Tropical Design Lecture 1 Merged

TROPICAL DESIGN
Minimize SUN
Maximize WIND
TROPICAL DESIGN
TROPICAL DESIGN = passive cooling
PASSIVE COOLING: design with no mechanical equipment

used to induce comfort conditions in building interior
PASSIVE COOLING = inducing air movements
INDUCING AIR MOVEMENTS: relevant for areas with

temperature variations of 10° and with high humidity
INDUCING AIR MOVEMENTS: can improve thermal

comfort up to building interiors 15 meters deep
Passive Systems for Various Climates
HOT-HUMID CLIMATE: maximize wind exposure
maximize internal airflow
minimize radiant heat gain
HOT-DRY CLIMATE: minimize radiant heat gain

moderate wind resistance
moderate internal airflow
COOL CLIMATE: maximize thermal retention

maximize radiant heat gain
minimize wind resistance
TEMPERATE CLIMATE: moderate thermal retention

moderate radiant heat gain
slight wind exposure (for humidity control)
moderate internal airflow
AIR MOVEMENT ≡ wind
Principles of Air Movement
1. Air flows from a high-pressure to a low-pressure area.
2. INERTIA. Once set in motion, air tends to continue to

flow in its initial direction until some intervening
force is met.
3. Air flows through the path of least resistance.

GLOBAL AIR MOVEMENT
General Conditions
1. Equator receives more radiation than do polar regions.
2. Heat from equator move towards polar regions.
3. Hot air moves upwards going to polar regions.
4. Cold air moves to equator close to earth’s surface.

GLOBAL AIR MOVEMENT
Specific Conditions
1. Rotation of earth deflects the air = Coriolis Force
2. Wind flows due to heat exchange.
• Air temperature changes faster than ground temperature

• Daily fluctuations of air temperature caused by
physical conduction up to 3 meters above the ground
• Marked differences of air temperature between night and day
GEOGRAPHICAL AIR MOVEMENT
Land and Sea Breezes
1. Daytime Heating: land warms more rapidly than water

• SEA BREEZE – wind from the sea directed toward land
• Strongest in the afternoon when heating variance is greatest
2. Night Time Cooling: land cools faster than water
• LAND BREEZE – wind from land directed to sea

WARM
COOL
Daytime Sea Breeze
COOL
WARM
Night Time Land Breeze
MONSOONS IN THE PHILIPPINES
Monsoon: large-scale seasonal currents

1. Northeast Monsoon = AMIHAN = the winter monsoon
• Appears in October
• Attains maximum strength in January
• Gradually weakens in March
• Disappears in April
2. Southwest Monsoon = HABAGAT = the summer monsoon

• Appears early May
• Maximum flows during August
• Disappears gradually in October
• Persists from November to December
AIR MOVEMENT IN BUILDINGS
1. Windward side = positive pressure

Leeward side = negative pressure
2. Air enters through openings located in the positive pressure zone

Air exits through openings located at the negative pressure zone
3. Air enters through lower level openings

Air exits at higher level openings
4. Window width ÷ wall width = 50% to increase indoor air speed
5. Window heights = 1.10 meters for effective indoor air movement
6. Wind deflectors, horizontal and vertical, to redirect air flow
7. Prevent wind shadows by placing openings

EFFECT OF LANDSCAPE ELEMENTS
1. Hedges/shrubs should not be more than 3 meters from building
2. Tree foliage above openings promote air motion into openings
3. Combine tree, hedge and building to achieve air flow control
4. Lateral air channels to direct air flow
5. Arrange trees to determine wind shadow
6. Make use of earth mounds to achieve better air movement

SOLAR GEOMETRY
1. Rays of the sun vary with time and place (latitude)
2. Celestial Sphere: earth is static; sun moves from east to west
3. The sun moves across the sky at a rate of 15.04° per hour
4. The earth’s polar axis is inclined at 23°47’ from the vertical
5. June 21 is considered the longest day = summer solstice
6. December 21 is the shortest day = winter solstice
7. March 21 and September 21 = equinoxes

SUN PATH
1. Solar Altitude Angle = the angle with height above the horizon.
Ranges from 0° when on horizon
to 90° when directly above (noon)
2. Solar Azimuth Angle = the sun’s position as projected on a

horizontal plane.
3. The two solar angles change with Latitude (location on Earth)
4. Metro Manila is located at 14.5° N Latitude
5. Two Methods for Calculating Solar Angles

• Using graphs
• By mathematical calculation
6. Solar Chart = Sun Path Diagrams
7. Different Solar Charts for Different Latitudes

6 6
7
5 8
4
3 9
2 10
1 12 11
90°
80°
70°
60°
50°
40°
30°
20°
10°
TROPICAL DESIGN
CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
CLIMATE
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT
BUILDING ORIENTATION
– defined a region with certain temperature, dryness,
FAÇADE DESIGN wind, light etc
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION
SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
– an integration in time of the atmospheric

environment of a certain geographical location
CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
Temperature
FAÇADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
Humidity
VENTILATION
SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
Precipitation
Sky Conditions/ Solar Radiation

Wind
Special Elements
CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS
TYPES OF CLIMATE WORLD CLIMATES
THERMAL COMFORT GENERAL TYPES OF CLIMATE
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING 1. Hot Humid (Tropical)
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT 2. Hot Arid
BUILDING ORIENTATION 3. Temperate
FAÇADE DESIGN 4. Cold
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION
SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS
TYPES OF CLIMATE THERMAL COMFORT
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
Human comfort as determined by the ability of
PASSIVE COOLING the body to dissipate the heat and moisture it
produces by metabolic action.
FAÇADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION PSYCHROMETRIC
SUNSHADING DEVICES CHART
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
A chart relating the
wet-bulb and dry-
bulb readings from
a psychrometer to
relative humidity,
absolute humidity
and dew point
CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN TROPICAL CLIMATE
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION, those regions where heat is the dominant problem, where
BUILDING ORIENTATION the annual mean temperature is not less than 20 degrees
FAÇADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION
SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
TROPICAL DESIGN
This is concerned with countries where discomfort due

to heat and humidity are the dominant problems.
Tropical Design is applicable to Tropical, Sub-Tropical
and Equatorial Climates covering the Southeast Asian
Countries.
CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS
CHARACTERISTICS OF TROPICAL CLIMATES
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
Temperature – average mean temperature (dbt) 20 – 30 deg C
PASSIVE COOLING Small diurnal temperature change/range 2-5 deg C
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT Humidity Levels - 50% - 100% Relative Humidity
FAÇADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION
Wind Conditions – Slow Wind Flow
SUNSHADING DEVICES Average of 2 m/s
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
Prevailing Wind in the Philippines :
Amihan (NE) – November to April
Habagat (SW) - May to October
Sky Conditions – Overcast Sky most of the time

a lot of reflected heat/ solar gain
Precipitation – high during the year – average of 1000mm/yr.
Others :
Climate conditions breed insects (flies, mosquitoes, termites)
Damp Ground Conditions
CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS
PROBLEMS IN AREAS WITH TROPICAL CLIMATES
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION, HIGH TEMPERATURE LEVEL (HEAT)
FAÇADE DESIGN HIGH HUMIDITY LEVELS
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION
SUNSHADING DEVICES
SLOW WIND VELOCITIES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
HIGH PRECIPITATION LEVELS DURING RAINY DAYS
HIGH INCIDENCE OF TYPHOONS
ABUNDANCE OF INSECTS AND RODENTS
DAMP GROUND CONDITIONS

CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS Design Objectives in Tropical Climates :
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT 1. Minimize Heat Gain
FAÇADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL 2. Maximize Ventilation (but protect from typhoon wind)
VENTILATION
SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
3. Prevent unnecessary increase in humidity levels
4. Have good drainage systems to accommodate high

precipitation during the year
5. Protect spaces from insects and rodents

CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS PASSIVE COOLING
TYPES OF CLIMATE A cooling system using a building’s design and
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
construction to maintain a comfortable temperature within
PASSIVE COOLING the building
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT Passive design is
FAÇADE DESIGN
essentially low-energy
WIND and NATURAL
design achieved by the
VENTILATION building’s particular
SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
morphological
organization rather than
electro-mechanical
means.
CLIMATE
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN Some passive cooling methods used in building design are:
PASSIVE COOLING
1. BUILDING CONFIGURATION, SITE LAYOUT and SITE
FAÇADE DESIGN PLANNING
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION
2. BUILDING ORIENTATION
SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
3. FACADE DESIGN
4. WIND AND NATURAL VENTILATION

5. Others : Passive daylight
devices,
Building envelope color, Vertical
Landscaping
CLIMATE
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN 1. BUILDING CONFIGURATION, SITE LAYOUT and SITE
PASSIVE COOLING
PLANNING
FAÇADE DESIGN Example :
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION
A building can be
SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM protected from direct
sunlight by placing it on
a location within the site
that utilizes existing
features such as trees,
terrain etc.
CLIMATE
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT 2. BUILDING ORIENTATION
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
FAÇADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION
SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
Example :
In tropical countries such as the Philippines, it is best to
place service areas in the west and east facing sides of
the building because these sides are exposed to direct
sunlight.
CLIMATE
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT FACADE DESIGN
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION, Use of Double-layered façade
FAÇADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION
SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
Use Low-emissivity glass

(Low-E glass)
CLIMATE
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT FACADE DESIGN
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
FAÇADE DESIGN
Use of Insulation
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION
SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
CLIMATE
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN WIND AND NATURAL VENTILATION
PASSIVE COOLING
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT Prevailing Wind in the Philippines :
FAÇADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION
SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
CLIMATE
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
STACK EFFECT / CHIMNEY EFFECT
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION, The tendency of air or gas in a shaft or other vertical
BUILDING ORIENTATION space to rise when heated, creating a draft that draws
FAÇADE DESIGN in cooler air or gas from below
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION
SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
CLIMATE
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT CROSS VENTILATION
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION, The circulation of fresh air through open windows, doors
BUILDING ORIENTATION or other openings on opposite sides of a room
FAÇADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION
SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
CLIMATE
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
FAÇADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION
SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
Wind speeds increase with the height above the

ground, and the smoothness of the ground surface.
This variation in wind speed is known as wind
gradient.
CLIMATE
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
FAÇADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION
SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
CLIMATE
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
FAÇADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION
SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
CLIMATE
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
FAÇADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION
SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
CLIMATE
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
FAÇADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION
SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
CLIMATE
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
FAÇADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION
SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
CLIMATE
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
FAÇADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION
SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
CLIMATE
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
FAÇADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION
SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
CLIMATE
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
FAÇADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION
SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
CLIMATE
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
FAÇADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION
SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
CLIMATE
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
FAÇADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION
SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
CLIMATE WIND BEHAVIOR WITHIN A ROOM
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
FAÇADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION
SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
CLIMATE
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
SOLAR CONTROL DEVICES (SUN SHADING DEVICES)
PASSIVE COOLING Protecting the Building Spaces from
BUILDING CONFIGURATION, Heat Gain due to Solar Radiation
FAÇADE DESIGN
SOLAR PATH
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION
DIAGRAM
SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM ALTITUDE
SUMMER SOLSTICE
EQUINOX
AZIMUTH
WINTER SOLSTICE
CLIMATE
TYPES OF CLIMATE SUNSHADING DEVICES
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
HORIZONTAL TYPES
BUILDING ORIENTATION Horizontal Sun Shades
FAÇADE DESIGN are generally used on the
WIND and NATURAL North-Facing and South
VENTILATION Facing Sides of a
SUNSHADING DEVICES building
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
HORIZONTAL TYPES
BUILDING ORIENTATION Horizontal Sun Shades
FAÇADE DESIGN are generally used on the
WIND and NATURAL North-Facing and South
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
VERTICAL TYPES
BUILDING ORIENTATION Vertical Sun Shades are
FAÇADE DESIGN generally used on the
WIND and NATURAL East-Facing and West-
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT EGGCRATE TYPES
FAÇADE DESIGN Combination of
WIND and NATURAL Horizontal and Vertical
VENTILATION Shades
SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
BUILDING
ENERGY AND
SUSTAINABILIT
Y
Introduction
Global energy consumption in 2001 was estimated at 13.9 trillion kilowatt-

hours. If the present demand continues, it is estimated the global demand
by 2025 the world will be using 23.7 trillion kilowatt-hours (EIA, 2006).
Buildings require huge amounts of energy both in their construction and

more so during its lifetime. Thus, our buildings collectively account for a
substantial portion of global energy consumption.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), buildings are

responsible for consuming more than half of global energy and one-third of
energy resources from natural gas. The IEA alao notes that buildings are
responsible for releasing one-third of total greenhouse gas emissions.
With rapidly increasing demands, swiftly dwindling resources and

increasing impact of global warming, energy efficiency has become a
paramount issue on a global scale these days. It has transformed the idea
of energy conservation from a "choice" to a "growing necessity".
GLOBAL ENERGY FACTS:

