use of natural light
 Create cool outdoor areas
AVOID HEAT GAIN
1. Orient the building to reduce exposure to midday sun, particularly
summer sun.
2. Use materials with low thermal mass as a general rule.
3. Shade walls and windows, particularly any walls with high
thermal mass.
4. Use glazing on windows that cannot be effectively shaded.
5. Use insulation, light colors, and heat-reflective surfaces.
ENCOURAGE NATURAL VENTILATION
1. Orient the building and windows towards prevailing winds.
2. Include operable windows and ceiling vents that enable the
building to naturally ventilate.
MAKE USE OF NATURAL LIGHT
1. Install shaded windows.
2. Install shaded skylights, light tubes, and other natural lighting
devices.
CREATE COOL OUTDOOR AREAS
1. Use verandas and deep balconies to shade and cool incoming air.
2. Use landscaping to provide shade without blocking cooling
breezes and use planting to reduce ground temperature and
minimize reflected heat.
Passive design
considerations
MAIN CONSIDERATIONS
1. Orientation
2. Ventilation
3. Landscaping
4. Thermal Mass
5. Insulation
6. Windows
7. Natural lighting
1. ORIENTATION
Orientation concerns the position of the
building on the site as well as the arrangement
of the rooms within it.
ORIENTATION
▪ There are two main goals to consider
when considering the building
orientation:
▪ Orientation for minimal solar
heat gain.
▪ Orientation for maximum air
flow.
Sun charts illustrating the variation in the sun’s movement in relation to latitude.
SUN PATH
DIAGRAMS
 Azimuth Lines - Azimuth angles run around the
edge of the diagram.
 Altitude Lines - Altitude angles are represented
as concentric circular dotted lines that run
from the center of the diagram out.
 Date Lines - Date lines start on the eastern side
of the graph and run to the western side and
represent the path of the sun on one particular
day of the year.
 Hour Lines/Analemma - Hour lines are shown
as figure-eight-type lines that intersect the date
lines and represent the position of the sun at a
specific hour of the day.
SUN PATH
DIAGRAMS
 Azimuth Lines - Azimuth angles run around the
edge of the diagram.
 Altitude Lines - Altitude angles are represented
as concentric circular dotted lines that run
from the center of the diagram out.
 Date Lines - Date lines start on the eastern side
of the graph and run to the western side and
represent the path of the sun on one particular
day of the year.
 Hour Lines/Analemma - Hour lines are shown
as figure-eight-type lines that intersect the date
lines and represent the position of the sun at a
specific hour of the day.
SUN PATH
DIAGRAMS
How to read sun path diagrams:
SUN PATH
DIAGRAMS
How to read sun path diagrams:
At 9:00AM,
SUN PATH
DIAGRAMS
How to read sun path diagrams:
At 9:00AM,
On April 1,
SUN PATH
DIAGRAMS
How to read sun path diagrams:
At 9:00AM,
On April 1,
the azimuth is 62 degrees, and
SUN PATH
DIAGRAMS
How to read sun path diagrams:
At 9:00AM,
On April 1,
the azimuth is 62 degrees, and
the altitude is 30 degrees.
ORIENTATION FOR MIN. HEAT GAIN
▪ Generally, the best approach is to design so that
all walls are shaded from the sun all year round.
▪ It may be desirable to admit some northern sun
especially during the cool months (October-
March). This can be done by planning the width
of eaves and awnings.
ORIENTATION FOR MAX. AIR FLOW
▪ In the Philippines, the prevailing winds are
north-easterly from October-March and
south-westerly from April-September. The
building design must take advantage of this.
▪ The lack of breeze during the hottest days can
pose challenges for achieving effective natural
ventilation. Designing to encourage
convection flow is very effective at these
times.
The rule of convection
Warm air rises, cool air sinks.
2. VENTILATION
Ventilation, circulation of air or to replace stale
air with fresh air.
STACK
VENTILATION
Uses the principle of convection to
induce air flow.
PASSIVE VENTILATION
▪ Designing a building in a way that maximizes
natural ventilation will greatly reduce the need for
air-conditioning
▪ Air movement over the body, even if the air not
much cooler, creates a feeling of cool due to the
evaporation of moisture from the skin
PASSIVE VENTILATION METHODS
▪ Maximizing breezes
▪ Orient the building to make the most of prevailing
winds in the locality
▪ Align vents, windows and doors (reasonably straight
line) to allow air to flow through the building
▪ Minimize internal obstacles or blockages such as
internal walls to allow for unimpeded ventilation
▪ Raise the building off the ground to catch breezes
PASSIVE VENTILATION METHODS
▪ Removing hot air
▪ Design for convection air flow to remove hot air from the
building
▪ Convection air flow is created by hot air rising and exiting at
the highest point, which naturally draws in cool air from the
outside
▪ This can be achieved by placing low window openings across
a space from high window openings
▪ This will be even more effective if the incoming air is being
drawn from a shaded area where plants/trees grow
PASSIVE VENTILATION METHODS
▪ Designing for “mixed-mode” use
▪ A building can be design to be mixed-mode. This
means that it will rely on natural ventilation in cooler
months, and use energy-efficient air conditioning in
hotter months

