Tropical Architecture

In Partial Fulfilment of Requirements

In Tropical Design 1

To be presented to

Ar./Enp. Geraldson Ray Ruloma Bernadino, uap,piep,mscm

Submited by

Salvador, Jhun Melo D.

Arch 2A

October 11,2021

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page…………………………………………………………………………………….………. 1
Table of Contents…………………………………………………………………………….……….2
List of Figures………………………………………………………………………………….……...2
Introduction……………………………………………………………………………………….…...3

Body / Content
What is Tropical Architecture…………………………………………………...…………….……..4
Tropical Architecture and Filipino Architecture…………………………………………..……..….4
Basic Design Principles of Tropical Architecture……………………………………………….….5
Climate Responsive Building…………………...……………………………………………………6
Main Objective of Tropical Architecture…………………………………………...………………..6
Principles of Tropical Architecture……………………………………………………...………...…6
Improving Natural Ventilation and Daylighting……………………………………………………..7

CONCLUSION & RECOMENDATION………………………………………………..…….……..8

REFERENCES………………………………………………………………………………………..9

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INTRODUCTION

Tropical architecture is a sort of green building that is specific to tropical regions,

employing design to best reduce building energy use, notably the cooling load. Tropical
architecture is not a novel idea. Over many decades, countries in the Asia-Pacific area
have adapted vernacular designs to meet their climatic needs. A high ceiling, for
example, displays an awareness of the stack effect.

Tropical architecture employs design components such as sunshades, hollow

walls, light shelves, overhangs, roof and wall insulation, and even tree shading to
provide thermal comfort. Tropical architectural design principles include regional
evaluation, climatic elements, site selection, sol-air orientation, solar control on the
environment and building, forms, wind impacts, and air flow patterns, thermal effects of
materials, and heliothermic planning. Furthermore, optimum cross ventilation, natural
sunlight, louvers, and natural materials are important factors in enhancing natural
ventilation to cool tropical buildings. During the rainy season, these design ideas allow
windows to remain open for natural ventilation in a building.

The purpose of this report is to identify and explain the tropical architecture,It is
to evaluate the variables that must be addressed when creating an architectural design,
particularly in the Philippines. Furthermore, this report is only will take one week to
complete.

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BODY / CONTENT

What is Tropical Architecture?

Tropical architecture focuses its design to climatic and environmental conditions of the
tropical region or the region that lie in the middle of the earth (near the equator). This
architecture has deep understanding of its climate. The usual orientation of a building is
to take advantage of the wind direction while utilizing the needed sun exposure. Tropical
architecture also implements strategies to adapt to its environment such as using
shading devices and selecting window types to maximize natural ventilation. Utilizing
exterior spaces is also good because of the mild climate many tropical countries enjoy.

Filipino Architecture:

Our country and people are really blessed to have a patriot who has advocated for
Filipino Design in Philippine Architecture. Other than Francisco "Bobby" Mañosa, no
world-renowned architect has advocated tropical indigenous architecture for Filipinos in
the last half-century.

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 Architect Mañosa is best known for his adaption of the nipa hut or bahay-kubo,
our country's traditional architectural structure. Over the years, the same house design
has worked with "our climate, environment, and culture." Despite the lack of an
architect, the nipa hut is created with a "deep understanding of our living conditions,"
according to Mañosa, whose name is connected with the bahay-kubo.

It's incredible how Architect Bobby Mañosa has modernized the simple nipa hut
by incorporating "today's design materials and technology" while keeping its distinct
architectural aspects. This sums up his "Philippine Architecture for Filipinos." Mañosa
argues in "Creating Filipino" that he has been "designing Filipino because translating
Filipino design is beautiful and can compete with other world-class designs.

Basic Design Principles of Tropical Architecture

The external features of the building envelope and its relation to the site should
be designed to fully utilize air movement.

Air velocity can be reduced when the interior walls are placed close to the inlet
opening or each time it is diverted a round obstructions.

