AR 318 – TROPICAL DESIGN, LEC.

MODULE NO.: 4
TOPIC: TROPICAL CLIMATES: HOT, HUMID CLIMATES
GENERAL CONCEPTS: LOW RISE DESIGN
WRITER: AR. JAHARA N. CUERDO, UAP

Opening Prayer:

A STUDENT'S PRAYER (by St. Thomas Aquinas)

Come, Holy Spirit, Divine Creator, true source of light and fountain of wisdom!
Pour forth your brilliance upon my dense intellect, dissipate the darkness which
covers me, that of sin and of ignorance.
Grant me a penetrating mind to understand, a retentive memory, method and
ease in learning, the lucidity to comprehend, and abundant grace in expressing
myself.
Guide the beginning of my work, direct its progress, and bring it to successful
completion.
This I ask through Jesus Christ, true God and true man, living and reigning with
You and the Father,
forever and ever.
Amen.

Welcome to Tropical Design Course. This Course is outlined to introduce what is

Tropical Design is all about. This material will serve as your guide to effectively exploring
and finishing the course. This material outlines all information and requirements that you
need to complete the course.
AR 318 – TROPICAL DESIGN, LEC.

COURSE CONTENT/SUBJECT MATTER SPECIFIC LEARNING OUTCOMES: ESTIMATE TIME

At the end of the course, I should be able to:

 Tropical Climates: Hot, Humid Climates  To identify and differentiate the Tropical 5 hrs.
a. Characteristics Climates Characteristics and their Design
b. Design Problems Problems.
c. Design Objectives

 General Concepts: Low Rise Design  To identify and relate the different design 6 hrs.
a. Design Objectives objectives and general concepts used in
b. Design Strategies tropical interior design.
c. General Concepts of Ventilation  To illustrate the processes that may be
applied in a climatic-responsive design.
 Sun Protection  To identify and differentiate the types of sun 5 hrs.
 The Site Building Layout protection
 Space Planning  To understand and familiarize the design
considerations for tropical architecture.

Focus Question: How do you deal with problems in your current building in tropical climates?
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Let’s have a recap about CLIMATE!

How is a CLIMATE defined?
Different meteorological data define a climate (temperature, humidity, wind, pressure, etc.). Temperatures and precipitation are thus decisive in this
regard, allowing large climatic zones to be defined. For me, the definition of "hot climate" does not exist because the term is insufficient because it only provides
information on the temperature of the region. Considering only the adjective hot, the definition is impossible: Scandinavian will consider the climate of southern
Europe to be hot, just as a resident of these regions will consider the climate of further south to be hot, and so on.
A warm climate is not included in Köppen's climate classification system. Because of linguistic misunderstandings, the latter is now frequently used to refer to
tropical climates.

What exactly is a TROPICAL CLIMATE?

This is the type of climate found between the tropics (Cancer and Capricorn), with latitudes ranging up to 14 degrees north and south, and where the
average monthly temperature does not fall below 18°C throughout the year. The tropical climate is still defined by its humidity, which adds to the sensation of
warmth. This is why most tropical countries require an air conditioning system. Precipitation varies, shifting from a dry to a wet season.
As a result, the seasons of the tropical climate are primarily defined by rainfall. During the dry season, rainfall can be almost non-existent, and
temperatures are at their lowest (around December in the northern hemisphere, June in the southern hemisphere). During the wet season, or rainy season,
rainfall can be heavy and temperatures can be very high (around June in the northern hemisphere, December in the southern hemisphere). However, there are
tropical climates where the situation is reversed. Winter rainfall is concentrated in the Canary Islands and Hawaii, for example, while temperatures are cool for
the region.
Other features of the tropical climate include near-permanent winds (known as trade winds), particularly along the coasts, and vegetation composed of
medium-dense forests, grasslands, and savannahs.
Because of the high humidity, the approach to building design is more complicated than in desert countries.
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Köppen Climate Classification for Tropical Climate

One of the most widely used climate classification systems is the Köppen classification. It classifies tropical climates as A-group because the mean
temperature of the coldest month is greater than or equal to 18 °C (64.4 °F) (tropical climate group). A-group regions are typically found below 25 degrees
latitude in both the southern and northern hemispheres; they include the Equator, Central America and parts of South America, central Africa, southern portions
of Asia, and parts of Australia and the Pacific Ocean islands.
Climate types in Group A include tropical rainforest climate (Af), tropical monsoon climate (Am), and tropical wet and dry or savanna climate (Aw or As). The
Pdry of all three climates is used to classify them (short for precipitation of the driest month). Pdry in a tropical rainforest climate should be greater than or equal
to 60 mm (2.4 inches). Tropical monsoon climate’s Pdry should be in the range from to 60 mm. Tropical wet and dry or
savanna climate’s Pdry should be less than .

Tropical climate biome

Tropical climates typically have two seasons: a wet season and a dry season. The duration of the wet and dry seasons varies depending on the region.
Temperature changes in the tropics are small on an annual basis. Much of the plant life grows all year due to the high temperatures and abundant rainfall. The
best environment for epiphytes to grow is one with high temperatures and humidity. In many tropical climates, vegetation grows in layers, with shrubs growing
beneath tall trees and bushes growing beneath shrubs. Tropical plants, such as coffee, cocoa, and oil palm, are abundant in resources. The types of vegetation
that are unique to each of the three climates that comprise the tropical climate biome are listed below.
Natural vegetation
 Tropical rainforest vegetation including: Bengal bamboo, bougainvillea, curare, coconut tree, durian and banana.
 Tropical monsoon vegetation including: teak, deodar, rosewood, sandalwood and bamboo.
 Tropical wet and dry or savanna vegetation including: acacia senegal, elephant grass, jarrah tree, gum tree eucalyptus and whistling thorn.
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Tropical rainforest climate

Tropical rainforest climate (Zone Af: f = feucht, German for moist) is defined by the Köppen classification as having north and south latitudinal ranges of
5-10 degrees from the equator. Temperatures in tropical rainforest climates are high: the yearly average temperature ranges from 21°C to 30°C (70°F to 85°F).