▪ Low thermal mass materials are particularly suitable

for mixed-mode buildings, provided that the building
is well insulated
PASSIVE VENTILATION METHODS
▪ Roof ventilation
▪ Ventilating the ceiling cavity is an effective way of
replacing accumulated hot air with cool air from
outside using convection

▪ It also reduces heat radiated from the ceiling cavity

towards the inner parts of the building

▪ Example: Ridge vents can let hot air out while cool air
enters through the eave vents
3. LANDSCAPING
Reducing the extent of paving and other hard
surfaces with vegetation.
LANDSCAPING
▪ The hard surfaces of pavement around buildings
absorb and re-radiate heat, creating a hotter
microclimate
▪ Thus, it is smart to minimize the extent of paving
and replace them with vegetation
URBAN HEAT ISLAND
A city or metropolitan area that is
significantly warmer than its surrounding
rural areas due to human activities.
LANDSCAPING
▪ Planting areas around the building creates a cooler
environment due to a plant’s ability to transpire or
lose moisture, which cools the air
▪ External temperatures can be reduced by over 5°C
by using ground cover or lawn instead of paving
▪ Denser vegetation provides a greater cooling effect
▪ Air that is drawn from planted areas is much cooler
than air drawn from paved areas
4. THERMAL MASS
Thermal mass is the ability of building materials
to absorb, store, and release heat.
TROMBE WALL
A trombe wall is a system for indirect
solar heat gain. It consists of a dark
colored wall of high thermal mass facing
the sun, with glazing spaced in front to
leave a small air space. The glazing traps
solar radiation like a small greenhouse.
THERMAL MASS
▪ In tropical climates, the use of materials with low
thermal mass is preferable particularly on walls
that are directly exposed to the sun.
▪ This is because lightweight construction such as
timber respond quickly to cooling breezes,
allowing the building to cool down faster
5. INSULATION
Insulation controls the rate at which a building
loses or gains heat, keeping warmer air in
during winter and excluding external heat in
summer.
INSULATION
▪ Insulation is one of the most effective ways to
reduce heat input to a building and can be
installed in the roof, ceiling and walls of the
building.
TYPES OF INSULATION
▪ There are generally two types of insulation: bulk
insulation and reflective insulation.
▪ In the tropics, reflective insulation installed under
roof sheeting is highly effective as it does not
trap heat inside the building. However bulk
insulation is more effective at preventing loss of
cool air from the building and so improves the
efficiency of air-conditioning.
Bulk insulation
Bulk insulation acts as thermal mass and resists
the transfer of heat. Bulk insulation includes
materials such as mineral wool, cellulose fiber,
polyester and polystyrene.
ROCK WOOL
A type of insulation that is made from
actual rocks and minerals. This type of
insulation is commonly used in building
construction, industrial plants, and in
automotive applications due to its
excellent ability to block sound and heat.
GLASS WOOL
An insulating material made from fibers
of glass arranged using a binder into a
texture similar to wool. The process traps
many small pockets of air between the
glass, and these small air pockets result
in the thermal insulation properties.
Reflective insulation
Reflective insulation mainly resists heat flow due to
its high reflectivity and low ability to re-radiate heat
and is more effective when installed with an air
layer next to the shiny surface.
REFLECTIVE
INSULATION
Reflective insulation is usually shiny
aluminum foil laminated onto paper or
plastic.
R-VALUE
▪ Insulation materials are given an R-value, which
rates the material’s resistance to heat flow and
therefore indicates its effectiveness.
▪ The higher the R-value, the greater the insulating
effect.
R-VALUE
▪ R-values are additive. For instance if you have a
material with an R-value of 12 attached to
another material with an R-value of 3, then both
materials combined have an R-value of 15.
U-VALUE
▪ The U-value is the heat transfer coefficient, which
simply means that is a measure of an assembly's
capacity to transfer thermal energy across its
thickness.
▪ The U-value of an assembly is the reciprocal of
the total R-value of the assembly.
R-VALUE RECOMMENDATIONS
▪ In the tropics, it is generally recommended to
have a minimum of R 2.5 insulation in naturally
ventilated house ceilings, and a minimum of R
3.5 insulation in ceilings and walls of air
conditioned houses.
R-VALUES OF MATERIALS
Material Thickness R-value
Air space 1/2" up to 4" 1.00
Common brick 4" 0.80
Concrete masonry unit (CMU) 4" 0.80
Hardwood 3/4" 0.68
Tile 0.05
Single pane window 1/4" 0.91
Double pane window with 1/4" air space 1.69
Double pane window with 1/2" air space 2.04
6. WINDOWS
Windows are an important way to encourage
and direct air flow into a building.
WINDOWS
▪ Louvers and casement style windows allow
building users to control how much natural air
enters the building.
WINDOWS
▪ Well-placed louvers or
windows, at floor level
and at the highest point
of the room, create
convection air flow
which draws air into the
building and creates
breezes to cool
occupants.
WINDOWS
▪ In a tropical climate, windows should ideally be
shaded from direct sunlight all year round and
should open to allow air flow.
▪ Where effective shading cannot be achieved,
insulating windows against heat transfer can
reduce cooling costs.
TINTED GLASS
▪ Tinted glass has a tint applied to the
glass during manufacture, to reduce
the amount of heat transmitted
through it.
REFLECTIVE
COATINGS
▪ Reflective coatings are thin films of
metal or metal oxide that are applied
to standard glass.
▪ They stop greater amounts of heat
gain than some toned glass,
however, they have the potential to
create glare problems for
neighbouring properties, and can
significantly reduce the quantity of
light admitted through the glass.
SOLAR SHADING
Shading devices shield windows and other glazed
areas from direct sunlight in order to reduce glare
and excessive solar heat gain in warm weather.
 Horizontal overhangs are most
effective when they have southern
orientations.

