TARLAC STATE UNIVESITY

COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE AND FINE ARTS

SAN ISIDRO CAMPUS

SAN ISIDRO, TARLAC CITY

ASSIGNMENT NO. 1:
STRATEGIES AND PRINCIPLES OF
DESIGN IN TROPICAL ARCHITECTURE

SICANGCO, JABEZ M.
2021300899
ARCHI – 2C

TROPICAL DESIGN
AR. JOANNA PATRCIA GRANDE
TROPICAL ARCHITECT URE
Tropical architecture is the design that focuses and responds to the climatic conditions of the
tropics. It studies the significant influences that impact architecture in tropical regions and develops
passive strategies to lessen heat gain. It also encourages air movement through a home or building.

This architectural design works to achieve thermal comfort through the use of design
elements, such as sunshades, cavity walls, light shelves, overhangs, roof and wall insulation and even
shading from trees. The design principles of tropical architecture include regional evaluation; climatic
elements; site selection; sol-air orientation; solar control on the environment and building; forms,
wind effects and air flow patterns; thermal effects of materials; and heliothermic planning. In addition,
maximum cross ventilation, natural lighting, louvers, and natural materials are key elements for
optimizing natural ventilation to cool tropical buildings.

Climate change has heavily affected the world we live in, with experts forecasting that
environmental conditions will worsen. Issues such as depleting fossil fuels and the carbon emissions
from burning them are a concern. Those issues and the changing rain patterns we are experiencing
across tropical regions are serious concerns that will impact our future when designing a house for the
tropics. With the heavy focus on sustainability across the globe, more energy-efficient buildings are
taking centre stage. Furthermore, architecture that responds well to its tropical climate will also have
several other sustainable benefits.

The main objective of tropical architecture is that sustainably constructed buildings fit into
the tropical environment and cope with the tropical climate as much as possible.

STRATEGIES AND PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN IN TROPICAL ARCHITECTUR E

Generally, good design includes many of the principles that determine tropical architecture.
However, they address passive strategies that specifically create buildings that are thermally
comfortable in tropical climates. Hence, they do not require mechanical ventilation systems like air
conditioning.

• Site Orientation: The orientation of a home on its site dictates how well it responds to passive
design principles. However, orienting a home on a site to minimize sun exposure needs to be
weighed with capturing the wind.
- Have large roof overhangs or covered outdoor areas for shading the north and south
facing walls; Use vertical screens or shutters to shade west and east facing openings
 - Plant trees and other vegetation to shade east and west walls and to provide cooler
surroundings.

• Sun Shading Strategies: Reducing the solar heat gain in a house can create a better thermally
comfortable home. Having a general understanding of sun angles helps implement shading
strategies. For example, Horizontal shading is ideal for both the north and south-facing walls
and openings; Verandas and patios are also great for shading northern and southern walls
when the sun is at its highest during the middle of the day; Walls facing east and west require
vertical shading, such as screens or vegetation, to protect them from solar heat gain; Large
trees can also provide general shading to a house and the external areas around it, creating
cooler air temperatures entering the house.
- Have large roof overhangs or covered outdoor areas for shading the north and south
facing walls; Use vertical screens or shutters to shade west and east facing openings.
- Plant trees and other vegetation to shade east and west walls and to provide cooler
surroundings.

• Natural/Passive Ventilation: Natural or passive ventilation is one of the primary concerns of

a tropical home. Having a constant flow of air moving through a house is critical for creating a
comfortable indoor temperature. it is because of allowing cool air to pass from one side of a
room to the other. This action is called Cross Ventilation and occurs when air has an
unobstructed path through a room or building.

- Shading from the sun prevents walls and other surfaces from heating up and transferring
that heat to interior spaces.
- Direct sunlight through openings can significantly increase the internal temperature.
Shading to stop direct sunlight from entering your home is ideal.
- Having large window and door openings on two or more walls of each room to promote
cross ventilation. Also use upper-level windows or vents near the roof to allow rising hot
air to escape.