Precipitation can total more than 100 inches per

year. The seasons are evenly distributed
throughout the year, and there are few dry
spells. Tropical rainforest climate primarily
affects the upper Amazon basin of South
America, the Northern Zaire (Congo) basin of
Africa, and the East Indies islands.

The tropical rainforest climate is

distinguished from other subtypes of tropical
climates by the presence of a greater variety of
trees. Because of transpiration, which is the
process of water loss from the surface of living
plants to the atmosphere, a large number of
trees contribute to the humidity of the climate.
The tropical rainforest climate's warmth and
abundant precipitation contribute to the diversity
and characteristics of vegetation. To receive
enough sunlight, the vegetation develops
vertical stratification and various growth forms,
which is unusual in other types of climate.
AR 318 – TROPICAL DESIGN, LEC.

Tropical monsoon climate

Tropical monsoon climate is defined by the Köppen classification tool as having small annual temperature ranges, high temperatures, and abundant
precipitation. This climate also has a brief dry season in the winter. The tropical monsoon climate is typically found in countries in South and Southeast Asia
between 10 degrees north and the Tropic of Cancer. These areas include India, the Philippines, Australia's northern coast, and China's Hainan Island. The
annual temperature in tropical monsoon climate regions is stable.
The tropical monsoon climate is distinguished by the
following characteristics. The annual temperature average is
27.05 °C (80.69 °F) with a temperature range of 3.6 °C (2
°F). The tropical monsoon climate differs from other tropical
climates due to its uneven precipitation throughout the year,
which distinguishes between wet and dry seasons. Summer
precipitation is heavy, and a short-drought season occurs in
the winter. The annual total precipitation in this climate is
3409.2mm, with 3115.9mm of summer precipitation and
293.3mm of winter precipitation.
The tropical monsoon climate has three distinct
seasons: the cool dry season from October to February, the
hot dry season from March to mid-June, and the rainy
season from June to September.
The tropical monsoon forest is composed primarily of
three layered structures. The ground layer, which is a dense
layer of shrubs, is the first layer. The second layer is the
understory layer, which contains trees up to 15 meters tall.
The top layer is known as the canopy tree, and it consists of
trees that are 25 to 30 meters tall and grow closely together.
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Tropical wet and dry or forest climate

Tropical savanna climates are primarily found between 10° and 20° north-south latitudes and are frequently found on the tropics' outer margins. Central
Africa, parts of South America, and northern and eastern Australia are examples of typical regions. The savanna climate has temperatures ranging from 20 °C
to 30 °C (68 °F to 86 °F). Summer temperatures range from 25°C to 30°C, while winter temperatures range from 20°C to 30°C. The annual rainfall ranges from
700 to 1000 mm. The driest months are November to March, with less than 60 mm of rain.
Savanna climate regions typically have lands covered in flat grassland vegetation. Grassland biomes cover nearly 20% of the earth's surface. Rhodes
grass, red oats grass, star grass, and lemongrass are examples of grassland vegetation.
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Let us now move on to the Philippines' Climatic Aspect Trivia!

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAG-ASA)
Climate
The climate of the Philippines is tropical and maritime. It has a relatively high temperature, high humidity, and a lot of rain. It is
similar to the climate of Central American countries in many ways. The most important elements of the country's weather and
climate are temperature, humidity, and rainfall, which are discussed further below.

Temperature
The mean annual temperature in the Philippines, excluding Baguio, is 26.6 oC based on the average of all weather stations. The coolest month is
January, with an average temperature of 25.5oC, and the warmest month is May, with an average temperature of 28.3 oC. Latitude has little effect on
temperature variation, whereas altitude has a greater impact on temperature contrast. As a result, the average annual temperature in Baguio at an elevation of
1,500 meters is 18.3oC. As a result, the temperature in Baguio is comparable to those in temperate climates, and it is known as the summer capital of the
Philippines.
The difference in mean annual temperature between the southernmost station in Zamboanga and the northernmost station in Laoag is negligible. In
other words, the mean annual temperature of places in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao measured at or near sea level is essentially the same.

Humidity
The moisture content of the atmosphere is referred to as humidity. The Philippines has a high relative humidity due to its high temperature and proximity
to bodies of water. The average monthly relative humidity ranges from 71% in March to 85% in September. The combination of warm temperatures and high
relative and absolute humidity causes high sensible temperature across the archipelago. It's especially uncomfortable from March to May, when the temperature
and humidity are at their highest.
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Rainfall
In the Philippines, rainfall is the most important climatic factor. Rainfall
distribution varies from region to region across the country, depending on the
direction of moisture-bearing winds and the location of mountain systems.
The average annual rainfall in the Philippines ranges from 965 to 4,064
millimeters. Baguio City, eastern Samar, and eastern Surigao receive the most
rain, while the southern portion of Cotabato receives the least. The average
annual rainfall in General Santos City, Cotabato, is only 978 millimeters.

The Two Seasons

The climate of the country can be divided into two major seasons based on
temperature and rainfall: (1) the rainy season, which lasts from June to
November, and (2) the dry season, which lasts from December to May. The dry
season is further divided into two parts: (a) the cool dry season, which lasts from
December to February, and (b) the hot dry season, which lasts from March to
May.

