Tropical Design in the Philippines

Tropical architecture is all about achieving thermal comfort through the use of passive design
elements like sunshades, cavity walls, light shelves, overhangs, roof and wall insulation and
even shading from large trees to block the sun. It can look very traditional, ultramodern or even
high-tech. Passive design is the process of achieving this comfort level without the use of
mechanical systems. Tropical architecture is all about tackling urban heat island effect.

Basic Design Principles

For the Philippines, having a warm humid climate, there are a few basic design principles
regarding natural ventilation to cool a home or a building.

 The external features of the building envelope and its relation to the site should be
designed to fully utilize air movement. Interior partitions should not block air movements.
 Air velocity can be reduced when the interior walls are placed close to the inlet opening
or each time it is diverted around obstructions.
 If interior walls are unavoidable, air flow can still be ensured if the partitions have
openings at the lower and upper portions. This is a common strategy in the old Filipino
bahay na bato, with its transom panels covered with intricate wood carvings or wood
louvers.
 Maximize window openings for cross ventilation of internal spaces. Vents in the roof
cavity can also be very effective in drawing out heat from the room interiors.
 Since hot air goes upward, and cool air goes downward, openings at the top of
staircases and in clerestory windows facilitate air change.
 It is generally cooler at night, so ventilation of internal spaces can be continuous for
nighttime cooling. This means designing the building with operable windows to let hot air
escape at night and to capture prevailing night winds.
 To supplement natural ventilation, fans can be placed at various heights and areas to
increase comfort conditions. Fans are effective in generating internal air movement,
improve air distribution and increase air velocities.
 Window openings are advisable at the body level for evaporative human body cooling.
And room width should not exceed five times ceiling height for good air movement.
 Sunshades and sun protection devices on openings reduce heat gain and glare, and
also help in internal daylighting. Louvres that are adjustable can alter the direction of air
flow and lighting.

Asian houses have big roof overhangs to protect interior spaces from heat gain and glare.
Shading materials should reflect heat, and not be another source of heat. Roof insulation is a
must in our warm climate. This reduces the temperature significantly inside the house.

Materials and Methods used in the Tropical Design

Bamboo – Bamboo comprises 80–90 percent of a bahay kubo. The material is very versatile, used
as strips, split, or whole timber varieties. Unfairly given the moniker of “poor man’s lumber” and
relegated for use in furniture, bags, and wall décor, bamboo has experienced a renaissance as a
building material thanks to increased public interest in going green. Technology has allowed bamboo
to be cured, where it is soaked in special solutions that eliminate the starches that make it
susceptible to fire and termite infestation. It also preserves the material, allowing it to last for as long
as 30 years.

Coconut Lumbers - While palm trees have grown in the different parts of the Philippines since the
early portion of the 20th century, these were primarily just for the harvesting of coconuts. When trees
stopped bearing fruit, it was commonly just felled to give way for the plantation of new trees. With the
increase in prices of more commonly used lumber variants, recent years have seen the exploration
of palm trees as an alternative source. The once low valued senile coconut palm trees have since
been promoted as a source of income for the lumber industry, with the material a source of veneer
and numerous building products.

Rice Hull Ash Cement (RHAC) - Of course, it is no longer practical to build a full-on bamboo bahay
kubo, particularly in the metro, due to the risk to fire safety and durability. Concrete is essential for
modern homes, and given that the standard variety has ingredients of volcanic origin, it can be
costly, particularly in copious amounts. Fortunately, the ash from rice hulls or husks is an affordable
and effective substitute. When burned between 700 to 750 degrees Celsius, the ash from palay
coverings offer binding properties that make it a suitable additive to cement solutions. Since rice is a
common crop in the country, RHAC building materials are easy to sustain.

Santol Wood - Quite common in the Philippines, santol is mostly known for its fruit that is popularly
consumed and used as an ingredient in places all over the country. What most don’t realize is that
the tree that the fruit grows from is also an ideal wood alternative. While the material is
comparatively less dense than other wood variants, it is one that is easy to work with and polish.
This, of course, is if the lumber was cured correctly. Probably the best feature of high quality wood
from santol trees is that it is highly resistant to wood borers, or bukbok. This makes it ideal for use as
protective covering or skeletal framework.

Green Roofing - A green roof has many benefits at economic, ecological and societal levels. A green
roof provides a rainwater buffer, purifies the air, reduces the ambient temperature, regulates the
indoor temperature, saves energy and encourages biodiversity in the city.

Green Wall - Reduces urban heat island effect and smog. Cleans outside air of pollutants and dust
and offsets the carbon footprint of people and fuel emissions, acts as a sound proofing barrier and
insulates and cools the building envelope, as well as protecting it from elements.

Doors and Windows – Selecting the appropriate doors and window opening in every area is very
important because the wind flows depends on the area and orientation of every houses or building
structures.