 Horizontal louvers parallel to a wall

permit air circulation near the wall and
reduce conductive heat gain.
 Louvers may be operated manually or
controlled automatically with time or
photoelectric controls to adapt to the
solar angle.
 Slanted louvers provide more
protection than those parallel to a
wall.
 Angle varies according to the range of
solar angles.

 Louvers hung from a solid overhang

protect against low sun angles.
 Louvers may interfere with view.
 Vertical louvers are most effective for
eastern or western exposures.
 Louvers may be operated manually or
controlled automatically with time or
photoelectric controls to adapt to
solar angle.
 Separation from wall reduces
conductive heat gain.
 Eggcrates combine the shading
characteristics of horizontal and
vertical louvers and have a high
shading ratio.
 Eggcrates, sometimes referred to as
brise-soleil, are very efficient in hot
climates.
 Solar blinds and screens can provide
up to a 50% reduction in solar
radiation, depending on their
reflectivity.
 Heat-absorbing glass can absorb up
to 40% of the radiation reaching its
surface.
Sizing Overhangs
What should be the minimum depth of
the sun shade for this window on
October 16 at 10AM?
Sun Path Diagram, Manila.
0.25m

What should be the minimum depth of

the sun shade for this window on May 16
at 1PM?
1.90m
0.30m
7. NATURAL LIGHTING
Maximizing the amount of natural light that
enters the building can lead to significant
energy savings by reducing the need for
artificial lighting.
MAXIMIZING NATURAL LIGHT
▪ Skylights
▪ Atria
▪ Light shelves
▪ Clerestory windows
▪ Light tubes
SKYLIGHTS
Skylights can provide good quality light to
work spaces that are away from
windows. But they need to be shaded and
glazed to prevent heat transfer.
Some skylights are also vented to allow
hot air to escape.
ATRIA
An atrium is a large open space, often
several stories high and having a glazed
roof and/or large windows.
The benefit of an atrium is that hot air
can be vented at the top rather than
accumulating near the building users.
LIGHT SHELVES
A light shelf is an architectural element
that allows daylight to penetrate deeper
into a building.
A light shelf is a horizontal light-reflecting
overhang which is placed above eye-level
and has a high-reflectance upper surface.
CLERESTORY
WINDOWS
These are high, vertically placed windows
that are ideally north facing.
Clerestory windows can be a good
source of diffuse light, and can also be
useful in allowing hot air to leave the
building.
LIGHT TUBES
Solar tubes, light tubes or light pipes are
used for transporting or distributing
natural or artificial light.
Air movement
AIR MOVEMENT
▪ Air movement is vital in passively-cooled
environments in hot-humid localities
▪ This is particularly critical for most urban areas
and lowlands in the Philippines
AIR MOVEMENT
▪ Moving air that hits the human body promotes
evaporation of sweat and induces a cooling
sensation.
▪ Thus, air flow into the interiors should be directed
to the occupancy zones especially those far from
windows
AIR MOVEMENT
▪ Although there is a need to induce air
movement during the hot-humid
periods of the year, there are also
periods of the year when the building
should be able to resist typhoon
winds
Principles of air flow
WIND
The movement of air through a building is
generated by differences in air pressure as well as
temperature. The resulting patterns of air flow are
affected more by building geometry and orientation
than by air speed.
PRINCIPLE #1
Air flows from a high pressure
area to a low pressure area.
PRINCIPLE #2
Air possesses inertia. Once set in
motion, it tends to continue to
flow in its initial direction until
some intervening force is met.
PRINCIPLE #3
Air flows through the path of least
resistance.
Inducing Air
Movement
Thermal Comfort
Thermal comfort is the condition of mind that
expresses satisfaction with the thermal
environment. Maintaining this standard of thermal
comfort for occupants of buildings or other
enclosures is one of the important goals of HVAC
design engineers.
 High inlets direct air flow upward,
resulting in a loss of cooling effect.
 Low inlets direct air flow at occupants.
 Outlets should be as large or larger
than inlets for maximum air flow.
 The position of an outlet has little
effect on the air flow but should allow
rising warm air to escape.
Overhangs over openings direct flow
upward which may be undesirable for
cooling.