Climate Varieties
Four climate types are recognized based on rainfall distribution, and they are as
follows:
Typhoons have a significant impact on the Philippines' climate and weather
conditions. Typhoons are responsible for a large portion of the rainfall, humidity,
and cloudiness. They typically originate in the Pacific Ocean's Marianas and
Caroline Islands, which share the same latitude as Mindanao. Their movements
are northwesterly, preventing Mindanao from being directly hit by the majority of
the typhoons that pass through the country. As a result, the southern Philippines
is very appealing for agricultural and industrial development.
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Monsoons in the Philippines

Monsoons are large-scale sea breezes that form when the temperature on land is significantly higher or lower than the temperature of the ocean. The majority of summer
monsoons, also known as southwest monsoons (Filipino: Habagat), have a dominant westerly component and a strong tendency to ascend and produce copious amounts of rain
(because of the condensation of water vapor in the rising air). The intensity and duration, on the other hand, vary from year to year. Winter monsoons, also known as northeast
monsoons (Filipino: Amihan), have a strong easterly component and a strong tendency to diverge, subside, and cause drought.
From May to October, the summer monsoon brings heavy rains to the majority of the archipelago. Annual average rainfall ranges from 5,000 millimeters (197 in) in the
country's mountainous east coast to less than 1,000 millimeters (39 in) in some of the country's sheltered valleys. Monsoon rains, while heavy and soaking, are not usually
associated with high winds and waves.
Tropical cyclones account for at least 30% of annual rainfall in the northern Philippines, while tropical cyclones account for less than 10% of annual rainfall in the southern
islands. The wettest known tropical cyclone to hit the archipelago was the July 1911 cyclone, when the total precipitation for Baguio was distributed over four days as follows: 14th
– 879.8 mm (34.6 in), 15th – 733.6 mm (28.9 in), 16th – 424.9 mm (16.7 in), 17th – 200.4 mm (7.9 in); followed by an extraordinary drought from October 1911 to May 1912, so
that the annual.
Typhoons in the Philippines
The Philippines is located across the typhoon belt, which produces dangerous storms from
July to October. Climate change exacerbates the Philippines' typhoon situation. Typhoons are
especially dangerous for northern and eastern Luzon, as well as the Bicol and Eastern Visayas
regions, but Manila is also regularly devastated. Bagyo is the Filipino word for a tropical cyclone
that occurs in the Philippine Islands.
According to PAGASA statistics from 1948 to 2004, an average of 28 storms and/or
typhoons enter the PAR (Philippine Area of Responsibility) – the designated area assigned to
PAGASA to monitor during weather disturbances. The average number of those that made landfall
or crossed the Philippines was nine per year. In 1993, the country was hit by a record 19 typhoons,
the most in a single year. The fewest were four per year in 1955, 1958, 1992, and 1997.
PAGASA classifies typhoons into five types based on wind speed. When a tropical cyclone
enters the PAR, regardless of its strength, it is given a local name for identification by the media,
government, and the general public.
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Public Storm Warning System (PSWS)

Over the last ten years, the Philippines has been hit by a number of extremely damaging tropical cyclones, particularly typhoons with sustained winds of
more than 220 km/h (140 mph; 120 kn; 61 m/s). As a result, the PAGASA officially adopted the Super Typhoon (STY) category, which has maximum sustained
winds of more than 220 km/h (140 mph; 120 kn; 61 m/s). However, various stakeholders believe that the extensive and devastating damage caused by strong
typhoons such as Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) in 2013 rendered the four level warning system
ineffective.
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Climate Change
Climate change is one of the most pressing environmental issues confronting the Philippines. The Philippines, as an island country in the Southeast
Asia Pacific region, is extremely vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Some of these effects include increased natural disaster frequency and severity,
sea level rise, extreme rainfall, resource shortages, and environmental degradation. All of these impacts have had a significant impact on the Philippines'
agriculture, water, infrastructure, human health, and coastal ecosystems, and they are expected to continue having a devastating impact on the Philippines'
economy and society.
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10 Things to Keep in Mind When Creating in a Tropical Climate

For any layperson, the field of architecture would be to construct a shelter that provides maximum protection from the elements and is composed of
hospitable spaces; and theoretically speaking, the said being the core of the field is unmistakable. To translate these expectations into a physical form while
taking into account demographics, aesthetics, meteorological linearity, and associated complexities, an architect must evaluate a broader field of study known
as ‘climate-responsive architecture.'
It is to study the various climate-based influencing factors on our living conditions, particularly under the headings of seasonality, sunlight, rain, wind,
and humidity of the target construction site, for maximum dialogue between the structure and its surroundings, specifically the climate. In this regard, the
prompted design considerations vary with existing structures, contextual typologies, and nature itself, but the most prominent of all is the location of study and
construction.
The following are ten design considerations that an architect must make when building in tropical climates:
1. Sun Study
For a tropical zone, where peak temperatures can
reach 30 degrees Celsius and diurnal variations can
reach 20 degrees Celsius, studying the sun and
daylight, as well as its solar radiations and energy
analysis, is critical if one plans to segregate the
external spaces, interiors, and light-sensitive spaces
while incorporating the typical passive design elements
such as mutual shading and sun.
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2. Form
When the goal is to provide
superlative thermal comfort to the
user and protection of both the living
spaces and the external areas in a
hot, windy, and often humid
environment, the form is one of the
primary considerations for passive
design. ‘Compactness' and
‘Perimeter to Area Ratio' are two
tried-and-true methodologies for
optimizing design in terms of
thermal gain, orientation along sun
paths, and ease of access to
sunlight wherever it is required on
the premises.
Inward-looking buildings with
interior courtyards for the creation of
cooling areas are required to
minimize heat gain, and when
clubbed, the volumetric effect for
grouped cooling in massive
buildings is another avenue to
explore in urban design.
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3. Orientation
Another passive design strategy incorporated into the design along with the form is the orientation of a building, which is heavily influenced by the varying
amount of solar radiation falling on different sides of the building at different times of the day. The goal is to encourage clustered arrangements for heat
absorption and shading opportunities. Aside from sun orientation, another factor to consider is the building's orientation, as well as the directions of the
prevailing winds, for optimal cross-ventilation and cooling of the structure.
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4. Openings
Openings are critical in a building because they determine a building's breathability primarily through the exchange of air, but their location and size vary
depending on the geographical targets. Regardless, it must be ensured that the wind entering the house does not pass over hot surfaces and that the
openings are large and operable while remaining manageable when it comes to rain, insects, and other natural gears; all of which must be considered during
the meticulous placement of the openings along wind channels and behind tree buffers for alignment with wind orientations and even.
AR 318 – TROPICAL DESIGN, LEC.

