INTRODUCTION

Climate is one of the factors that need to be considered when conceptualizing and

designing a building. The Tropical Architecture offers a solution to this architectural conundrum.
Tropical architecture is a style of design that emphasizes the insightful placement of a building's
components and the application of passive design principles in order to respond and adapt to the
tropical climate. In order to achieve thermal comfort and aesthetically blend in with nature, this
architecture design concept always takes into account the use of design elements, such as shade,
cross ventilation, interior space gloom, roof and wall insulation, and significantly more.

HISTORY

We can trace the use of tropical architecture back to ancient times. Since they had to take
the climate into consideration because of the harsh environment at the time, ancient people used
this type of architectural design concept to construct their homes, structures, and buildings.
Tropical architecture was also not new to the Philippines; ancient Filipino builders used this
concept since the country has a warm, humid climate that is perfect for building a comfortable
house. Tropitecture (2021) claims that the ancient Mayans, Aztecs, and Incas built the majority of
the astounding architectural structure that are perfectly adapted to their surroundings. The
Yucatan Peninsula is home to the most of of the ancient and contemporary tropical architecture
and artifacts created by the Mayans. Wood and limestone were the two primary building
materials utilized by ancient builders because these were the only materials that could be sourced
locally and were suitable for use. During the colonial era, tropical architecture in different
countries varied according to the local climate. Due to the tropical climate, the interior design of
Caribbean colonial architecture incorporates various types of wood and natural materials. In the
contemporary world, tropical architecture has adapted to the changing environment, resulting in
tropical modern architecture. Tropical modern architecture is a design concept that imitates
modern architecture while emphasizing climate and environmental adaptation.

INFLUENCES

In developing a tropical design architecture, it is necessary to take into account a variety

of factors, such as the geographical or site selection for the building and its orientation. Due to the
hot and humid climate of Asia and the islands of the Pacific Ocean, this architectural style was
predominant in these regions. It is frequently used for residential, resort, and commercial
construction (Owens, 2020). The geological influence on tropical architecture is contingent on the
region's abundance of materials. In ancient times, wood and stones were the most common
material for tropical architecture; in conversely, tiles, various types of clay, and sands were the
most popular materials in the current period (Surury, 2021). Under the influence of climate,
tropical architecture was frequently constructed in regions with hot or warm weather. The
orientation and number of ventilations in a building or home are dependent on the climate, but
artificial ventilation is frequently used today, resulting in tropical modern architecture.

ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTERISTIC

The architectural characteristics of the tropical design architecture vary according to

geographic location, building type, and climatic conditions. According to Loai (2022), tropical
architecture emphasizes airflow and open space layout; it is primarily concerned with creating
natural ventilation. The design of the building's exterior features should be related to the site or
adapted to the environment in order to maximize airflow. One of its key features for reducing
artificial lightning is the ability to provide lightning protection without heat. Tropical
architectural style typically includes covered path-walks, lanais, canopies, deep porches, and
verandas. In tropical architectural styles, color is a major influencing factor. Depending on the
region, the primary color of this architectural style may vary, but it typically employs a
monochromatic palette of soothing pastel hues. Glass and wood are the most commonly
employed materials in tropical modern architecture. Wood combined with typical tropical hues
also imparts a sense of warmth and comfort to the structure. Modern tropical architecture
frequently employs glass to reduce the need for artificial lightning.

EXAMPLES OF TROPICAL DESIGN ARCHITECTURE

The Tropical design architecture provides an aesthetic look that compliments with the
nature that surrounds the building. The pictures below are the examples of some of the
astonishing structure with tropical design concept; (a) Lunuganga Estate by Geoffrey Bawa, (b)
Jungle House by Studio MK2, (c) Ocean Eye by Benjamin Garcia Saxe, (d) Sao Pedro Chapel by
Paulo Mendes de Rocha, and (e) Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish by Leandro Locsin.

(a) Lunuganga Estate by Geoffrey (b) Jungle House by Studio MK2

Bawa
 (c) Ocean Eye by Benjamin Garcia (d) Sao Pedro Chapel by Paulo Mendes
Saxe de Rocha

(e) Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish

by Leandro Locsin

ARCHITECTS

Behind these magnificent structures are architects who are committed to designing structures that
adapt to their surroundings. The following architects employ tropical design architecture or are
famed for their tropical architecture-style structures.

AR. Luis Barragan is a well-known Mexican architect and engineer whose tropical modern
architecture style is well-known. His architecture is influenced by the European style; he
frequently employs wood and stone, flat planes and light, and both natural and artificial types of
lighting.

AR. Paulo Mendes da Rocha is regarded as one of the foremost practitioners of tropical
contemporary architecture. His social-environmental consciousness and ability to create
architecture in harmony with nature have earned him famed. 

AR. Geoffrey Bawa was one of the generation's foremost pioneers in tropical architecture. His
contributions left an enduring mark on Sri Lanka. His architecture is primarily composed of wood
variations, natural elements, and shades of brown to beige.
AR. Leandro Valencio Locsin is a distinguished Filipino architect.  Other tropical architecture is
primarily residential and resort, but Locsin is best known for his religious buildings and projects,
where he gave tropical architecture of faith-based structures a new treatment by integrating
climate considerations and reinterpreting Philippine vernacular architecture.

AR. Benjamin Saxe, founder of Studio Saxe, gives naturalistic concepts a structural form. The
studio's work was displayed at the Venice Architecture Biennale, and Benjamin received the
Alpha Rho Qui Medal for Leadership in Architecture. One of his well-known works is the Ocean
Eye, which features a design concept for tropical architecture that is in harmony with the
surrounding environment.

PHILOSOPHY AND DICTUMS

“We should attempt to bring nature, houses, and human beings together in a higher unity” -
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe

"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." – Leonardo Da Vinci

"Recognizing the need is the primary condition for design." – Charles Eames

"Architecture is really about well-being. On the one hand it's about shelter, I think that people
want to feel good in a space... but it's also about pleasure." – Zaha Hadid

"Context is so important, not to mimic... but to become part of the place." – David Adjaye