If the interior wall are unavoidable, air flow can still be ensured if the the
partitions have openings at the lower and upper portions. This is a common strategy in
the old malay tradional house, with the intricate wood carvings or wood louvres.

Since hot air goes upward and cool air goes downward, openings at the top of
the roof and lower part of the house to facilitate air change.

It is generally cooer at night, so ventilation of internal spaces can be continuous

for nighttime cooling. This means designing the building with operable windows to let
hor air escape at night and to capture prevailing night winds.

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.

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 Window openings are advisable at the body level or evaporative human body
cooling and room width should not exceed five times ceiling height for good air
movement.

Sunshades and sun protection devices on opening reduce heat gain aand glare.
And also help in internal day lighting. Louvres that are adjustable can alter the direction
on air flow and lighting.

Climate Responsive Building

A climate-responsive building design must consider the weather conditions in the

specific place where the building is being built. The design is based on data from the

region's weather patterns and takes into account aspects such as seasonality, sun
intensity, wind, rainfall, and humidity.

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Main Objective
of Tropical

Architecture

Tropical architecture employs design components such as sunshades, cavity

walls, light shelves, overhangs, roof and wall insulation, and even tree shading to
provide thermal comfort.

Principles of tropical Architecture

Tropical architectural design principles include regional evaluation, climatic elements,

site selection, sol-air orientation, solar control on the environment and building, forms,
wind impacts, and air flow patterns, thermal effects of materials, and heliothermic
planning.

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Improving Natural Ventilation and Daylighting

A natural ventilator is an effective way to introduce fresh air and natural light into
a structure. Air will travel throughout the interior area by inserting vents to let suffocating
air escape at the ceiling level and intake apertures on side walls at the floor level. The
laws of thermodynamics are used in this way to efficiently ventilate and remove stale,
warm air while bringing in fresh, cool air. This steady stream of air prevents both the
recycled air problems that plague office buildings and the damp, stuffy air problems that
plague factories. It is critical to maintain these vents as part of the air management
systems.

Natural ventilation, of course, offers natural day lighting. Roof vents must be
open to allow air to escape and, as a result, light to enter. Natural ventilators are
commonly found in more open parts of office buildings, such as a lobby or a hall, and
can work in tandem with air conditioning equipment. This allows workers to be exposed
to sunlight more frequently, but not on a daily basis.

CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATION

Although Tropical Architecture is very straightforward and simple in its objective

of building according to the needs of the climate and its concept of respecting the site. A
thorough approach was followed in order to properly construct an excellent building. It is
clear that the main objective of a house was achieved in both design and the
importance of space planning and materials used in the construction of a nice dwelling.

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Thus, despite the fact that these two houses were built in quite different eras, they share
the same value and principle.

REFERENCES

https://www.unescap.org/sites/default/d8files/59.%20FS-Tropical-architecture.pdf

http://tropical-architecture.blogspot.com/2016/05/the-philippine-house-goes-tropical.html

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What Is Tropical Architecture? - Architropics. (2020, May 15). Architropics.
https://architropics.com/what-is-tropical-architecture/.

Francisco Mañosa - Wikipedia. (2020, October 1). Francisco Mañosa - Wikipedia.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francisco_Ma%C3%B1osa.

What Is Tropical Architecture? - Architropics. (2020, May 15). Architropics. https://architropics.com/what-is-

tropical-architecture/.

The Future Of Architecture: Climate-Responsive Design | SageGlass. (2017, December 20). SageGlass.
https://www.sageglass.com/en/article/designing-for-geographic-climates.

Principles Of Tropical Architecture - Google Search. (n.d.). principles of tropical architecture - Google Search.
https://www.google.com/search?
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Natural Lightning And Ventilation | Moffitt Corporation. (2016, July 14). Moffitt Corporation.
https://www.moffittcorp.com/the-importance-of-natural-ventilation-and-daylighting/.
A. (2001, May 1). A Comparative Analysis Of Tropical Architecture Features. A comparative analysis of tropical
architecture features. https://www.slideshare.net/aleensies/a-comparative-analysis-of-tropical-architecture-
features.

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