1. Global demand for all energy sources is forecast to grow by 57%
over the next 25 years.
2. U.S. demand for all types of energy is expected to increase by 31%
within 25 years.
3. By 2030, 56% of the world's energy use will be in Asia.
4. Electricity demand in the U.S. will grow by at least 40% by 2032.
5. New power generation equal to nearly 300 (1,000MW) power plants
will be needed to meet electricity demand by 2030.
6. Currently, 50% of U.S. electrical generation relies on coal, a fossil
fuel; while 85% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions result from
energy-consuming activities supported by fossil fuels.
Sources: Annual Energy Outlook (DOE/EIA-0383(2007),

International Energy Outlook 2007 (DOE/EIA-0484(2007), Inventory
of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2005 (April
2007) (EPA 430-R-07-002)
2
PHILIPPINE ELECTRICITY FACTS:
1. Electricity Installed Capacity (2004E) 15.1 gigawatts

2. Electricity Production (2004E) 53.1 billion kilowatt hours
3. Electricity Consumption (2004E) 49.4 billion kilowatt hours
Source Energy Information Agency PD 1152: Philippine

Environmental Code PD 1067: Water Code of the
Philippines PD 1096: Referral Code: Philippine Green
Building Code of 2015 PD 1586: Environmental Impact
Assessment
EIA to apply ECC (Environmental Compliance Certificate) by

DENR
1. Project Description
2. The site
3. Effect to biodiversity
4. Mitigating measures
-replacing cut trees / plants on the site
Certificate of Non-compliance (CNC)

Project with no effect to the biodiversity
3
Purpose of this Lecture
To increase Architect's licensure candidates' awareness on the impact of

climate on building design and various ways in which architecture can
respond effectively in order to achieve a significant levels of energy
efficiency.
To provide licensure candidates the basic knowledge in Building Design for

Tropical Climates that may be necessary in the board exams.
Climate
"The purpose of a building is to perform a function" (Salvadori, 1990)
In the presence of vast numbers of design considerations and details, it is

common for practitioners of architecture these days to overlook one of the
most basic facts about buildings. When man first began to build structures,
we were merely satisfying our need to provide our relatively frail bodies with
a shelter to protect it from the elements of nature.
Although we have now seen enormous leaps in building technology, the fact
remains that our buildings continue to serve one of its most basic functions
since our sedentary existence began and the is "to provide humans with
shelter".
However, because of variations in climatic conditions we can see the

responses to the necessity of "providing shelter" can vary greatly. One can
take the example of the Igloo and Adobe Mud Hut. Both structures are
meant to provide shelter for its occupants but vary greatly in the elements
in which it must "fight against ". This great difference in its design response
it brought about the equally great difference in the climate on which the
buildings are built. The igloo is an exemplary demonstration in taking
advantage of the freezing arctic conditions. The Adobe Mud Hut on the
other hand creates a "thermally heavy-weight structure" that is able to
maintain a constant internal temperature (Battle-McCarthy,1999).
Climate is a defined region with certain temperature, dryness, wind, light

etc. Climate can also be defined as an integration in times of the
atmospheric environment of a certain geographical location. For our
purposes, we can classify global climates into four types:
4
1. Hot Humid (Tropical) (Along the equator)
2. Hot Arid (high temperature, low humidity) (desert)
3. Temperature (4 seasons)
4. Cold (North and South poles)
Philippine Climate:
Tropical and Maritime
5
NOTE: Other references may have further climatic classification; however, for the
purposes of this lecture these four general types will be used.
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS TO BE CONSIDERED IN DESIGN
1. Sunlight (Solar Radiation) - hot; daylight comes in all directions

2. Air Temperature - annual, monthly and diurnal maximum and
minimum temperature
3. Atmospheric Humidity
4. Rainfall - (precipitation)
5. Wind - The direction, frequency and force of the wind throughout the
year.
CLIMATE (Geographical Location)

1. Macroclimate - global level
2. Mesoclimate - specific climate of a region
3. Microclimate - climate of a specific local area
Thermal Conductivity
⁃ a material property
Thermal Insulation
⁃ material with low overall conductance
⁃ insulation acts to retard or reduce the flow of heat
6
3 Main Types of Insulation
• Resistive (with air pockets)
• Bulk Insulation
• Resistance to Conduction
Ex. glass fibre, mineral wool

Worst: Steel and Copper
Reflective
⁃ Reducing radiative heat transfer
Ex. Matte-black
Worst: shiny, white and reflective
Capacitive
⁃ No effect in steady-state heat flow
⁃ Absorbs heat so that it will not pass through in the interior
Ex. Time lag
7
Climate of the Philippines
SOURCE: Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services

Administration (PAGASA)
http://www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/index.shtml
The Climate of the Philippines is tropical and maritime. It is characterized

by relatively high temperature, high humidity and abundant rainfall. It is
similar in many respects to the climate of the countries of Central America.
Temperature, humidity, and rainfall, which are discussed hereunder, are
the most important elements of the country's weather and climate.
January - coldest
May - hottest
Temperature
1. Based on the average of all weather stations in the Philippines,

excluding Baguio, the mean annual temperature is 26.6°C.
2. The coldest months fall in January with a mean temperature of

25.5°C while the warmest month occurs in May with a mean
temperature of 28.3°C.
3. Latitude is an insignificant factor in the variation of temperature

while altitude shows greater contrast in temperature. Thus, the
mean annual temperature of Baguio with an elevation of 1,500
meters is 18.3°C.
4. The difference between the mean annual temperature of the

southernmost station in Zamboanga and that of the northernmost
station in Laoag is insignificant.
5. In other words, there is essentially no difference in the mean annual

temperature of places in Luzon, Visayas or Mindanao measured at
or near sea level.
6. Generally small diurnal temperature ranging from 2 to 5 degrees

only.
8
Humidity
1. Humidity refers to the moisture content of the atmosphere.
2. Due to high temperature and the surrounding bodies of water, the

Philippines has a high relative humidity.
3. The average monthly relative humidity varies between 71 percent in

March and 85 percent in September.
4. The combination of warm temperature and high relative and

absolute humidities give rise to high sensible temperature
throughout the archipelago.
5. It is especially uncomfortable during March to May, when

temperature and humidity attain their maximum levels.
Rainfall
1. Rainfall is the most important climatic element in the Philippines.
2. Rainfall distribution throughout the country varies from one region

to another, depending upon the direction of the moisture-bearing
winds and the location of the mountain systems.
3. The mean annual rainfall of the Philippines varies from 965 to 4,064
millimetres annually.
4. Baguio City, eastern Samar, and eastern Surigao receive the

greatest amount of rainfall while the southern portion of Cotabato
receives the least amount of rain. At General Santos City in
Cotabato, the average annual rainfall is only 978 millimetres.
U-Value
⁃ Watts/sq.m(insert degree symbol) C (Metric)
⁃ Btu/hr-sq ft.(insert degree symbol) F (English)
I
R=
U
R= U
R= U U U
9
U VALUE - amount of the heat that can pass through a material
TIME LAG - time delay due to the thermal mass
THERMAL CONDUCTANCE - flow of heat
THERMAL MASS - a cons. with low thermal mass
High Thermal
⁃ Rock wool good insulator
Low Thermal
⁃ Concrete bad insulator
Hot Humid Climate

⁃ Materials with low thermal mass
Thermal Resistance
⁃ Thickness of a layer of the cons.
R C
10
Philippine Climate
⁃ 20-30° average mean temperature
⁃ Small diurnal temperature
⁃ High level of humidity
⁃ High amounts of rain
⁃ Generally slow wind = 2m/s
The Seasons
Using temperature and rainfall as bases, the climate of the country can be
divided into two major seasons:
(1) The rainy season, from June to November; and
(2) The dry season, from December to May.
The dry season may be subdivided further into:

(a) The cool dry season, from December to February; and
(b) the hot dry season, from March to May.
Prevailing Winds in the Philippines:
Northeast Monsoon - locally known as "Amihan". (Cooler)

It affects the eastern portions of the country from October up to late
March, starts over Siberia as a cold, dry air mass but gathers moisture as
it travels across the Pacific Ocean before reaching the eastern sections of
the Philippines is characterized by widespread cloudiness with rains and
showers.
The North Pacific Trades gradually replaces the NE Monsoon in March,
appears in all seasons and blows dominantly from March to April, giving
strong convective activity.
11
Southwest Monsoon - locally known as "Habagat". Typhoon season
(warmer)
It affects the country from July to September, is very warm and humid,
occurs when warm moist air flows over the country from the southwest
direction, is characterized by heavy rainfall that may last for a week.
It brings the rainy season to the western portion of the country.
Typhoons
Typhoons have a great influence on the climate and weather conditions of
the Philippines.
A great portion of the rainfall, humidity and cloudiness are due to the
influence of typhoons.
They generally originate in the region of the Marianas and Caroline

Islands of the Pacific Ocean which have the same latitudinal location as
Mindanao.
Their movements follow a northwesterly direction, sparing Mindanao

from being directly hit by majority of the typhoons that cross the
country. This makes the southern Philippines very desirable for
agriculture and industrial development.
Tropical Cyclone Intensity / Category
Intensity / Category Maximum Winds

Tropical Between 35 KPH and 64 KPH near the center
Depression
Tropical Storm Between 65 KPH and 118 KPH near the
center
Typhoon 119 to 200 KPH near the center
Super Typhoon Maximum winds greater than 200 KPH
During the 59 year period, 19 to 20 tropical cyclones is the annual average

occurring in the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) with the annual
average intensity distribution of:
4 tropical depressions,
5 to 6 tropical storms; and
12
10 typhoons.
The most number of tropical cyclones occurred in 1993 which recorded 32
while the least number of tropical cyclones in 1998 which recorded 11.
Color Public Storm Warning Signals

Coded Rainfall Advisories
More than 30mm rain
-observed in 1 hour
and expected to
continue in the next 2
Red Warning hours. Serious Evacuation
flooding
expected in
low lying
areas
(torrential)
15-30mm rain
- observed in 1 hour
and expected to
continue in the next 2 Alert for possible
Orange Warning hours. Flooding is evacuation
threatening 7.5-15mm
rain
(intense)
- observed in 1 hour
and expected to
continue in the next 2
hours.
Yellow Warning Monitor the weather
Flooding is condition
possible
(heavy)
13
PAG-ASA REVISED STORM SYSTEM AS OF MAY 2015
Signal No.1 Winds of 30-60 KPH in the next 24 hours

Signal No. 2 Winds of 61-120 KPH in the next 24 hours
Signal No. 5 Winds of more than 220 KPH in the next 12 hrs
UPDATED TROPICAL CYCLONE CLASSIFICATIONS

Tropical Depression Winds of up to 61 KPH
Tropical Storm Winds of up to 62-88 KPH
Severe Tropical Storm Winds of up to 89-117 KPH
Typhoon Winds of up to 118-220 KPH
Super Typhoon Winds exceeding 220 KPH
Problems in Areas with Tropical Climates
1. HIGH TEMPERATURE LEVEL (HEAT)

• heat gain due to direct solar radiation
• heat gain due to reflected solar radiation
• heat gain due to long wave radiation
• heat transfer (convection)
• others
2. HIGH HUMIDITY LEVELS

• water content in the air on the body does not evaporate as fast
resulting in very low comfort levels
14
3. SLOW WIND VELOCITIES
4. HIGH PRECIPITATION LEVELS DURING RAINY DAYS
5. HIGH INCIDENCE OF TYPHOONS
6. ABUNDANCE OF INSECTS AND RODENTS due to DAMP

GROUND CONDITIONS
Design Objectives in Tropical Climates
1. Minimize Heat Gain

• Protect from Direct and Reflected Solar Radiation within a
given urban or interior space.
• Prevent occurrence of Long Wave Radiation within a given
urban or interior space.
• Prevent materials from storing heat / Protect materials from
heat gain.
2. Maximize 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
4. Have good drainage systems to accommodate high annual
precipitation. (Drain during rain)
5. Protect spaces from insects and rodents.
15
PASSIVE and ACTIVE CONCEPTS
In ecological building design, there are essentially 2 general approaches.