5. Shading
Shading devices are essential environmental controls that greatly reduce the need for mechanical heating and cooling systems by limiting heat gain,
access to daylight, and its entry through openings. The architect must choose between external and internal shading devices with the goal of lowering the
mean radiant temperature of the building, which can also be accomplished through the coordinated formation of solar envelopes for self-shading and natural
flora and its buffers.
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6. Glazing
To further limit heat entrapment and solar radiation entry into the building through openings, proper window performance is critical, as windows incur 20
to 30 times more heat transactions in a structure than walls. The glazing in windows traps heat and raises the building's mean radiant temperature, which
stimulates the internal temperature and upsets the conditional nature of the utility spaces, which are, in fact, heat-sensitive centers of a building.
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7. Planning
Building planning or zoning entails careful consideration of room-by-room layouts, consideration of different seasons and times of day when the spaces
are used the most extensively, and better defining the spaces as primary or auxiliary in relation to the former two. The architect must take advantage of the
climatic advantages of the spaces available in the overall plan, as well as consider the transformability of spaces throughout the day and night for
segregation of areas with higher internal radiant loads and areas with active requirements for conventional cooling.
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8. Spaces
The external, internal, and light-sensitive spaces are the three primary spaces in a house. The former two are common to all houses and thus require
attention in terms of light ingress during the seasonal flux and the overall vertical and horizontal zoning schemes developed. Light-sensitive spaces, such as
museums and natatoriums, that do not require direct sunlight must be carefully planned in terms of positioning and detachment to avoid the risk of direct
exposure to the natural elements.

9. Construction Elements
While it would be ideal to build structures with high thermal capacity for optimal heat gain and retention, such a setting would fail in a tropical climate. In
fact, buildings constructed with low thermal capacity and lightweight materials are ideal. When combined with heat transfer principles, the ceiling must be
kept at the same temperature as the other surfaces, i.e. a literal reflective surface, for which a double ceiling constructed above the spaces subject to solar
radiation suffers enormous heat gain decrements.

(https://in.pinterest.com Caption: Solar Design Strategy involving Walls and Heat Gain affecting the ingress of winds)
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10. Thermal Mass

Thermal mass of a material is its ability to absorb and store heat, and in a climate as hot and humid as that found in tropical zones, the denser thermal
mass material used is preferable; this is due to its ability to absorb heat as quickly as it releases it. The statement calls for the use of appropriate levels of
shading, ventilation, and insulation, as well as consideration for the mass color.

As previously stated, Climate Responsive Architecture is an entirely separate sphere of study that extends beyond just architecture, and it will expand
further beyond the mentioned heads due to its necessity in cities, the urgency of its immediate application, and a creative basis for innovative solutions. The
ideation, in fact, stems from the changing climatic conditions of the world and the detachment of the urban lifestyle from this type of architecture, the type that
has been essential in our lives for centuries, as can be seen in vernacular architecture, and as can be seen dwindling from today's modernized take on
functional spaces and, in particular, a home.
Based from the website: www.re-thinkingthefuture.com/rtf-fresh-perspectives/a2129-10-things-to-remember-when-designing-in-tropical-climate/
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Tropical Architecture in the Philippines

Many people associate the term tropical architecture with a specific design style. In reality, tropical architecture is all about achieving thermal comfort
through the use of passive design elements such as sunshades, cavity walls, light shelves, overhangs, roof and wall insulation, and even sun shading from large
trees. It can have a very traditional, ultramodern, or even high-tech appearance.
The process of achieving this level of comfort without the use of mechanical systems is known as passive design. The goal of tropical architecture is to
combat the urban heat island effect.
So, what is the heat island effect?
This phenomenon is caused by cities with little greenery and a lot of concrete surfaces. The temperature in the city will be 2 to 3 degrees Celsius higher
than in the surrounding suburbs and countryside. In a metaphorical sense, it forms a "island" of hotter land surrounded by cooler land on the city outskirts.
The heat island effect is exacerbated by dark-colored roofs. Dark-colored roofs absorb some heat, which is then transmitted to the room or space below.
Fundamental design principles
With a warm, humid climate, there are a few basic design principles for using natural ventilation to cool a home or building in the Philippines.
 The external features of the building envelope and its relation to the site should be designed to fully utilize air movement. Interior partitions should not
block air movements.
 Air velocity can be reduced when the interior walls are placed close to the inlet opening or each time it is diverted around obstructions.
 If interior walls are unavoidable, air flow can still be ensured if the partitions have openings at the lower and upper portions. This is a common strategy
in the old Filipino bahay na bato, with its transom panels covered with intricate wood carvings or wood louvers.
 Maximize window openings for cross ventilation of internal spaces. Vents in the roof cavity can also be very effective in drawing out heat from the room
interiors.
 Since hot air goes upward, and cool air goes downward, openings at the top of staircases and in clerestory windows facilitate air change.
 It is generally cooler at night, so ventilation of internal spaces can be continuous for nighttime cooling. This means designing the building with operable
windows to let hot air escape at night and to capture prevailing night winds.
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 To supplement natural ventilation, fans can be placed at various heights and areas to increase comfort conditions. Fans are effective in generating
internal air movement, improve air distribution and increase air velocities.
 Window openings are advisable at the body level for evaporative human body cooling. And room width should not exceed five times ceiling height for
good air movement.
 Sunshades and sun protection devices on openings reduce heat gain and glare, and also help in internal daylighting. Louvres that are adjustable can
alter the direction of air flow and lighting.
 Asian houses have big roof overhangs to protect interior spaces from heat gain and glare. Shading materials should reflect heat, and not be another
source of heat.
 Roof insulation is a must in our warm climate. This reduces the temperature significantly inside the house.
Based from the website: https://business.inquirer.net/19613/tropical-architecture#ixzz76vMwJ4fO