• Wall Materials and Construction: In hot, humid climates, wall materials need to perform
various functions. Lightweight materials are generally better for house designs in tropical
climates for their thermal qualities. Also, in several tropical areas, concrete blocks, in-situ
(cast-in-place) concrete, or masonry bricks are preferred.
 Materials such as wood, metal and cement boards on a framed construction system
cool down rapidly. This process creates a more comfortable environment at
night. However, framed walls do not store heat like their heavyweight counterparts. Though
commonly used, concrete walls are not ideal unless they have proper sun shading. The reason
is that they can store heat absorbed during the day and release that heat into the room during
the night. Nevertheless, concrete walls do offer many other benefits for tropical regions. It is
preferable because of their natural resistance to hurricane-force winds and flooding. They are
also resistant to molds and termites.
Therefore, if you use a mass wall system like concrete blocks, try shading them with roof
overhangs, screens, or shady trees.
- Thermal massing materials like concrete walls and slabs are not ideal unless they are
shaded.
- These store heat absorbed during the day and releases it into the room during the night.
- Consider using lightweight materials and framing construction instead since these will
cool quickly.

• Roof Design: Choosing the right roof in hot tropical climates is essential to minimize heat gain.
The roof is the single most exposed area to the sun’s rays of any building and, as such, has the
potential to radiate a lot of heat into a house. While Light-colored is the reflective roof
covering materials reduce the amount of heat that passes through. A double roof system also
has benefits in reducing the heat that enters your home. Double roofs comprise two layers of
roof. An air space typically separates the two layers. Hence, the upper roof layer protects the
lower roof from direct sun exposure. This system significantly reduces the heat gain on a roof.
High roofs and steep pitches allow the heat gained at that level to be a safe distance away
from people occupying the space below.
As mentioned before, creating a way for that heat to escape is also beneficial. As many
tropical regions have rainy or monsoon seasons. Roofs with a steep pitch allow rainwater to
run off quickly. Flat roofs or roofs with a low pitch take longer to get rainwater off them. This
condition could result in leaks. In addition, large roof overhangs also help protect open
windows from rain entering inside. Hence, the windows can stay open when the rain is falling.
However, this situation depends on the direction the window and roof overhang face.

- Use framed, high pitched roofs. High roofs keep warm air high above the people in the
room.
- You can also incorporate light colored, reflective roof covering materials.
 - Use a double roof system especially when concrete is the layer underneath.

• Exterior Spaces: Making outdoor spaces and nature part of tropical homes is ideal.
Incorporating exterior spaces such as patios, verandas, and courtyards is beneficial to have
as part of a home. The temperature range is such that these spaces are habitable throughout
the year. They can also provide shade to the interior areas of the house. In addition, outdoor
spaces are a great way to connect people with the natural environment. It should partially or
entirely cover exterior areas to provide shade and facilitate their use even when the rain falls.

Designing exterior spaces as functional rooms, such as a dining or sitting area, would also
encourage their use. Patios that do not have a primary function can often go unused because
of this. Hence, it is ideal to find ways to make your covered outdoor area more usable.
- Covered outdoor spaces like patios and verandas with functional uses create great
outdoor rooms.
- Courtyards in the center of the home help promote natural ventilation.
- Connections between indoors and nature makes rooms more enjoyable to be in.

• Water and Energy Efficiency: With climate change, renewable energy and water resource
management are crucial. A well-designed home in most tropical regions will not require much
use of any mechanical ventilation systems throughout the year. Specify low-wattage lighting
such as LED bulbs and energy-efficient appliances; Consider using renewable energy sources
like sunlight; Use solar thermal panels for heating water; solar/photovoltaic (PV) panels
could generate electricity to run our lights and appliances. Also, employ water-saving
devices. Collecting and storing rainwater from roofs for irrigation and other similar situations
reduces the strain on our groundwater supply in water-scarce countries.
- Renewable energy sources like solar water heating and photovoltaic panels are a great
addition.
- Use energy efficient appliances and light fixtures. Fans instead of air-conditioning will
save energy.
- Install water saving devices and fixtures. Also harvest and store rainwater
References:

https://architropics.com/designing-a-house-for-the-tropics/

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

https://tropitecture.net/what-is-tropical-architecture/