First is through Passive Systems. Passive design is low-energy design
that uses a building's morphology and construction to maintain a
comfortable temperature within the building. One example of passive
design is proper building orientation. In tropical climates, the West-
facing side of a building receives large amounts of heat from the afternoon
sun. By locating service spaces on this side of the building, the habitable
spaces will remain cool and require less energy for air-conditioning.
Another passive system is the use of sun shading devices. By having
adequate sun-shading devices, the interior spaces of a building are
protected from solar heat gain thus also for savings in energy required for
air-conditioning.
Yeang (2000) lists 8 passive systems that can be used in building design:
1. Passive Design by Building Configuration - thinnest plan shape of
building Ex. L-shape, T-shape, U-shape, Incremental setback
2. Passive Design by Built Form Orientation - considering sun path
diagram
3. Passive Design by Facade Design
4. Passive Design through Solar Control Devices - panel
5. Passive Daylight Concepts - skylight
6. Passive Design by Color of Building Envelope - R-value - reflect
heat the lighter the color the better
7. Passive Design by Vertical Landscaping
8. Passive Design by Use of Wind and Natural Ventilation ⁃ Wind rose
- use to identify wind direction autodesk vasari
Similarly, the Department of Energy (DOE) of the United States

government through its Federal Energy Management Program presents
eight (8) basic techniques to increase the energy efficiency of buildings.
1. Siting and organizing the building configuration and massing to

reduce loads.
2. Reducing cooling loads by eliminating undesirable solar heat
gain.
3. Reducing heating loads by using desirable solar heat gain.
4. Using natural light as substitute for (or complement) electrical
lighting.
5. Using natural ventilation whenever possible
6. Using more efficient heating and cooling equipment to satisfy
reduced loads.
7. Using computerized building control systems
16
Likewise, Hui (1997) notes that there are six (6) planning concepts that
affect the energy performance of a building in passive design:
1. Site Selection
2. Site layout,
3. Building Configuration
4. Building Shape
5. Building Orientation; and
6. Spacing and spatial relationships with other buildings
Active systems on the other hand are systems achieved through electro-
mechanical means. Although these systems require energy to function,
they are designed to cause a general reduction in the building's total
energy consumption.
1. Daylight sensors - regulates artificial light depending on amount

of natural light entering the building.
2. Automatic Blinds - protects interior spaces automatically from

the afternoon sun
3. Rain Sensor - automatically deactivated the Automatic Irrigation

Motion Detectors System of the gardens to save on water consumption
4. Motion Detectors - switches off lights in areas with no

movement to reduce light consumption
5. Integratted Lighting Control System - allows programming of

building lights to conserve on energy consumption
6. The Carbon Monoxide (CO) Monitoring - operates fans to flush

out Carbon Monoxide when levels exceed 15 ppm
7. Integrated Building Management System (BMS) - monitors and

Rain Sensors controls the mechanical and electrical (M&E) equipment to
optimize their operation of the systems.
8. The Variable Air Volume (VAV) terminal units of the Air-

Conditioning and Mechanical Ventilation (ACMV) System -
optimized the volume of air supplied to each space
Integrated Lighting Control System

17
9. Pressure and Motion Sensors on Escalators - detects pressure
and operates escalators only when someone uses them
10. Intelligent System - comp. of smart building (INSERT 4 pictures

in the left side: Motion Detectors, Rain Sensors, Integrated
Lighting Control System and VAV Terminal) Page 9 of 54
VAV Terminal
18
PASSIVE COOLING CONCEPTS
PASSIVE COOLING THROUGH ORIENTATION
Passive cooling using a building's

orientation requires finding the optimal
relationship between the building's shape,
location within the site, orientation in
relation to the sun's path and prevailing
wind conditions (Yeang, 2000).
In tropical climates, the East and West

facing sides of a building are regarded as
the "hot sides" because it receives the most amount of heat during the
day. To maximize a building's cooling capacity passively, its service
spaces can be oriented to face the "hot sides" thus shielding the habitable
spaces from unnecessary heat gain brought about by the sun.
Building Orientation can also be used in passive cooling by aligning the

wide sides of a building a parallel to the East-West axis. This reduces the
area of the building exposed to the "hot sides" that will result in reduced
heat gain within the building's spaces.
HP LP LP HP
Convergence Zone
IBM Tower by Ken Yang
HP LP
LP HP
PASSIVE COOLING THROUGH SITE LAYOUT
Various elements and features may exist within a site prior to the
construction of a building. As with any proper approach to design, a
diligent assessment of the site must be done in order to evaluate the
19
various site conditions and elements that will contribute to the shape of the
building. In addition, such existing site elements may be significant
enough so as to affect the macroclimatic thus producing different
microclimatic conditions within and around the site. Battle McCarthy
(1997) notes these factors that can have such effect are:
a. TIME OF DAY - Day and night will produce two quite different
conditions sometimes reversing the direction of the prevailing win.
This is particularly the case in mountainous regions, where air will
raise up a mountain during the day and fall during the night. Large
bodies of water can also have the effect of reserving the wind flow
as day turns to night.
b. VEGETATION AND SOIL TYPE - Vegetation can produced
enclosed conditions, either altering or reducing the wind speed or
direction. The heat capacity, color and water content soil will affect
the amount of heat absorption and therefore the ground
temperature. This can have a significant effect on the microclimate
because the ground temperature influences pressure systems.
c. MAN-MADE STRUCTURES - The built environment can
significantly alter a microclimate. Overall, wind speed will be 25%
lower in built-up areas, though very high local wind speeds can
occur due to urban canyons (buildings and streets that channel
wind flow).
d. TOPOGRAPHY - Generally, wind speeds will increase with
altitude. The steeper the slope of land, the faster the temperature
will drop at night, and this will alter the wind direction. The
topography of the earth's surface has a major effect on
microclimate, diverting or blocking winds, are therefore more
desirable than north-facing slopes.
e. PROXIMITY TO BODIES OF WATER - The proximity of land to
water mass will create air currents. Water has a high heat capacity
and therefore a large water mass will not absorb heat as quickly,
but will retain it longer than a similar area of land mass.
Temperature changes over water therefore tend to be more
moderate and produce a different pressure system from that over
land. This pressure difference can generate daily alternating land
and sea breezes.
20
PASSIVE COOLING THROUGH FACADE DESIGN
The exterior facade of our buildings can be regarded as our "third
skin". Our actual physical skin is our "first", our clothing as "second" and
the external envelope of our buildings being third. As with our biological
skin, building facades must have the ability to adjust to varying climatic
conditions in order to maintain a comfortable body temperature (Yeang,
2000).
DOUBLE GLAZED FACADES uses two panels of glass installed parallel
to each other with an air space in between. The air space provides both
thermal insulation and reduces acoustical transmission (Ching, 1997).
In addition, doubled layered facades can provide improved control of
daylight shading by fitting the second facade layer with operable louvers
known as Dynamic Louvers.
Jean Edouard Jeanette - MUR (Le Corbusier)
Photo and section of a Ventilated Double Façade (VDF)
Active Wall - thermally passive fluids integrated facade system garter
21
In buildings that require higher energy efficiency, the cavity between the
two facade layers are ventilated giving birth to what is know as a
Ventilated Double Facade or VDF (Louncour, et.al, 2004). In tropical
climates, double layered facades trap the heat within the cavity thus
preventing them from penetrating the interior spaces. In a VDF, the
trapped heat may be vented out by fans or may be allowed to escape
through designed openings at the upper portions of the facade by using
the principle of stack effect. In stack effect, the hotter and less dense air is
allowed to escape upwards while openings at lower levels allow cooler air
to replace the escaping hot air. In tropical climates, gaps between the two
facade layers must be greater than 250-300 millimetres to effectively
facilitate the venting of the trapped hot air (Yeang, 2000).
DYNAMIC LOUVERS can be used externally or internally. Their control
can be either manual or power assisted and may be automated to respond
to changing conditions such as current radiation levels and daylighting or
thermal requirement.
The geometry of louver is similar to that horizontal overhangs but

efficiencies will also depend on how opaque the material are to both direct
and indirect radiation characteristics of the louver (TBP, 2007).
Milwaukee Museum Pavilion - Calatrava
Dynamic Louvers applied to a building facade
Bries Sol Liel ⁃ National Library ⁃ Meralco Building (Jose Maria Zaragoza)
22
Innovations in Glass Technology (Low Emissivity Glass)
1. Low-e Glazing
• Glass provided with special coatings that reduce heat transfer
• Thin, almost invisible metal oxide or semiconductor films
• Costs about 10 to 15% more but reduce heat gain by 30% to 50%
Ex. Zuelig Building in Makati
2. Spectrally Selective Coatings
• Filters out 40% to 70% of the heat normally transmitted through
clear glass, while allowing the full amount of light to be transmitted.
• Can reduce the space cooling requirements by more than 40%
Smart Glass
Maximize the usage of visible light spectrum

• Photochromic
Change colour properties when sunlight (photon) hits the
surface of the glass (transition glass)
• Thermochromic
Glass changes its color when the surface reaches the
prescribed temperature
• Electrochromic
The colour of glass is regulated by a DC power applied to
the electrochromic layer sandwiched between two panes of
glass
Clear to opaque glass
Holographic Optical Elements (HOE)
• Using a laser to score a panel of acrylic so that light would be
angled further into the room
• Change direct sun light into more acceptable diffused light to the
deeper interior space
23
HOEs reduces glare, heat gain and can create interesting light projection through
diffusion and diffraction.
Microprism
• Used to reflect or redirect most direct sunlight and only allow
diffuse light to get through.
Glass prisms with two basics form: circular (pipe) and triangular prisms. The
prisms diffract the direct sunlight into more diffused light and avoid excessive
glare in the room.
24
Photovoltaics / Solar Panels
• Thin layers of sophisticated metal oxides, which are super-
sensitive to light.
• When the PV cells are hit by sunlight, photon from the light are
absorbed causing electrons to be freed.
• Energy passes from the top negative metal oxide layer to the
positive underside layer. This flow of electrons produces electric currents.
Photovoltaic cells integrated into the standard profile roofing tiles
PV cells integrated into an atrium skylight used as architectural design and an energy
collector as well.
25
PV cells can be laminated between two layers of glass. PV cells provide some level of
shading by letting in light only though their gaps.
Austin Center Screenwall, a photovoltaic system and shading device that protects the
west facing facade of the Convention Center.
26
ELEMENTS OF BUILDING FABRIC
Opening
1. Weather Roofing
2. Avoid thermal ridges
3. Double Glazing
4. Special Glazing (low-e glass)
5. Spectrally Selective Coatings
- filters out 40-70% heat transfer
Walls
1. Double Glazed Façade
Air gad / space
27
THERMAL INSULATION
"A material providing high resistance to heat flow" (Ching, 1997)
Applying an effective system of thermal insulation on a building is another
way of making a building energy efficient. In cold temperature climates,
thermal insulation prevents heat from escaping the building. This greatly
reduces the energy demand for the building's heating system.
Manahan (1981) notes that three basic types of insulation:

a. SURFACE INSULATION - used on or over surfaces such as roof
insulation.
b. INTERNAL INSULATION - used in between gaps of structural
members such as insulation blankets
c. AIR SPACES - formed between structural components
He also adds that insulation can come in different forms:
a. Blankets and Batts - insulation often used in between floor joists,
wall studs and rafters.
b. Board and Slabs - insulation such as board insulation and
polystyrene slabs.
c. Loose Fill - poured inside cavities
d. Rolls and Sheets - often used as reflective surfaces
Reflective Insulation
Reostra - Purlins
Kilo - Truss
U-VALUE is the amount of heat a building section or material is able to
transmit in a given period of time. U-Value is measured in terms of
Watts/sq. m.(insert degree symbol)C (Metric) and Btu/hr-sq ft (insert
degree symbol)F (English). (Hong, 1999)
Certain materials have the capacity to store heat. This ability to store heat
is known as HEAT STORAGE VALUE (HSV). HSV is the product of the
specific heat capacity (p) and the density of a substance (c).
28
HSV = p x c
The heat absorbed by the material will eventually be released. The time it
takes the material to release or propagate the heat is called TIME LAG.
Time Lag will vary depending on the material's heat storage capacity,
density and thickness (Manahan, 1981). If a material has short time lag, it
will absorb and release heat quickly. In contrast, materials with long time
lags (such as adobe walls) will store heat during the day, keeping the
interior space cool and release the heat several hours later.
Walls with long time lags are especially useful in Hot Arid areas where
there are big diurnal temperatures. During the day, the walls are able to
insulate the interiors keeping it cool by storing heat within it. At night,
temperature in hot arid regions dramatically drops. The stored heat within
walls are released because their time lag of the material has passed
thereby heating the interiors passively
For Hot Humid climates, Hong (1999) notes that walls and roof should
have the following properties:
a. A reflective surface (low absorption)
b. Light weight material (low heat capacity)
c. Insulated (low U-value)
d. Maximum time lag of Three (3) hours
e. Roof and ceiling should have a cavity
f. A reflective surface with a cavity will reduce heat gain
g. If there are heavy walls, they should be used in rooms used
during the day and should be well shaded
Microclimate
Heat Island Effect
⁃ little vegetation causes cities to higher temperature
29
Factors
⁃ Thermal properties of materials
⁃ Concrete and asphalt
⁃ Combustion of fuels
⁃ Urban greenhouse
Vegetation
⁃ Lower heat capacity
⁃ Roof garden
• Intensive planted roof (accessible)

• Ecological green roof (not accessible)
Vegetation and Wind
⁃ Grassy areas give maximum ventilation
Building Configuration
PASSIVE COOLING THROUGH SOLAR CONTROL DEVICES
In tropical climates, penetration of solar radiation into the interior spaces of

a building cause very significant (if not the most significant) increase in the
spatial temperature which in turn increases the demand of mechanical
cooling. Sun control is thus an important factor in the level of energy
efficiency that a building wants to achieve. (Prowler, 2007)
30
A commercial skyscrapers total
energy consumption is largely used
to to power its HVAC system
followed by its lightning system.
Energy consumption of other
components such as conveying
systems, plumbing and sewerage
system are marginal. It is therefore
logical to focus on making a
building's HVAC system more
efficient (Yeang, 2000). In tropical
climates, where discomfort due to
heat is predominant throughout the
year, the prevention of any
unnecessary heat gain particularly
through solar radiation can cause
significant savings in energy
consumption that would else have
been allocated for mechanical cooling.
Engineered sunshades
West and South side - vertical