Modern Tropical Architecture

A modern tropical house is a work of architecture that can adapt to a tropical climate through the use of construction materials that combine modern and
traditional architecture (in the tropics). Because traditional architecture is capable of adapting to tropical climates, it is to produce modern tropical architecture,
and it can refer to traditional architecture:
1. The angle of the inclination of the roof, when using a tile roof covering materials.
2. Long overhang
3. The creation of a ventilation crusade at home to reduce humidity and hot air temperature.
4. The correct direction of the orientation of the building.

From these fundamental principles, new construction technologies can be developed or aligned with existing ones. As a result, it will generate various
forms of expression, such as vernacular, modern tropical, and resist tropical, but it may also result in a modern prime approach very ultra-appearance basis or
solid Platonic form, but it must still adhere to the basic principles of the tropical House.
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TROPICAL DESIGN CHARLES DARWIN: There is a STRONG RELATIONSHIP between amount of

- Climate responsive design PRECIPITATION & OCEAN
-> region with certain temperature, dryness, wind and light TEMPERATURE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS: Regions with HIGH PRECIPITATION are also the WARMEST.
1. Temperature – hot & cold THERMAL COMFORT – Human comfort as the body dissipate in heat & moisture
2. Humid – presence of air and moisture PSYCHROMETRIC CHART – chart where the wet-bulb and dry-bulb readings
3. Precipitation – presence of something falling from the sky (rain, snow) from a psychrometer to relative humidity, absolute humidity and dew point.
4. Sky Condition – type of weather (sunny, cloudy, rainy, etc.)
5. Wind – movement of air
GENERAL TYPES OF CLIMATE: UNFORTUNATE ASPECTS OF MODERN GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT:
1. Hot Humid – Tropical -Neglecting The Context of Climate, Culture and Land Variations
2. Hot Arid – Desert type TROPICAL CLIMATE: Regions where heat is dominant problem (20°c)
3. Temperate – Mild
4. Cold CHARACTERISTIC OF TROPICAL CLIMATES
 TROPICAL Wet –Indonesia, Philippines 1. TEMPERATURE – 20°C to 30°c
 TROPICAL Wet & Dry – Africa, Brazil, India 2. HUMIDITY LEVEL – 50% to 100%
 DRY Semiarid – Southeast Spain, Mexico 3. WIND CONDITION – Slow wind flow (2m/s)
 DRY Arid – UAE, S. Africa, Afghanistan 4. SKY CONDITIONS – Reflected heat/ solar gain
 MODERATE Mediterranean - Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Egypt, Libya 5. PRECIPITATION – high during year (1000mm/yr.)
 MODERATE Humid Subtropical - Eastern Australia 6. OTHERS – Climate condition cause breeding of insects
 MODERATE Marine West Coast - Coastal Oregon, Washington, Southern Alaska - Damp Ground Condition
 CONTINENTAL Humid - East Central Europe, Northern China, Northern Korea
 CONTINENTAL Subarctic – Siberia, Most of Alaska, Northern Half of Scandinavia
 POLAR Tundra - Canada, Iceland, Norway and Russia
 POLAR Ice Cap - Antarctica and Greenland
 POLAR Highlands – Sierra Nevada, Himalayas, Central Portions of Borneo and New
Guinea
 Non - Permanent Ice
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PROBLEMS IN AREAS WITH TROPICAL CLIMATE PASSIVE COOLING: Cooling system using a building’s design and construction to
1. High temperature level (HEAT) maintain a comfortable temperature within the building.
Heat gain due to direct solar radiation
Heat gain due to reflected solar radiation PASSIVE DESIGN is essentially low-energy design achieved by the building’s
Heat gain due to long wave radiation particular morphological organization rather than electro-mechanical means.
Heat transfer (convection) Some passive cooling methods used in building design are:
Others 1. Building configuration, site layout and site planning.
2. High Humidity Level Placing bldg. besides an existing features (trees)
Water content in the air on the body does not evaporate as fast resulting in very 2. Building Orientation
low comfort levels North, South, East and West
3. Slow Wind Velocities 3. Facade design
4. High Precipitation Levels during Rainy Days (Chance of Typhoon) Use of Double-layered façade
5. Abundance of Insect and Rodents Use of Insulation
6. Damp Ground Conditions 4. Wind and Natural Ventilation
Prevailing Wind (Amihan [NE] & Habagat [SW])
Design Objectives in Tropical Climates: 5. Others: Passive Daylight Devices, Building Envelope Color, Vertical
1. Minimize Heat Gain Landscaping
Protect from Direct and Reflected Solar Radiation within a given urban or
interior space PASSIVE COOLING:
Prevent occurrence of Long Wave Radiation within a given urban or interior STACK EFFECT / CHIMNEY EFFECT: The tendency of air or gas in a
space shaft or other vertical space to rise when heated, creating a draft that
Prevent materials from storing heat/Protect materials from heat gain draws in cooler air or gas from below.
2. Maximize Light and Ventilation (but protect from typhoon wind)
3. Prevent unnecessary increase in humidity levels
Avoid use of water element within a given urban or interior space CROSS VENTILATION: The circulation of fresh air through open windows,
doors or other openings on opposite sides of a room
4. Have good drainage systems to accommodate high precipitation during the year
5. Protect spaces from insects and rodents
AR 318 – TROPICAL DESIGN, LEC.

