To this day, there are a lot of new tropical and modern concepts in architecture.

More and
more people are conducting studies and research on these topics. I found three scholarly
articles that drew my attention, entitled: “Modernity in tradition: Reflections on Building Design
and Technology in the Asian Vernacular” by Mamun Rashid and Dilshad Rahat Ara; “Tropical-
Humid Architecture in Natural Ventilation Efficient Point of View, A Reference of Traditional
Architecture in Indonesia” by E. Prianto, F. Bonneaud, P. Depecker and J-P. Peneau; and
“Building on the Boundary — Modern Architecture in the Tropics” by Hannah Le Roux.
The first article “Modernity in tradition: Reflections on Building Design and Technology in the
Asian Vernacular” by Mamun Rashid and Dilshad Rahat Ara, quoting from the paper’s abstract
is all about the investigation of some aspects of mainstream modernist design solutions and
concepts inherent in the vernacular of Asia, particularly that of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT).
The concluding statement also stated that “The bypassed vernacular built solutions, such as
material and structural sensibility, minimalism, modularity, adaptability, as well as tactile and
temporality or fluidity, are essentially modern. Drawing upon the similarities in principles rather
than in images, one can see the possibilities of transmission of ideas and techniques from
traditional (in vernacular) to modern (as in contemporary examples) or from modern to
vernacular in a two-way directional process.”
The next one “Tropical-Humid Architecture in Natural Ventilation Efficient Point of View, A
Reference of Traditional Architecture in Indonesia” by E. Prianto, F. Bonneaud, P. Depecker and
J-P. Peneau talks about “ambient architecture in tropical and humid region, the investigation of
natural ventilation efficiency in traditional architecture in Indonesia. It is selected on historical
basis, started from Islam proselytization period until the presence of architectural performance
that has been developing up to now.” as said in the abstract. According to its concluding
statement, “The main point of house building design is to provide comfort for occupants to do
their activity at home by considering macro and microclimate. Natural ventilation influence can
solve air pollution in house if it is applied correctly like in traditional architecture in tropical
humid area.”
The last article, “Building on the Boundary — Modern Architecture in the Tropics” by Hannah Le
Roux is all about experimentation on modern architecture in the tropics. Quoting from its
abstract “The paper will show how the built boundary in ‘tropical’ sites has been the site of
much architectural thought and experimentation. The nature of this experimentation is
technical, and constructs differences in terms of certain physical aspects of the site, mostly
regarding climate. Through design, the building boundary is configured to alter the climate’s
effect and make the interior more comfortable for western users. The author also pointed out
in her concluding statement that “For architects practicing in non-western locations, or for
those bringing their own post-colonial memories and histories to architecture, critical readings
can help to understand the discourse of modern architecture as a heritage that is both binding
and rich with possibility for reinterpretation.”
These three articles come into one single aim, to find new and modern concepts for tropical
architecture and apply them. Different approaches were made but it all goes down to one goal,
to provide the most convenient ones and be able to make tropical architecture better for
everyone. Researchers of the articles came across the most effective modernist solutions by
applying the basic principles of tropical architecture. All of the discussed articles above made
their proposed solutions on point. Tropical architecture, whatever the approach, is still tropical
architecture. What matters is the effectivity of these in this modern society.