South and North side - horizontal
In the Philippines, many buildings and building users as well have the
common misconception that heat gain through un-shaded windows can be
prevented by simply installing interior shades such as Venetian blinds or
curtains. In fact, such shades do not have any significant effects in
preventing solar heat gain because they stop heat once it has already
penetrated the glazing. Baker (1992) demonstrated that white interior
blinds allow a 46% solar gain factor. The heat that has penetrated the
window glazing is temporarily stopped by the interior blinds but it then able
to spread into the room by radiation and convection. In contrast, the same
white blinds if installed outside the glazing will only allow a 12% solar gain
factor.
BASICS IN SOLAR CONTROL IN TROPICAL CLIMATES

1. The EAST and WEST FACING sides of the building receive the
most amount of heat.
2. The afternoon sun, which is particularly hot, will largely hit the
WEST FACING side of a building.
31
3. In the Philippines, the Sun will rise in the EAST, flank slightly to
the SOUTH then set in WEST.
4. Full height glazing is best applied to the NORTH FACING side
because this side receives the least amount of direct solar
radiation.
5. HORIZONTAL SUNSHADES are best applied to the NORTH
and SOUTH FACING SIDES of a building because the sun will hit
these sides from a high altitude.
6. VERTICAL FINS are best applied to EAST and WEST FACING
SIDES of a building because the sun will hit these sides a low
altitude and mostly from an oblique azimuth.
7. When the facades of a building do not run along the NORTH-
SOUTH or EAST WEST AXIS, the facade openings need to be
protected by both Horizontal and Vertical shades.
8. A combined horizontal and vertical shade is called an EGG-
CREATE SUNSHADE (Bris-soleil) South and West (hottest part)
9. If the interior spaces cannot be protected 100% from direct solar
radiation, consider using special facade such as double layered
facades, Low-e glazing etc.
10. Do not to rely completely on facade techniques to protect the
building form solar heat gain. It is still best to first protect your
spaces by shading them, then use special facade to protect the
spaces from remainder or indirect solar radiation.
11. Interior blinds such as Venetian blinds will not reduce solar heat
gain because they stop the heat only when it is already inside the
space. This heat will eventually move past the blinds by convection
or radiation.
12. If you wish to protect an opening using louvers, it is better to
exterior louvers.
13. In designing sun shading devices, you must know where the
sun will strike at different times of the day. Study different sun
angles using a solar path diagram so that you can design shades
that will provide the best shading possible.
14. Designs of shades differ as you move through different
geographic latitudes. Make sure that you are using a solar path
diagram that covers the latitude of your site.
15. Consider various site elements such as vegetation and
topographical features in sun-shading design. For example, a west
32
facing side of building that is covered by the afternoon shadow of a
large group of trees or a hill need not have shades.
ALTITUDE
The angular elevation of a celestial body above the horizon.
Vertical Angle 0-90
AZIMUTH
Horizontal Angle 0-360° along the horizon
SOLAR PATH DIAGRAM

A graphic depiction of the path of the sun within the sky vault projected
onto a horizontal plane.
SUMMER SOLSTICE (longest day time)

The time of year, on or about June 21, when the sun reaches its
northernmost point on the celestial sphere marking the beginning of
summer in the northern hemisphere.
EQUINOX (spring and autumn)

Either of the two time during the year when the sun crosses the plane of
the celestial equator and when the length of day and night are everywhere
approximately equal; occurring about March 21 (vernal equinox or spring
equinox) and September 21 (autumnal equinox)
WINTER SOLSTICE (shorter day time)

The time of year, on or about December 21 when the sun reaches its
southernmost Point on the celestial sphere, marking the beginning of
winter in the northern hemisphere.
Y
E
33
Where
Y = Solar altitude angle
δ = Azimuth difference
E = Vertical shadow angle
34
SUN SHADING DEVICES (1 of 2)
SOURCE: American Institute of Architects, Architectural Graphics Standards Ninth
Edition
35
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36
SUN SHADING DEVICES (2 of 2)
10
For Oblique
Combination
11
12
Lycee Albert Camus, France by NormanFoster
37
HORIZONTAL TYPES
1. Horizontal overhangs are most efficient toward south of southern
orientations. Their mask characteristics are segmental.
2. Louvers parallel to wall have the advantage of permitting air circulation
near the elevation. Slanted louvers will have the same characteristics as
solid overhangs, and can be retractable.
3. When projection is needed for low sun angles, louvers hung from solid
horizontal overhangs are efficient.
4. A solid, or perforated screen strip parallel to wall cuts out the lower rays
of the sun.
5. Movable horizontal louvers change their segmental mask
characteristics according to their positioning.
VERTICAL TYPES
6. Vertical fins serve well toward the near east and near west orientations.
Their mask characteristics are radial.
7. Vertical fins oblique to wall will result in asymmetrical mask. Separation
from wall will prevent heat transmission.
8. Moveable fins can shade the whole wall, or open up in different
directions according to the sun's position.
EGGCRATE TYPES
9. Eggcrate types are combinations of horizontal vertical types, and their
masks are superimposed diagrams of the two masks.
10. Solid eggcrate wind slanting vertical fins results in asymmetrical
masks.
11. Eggcrate device with moveable horizontal elements shows flexible
mask characteristics. Because of their high shading ratio, eggcrate are
efficient in hot climates
38
300mm
1200mm
42°
900mm
September 21 at 3 PM
Azimuth - ± 252
Altitude - 48° (90° - 42°)
48°
1200
x
Tan 48 = 1200
X = tan 48 (1200)
= 1332 mm
Heliodon - (precisely movable light source) was used to show the angle of
the sun on a physical model of a proposed building.
39
SUN PATH DIAGRAM (MANILA)
40
PASSIVE DAYLIGHT CONCEPTS
Source: Total Building Performance and Integration 1 Lecture, National
University of Singapore
 Conventional approaches to lighting were solely based on artificial

lighting
 Usually ceiling mounted light fixtures are used
 Lights used to provide lighting for both ambient and task
conditioning
Problems with this conventional approach are:
 No or very minimal utilization of free lighting from daylight

 Consumes excessive amount of energy
 Occupants usually do not have individual control of lighting levels
 Creates zoning difficulties in the lighting
Issues:
 Glare
 Heat gain
 Depth of penetration
Importance of Daylighting
 Lighting and its associated cooling energy use constitute 30 to 40
% of a commercial building's total energy use.
 Daylight contributes to a more sustainable environmental design
 Daylight can create pleasant and visually comfortable places
 Congruent with the Filipino spatial concept of “Maaliwalas”
41
Daylight Zoning
Is the process of grouping various spaces in a building with similar
luminous req’ts into a daylight zone, thereby
2.5 H
Daylighting
Is the practice of placing window or other openings and reflective

surfaces so that during the day natural light provides effective
internal lighting. Particular attention is given to day lighting while
designing a building. When the aim is to maximize visual comfort or
to reduce energy use.
Daylight Factor (DF)
Is a numerical ratio use o describing the relationship between indoor

and outdoor daylight illuminance (typically under overcast sky conditions).
42
TROPICAL DESIGN
Arch./EnP. Rey S. Gabitan

TROPICAL DESIGN
Introduction
Climate Responsive Architecture is a must in Building Design.
Architects must realize that the building skin is not just specifying
materials and creating a façade for aesthetics.
The building envelope serves as a climatic mesh that filters the

outside environment to create a proper and hopefully a comfortable
indoor environment.
TROPICAL DESIGN
Introduction
A climate responsive building envelope
is only one functional criterion for
correct design.
In the Philippines, hot humid conditions

require protection from heat and
maximum ventilation for interiors,
therefore, local designs should firmly
consider these issues.
TROPICAL DESIGN
Introduction
Proper fenestrations and building

materials should be selected.
Opening fenestrations such as

sun-shading devices should be
considered by designers.
Good building orientation must

also be looked at by architects to
minimize direct solar radiation but
maximize potential for natural
ventilation.
TROPICAL DESIGN
Basic Concept
"Weather" is the set of atmospheric conditions prevailing at a given
place and time.
"Climate" can be defined as the integration in time of weather

conditions, characteristics of a certain geographical location.
At the global level climates are formed by the differential solar

heat input and the uniform heat emission over the earth's surface.
The movement of air masses and of moisture-bearing clouds is

driven by temperature differentials and strongly influenced by the
Coriolis force.
TROPICAL DESIGN
Classification of Climates
Arctic
Cool Temperate
Cool
Warm Temperate
Equatorial
Example: Iceland,
TemperateGreenland, Northern Russia, and China
Example:
Example: N.W. Europe,
Those Canada,
countries lying and
just parts
above or of North
below the America
equator, Southeast
Example: N.W. Europe, Canada,
Example: Mediterranean Countries and parts of North America
Asian Countries, Central America and the Amazon Basin in South America
TROPICAL DESIGN
For the purposes of building design a simple system based on the
nature of the thermal problem in the particular location is often used.
Further Classification of Tropical, Sub-Tropical & Equatorial Climates:
Warm Humid (Tropical Island) overheating is not as great as in hot-dry areas, but
it is aggravated by very high humidities, restricting the evaporation potential. The diurnal
temperature variation is small.
Hot Dry (Arid/Maritime Desert) main problem is overheating, but the air is dry, so
the evaporative cooling mechanism of the body is not restricted. There is usually a large
diurnal (day - night) temperature variation.
Composite (Tropical Uplands)

TROPICAL DESIGN
Warm Humid Hot Dry Composite
DBT High temp during the Very high temp during the day; Mixture of
day, low diurnal large diurnal range; can be warm/humid
change quite low in winter and
RH Relatively high Low and very low humidity; hot/dry.
fairly constant throughout the
year.
Precipitation Heavy rains Often low or very low 1/3 to 2/3
especially during ratio of
monsoon season monsoon
period
Sky Cloudy and glaring Little or no cloud. Cold and
non-glaring sky.
Ground Lesser vegetation Sparse and often bare. Very

high glare from ground. Rich
soil which only requires water
TROPICAL DESIGN
The general climate
(macroclimate) is
influenced by the
topography, the
vegetation and the
nature of the
environment on a
regional scale
(mesoclimate) or at a
local level within the
site itself
(microclimate).
TROPICAL DESIGN
Tropical Climate
Temperature – average mean temperature (dbt) 20 – 30 deg C
small diurnal temperature change/range 2-5 deg
Humidity Levels - 50% - 100% Relative Humidity
Wind Conditions – Slow Wind Flow

Average of 2 m/s
Prevailing Wind in the Philippines :

Sky Conditions – Overcast Sky most of the time;

a lot of reflected heat/ solar gain
Precipitation – high during the year – average of 1000mm/yr

TROPICAL DESIGN
Micro-Climate
Many factors contribute to micro-climate, for instance, the
location of hills, rivers, streams and lakes, the position of
buildings and trees, whether the site is on coast or inland, in a
town or in the rural areas, whether the location is above sea
level, etc.
Some micro-climate phenomena are:

-land/sea breeze
-Courtyards
-Evaporative cooling
-Orientation
-Slope of land height in relation to air movement, rainfall and
temperature
TROPICAL DESIGN
Urban Climate
Almost every city in the world today is hotter - usually between 1
to 4 deg C hotter - than its surrounding area. This difference
between urban and rural temperatures is called the "urban-heat-
island" effect", and it has been intensifying throughout this
century.
TROPICAL DESIGN
Elements of Climate Needed in Design

 DBT (Dry-Bulb Temperature) – measurement of the temperature
of the air and as far as possible excludes any radiant temperature;
measured in the shade.
instrument – silvered thermometer (in 0F or 0C)
- monthly mean of daily maxima (deg C)
- monthly mean of daily minima (deg C)
- standard deviation of distribution
 Wind – direction, frequency and force of the wind throughout the

year.
instrument – vane anemometer for high speeds
kata thermometer for low speeds
TROPICAL DESIGN
Contour
Map of
DBT
TROPICAL DESIGN

RH (Relative Humidity) – amount of water in the air.
instrument – hygrometer (in %) or sling psychrometer
measured in 0F or 0C if WBT (wet-bulb temperature)
- early morning relative humidity (in %)
- early afternoon relative humidity (in %)
 Precipitation – mainly rainfall but could also be dew.

instrument – rain gauge measured in inches or centimeters
- monthly total (in mm)
TROPICAL DESIGN
Contour
map of
relative
humidity
TROPICAL DESIGN
 Sky – either cloud cover, measured in 1/8 or 1/10 or % of the sky
covered, or it could be measured in hours of sunshine
Cloud cover - based on visual observation and expressed as a

fraction of the sky hemisphere (tenths, or 'octas' =
eights) covered by clouds.
Sunshine duration - the period of clear sunshine (when a sharp

shadow is cast), measured by a sunshine recorder
which burns a trace on a paper strip, expressed as
hours per day or month.
TROPICAL DESIGN
 Solar Radiation - measured by a pyranometer, on an
unobstructed horizontal surface and recorded
either as the continuously varying irradiance
(W/m2), or through an electronic integrator as
irradiance over the hour or day.
Four environmental variables directly affecting thermal comfort are

temperature, humidity, solar radiation and air movement, these are
the four constituents of climate most important for the purposes of
building design.
Rainfall data may sometimes be needed, such as for designing
drainage systems and assessing the level of precipitation.
TROPICAL DESIGN
Contour

map of
global solar
radiation
TROPICAL DESIGN
Tropical Design
This is concerned with countries where discomfort due to heat and
humidity are the dominant problems.
Tropical Design is applicable to Tropical and Sub-tropical climates

and Equatorial Climates covering the Southeast Asian Countries.
TROPICAL DESIGN
Importance of Climatic Design

Climate has a major effect on building performance and energy
consumption.
The process of identifying, understanding and controlling climatic

influences at the building site is perhaps the most critical part of
building design.
The key objectives of climatic design include:
To reduce energy cost of a building
To use "natural energy" instead of mechanical system and power
To provide comfortable and healthy environment for people

TROPICAL DESIGN
Factors Affecting Climatic Design

The local micro-climate and site factors will affect the actual
environmental conditions of the building.
The important site-related factors should be considered when

making the climate analysis:
Topography - elevation, slopes, hills and valleys,

ground surface conditions.
Vegetation - height, mass, silhouette, texture,

location, growth patterns.
Built forms - nearby buildings, surface conditions.