SOLAR CONTROL DEVICES (SUN SHADING DEVICES):

Protecting the Building Spaces from heat Gain due to Solar Radiation
HORIZONTAL TYPES:
Horizontal Sun Shades are generally used on the North-Facing and South Facing Sides of a building
VERTICAL TYPES:
Vertical Sun Shades are generally used on the East-Facing and West- Facing Sides of a building.
EGGCRATE TYPES: Combination of Horizontal and Vertical Shades.

Aluminum architectural sun shade, horizontal sun control device, vertical fins
AR 318 – TROPICAL DESIGN, LEC.

LOW RISE DESIGN

 A low-rise building is an enclosed structure with an architectural height of less than 35
meters that is divided into occupiable levels at regular intervals.
 It includes all regular multi-story buildings that are enclosed, are less than the height of a
high-rise, and are not entirely underground.
 Low-rise structures must be built on solid ground and have a fabricated framework.
Structures that move or are built into the ground are not considered low-rise buildings.

NATURAL VENTILATION
Natural ventilation is the ventilation of a building from the outside, without the use of a fan or any
other mechanical system.
When the spaces to be ventilated are small and the architecture allows, it can be accomplished with
openable windows or trickle vents.
Warm or in the building can be allowed to rise and flow out upper openings to the outside
(Stock effect) in more complex systems, forcing cool outside air to be drawn into the
building naturally through openings in the lower areas.
The key requirements for ventilating low-rise buildings are summarized below:
1. A complete mechanical ventilation system for a low-rise building must be provided.
2.Kitchens and bathrooms must have local exhaust systems that are vented to the
outside.
3.The clothes dryer must be vented to the outside.
AR 318 – TROPICAL DESIGN, LEC.

 Ventilation is the process of changing or replacing the air in any space to provide a high level of indoor or outdoor quality.
 Ventilation is used to remove unpleasant odors and excessive moisture from outside air, to keep interior building air circulating, and to prevent interior
air stagnation.
 Ventilation encompasses both the exchange of air to the outside and the circulation of air within the building, and it is one of the most important factors
in maintaining acceptable indoor air quality in buildings.
 Mechanical/forced and natural ventilation methods can be used to ventilate a building.
MECHANICAL VENTILATION
"Mechanical" or "forced" ventilation is used to control the quality of indoor air.
Excess humidity, odors, and contaminants can often be controlled through dilution or replacement with outside air; however, in humid climates, removing excess
moisture from ventilation air requires a significant amount of energy.
Typical Solutions for Whole-Building Ventilation
There are three generic solutions to meeting the outside air ventilation requirement:
1. Exhaust ventilation
2. Supply ventilation
3. Combination of supply and exhaust ventilation. If the supply and exhaust flows are within 10 percent of each other
this is called a balanced ventilation system.
AR 318 – TROPICAL DESIGN, LEC.

Miscellaneous indoor air quality design requirements apply, including:

1. Ventilation air must come from outside and not be transferred from neighboring dwelling units, garages, or crawlspaces.
2. Ventilation system controls must be labeled, and the home owner must be given instructions on how to use the system.
3. Combustion appliances must be properly vented, and air systems must be designed to avoid backdrafting.
4. Seal the walls and openings between the house and the garage.
5. Windows with a ventilation area of at least 4% of the floor area must be installed in habitable rooms.
6. Mechanical systems, including heating and cooling systems, that supply air to habitable spaces must have MERV 6 or better filters.
7. Dedicated air inlets (not exhaust) as part of the ventilation system design must be located away from known contaminants.
8. Each dwelling unit must have a carbon monoxide alarm installed in accordance with NFPA 720, Standard for the Installation of Carbon Monoxide (CO)
Detection and Warning Equipment.
9. Air moving equipment used to meet the whole-building ventilation and local ventilation exhaust requirements must be rated for airflow and sound.
Insulations
Most engineers, architects, and end users are familiar with the use of insulation in building envelopes to reduce heating and cooling loads and control noise.
Insulation for pipes, ducts, tanks, and equipment is less common. The installed cost of these materials is typically a minor component of the overall cost of a
project. As a result, mechanical insulation in commercial and industrial construction projects is frequently overlooked, undervalued, or improperly specified and
maintained.
Mechanical insulation is primarily used to limit heat gain or loss from surfaces operating at temperatures higher or lower than ambient. Mechanical insulation can
be used to achieve one or more of the following design goals (i.e. why insulate?):
Condensation control: minimizing condensation and the potential for mold growth by keeping surface temperature above the dew point of surrounding
air
Energy conservation: minimizing unwanted heat loss/gain from systems. There are three primary reasons to conserve energy
o Energy: minimizing the use of scarce natural resources
o Economics: maximizing return on investment and minimizing the life cycle cost
o Environment: minimizing the emissions associated with energy usage of projects.
Fire safety: protecting critical building elements and slowing the spread of fire in buildings
AR 318 – TROPICAL DESIGN, LEC.

Freeze protection: minimizing energy required for heat tracing systems and/or extending the time to freezing in the event of system failure
Personnel protection: controlling surface temperatures to avoid contact burns (hot or cold)
Process control: minimizing temperature change in processes where close control is needed
Noise control: reducing/controlling noise in mechanical systems
In addition to these design objectives, there are a number of design considerations that may require attention when designing a mechanical insulation system.
Abuse resistance
Corrosion under insulation
Indoor Air Quality
Maintainability
Regulatory considerations
Service and Location
Service Life
AR 318 – TROPICAL DESIGN, LEC.