Louvers can beneficially redirect and

diffuse air flow.
Roof overhangs increase incoming flow
of air.

Slots in overhangs equalize external

pressure.
Sea and Land
Breeze
SEA AND LAND BREEZE
▪ SEA BREEZE – wind from the sea (high pressure)
directed towards the land (low pressure); due to
daytime heating.
▪ LAND BREEZE – wind from land (high pressure)
directed towards the sea (low pressure); due to
night time cooling.
Tropical Architecture
TROPICAL
ARCHITECTURE
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.
MAIN OBJECTIVES (HOT HUMID)
▪ 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
TROPICAL
ARCHITECTURE
▪ Samoans long ago did not install
walls to allow free-flow breezes.
TROPICAL
ARCHITECTURE
▪ Malayan homes’ plentiful windows
aim to maximize cross-ventilation.
BAHAY KUBO
▪ Living platform elevated on stilts, adaptation to damp ground
conditions
▪ High-pitched roof, rain water can be quickly drained, creates large
air space (insulation), heat is radiated at an angle rather than
directly on living space below
▪ Large windows, cross ventilation
▪ Operable windows, awning type, protection from rain at the same
time provides shade
▪ Wide roof overhangs
▪ Walls and roof are constructed of thatch, low U-value
▪ Bamboo flooring, slats allows air to breeze upward
▪ Surrounding gardens
BAHAY NA BATO
▪ Living platform is elevated, heavy stone walled ground floor
▪ High-pitched roof, rain water can be quickly drained, creates large
air space (insulation), heat is radiated at an angle rather than
directly on living space below.
▪ Wide eaves, alero, underside was fitted with latticed vents
▪ Large windows, capiz panels allow daylight to penetrate interiors
▪ Ventanillas, operable windows on barandillas
▪ Volada, cantilevered gallery along the perimeter of the second
floor, double layered façade
▪ Calado, latticed openings above interior walls
▪ Operable louvers or jalousies, dynamic exterior louvers
▪ Wooden walls, low U-value
PRINCIPLES
▪ 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.
PRINCIPLES
▪ The reduction of energy consumption for heating,
cooling, lighting and equipment, covering the
remainder of the claim 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.
Improving Natural
Ventilation and
Daylighting
▪ Building should be sited in high
altitudes for maximum cool airflow
and locations with evaporative
possibilities are advantageous
▪ Settlements have to be properly
oriented regarding prevailing winds
▪ Settlements in flat areas (less natural
features: hill sides, slopes) should
include vegetation because the air is
cooled while crossing green shaded
areas
▪ Sun orientation: preference for north
orientations of the main facades of
the building

▪ Wind orientation: main walls and

windows should face the prevailing
wind direction
▪ Orient active living areas to the
northeast to collect early morning
sun.

▪ Glass areas should face north with

properly designed overhangs.

▪ Plant trees in south.

▪ East and west windows should be

avoided to minimize radiation with
low sun angles.
▪ Outlets at higher levels serve to vent
hot air

▪ Semi-open spaces such as balconies

and porches can be used
advantageously for daytime activities
as well as give protection from
rainfall.
▪ The form of the roof should be
planned to promote air flow. Vents at
the rooftop induce ventilation and
draw hot air out. A double roof with
ventilated space in between can be
used to promote air flow. The space
between can also act as a heat
buffer.

▪ Air should enter the building through

shaded outdoor areas, avoiding
passing through heated surfaces.
▪ Openings of a comparatively smaller
size can be placed on the windward
side, while the corresponding
openings on the leeward side should
be bigger for facilitating natural
ventilation.
 Opening shape matters and can
influence airflow effectiveness. Long
horizontal strip windows can ventilate
a space more evenly.
 Tall windows with openings at top and
bottom can use convection as well as
outside breezes to pull hot air out the
top of the room while supplying cool
air at the bottom.
END