TROPICAL DESIGN
Factors Affecting Climatic Design

Major thermal design factors to be studied include:
solar heat gain, conduction heat flow and ventilation heat
flow.
The design variables in architectural expression that are important

will include:
Shape
Building fabric
Fenestration
Ventilation
TROPICAL DESIGN
Design Variables in Architectural Expression

Shape - surface-to-volume ratio; orientation; building height.
TROPICAL DESIGN

Building fabric -
materials and
construction; thermal
insulation; surface
qualities; shading
and sun control.
TROPICAL DESIGN
Fenestration - the
size, position and
orientation of windows;
window glass
materials; external and
internal shading
devices.
TROPICAL DESIGN
Ventilation - air-
tightness; outdoor
fresh air; cross
ventilation and
natural ventilation.
TROPICAL DESIGN
Passive Cooling
A cooling system using a building’s design and
construction to maintain a comfortable
temperature within the building.
Passive design is
essentially low-energy
design achieved by the
building’s particular
morphological
organization rather
than electro-
mechanical means.
TROPICAL DESIGN
Passive Cooling Techniques

1. BUILDING CONFIGURATION, SITE LAYOUT and SITE PLANNING
Example :
A building can be protected from direct
sunlight by placing it on a location
within the site that utilizes existing
features such as trees, terrain etc.
TROPICAL DESIGN

2. BUILDING ORIENTATION
Example :
In tropical countries such as the
Philippines, it is best to place
service areas in the west and east
facing sides of the building
because these sides are exposed
to direct sunlight.
TROPICAL DESIGN

3. FACADE DESIGN
Use of
Double-
layered
façade
Use Low-
emissivity
glass
(Low-E glass)
Use of Insulation
TROPICAL DESIGN

4. CROSS VENTILATION
The circulation of fresh air through open windows, doors or other openings
on opposite sides of a room
TROPICAL DESIGN

STACK EFFECT / CHIMNEY EFFECT
The tendency of air or gas in

a shaft or other vertical
space to rise when
heated, creating a draft
that draws in cooler air
or gas from below
TROPICAL DESIGN

5. SUNSHADING DEVICES
VERTICAL TYPES
Vertical Sun Shades are generally

used on the East-Facing and
West- Facing Sides
of a building
TROPICAL DESIGN

5. SUNSHADING DEVICES
EGGCRATE TYPES
Combination of Horizontal and

Vertical Shades
TROPICAL DESIGN
SUNSHADE ANALYSIS
1. Solar paths
requiring shade
3. Insolation
4. Sun requirements
during winter
2. Sunshade analysis (vertical and horizontal)

The diagrams show the optimum location of vertical sun shading, shielding
the building from low sun angles in the morning and evening, and
horizontal sun shading blocking the high midday sun. Tropical regions
need both vertical and horizontal shading throughout the year.
TROPICAL DESIGN
WIND ANALYSIS
Wind direction
Desirable and undesirable winds in each
the climatic zones depend largely on
local conditions. Any breeze in the lower
latitude (tropical and arid climates) is
beneficial for most of the year.
Cross ventilation
Cross ventilation is far more important
in the tropics than in temperate zones.
The theoretical strategy for blocking or
inducing wind flow into a building is
based on local prevailing wind
conditions. Generally, for the tropical
zones as much ventilation as possible is
desired.
TROPICAL DESIGN
Influences on Built Form

1. Zoning for transitional spaces
The black areas represent the traditional spaces used for lobbies, stairs, utility
spaces, circulation, balconies and any other areas where movement take place. These
areas do not require total climatic control and natural ventilation is sufficient. For the
tropical and arid zones, the transitional spaces are located on the north and south
sides of the building where the sun's penetration is not as great. An atrium can also
be used a transitional space.
TROPICAL DESIGN

2. Zoning for solar gain
The black areas are spaces that can be used for solar heat gain. They follow
the varying path of the sun in each of the climatic zones: in the tropical and
arid zones the east and west sides
TROPICAL DESIGN

3. Use of atrium
The diagram show the optimum position for atrium spaces in each building form
in each of the climatic zones. in the tropical zone the atrium should be located
so as to provide ventilation within the built form. In the arid zone the atrium
should be located at the centre of the building for cooling and shading
purposes.
TROPICAL DESIGN

4. Potential of roof/ground floor as useable exterior space
The distance of the angled line from the vertical represents the potential of each
zone's roof and ground planes to be used as exterior spaces. In tropical and arid
climates there is a high potential to make use of all external spaces.
TROPICAL DESIGN
1. Form
Optimum building form for each climatic zone. Research has shown that the
preferred length of the sides of the building, where the sides are of length x:y,
are: tropical zone - 1:3
Analysis of these ratios shows that an elongated form to minimize east and west
exposure is needed at the lower latitudes.
TROPICAL DESIGN
Influences on Built
Form
2. Orientation
Orientation as well as directional emphasis changes with latitude in response to
solar angles.
Zone Building's main orientations Directional emphasis
Tropical On an axis 5o north of east north-south
TROPICAL DESIGN
Influences on Built
Form
3. Vertical cores and structure

The arrangement of primary mass can be used as a factor in climatic design as
its position can help to shade or retain heat within the building form.
For the tropical zone, the cores are located on the east and west sides of the
building form, so as to help shade the building from the low angles of the sun
during the major part of the day.
TROPICAL DESIGN
CLIMATIC ZONES FOR BUILDING
Comfort Zone
The range of conditions under which most people feel comfortable. It is a

function of a number of variables.
Thermal Comfort
Human comfort as determined by the ability of the body to dissipate the heat
and moisture it produces by metabolic action.
TROPICAL DESIGN
Relationship between the centre of the comfort zone and the annual mean
temperature (Carl Mahoney):
Tcc = Tam/4 + 17.2
where Tcc is the center of the comfort zone in E.T. oC
and Tam is the annual mean temperature
*Always correct to the nearest 0.5 upwards
To get the Tam (annual mean temperature):

Tam = (Highest DBT of the Year + Lowest DBT of the Year)
2
TROPICAL DESIGN
A chart relating the wet-bulb and dry-bulb

readings from a psychrometer to relative
Psychrometric Chart humidity, absolute humidity and dew point
TROPICAL DESIGN
COMFORT ZONE
The comfort zone criteria given above are for sedentary
activities:
 discomfort due to slight sweating in sedentary activities may be more
uncomfortable and disturbing as it interrupts concentration.
The comfort zone is compared with the mean maxima (day) and
minima (night) effective temperature for each month to find out
if the climate is comfortable or uncomfortable.
Recommendations to achieve comfort can be made for a great
number of aspects from space between buildings, building
form, down to detail aspects of design.
 consider window size together with other factors such as glazed area,
orientation, shading and building form
 consider thermal characteristic of roofs and walls, i.e., absorption of the
surface and the insulation of the construction.
TROPICAL DESIGN
HEAT TRANSFER
Heat transfer in buildings may take place in four (4) different
ways:
• Conduction
• Convection
• Radiation
• Evaporation and condensation

TROPICAL DESIGN
CONDUCTION
The flow of heat through a material by transfer from warmer to
cooler molecules in contact with each other.
Conductivity is the rate of heat transfer that occurs through a
unit thickness of material for a unit area subjected to a unit
difference in temperature.
Conductivity = per meter (thickness)
(area) * Temp difference (oC)
Conductivity (K value) = W/moC

Example:
If wall thickness is 0.2m, area of wall is 12m2 and temperature difference is 3oC,
then:
Conductivity = 0.2m/(12m2 * 3oC) = 0.0056W/moC
TROPICAL DESIGN
CONDUCTION
Resistance is the ability of a material to resist the flow of heat
and is measured by the resistivity.
Resistivity = 1 For a given thickness of material,

Conductivity resistance to heat transfer is:
= moC / W Resistance = Resistivity * t(mtrs)

= m2 oC / W
Example:
If wall thickness is 0.2m, area of wall is Example:
12m2 and temperature difference is If wall thickness is 0.20m, and
3oC, then: resistivity is 180 moC/W, then:
Resistivity = (12m2 * 3oC) / 0.2m Resistance = 180 moC/W * 0.20m
= 180 moC/W = 36 m2 oC/W

TROPICAL DESIGN
CONVECTION
Convection is the transfer of heat from one place to another by
the flow of molecules from one place to another.
Natural Convection is the movement of the molecules as a

result of the heat energy they possess (i.e. hot air rising).
Forced Convection results from the movement of molecules by

pumps, fans, or other movement caused by external forces.
The rate of flow of heat due to natural condition is usually

measured by the conductance of a surface or an air movement
to a building construction.
Units are Watts / m2 oC

TROPICAL DESIGN
CONVECTION
1. Warm air rising from register

(forced convection).
2. Warm air rising from all surfaces
of radiator (after air in contact
with radiator has been heated
by conduction).
3. Warm air rising from (free
convection).
TROPICAL DESIGN
RADIATION
Radiation is the transfer of energy through space by
electromagnetic waves.
Radiation travels through air and the rate of transfer of energy

is independent of the temperature of the air.
The rate of radiation transfer is measured in Watts per m2.
The rate of flow of radiant heat from the sun can be found from
the radiation overlay when it is placed over the sun path
diagram.
TROPICAL DESIGN
RADIATION
There are two terms commonly encountered while
discussing radiant heat transfer:
Emittance (or emissivity), refers to the ability of a
material’s surface to give off radiant energy. All
materials have emissivities ranging from zero to one.
The lower the emittance of a material, the lower the
heat radiated from its surface. Aluminum foil has a
very low emittance which explains its use in
reflective insulation.
Reflectance (or reflectivity) refers to the fraction of
incoming radiant energy that is reflected from the
surface. Reflectivity and emissivity are related and a
low emittance is indicative of a highly reflective
surface. For example, aluminum with an emittance of
0.03 has a reflectance of 0.97.
TROPICAL DESIGN
EVAPORATION AND
CONDENSATION
TROPICAL DESIGN
HEAT TRANSFER
MODE OF HEAT MEASUREMENT UNITS

TRANSFER
CONDUCTION Conductivity W / m oC
Resistivity m oC / W
CONVECTION Conductivity W / m2 oC
RADIATION
EVAPORATION AND
CONDENSATION
TROPICAL DESIGN
HEAT GAIN AND COMFORT
Heat gain in the tropics is due mainly to solar radiation at the

surface and only a smaller extent the high air temperatures.
Heat gain in hot climates are highest when there are low wind
speeds and less heat is transferred to the air and more to the
building surface.
Since major heat gain is from solar radiation, absorptivity of the

surface to solar radiation is of primary importance.
Absorptivity and the insulation must be chosen to minimize the

proportion of heat from the sun which penetrates the structure
when the air temperatures inside and outside are similar.
TROPICAL DESIGN
HEAT GAIN AND COMFORT

Relative humidities in tropical regions are very high, hence air
movement is the most effective way of increasing comfort by
encouraging the evaporation of sweat from the skin.
Design buildings thru which wind can pass with a minimum of
obstruction.
Comfort in the warm humid tropics is achieved by encouraging
cross ventilation while providing protection from solar radiation.
TROPICAL DESIGN
PRINCIPLES OF SIMPLE HEAT TRANSFER

Insulation is measured as the air to air rate of transmission of
heat per unit area – the “U” value.
The “U” value represents the rate of heat transfer from inside air
per unit area per unit difference in air temperature per unit time.
This is measured in Watts / sqm oC
U = 1
sum of resistances
Sum of resistances include the following:

Outside surface resistance
Inside surface resistance Resistivity x thickness
Resistance of individual layers of the surface of each layer
Resistance of air spaces and cavities
TROPICAL DESIGN

Basics of Heat Transfer.
The purpose of insulation is two-fold:
(1) to retard the flow of heat from one place to.

another, and
(2) to maintain temperatures such that

condensation does not occur on inside.
surfaces.
... Insulation acts to reduce the rate of heat

transfer by these methods
TROPICAL DESIGN

Example:
Calculate the “U” value of a brick wall with the following information:
- External surface resistance = 0.05 m2 oC / W
- Brickwall external sand rendering = 1.2 cm (resistivity 1.88 m oC / W)
- Brickwork = 20.0 cm (resistivity 0.83 m oC / W)
- Plaster (gypsum) = 1.0 cm (resistivity 2.17 m oC / W)
- internal surface resistance = 0.123 m2 oC / W
Resistance
External surface resistance 0.050 m2 oC / W
Sand rendering resistance 0.012 m * 1.88m oC / W 0.025 m2 oC / W
Brickwork resistance 0.200 m * 0.83m oC / W 0.166 m2 oC / W
Plaster resistance 0.010 m * 2.17m oC / W 0.021 m2 oC / W
Internal surface resistance 0.123 m2 oC / W
Sum of resistances 0.385 m2 oC / W
“U” value 1 / sum of resistances 2.6 W / m2 oC
TROPICAL DESIGN

The rate of heat flow through a wall or roof (where the outdoor air
is circulating freely through the building) is given by the formula:
Q = U * A * (t0 – t1)
Where Q = rate of heat flow (in Watts)

U = “U” value
A = superficial area (sqm)
t0-t1 = difference between inside and outside air temperature
From the previous example, if there is a steady temperature difference of 10oC
between the inside and outside of such a wall and the area of the wall is 20sqm,
then the rate of flow through the wall is:
Q = (2.6 W / m2 oC) * (20m2) * (10oC)

= 520 Watts
TROPICAL DESIGN

SOL-AIR TEMPERATURE
The temperature of the outside air in contact with a shaded wall
or roof which would give the same rate of heat transfer and the
same temperature gradient as the combined effect of solar
radiation and air temperature.
tsa = to + (X * I * ro)
Where tsa = sol-air temperature ( oC )

to = outside air temperature ( oC )
X = absorptivity of surface to solar radiation
I = intensity of radiation ( W / m2 )
ro = outside surface resistance ( m2 oC / W )
It is used to find the heating effect of the radiant heat load.

TROPICAL DESIGN

SOL-AIR TEMPERATURE
Example:
Wall surface = same as before where outside surface resistance is
0.05 m2 oC / W
Max. radiation = 600 W / m2
Absorptivity = 0.30
Air temperature = 20 oC
Then:
Sol-Air Temp = 20 oC + ( 600 W / m2 * 0.30 * 0.05 m2 oC / W )
= 20 oC + 9 oC
= 29 oC
TROPICAL DESIGN

SOLAR HEAT FACTOR
The percentage of incident solar radiation which is transmitted

through a wall, assuming equal air in temperatures on both
sides.
The solar heat factor is proportional to the inside rise in

temperature and is related to the radiant heat from the ceiling or
walls.
Radiation from the walls can be controlled by controlling the

reflectivity and the “U” value of the construction.
To avoid excessive radiation, the solar heat factor should not

exceed 3% for roofs and 4% or walls in the warm humid tropics.
TROPICAL DESIGN

SOLAR HEAT FACTOR
q / I = 5 U*X %
Where q = heat transfer due to radiation = Q / A (heat flow per unit area)
q = U*A*(tsa-to) / A
q = U*( tsa –to ) from sol-air temp formula tsa = to + (X*I*ro)
q = U*( X*I*ro)
q / I = U*( X*ro ) if ro = 0.05 ----- 5%
Then q / I = 5 U*X %
TROPICAL DESIGN
SOLAR HEAT FACTOR
Example:
From previous example of brickwall, “U” value is 2.6 W / m2 oC.
Absorptivity for external concrete rendering = 0.6
q / I = 5 U*X % = 5 *2.6*0.6% = 7.8% > 4% max for walls
To reduce the solar heat factor to acceptable level;
reduce the absorptivity of rendering by using white wash or lime
wash with an absorptivity of 0.30
q / I = 5 U*X % = 5 *2.6*0.3% = 3.9% < 4% max for walls OK
or reduce the transmittance “U” to 1.6 by adding 1cm of expanded
polystyrene with resistivity of 30 (resistance is 0.01*30=0.30)
“U” = 1 / (0.385+0.30) = 1.46
q / I = 5 U*X % = 5 *1.46*0.6% = 4.38% > 4% max for walls
1.5cm of polystyrene (resistance 0.015*30=0.45), “U”=1/(0.385+0.45)
q / I = 5 U*X % = 5 *1.20*0.6% = 3.60% < 4% max for walls OK
TROPICAL DESIGN

TIME LAG
The time taken per fluctuation in temperature to pass through a

material of unit thickness (hrs/m3oC).
Time lag depends on two properties:
 thermal capacity (amount of heat required per unit volume per degree
rise in temperature)
 Rate of flow of heat
Time lag = thermal capacity / rate of flow of heat
The time constant of a composite temperature is the sum of the

time constants of the individual layers.
TROPICAL DESIGN
STANDARDS FOR WARM HUMID CLIMATES

Walls and Roofs should have:
1. A reflective surface (low absorptivity)

2. Light weight material (low heat capacity)
3. Insulation (low “U” value)
Solar Heat Factor Roofs 3%

Walls 4%
Time Lag 3 hours max.
To achieve this,
 Roof should have a cavity between the roof and ceiling. A reflective
surface together with a cavity will achieve standard.
 Heavy external walls should be restricted to day rooms, and should be as
well shaded as possible.
TROPICAL DESIGN
WIND AND AIR MOVEMENT

TROPICAL DESIGN

Air movement over the skin in warm humid conditions
encourages evaporation of sweat from the skin, causing a
cooling sensation and lowering the effective temperature.
TROPICAL DESIGN
WIND GRADIENT
Variation in wind
speed as wind
speeds increase with
the height above the
ground, and the
smoothness of the
ground surface.
TROPICAL DESIGN

As wind passes over hills, there is an increase in wind speed
on the windward side and a more sheltered area on the leeward
side.
TROPICAL DESIGN

Although towns are “rough” and slow down the wind tail, tall
buildings will often deflect strong winds down to a lower level.
TROPICAL DESIGN

Corresponding openings on the leeward side must be carefully
located to effect effective cross-ventilation of all areas.
TROPICAL DESIGN

Wind shadows must be anticipated in order to be assured that
other areas are not deprived of prevailing breezes.
Buildings should be spaced so

that openings do not occur within
the wind shadow of the building in
front.
TROPICAL DESIGN

Average wind speed in the room will relate to the size of the
opening, expressed as a percentage of the wall area, taking
either the outlet or inlet, whichever is the smaller.
TROPICAL DESIGN

Wind speed increases
rapidly as the percentage
opening area increases
from 0 to 20%.
Above 30% increase in

area, the windspeed does
not increase so fast.
TROPICAL DESIGN

TROPICAL DESIGN
The variation in wind direction will alter the direction of the

wind shadow, and allowance must be made for these variations.
As a rough guide, the wind shadow will be 5 times the height of

the building including the pitched roof.
The length of wind shadow for various shapes of buildings is

given in the table, i.e., wind shadow length chart.
TROPICAL DESIGN
WIND BEHAVIOR WITHIN A ROOM

TROPICAL DESIGN
SUN SHADING
TROPICAL DESIGN
SUN SHADING
Azimuth
Sun angle along the horizon, measured
to the east or west from true south
Altitude
Solar angle above the horizon, measured
from the horizon
time
TROPICAL DESIGN
SUN PATH
TROPICAL DESIGN
SUN PATH
TROPICAL DESIGN
SUN SHADING
OCTOBER 1: 3:40pm
OCTOBER 1: 9:50am
TROPICAL DESIGN
SUN SHADOW CASTING
June 22; 9:00am

Azimuth = 71o
Altitude = 46o
TROPICAL DESIGN
SUN SHADOW CASTING

TROPICAL DESIGN
SUN SHADOW CASTING

TROPICAL DESIGN
SUN SHADOW CASTING

TROPICAL DESIGN
SUN SHADOW CASTING

TROPICAL DESIGN
THANK YOU AND

GOOD LUCK TO THE
EXAMS!!!
TOP LIGHTING SYSTEMS
SKYLIGHT
Can be applied as an integrated double glazing transparent skylight roof.
Will help create bright internal spaces and cool temperature conditions even during
summer conditions.
Special sunscreen with vapor-blasted grid elements between panes of cavity-sealed

double-glazing can be used that will deflect sunlight into diffused light and reduce heat
gain.
Micro-sun shielding louver by Siemens AG Renzo Piano for Menil Collection in Houston-Texas
DIY LIGHTBULB
VERTICAL LIGHTPIPE
Used for areas in buildings unable to receive adequate natural illumination such as
basements and deep-section interior space.
Vertical Lightpipes requires a good reflection of its inside surface and top pipe aperture
to track and capture as much daylight as possible.
Solatube 160 DS – 10 inch/250 mm for smaller areas such

as shower rooms, bathrooms, wic, utility rooms.
Solatube 290 DS13 inches – 14”/350 mm
Solatube Solamaster Series 330 DS21 inch – 21”/530 mm

high ceiling off, shopping mall, warehouse.
SOLAR LIGHT PIPE Headquaters of the Morgan Lewis International Law Office
Washington D.C., U.S.A
Design by James Carpenter and Dividson Norris
Carpenter Norris Consulting
SOURCE: DJ Carter, MSc PhD CEng FCIBSE FILE

FSLL
School of Architecture, University of Livepool, Liverpool, UK
Used to ensure adequate illumination in the offices and library

that overlook this space 50m high 2.0m x 2.5m courtyard.
Solar Pipe is 36meters long extending from the atrium roof to

about 4.5 m above the courtyard level.
The pipe has a double-skin construction, with an outer layer of

tensioned synthetic-fiber fabric and a core consisting of glass
prisms-frixed in steel frames and held in position by radial rods.
The glass core tapers from a diameter of 175cm at the top to 50 cm at the bottom .
A rooftop heliostat that follows the course of the sun focuses solar light and projects it
via a mirror into glass core, where the prisms reflect the light downwards.
The structure is suspended from the roof and

fixed by cables at regular intervals to the side
facades.
The light pipe makes the rhythms of the day

and seasons perceptible through changing
When the sky is overcast, artificial light from

spotlights on the roof is reflected into the pipe. HELIOSTATS ARE USED TO TRACK THE SUN AND
At night, lights of changing color temperature REFLECT SUNLIGHT INTO LIGHT PIPE.
lend the column a sculptural character.

SIDE LIGHTING SYSTEMS
Depends upon the width and height of the opening (window) above the working plane
(desktop), the type glazing, and any control limited to a distance from the windows of
approximately 2.5 times the height of the opening.
Problems of reflections and glare must be properly considered.
SUN SCOOPS
• Captures daylight using giant mirrors outside the building envelope and reflects it
into the interior spaces
• The mirrors are moveable so they can be positioned to capture and track the sun
• Reflected light is captured by sloped reflective (mirror) ceiling surfaces above the
atrium, which redirects the light onto the ground floor.
Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank (HSBC) Headquarters uses a light scoop to illuminate its grand
atrium by Norman Foster
LIGHT SHELVES
Reflector of light into the ceiling.
Nat’l Library of Singapore

DYNAMIC SHUTTERS
Operates similar to control of lens diaphragm in the camera lenses
One unit of dynamic shutters consists of thousand metallic elements, which form
and opaque and hollow screen.
The shutters are put in between two layers of glass to protect them from dirt and
rain
The shutters are fitted with sensors that detects available daylight, and adjusts
the shutters accordingly to maintain a comfortable level of illumination inside the
building.
HORIZONTAL LIGHTPIPE
Operate on the similar principles of vertical lightpipes but applied mainly for deep
plan of spaces such as office building.
Lightpipes can reflect daylight using either CLEAN GLAZING or LASER CUT
ACRYLIC PANELS. Lightpipes using clean glazing has a tendency to lose light
due to multiple reflections if it enters the pipe at high angle, Laser Cut Panels can
reflect the light directly along the length of the pipe thus preventing loss of
intensity due to reflection.
HORIZONTAL LIGHT PIPE USED TO