Concepts and Types of Ventilation

Ventilation
Ventilation moves outdoor air into a building or a room, and distributes the air within the building or room.
The general purpose of ventilation in buildings is to provide healthy air for breathing by both diluting the pollutants originating in the building and removing
the pollutants.
Building ventilation has three basic elements:
o Ventilation Rate — the amount of outdoor air that is provided into the space, and the quality of the outdoor air
o Airflow Direction — the overall airflow direction in a building, which should be from clean zones to dirty zones; and
o Air Distribution or Airflow Pattern — the external air should be delivered to each part of the space in an efficient manner and the airborne
pollutants generated in each part of the space should also be removed in an efficient manner.
There are three methods that may be used to ventilate a building:
1. Natural,
2. Mechanical
3. Hybrid (Mixed-Mode) Ventilation.

What is Natural Ventilation?

Natural forces (e.g. winds and thermal buoyancy force due to indoor and outdoor air
density differences) drive outdoor air through purpose-built, building envelope
openings. Purpose-built openings include windows, doors, solar chimneys, wind
towers and trickle ventilators. This natural ventilation of buildings depends on climate,
building design and human behavior.
AR 318 – TROPICAL DESIGN, LEC.

What is Mechanical Ventilation?

Mechanical fans drive mechanical ventilation. Fans can either be installed directly in windows or walls, or installed in air ducts for supplying air into, or
exhausting air from, a room.
The type of mechanical ventilation used depends on climate.

What is Hybrid or Mixed-Mode Ventilation?

Hybrid (mixed-mode) ventilation relies on natural driving forces to provide the desired (design) flow rate. It uses mechanical ventilation when the natural
ventilation flow rate is too low.
When natural ventilation alone is not suitable, exhaust fans (with adequate pre-testing and planning) can be installed to increase ventilation rates in rooms
housing patients with airborne infection. However, this simple type of hybrid (mixed-mode) ventilation needs to be used with care.
The fans should be installed where room air can be exhausted directly to the outdoor environment through either a wall or the roof.
The size and number of exhaust fans depends on the targeted ventilation rate, and must be measured and tested before use.
Problems associated with the use of exhaust fans include installation difficulties (especially for large fans), noise (particularly from high-power fans),
increased or decreased temperature in the room and the requirement for non-stop electricity supply.
If the environment in the room causes thermal discomfort spot cooling or heating systems and ceiling fans may be added.
Another possibility is the installation of whirlybirds (whirligigs or wind turbines) that do not require electricity and provide a roof-exhaust system increasing airflow
in a building.
AR 318 – TROPICAL DESIGN, LEC.

Assessing Ventilation Performance

Ventilation performance in buildings can be evaluated from the following four aspects, corresponding to the three basic elements of ventilation discussed above.
o Does the system provide sufficient ventilation rate as required?
o Is the overall airflow direction in a building from clean to dirty zones (e.g. isolation rooms or areas of containment, such as a laboratory)?

Comparison of Mechanical and Natural Ventilation

Mechanical Ventilation
If well designed, installed and maintained, there are a number of advantages to a mechanical system.
o Mechanical ventilation systems are considered to be reliable in delivering the designed flow rate, regardless of the impacts of variable wind and ambient
temperature. As mechanical ventilation can be integrated easily into air-conditioning, the indoor air temperature and humidity can also be controlled.
Filtration systems can be installed in mechanical ventilation so that harmful microorganisms, particulates, gases, odors and vapors can be removed.
o The airflow path in mechanical ventilation systems can be controlled, for instance allowing the air to flow from areas where there is a source
(e.g. patient with an airborne infection), towards the areas free of susceptible individuals.
o Mechanical ventilation can work everywhere when electricity is available.

However, mechanical ventilation systems also have problems.

o Mechanical ventilation systems often do not work as expected, and normal operation may be interrupted for numerous reasons, including
equipment failure, utility service interruption, poor design, poor maintenance or incorrect management. If the system services a critical facility,
and there is a need for continuous operation, all the equipment may have to be backed up — which can be expensive and unsustainable.
o Installation and particularly maintenance costs for the operation of a mechanical ventilation system may be very high. If a mechanical system
cannot be properly installed or maintained due to shortage of funds, its performance will be compromised.
These problems, mechanical ventilation systems may result in the spread of infectious diseases through health-care facilities, instead of being an
important tool for infection control.
AR 318 – TROPICAL DESIGN, LEC.

Natural Ventilation
If well installed and maintained, there are several advantages of a natural ventilation system, compared with mechanical ventilation systems.
 Natural ventilation can generally provide a high ventilation rate more economically, due to the use of natural forces and large openings.
 Natural ventilation can be more energy efficient, particularly if heating is not required.
 Well-designed natural ventilation could be used to access higher levels of daylight.
 Medical staff often have poor knowledge of the intended operational performance of ventilation systems, even with regard to their protective functions;
systems that were originally properly designed can be misused to the extent that the intended functionality is reduced, leading to increased risks.
Summary
 The use of outdoor air for natural ventilation, combined with natural cooling techniques and the use of daylight, have been essential elements of
architecture since ancient times and up to the first part of the 20th century.
 Classical architecture with H, L, T or U-shaped floor plans was used, together with open courts, limited plan depth and maximum windows sizes, to
exploit natural ventilation and daylight. In recent times, natural ventilation has been largely replaced by mechanical ventilation systems in high- and
middle-income countries. At first, full mechanical heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems appeared to be able to solve all the practical problems
of natural ventilation for year-round control of indoor environmental conditions.
 Mechanical ventilation also requires careful design, strict equipment maintenance, adoption of rigorous standards, and design guidelines that take into
consideration all aspects of indoor environmental quality and energy efficiency. The same is also true for high-tech natural ventilation.
 Natural ventilation is not without its problems, particularly for facilities in countries where winters are cold. More work is needed to design low-cost and
reliable ventilation systems for rooms that encourage rather than prevent the flow of air and yet allow internal temperature control.
REFERENCE:
Adamson, B., & Olle, A. (1993). Design for climatization; houses in warm-humid areas (Vol. 5). Lund: LCHS.
Brager, G. S., & Dear, R. J. (1998). Thermal adaptation in the built environment: a literature review. California: Energy and building.
Givoni, B. (1994). Passive and Low Energy Cooling of Buildings.
New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold. Roselund, H. (2000). Climatic Design of Buildings Using Passive Technique
AR 318 – TROPICAL DESIGN, LEC.