ILLUMINATE A DEEP INTERIOR
SPACE.
PASSIVE COOLING BY VERTICAL LANDSCAPING
Vertical landscaping is the application of vegetation within and around the

façade of buildings particularly those within dense urban areas. Recent
applications of vertical landscaping is through the use of “sky courts”. Sky courts
are balconies integrated within a building’s façade
articulation whose primary purpose is
accommodate plants, trees and other greeneries.
In his design for the National Library of
Singapore, Ken Yeang incorporated nearly
70,000 square feet of gardens including sky Skycourt of the Singapore National Library
courts. By incorporating such gardens, Yeang

intends to develop greeneries with urban areas.
He notes that if all buildings with integrate green
areas. He notes that if all buildings will integrate
green areas within their façade articulation,
buildings will collectively add significant
Greeneries "grown" onto building facades
vegetation areas within urban areas which will in turn help in improving air and
thermal qualities within cities.
One direct effect of integrated vertical landscapes

is the provision of shading. Studies have shown
that greeneries applied to the façade of building
can significantly decrease the ambient
temperature around buildings. In line with vertical
landscaping is the increasing development of
Rooftop gardens. Within an urban environment, Rooftop garden of St.Luke's Jospital in

Akashi, Tokyo
the rooftops of buildings have always been
neglected, usually being amounts of floor area. By using rooftop areas as
gardens, cities can produce significant amounts of green areas. This practice of
developing urban rooftop gardens is already popular in Japan. Studies have
shown that such rooftop gardens contribute significantly in insulating a building.
Water accumulation on the rooftops is also lessened because the plants and
grass tends to absorb the water.
LOOSE MEDIA tends to be “SOIL ON A SHELF” or soil in a bag type systems,
loose medium systems have their soil packed into a shelf or a bag and are then
installed onto wall.
MAT TYPE SYSTEMS tends to be either coir fibre or felt mats, mat media are
quite thin, even in multiple layers and as such cannot support vibrant root
systems of mature plants.
PASSIVE COOLING BY WIND AND NATURAL VENTILATION
Wind a powerful force of nature brought about by the interaction of solar radiation
with the Earth’s atmosphere. Recently, we have seen more focus on harnessing
the power of the wind to satisfy our energy needs with the increasing number of
Wind Farms- large windmills used to generates electrical turbines, at present, the
Philippines has completed its first Wind Farm located in Northern Luzon known
as the North Luzon Wind Project. It presently has 42 Megawatts of generation
capacity but will eventually be able to generate up to 120 Megawatts of
electricity.
Wind and natural ventilations has a great impact o the cooling of building. Up to
now, our building is designed to have a continued reliance on mechanical
cooling. However, with increasing energy costs, designers are being compelled
to look for ways to harness free energy from nature. Wind of course is among the
top sources of energy savings for our built structures.
In terms of energy savings, ideal solutions will be to make buildings completely
naturally ventilated. However, present standards of comfort, acoustical
requirements, dust protection and other such requirements may not permit
buildings to be fully ventilated naturally. This especially true during summer
months in the Philippines where discomfort due to heat and humidity is at highest
and natural ventilation will simply not suffice in meeting thermal comfort
standards.
The optimal solution is to combine the mechanical cooling systems of a
building with passive winds and natural ventilation systems in what is
known as as Mixed-Mode System. Battle-McCarthy (1999) notes that one such
application of Mixed Mode is by supplying cool air at the lower levels of a building
and allowing the extract air to be exhausted through a shaft known a Wind
Tower. This system conserves a significant amount of energy by eliminating the
need to mechanically vent out the extract air within the building. Such a
combination of mechanical and natural ventilation allows the building to run at a
high level of efficiency and have lower running energy costs.
BASIC VENTILATION CONCEPTS
When strikes an obstacle such as a hill, a

building or a car, it creates pressure
differences on the surface of that obstacle.
The side of the obstacles where the wind
“strikes” is known as the windward side.
On the windward side, the air molecules
are compressed thus creating a high
pressure in that area. The opposite side of
the windward side is called the leeward
side. On the leeward side, the air molecules are dispersed thus creating a
negative or low pressure in the area. There pressure diffirences created when
the wind strikes a building is the foundation of natural ventilation. Inlets placed
near high pressure areas will allow wind to move into the building. Outlets placed
in the low pressure areas will allow the wind to escape. It is in the combination of
the two that natural ventilation is facilitated.
STACK EFFECT or CHIMNEY EFFECT
Hot air or gas tends to rise within a vertical space. This draws I cooler air at lower
level of the space.
Air movement in a Stack Effect is very week and is only effective and exhausting
air within a space.
CROSS VENTILATION
Cross ventilation is the movement of air from a positive pressure area

towards a negative pressure area. In buildings that are in the direct path or
prevailing winds, air simply moves through an inlet on the windward side and
exits through an outlet on the leeward side of the building.
WIND MOVEMENT CONCEPTS
SOURCE: Hong, F.L., Architect’s uide to climate Design. Philippines: 1998
PREVAILING BREEZES AND AIR MOVEMENT
1. In Warm-Humid Climates, the feeling of discomfort is mainly attributed to

high humidity: the presence of more water vapor in the atmosphere.
2. One factor that can negate this is the wind factor. To experience comfort
during periods of high humidity, it is necessary that the human skin will
breeze passing through at a certain velocity (approx. 2.5 to 5.0 meter per
second).
3. Buildings, therefore must be oriented in such a way that to window side
faces the prevailing breezes.
4. Corresponding openings in the leeward side must be carefully located to
effect effective cross ventilation of all areas.
5. Wind shadows must be anticipated in order to be assured that other areas
are not deprived of prevailing breezes.
Wind speed increase with the height above the ground, and the smoothness
of the grou7nd surface. This variation in wind speed is known as wind
gradient.
As the wind passes over hills, there is an increasing in wind speed on the
windward side and a more sheltered area in the leeward side. Also, positive
or high pressure is created on the windward side while negative or low
pressure is created on the leeward side.
Hills may cause strong draughts and turbulence for some distance in their
wake. In addition, negative pressure or “suction” is created on the leeward
side.
Although towns are “rough” and slow down the wind tail, buildings will often
deflect strong winds down to a lower level.
Permeable wind breaks do not give so much shelter immediately behind them
but slow down wind for some distance.
Solid wind breaks give more local shelter but also cause strong down
draughts and give higher wind speed at low level than areas behind
permeable ones.
If there are large expanses of hard ground surfaces outside buildings, the air
will become heated, and wind will pick up dust, etc. this will later on cause
heat gain problems on the openings facing the hard ground. It is therefore
necessary to consider such site elements during design so that the problem
can be addressed early.
Trees and grass will keep the ground partially shaded and cooler.
Low bushes will restrict air movement at ground level, and will deflect the
wind away openings.
A traditional solution to these problems is to raise the building off the ground
to avoid dust, etc. and to reach the faster wind speeds at the higher level.
Bushes at low level can be used to deflect the wind into interiors which would
otherwise suffer from low wind speeds. Also, air movement can be directed
around corners to a limited extent. While radiation travels in straight lines.
If air movement is needed and the prevailing

breeze is from the west, buildings should not
be oriented to catch both sun and wind. The
discomfort due to solar radiation will almost
always exceed the comfort due to air
movement.
Air movement through a building can
prevent an increase in internal air
temperature due to internal heat
sources: people, lighting, equipment by
flushing heated air through cross
ventilation.
Air movement across the surfaces and in

the air spaces can reduce a heat build- up
due to solar radiation.
The radiation will be greatest when wind

speed is slowest, and air movement though
cavities does not affect heat transfer due to
radiation.
If the inlet and outlet are at a high level,

then stream of air passing across the room
will be at high level.
The the outlet is lowered, then the stream

of air is only altered at the back of the
room.
If participations are used which give visual
privacy, they will also prevent good air
movement between rooms can still be
facilitated by providing openings above the
interior partitions.
If the inlet is larger than the outlet, the fastest

wind speeds will occur at just outside the outlet.
If the inlet is smaller than the outlet, the fastest

wind speeds will occur in most areas inside the
room.
When an opening is placed centrally on a facade

and the wind blows straight onto the face of the
building, the air stream inside the opening is in
the same direction as the wind.
If the opening is not placed centrally, the areas

of positive pressure will unequal on different
sides of the opening and the wind stream is
deflected.
A central opening with a projection to one side will also have a deflected air
stream.
A slot between the wall and projection will allow the

areas of positive pressure on both sides of the
opening to act on the wind stream.
Louvers, open windows may also deflect

air stream.
High slab building cause a strong down

draught on the windward face. The
causes high wind speed at low level.
The wind streams separate, the top third
blowing upwards and the bottom two
thirds downwards.
A low building in front of the tall block

causes even stronger winds at low level.
Spaces under the building if it is on column

(piloti) are likely to experience high
velocities. Rain can be blown up the face of
the building.
The eddy on the lee side can cause smoke to be blown downwards and onto
the lee face of the building. The fast velocities at ground level are in front of
the building and at the corners.
Buildings which require air movement must be spaced so that the wind which
is deflected over them can return to low level.
If they are too

closely spaced, there
will be large drop in
the wind speeds in the sheltered
buildings. In these cases, the
third row may have more wind
than the second.
Buildings laid out in regular rows will

shade each other, and the wind will be
channeled into the spaces between
them.
A staggered arrangement allows

greater space between the first row and
the building behind. Any deflected wind
is directed to the face of the next
building.
Note: PLAN A and PLAN B-both plans have same number of blocks in the
same space.
A small inlet and large outlet will result in a high

maximum speed, a medium average speed, a
large are of low wind speed.
A small outlet with a large inlet will result in a

medium maximum speed, a medium average
speed, a small area of low wind speed.
WIND BEHAVIOR
WITHIN A ROOM
OLD CONCEPTS RENEWED
So far we have discussed passive cooling techniques that have been applied
to buildings using modern technology. In many cases, the buildings that
maximize the potential of passive cooling design are the ones on the cutting
edge of architectural design. This makes it seem that all of these passive
cooling technologies are products of our generation’s modern technologies.
This however could not be father from the

truth.
Architectural history tells us that man began
to build structures primarily to provide him The animal hide used for tents in the Late
Stone Age acted as an insulator against
with the necessary shelter against climatic varying weather conditions.
elements. Since architecture began 10,000

years ago, there were hardly any changes for
the next 6,000 years. This was quite expected
because the built structures were able to
satisfy the physiological need for shelter at
time (Salvadori, 1990). Without any of even
our most basic technologies today, the built
structures of our ancestors were designed to
take advantage of its environment to provide
the maximum comfort for its occupant. In other Malqafs are shafts design to "scoop"
in the prevailing wind in its
words, these ancestral structures were surrounding.
conceived using PASSIVE DESIGN

CONCEPTS.
During the Late Stone Age period, tent
settlements were made of animal skins. This
provided an insulated coating for the tent
able to keep out heat from solar radiation
during warm seasons and kept air heated
inside during cold weather.
Shafts used by the Persians to channel in wind

were known as badgers.
As early as 1300BC, ancient Egyptians have begun for incorporate malqaf

(literakky “wind scoop”) which are shafts that rises above the buildings acting
as scoops to funnels in wind into building’s interior.
Because of the hot arid climate and sandy environment in Egypt, large
windows are not effective means of ventilating buildings because they will let
both hot air and sand in. by using scoops, the Egyptians were able collect fast
moving air free from dust.
Similarly, the Persians also used shafts known as badgirs to catch breezes
and channel them into the building to cool its room (Battle-McCarthy, 1999).
The Egyptian and Persian “wind scoops” are effective passive cooling
techniques that have been applied in modern buildings using sophisticated
wind tunnel simulations and analyses.
In tropical setting of the Philippines, passive cooling techniques have been in

use since pre-historic times. The bahay kubo is designed as adaptation to its
tropical environment.
Among the bahay kubo’s adaptations are:
• The living platform is elevated on stilts

as an adaptation to damp ground
Although the bahay kubo was humble in form

and certainly a minimalist in style, it is far more
advanced compared to manu=y modern buildings
today in the Philippines in term of climate
adaptibility.
conditions brought about by the seasonal monsoon on the Philippines.
• The roof has a high pitch so that rain water can be quickly drained.
• Large windows facilitate cross ventilation within the living space
• Operable window awnings protect the windows from rain and at the
same time provide shade when they are open.
• The high pitch of the roof creates a large air space serving as an
insulation between the roof and living space.
• The pitch of the roof creates an angle that allows the heat to radiated
at an angle rather than directly on living space below.
• Roof provides wide overhangs for the windows to and rain protect
them for solar radiation and rain
• The walls and roof are constructed of thatch (nipa) with low U-values
allowing heat to be released immediately.
• Time lag for the porous materials become negligible
• The flexible framing system and materials allow the bahay kubo’s
frame to sway during earthquakes thus dissipating forces that would
otherwise cause the building frames to break or buckle.
• The bamboo flooring materials creates gaps between the slats which
allows air to breeze upward into the living space.
When the Spanish

colonization of the
Philippines began,
numerous construction
projects had to be
undertaken by the
colonizers. Naturally, their designers built structures as the did in Europe.
Successive earthquakes destroy many buildings forcing the designers to
rethink their structures. Over a period of time, their architecture evolved in
order to adapt to local environmental conditions in the Philippines. To
some extent, the designers had to “copy” some of the adaptive features of
the bahay kubo. This became the evolutionary birth of the Philippine
Ancestral House or more commonly known as the Bahay na Bato.
Contrary to what many people think, the Bahay na Bato is not Spanish in
its architecture. It is very much a Filipino design that has been tailor-made
to adapt to the climatic and geographic features of the Philippines.
Among the adapted passive cooling features of Bahay na Bato are:
• The living platform is elevated from the