Assignment No. 3 – Discuss Paper the article titled: Philippines country most Seatwork No. 2 – Different Methods of Ventilation
at risk from climate crisis  Draw the ventilation methods and their subtypes on 8.5 x 11” paper,
Here’s the article link: https://www.amnesty.org.uk/philippines-country-most- along with their short definitions. Explain how it works, what it is used
risk-climate-crisis for, and where it is most effective.
After you read the given article, discuss each effects of the climate change in
the Philippines with your own words.
Instruction:
Not More Than 1000 Words and Less Than 10% Plagiarism Result with any
3 plagiarism applications: PlagScan, DupliChecker & Plagiarism Detector.
Don’t forget to cite your sources or reference that you will going to use in
discussing the given topic/s at the bottom of the discussion paper. Seatwork No. 3 – Low Rise Design (Ventilation)
Format of the Assignment: Answer these questions:
Your written discussion will put on short bond (8.5 x 11”) paper with a 1. How effective is the system at delivering fresh air from outside to
 Font Size: 12 each location in the room?
 Font Style: Arial Regular 2. How effective is the system at removing airborne pollutants from
 Line Spacing: 1.0 each location?
 1” Page Layout Margin 3. What are the benefits and drawbacks of various types of hospital
 Paper Orientation: Portrait ventilation systems?
 Text Paragraph: Justified

Assignment No. 4 – Reaction Paper to Recorded Youtube Video of Green

Architecture Advocacy Philippines' Webinar on September 8, 2021, Titled
“Why Green Building?”
Here’s the Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brM2UgN5UrQ
After you watched the video, you must answer this Title Question: “Why
Green Building?”
Instruction & Format: Same as the previous midterm assignment
AR 318 – TROPICAL DESIGN, LEC.

RECOMMENDED LEARNING MATERIALS

Books:
 Sustainable Building Design for Tropical Climates
 Principles and Applications for Eastern Asia
 UN Habitat, Nairobi 2014
 Climatology. Rohli, Robert V./ Vega, Anthony. 2013
 Understanding Weather and Climate, Global Edition. Aguado, Edward and Hunt, James E. 2005
 Climatic Variations & Variability, Facts and Theories by NATO Advanced Study Institute, First Course of the International School of Climatology, Ettore,
2006
 An Urban approach to Climate Sensitive Design Strategies for Tropics. Emmanuel, Rohinton 2005

Internet-related services:
 Google
 Youtube
AR 318 – TROPICAL DESIGN, LEC.

QUOTE OF THE MODULE:

AR 318 – TROPICAL DESIGN, LEC.

Post-Assessment:
Question Yes With Help No Remarks
1. Are you able to identify and differentiate the
Tropical Climates Characteristics and their Design
Problems?
2. Are you able to identify and relate the different
design objectives and general concepts used in
tropical interior design?
3. Are you able to illustrate the processes that may
be applied in a climatic-responsive design?

Module Evaluation:
Very Satisfactory Satisfactory Good Fair Need Improvement

COMMENTS AND REMARKS:

Closing Prayer:
AR 318 – TROPICAL DESIGN, LEC.

PRAYER AFTER STUDY

Almighty God, the Source of all wisdom and knowledge, I thank You profoundly for giving me the opportunity to study for this subject/course/field.
Thank You for allowing me to grow and mature in intellect through my studies.
As I momentarily end my study for today, help me to fully absorb and understand the new knowledge and learning that I have encountered. Help me
to sow and properly cultivate the seeds of learning so that I may be able to joyfully reap in the future its sweet fruits.
May you continue to grant me with the grace to never get tired of learning about Your creation. May my studies bring me closer to You and to the
Truth. May it open my eyes to the various manifestations of Your love for us.
May the knowledge that I have gained and I will further gain, allow me to serve You and Your people better. May it help me to be an agent of Your
peace and love in this world.
May I look forward to my next study session and to the continuation, in general, of my studies which I humbly offer and consecrate to You.
I ask all of these in the Name of Jesus Christ, the Fount of Every Blessing, and through the intercession of Mother Mary, the Seat of Wisdom.
AMEN
AR 318 – TROPICAL DESIGN, LEC.

Instructor’s Profile:
Here’s my brief information and contact information, please feel free to contact me if you have concern about this
course. I will be glad to help you. God Bless You!
NAME: AR. JAHARA N. CUERDO, UAP
OFFICE: University of Santo Tomas – Legazpi
College of Engineering, Architecture & Fine Arts
POSITION: Faculty
CONTACT INFORMATION:
MOBILE NUMBER: 09153985816
EMAIL ADDRESS: jhars.0990@gmail.com
FACEBOOK ACCOUNT: Jahara N. Cuerdo (Official Account)
CONTACT TIME:
Time Day Type of Communication
8:00am – 5:00pm Monday - Friday Text, Email & Messenger Only
6:00pm – 10:00pm Monday - Friday Call, Text, Email & Messenger
9:00pm – 11:30pm Saturday Call, Text, Email & Messenger
*Face-to-face consultation is by appointment basis, please set appointment at least a day before your intended date of consultation. Health and Safety protocols will be
strictly implemented.
*Please text me and identify yourself, ask whether it’s a convenient time to call before you make a call.