ground just like the bahay kubo. Instead of stilts, the Bahay na
Bato has a heavy stone walled ground floor acting as a base.
This ground floor level is usually used as a storage and
garage because occupants avoid being exposed to the
dampness near the ground.
• The roof has a high pitch just like the bahay kubo so that rain water
can be drained quickly.
• The high pitch roof creates a large space between the roof and the
ceiling. The air in this cavity insulates the interior space from heat.
• Similar to the bahay kubo, the pitch of the Bahay na Bato’s roof
creates an angle the allows the heat to be radiated at an angle
rather than directly on living space below.
• The Bahay na Bato also has wide eaves (alero) that provides the
necessary sun shading for its window openings.
The underside of these wide eaves was fitted with latticides vents. The
vents allow breeze to enter the roof cavity preventing hot air from
accumulating within the cavity.
Windows of the Bahay na Bato were large measuring 1.8 meters high
and up to 5.4 meters wide (Zialcita, 1980). This effectively facilitites
Cross Ventilation.
Since the living space is elevated, dust, which usually travels near the
ground, is prevented from directly entering the living spaces when the
wind cross ventilates through the Bahay na Bato.
Additional grilled openings called ventanillas are built below the
The Bahay na Bato has large window sill extending down to the floor. Ventanillas further increases
windows and ventanillas below the
windows to take full advantage of he cross ventilating capacity of the Bahay na Bato.
cross ventikation.
To further protect the spaces from the heat gain,a double wall system
operating on the principle of thermos jug was built into the Bahay na
Bato. The solution was to install a cantilevered gallery along the
perimeter of the second floor. This gallery was separated by a series
of inner double doors from the interior spaces and gad the exterior
wall on its other side. The heat striking the outer wall was essentially
trapped within the cavity of the volada. This feature is now known as
a DOUBLE LAYERED FACADE system used in many of our modern
buildings.
• In certain cases, the volada had operable louvers or jalousies

on its exterior. This allowed solar heat to be stopped while permitting
ventilation. The operable jalousies operate on the principle we now
recognize as DYNAMIC EXTERIROR LOUVERS. While the venting
The Bahayna bato employed a of its cavity between the DOUBLE LAYERED FAÇADE (volada) os
system of DOUBLE LATERED
FACADE called volada to protect now known as VENTILATED DOUBLE FAÇADE (VDF).
its spaces from heat. The volada
to protect its spaces from heat.
The volada sometimes had
operate louvers which allow the
volada to be ventilated. This
system is now knows as
VENTILATED DOUBLE
FAÇADE (VDF).
• Cross ventilation between the rooms was facilitated by providing
latticed openings above the interior walls called calado.
• The Bahay na Bato employed Passive Daylight Concepts. The
large windows permitted the interiors to be naturally lit. during rain
and the windows are closed, the capiz window panels continue to
allow daylight to penetrate the interiors.
• Rain water from the roof was collected through a duct called aljibe
and channeled into a collecting cistem. This allowed the owners to
have water supply even in areas where deep wells are not
available.
• The upper storey of the Bahay na Bato was constructed of wood
and timber frame. With its heavy stone base, the house was able to
survive during earthquakes by swaying which allowed the force of
the earthquake to be dissipated.
• The wooden walls have a low U-value and short lag time that helps
in reducing the heat gain of the living spaces.
The Bahay na Bato has numerous adaptations to the Philippine climate using only the technology of its time
and was able to cool its living spaces without the use of electricity. Rodrigo Perez describes the Bahay na
Bato as the “most efficient response to sun and rain.”
SUMMARY and CONCLUSION
The key designing buildings that take advantage of the benefits of passive cooling
Is sensitivity. Zialcita (1980) writes that “to understand architecture”, we must
Understand its environment”. When Spanish colonizers first built their structures in the
Philippines, they failed to realize that they must understand and adapt their structures
to local conditions of the land. With successive earthquakes, collapsed buildings and
presumably many casualties, the designer learned their lessons. The product was a
highly efficient, ultra-responsive building design called the Bahay na Bato. The Bahay
na Bato is a mere descedeant of the humble bahay kubo from which it copied many
of climatic response devices.
The designer must be sensitive to type of climate of the site on which the building will
be built. In doing so, he must understand the problems associated with the climate
and then set objectives on how to tackle these problems.
Tropical Climates such as Philippines essentially presents problems of heat, high

Humidity, rain and typhoon, and damp ground conditions. In recent times, buildings
have become dependent on mechanical means to overcome these problems. But
now, the issue of dwindling global energy resources has become paramount. This
has caused everyone is begin looking at all possible means of conserving energy.
Building are among the largest consumers of energy in world. A substantial portion of
the energy used by a building is allocated for its air-conditioning system. By using
various passive cooling techniques, the electro-mechanical system of building can
made to run more efficiently. Passive design techniques can involve highly technical
calculations, simulations and processes. However, designer can easily employ basic
techniques in building design that utilize passive cooling. Passive cooling techniques
can be applied using building orientation, site layout, façade design, vertical
landscaping, sun-shading techniques and natural ventilation.
As the world increasingly feels the impact of global warming, our sensitivity to energy
Conservation in every possible way will be transformed from a “choice” into a
“necessity”. There will inevitably come a time when all of our buildings will be required
To use passive techniques to conserve energy. It is thus imperative for architects to
Have an understanding of the intricacies involved in the design, use and application of various
passive cooling techniques.
Definition of Terms
AIR-CHANGE- the replacement of the volume of air contained within a room with an equivalent
volume of fresh air within a given period of time. The term air -changes per-hour
is often used to specify ventilation standards.
ALTITUTE- the angular elevation of a celestial body above the horizon
ATTIC VENTILATOR- a wind motor-driven fan for assisting the natural flow through an attic space.
BRISE-SOLEIL- A screen, usually of louvers, placed on the outside a building to shield windows
from direct sunlight
CHIMNEY EFFECT- the tendency of air or gas in a shaft or other vertical space t6o rise when heated,
creating a draft that draws in cooler air or gas from below
CONDUCTION- the transfer of heat from the warmer to the cooler particles of a medium or of two
bodies
CONVECTION- the transfer of heat by the circulatory motion of the heated parts of a liquid or gas
owing to a variation in density and the action of gravity.
VENT- an opening, as in a wall, serving as an outlet for air, smoke or the like
COMFORT ZONE- the range of dry-bulb temperature, relative humidity, mean radiant temperature and
air movement judge4de to be comfortable by An AMERICANS and CANADIANS. This
comfort zone varies with climate, hot season of the year, the type of clothing worn,
The activity level of the individual. Also called comfort envelope.
CROSS VENTILATION- the circulation of fresh air through open windows, doors, or other openings
On opposite sides of a room
EQUINOX- either of the times during the year when the sun crosses the plane of the celestial equator
and when the length of day and night are everywhere approximately equal occurring
about March 21 (vernal equinox or spring equinox) and September 21 (autumn
equinox)
LATITUDE- the angular distance3 north and south from the equator of a point on earths surface,
measured in degrees along the meridian passing through the point
LONGITUDE- the angular distance4 east of west on the earths surface , measured from the prime
Meridian at Greenwich, England, to the meridian of a given and expressed either in
degrees or a corresponding difference in time.
MERIDIAN- a great circle on the earth’s surface passing through both geophysical poles
NATURAL VENTILATION- the process or ventilating a space by natural movement of air rather than
by mechanical means
SHUTTER PANEL- a louvered awning the metal fins of which are angled to shade a window from
Direct sunlight and glare while preserving the outside view and admitting soft,
diffused light.
SOLAR ENERGY- energy derived from the sun in the form of solar radiation
SOLAR ORIENTATION- the placing of a building in relation to the path of the sun, either to
Maximize th amount of heat gained from solar radiation durinmg the4 coldest months
Or to minimize the amount of heat gained in the warmest months
SOLAR PATH DIAGRAM- a graphic depiction of the path of the sun within the sky vault projected onto
A horizontal plane
SOLAR SCREEN- a panel opf miniature external louvers for shading a window from direct sunlight
And glare while allowing a high degree of visibility, dalighting, ventilation, visual
Daytime privacy and insect protection.
SUMMER SOLSTICE- the time of the year, on or about June 21 when the sun reaches its northermost
Poin t on the celestial sphere, marking the beginning of sumer in the3 northern
Hemisphere.
SUN CONTROL- any various exterior devices for regulating the amount of solar heat sunlight that
enters with window, consisting of moveable horizontal or vertical fins controlled
manually or operated automatically with time or photoelectric controls
SUNSHADE- any various exterior devices consisting of fixed horizontal or vertical fins angled to
shield a window from direct sunlight.
THERMAL CONFORT- human confort as determined b yh the ability of the body to dissipate the heat
and moisture if produces by metabolic action
WHOLE HOUSE VENTILATOR-a motor driven fan for pulling stale air from the living areas of a house
And exhausting it through attic vents
WINTER SOLTICE- the time of the year, on or about December 21, when the sun reaches its
Southernmost point on the celestial sphere, marking the beginning of winter in the
Northern hemisphere
VENTILATE- to provide a room with fresh air to replace air that has been used or contaminatede
VENTILATOR- alouvered opening or motor driven fan for replacing stagnant air with fresh air
SUSTAINABLE DESIGN- Can be define as an ability to carry forward, support or maintain a practice
Or situation for a prolonged period of time. Approaching perpetuity. “green” or
Environmentally sensitive and conscious design and construction practices
THE THREE PILLARS OF SUSTAINABILITY
1. The Environment Imperative. The World is becoming more aware of the detrimental impacts of
human generated pollution on our environment and quality life.
2. The Economic Imperative. Demand and Supply
3. The Social Imperative
U.S. Green Bldg. Council (US6BC)

Is commited in transforming the way our building are designed.
Constructed and operated through LEED- the top third party verification system for
Sustainable structures around the world.
LEED= Leadership in Energy and Environmental DesignBERDE GREEN BLDG. (check Website)

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TROPICAL DESIGN

TROPICAL DESIGN = passive cooling

PASSIVE COOLING: design with no mechanical equipment

PASSIVE COOLING = inducing air movements

INDUCING AIR MOVEMENTS: relevant for areas with

INDUCING AIR MOVEMENTS: can improve thermal

HOT-DRY CLIMATE: minimize radiant heat gain

COOL CLIMATE: maximize thermal retention

TEMPERATE CLIMATE: moderate thermal retention

Principles of Air Movement

1. Air flows from a high-pressure to a low-pressure area.

2. INERTIA. Once set in motion, air tends to continue to

3. Air flows through the path of least resistance.

1. Equator receives more radiation than do polar regions.

2. Heat from equator move towards polar regions.

3. Hot air moves upwards going to polar regions.

4. Cold air moves to equator close to earth’s surface.

1. Rotation of earth deflects the air = Coriolis Force

2. Wind flows due to heat exchange.

• Air temperature changes faster than ground temperature

Land and Sea Breezes

1. Daytime Heating: land warms more rapidly than water

2. Night Time Cooling: land cools faster than water

• LAND BREEZE – wind from land directed to sea

Monsoon: large-scale seasonal currents

2. Southwest Monsoon = HABAGAT = the summer monsoon

1. Windward side = positive pressure

2. Air enters through openings located in the positive pressure zone

3. Air enters through lower level openings

4. Window width ÷ wall width = 50% to increase indoor air speed

5. Window heights = 1.10 meters for effective indoor air movement

6. Wind deflectors, horizontal and vertical, to redirect air flow

7. Prevent wind shadows by placing openings

1. Hedges/shrubs should not be more than 3 meters from building

2. Tree foliage above openings promote air motion into openings

3. Combine tree, hedge and building to achieve air flow control

4. Lateral air channels to direct air flow

5. Arrange trees to determine wind shadow

6. Make use of earth mounds to achieve better air movement

1. Rays of the sun vary with time and place (latitude)

2. Celestial Sphere: earth is static; sun moves from east to west

4. The earth’s polar axis is inclined at 23°47’ from the vertical

5. June 21 is considered the longest day = summer solstice

6. December 21 is the shortest day = winter solstice

7. March 21 and September 21 = equinoxes

2. Solar Azimuth Angle = the sun’s position as projected on a

3. The two solar angles change with Latitude (location on Earth)

4. Metro Manila is located at 14.5° N Latitude

5. Two Methods for Calculating Solar Angles

6. Solar Chart = Sun Path Diagrams

7. Different Solar Charts for Different Latitudes

– an integration in time of the atmospheric

Sky Conditions/ Solar Radiation

This is concerned with countries where discomfort due

Sky Conditions – Overcast Sky most of the time

Precipitation – high during the year – average of 1000mm/yr.

ABUNDANCE OF INSECTS AND RODENTS

DAMP GROUND CONDITIONS

4. Have good drainage systems to accommodate high

5. Protect spaces from insects and rodents

4. WIND AND NATURAL VENTILATION

Use Low-emissivity glass

Wind speeds increase with the height above the

Global energy consumption in 2001 was estimated at 13.9 trillion kilowatt-