TROPICAL AR152-1 /

AR. SALAYA 2T 2024-2025

ARCHITECTURE FINAL TRANS
INTRODUCTION TO CLIMATE WORLD CLIMATES
• General types of climates
TERMINOLOGIES 1. Hot humid (tropical)
• CLIMATE 2. Hot Arid
o A region with a certain temperature, dryness, wind, 3. Temperate
light. Etc. 4. Cold
o Is known through the average weather over a long
period of time 1. HOT HUMID (TROPICAL)
• WEATHER is not the same everywhere • Those regions where heat is a dominant problem, where
o It is a state of the atmosphere at a given place and the annual mean temperature is not less than 20 degrees
time Celsius
o It’s a day-to-day condition of a particular place
TROPICAL DESIGN
TROPICAL CLIMATE IN THE PHILIPPINES • Concerned with countries where discomfort due to heat
and humidity are the dominant problem.
• HOT AND DRY - March to May • It is applicable to Tropical, Sub-Tropical, and Equatorial
• RAINY - June to October climates covering the Southeast Asian countries
• COOL - November to February
CHARACTERISTICS OF TROPICAL CLIMATES
CLIMATE FACTORS a. Temperature
1. Solar Radiation – electromagnetic radiation (radiant
• Average mean temperature (dbt) 20-30° C
energy) emitted by the sun
• Small temperature change
o Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation
b. Humidity level – 50% to 100% RH
o Visible light
c. Wind Conditions – slow wind flow
o Short infra-red radiation (Radiant Heat)
2. Tilt of the earth’s axis – 23.5 degrees • Prevailing wind in the Philippines
3. Thermal Balance o Amihan (NE) – November to April
4. Winds o Habagat (SW) – May to October
5. Topography – the arrangement of the natural and artificial d. Sky conditions
physical features of an area • Overcast sky most of the time
• A lot of reflected heat / solar gain
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS e. Precipitation
• high during the year – average of 1000mm/yr
1. Solar radiation – absorbs direct scattered source of f. Other – climate conditions breed insects (flies,
almost earth’s energy occurs in short wavelength mosquitos, termites)
a. Direct, diffused, and reflected short wave radiation • Damp ground condition
b. Long wave radiation
2. Air Temperature – temperature of the air excluding the 2. HOT ARID
radiant temperature. Measured using thermometer with a. Temperature – usually very hot
units F or C • Can easily go up to 50° and more in summers
3. Atmospheric Humidity • Difference between day and night temp is very high
a. Absolute Humidity – amount of moisture present in (15-20° C)
the air (g/m3) b. Humidity – hot and dry
b. Specific humidity – weight of unit vapor per unit c. Precipitation – very low, 50-150mm/yr
weight of air d. Sky condition – normally clear, sometimes have dust
c. Vapor pressure – partial pressure of water vapor storms that create unbearable glare
present in the air e. Solar Radiation – direct and strong during day
d. Relative Humidity (RH) – the amount of water in the f. Wind – high speed dusty winds, 20-30 km/hr. direction
air. Using hygrometer in F or C often changes locally
4. Precipitation – mainly rainfall but can be in the form of a g. Soil & Vegetation – v loose and sandy, poor veg.
dew. It can be measured using rain gauge in units of
inches or centimeters. 3. TEMPERATE
5. Wind – the direction, frequency, and force of the wind • Warm temperate mediterranean
throughout the year. • Wet-winter, dry-summer climate. Extremely dry summers
are caused by the sinking air of the subtropical highs and
MICROCLIMATE may last for up to 5 months
• The climate of a small, distinct area, as of a forest or city, • Plants have adapted to the extreme difference in rainfall
or of a confined space, as of a building or greenhouse and temperature between winter and summer seasons
• Fires occur frequently in mediterranean climate zones
MICROCLIMATIC CONDITIONS
1. Time of the day STATS
2. Topography • Temperature range: 7° C (12° F)
3. Water • Annual Precipitation: 42 cm (17 in)
4. Ground surfaces • Latitude Range: 30° - 50 N and S
5. Vegetation

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 TRANS: Tropical Architecture

4. COLD SITE
• This is a continental climate with long, very cold winters, • Design of site spaces to provide shade, ventilation, and
and short cool summers the cooling effects of foliage and wter
• This climate is found in the polar air mass region. Very • Provision for air circulation and evaporation
cold air masses from the arctic often move in. • Protection against driving rain and adequate runoff
• The temperature range is larger than any other climate. capacity
• Precipitation increases during summer months, although • Location of critical-use areas and routes in unexposed
annual precipitation is still small places, above the reach of tides and flooding
• Maximization, by exposure, channeling, and funneling, of
STATS the favorable effects of the breeze
• Temperature Range: 41°C (74°F), lows; -25°C (-14°F), • Use of lush foliage masses and specimen plants as
highs; 16°C (60°F) backdrop and enframement and for the interest of form,
• Average annual precipitation: 31 cm (12 in) foliage, or floral display
• Latitude Range: 50° - 70° N and S • Planning of outdoor activity areas for use in the cooler
morning and evening hours. Heat-of-the-day gathering
places should be roofed or tree-shaded
Table No. 1 Different Climate Zones and their unique temp. • Reduction or elimination of glare by plan location and
moisture characteristics well-placed tree plantings
• Elevation of use areas and walkways by deck and
Climate Zones Site Planning & Design platform construction to open them to the breeze and
reduce annoyance by insects
Hot Arid Regions - Seek to balance daily temp.
• Use of stone, concrete, metals, and treated wood only in
dry, hot summer extremes by storing energy,
contact with the ground
temp. and mild to increasing humidity, and diverting
cool winters desiccating winds
BUILDING
Hot Humid
Regions – hot Seek to increase shade, cooling from • Provision of air circulation: periodic exposure to sunlight
summer temp. and evaporation and breezes and artificial drying where required
mild to cool winter • Architectural use of the colonnade, arcade, pavilion,
Seek to promote shade and covered passageway, and veranda: orientation of
evaporative cooling warm periods, entranceways and windows away from the path of the
Hot Humid Regions and black winds and promote heat storm track
(again?) gain in cool periods, without • Design of wind-resistant structures or lighter temporary
disrupting favorable summer wind and expendable shelters
pattern. • Design of room, corridors, balconies, and patios as an
Cold Regions – interconnected system of breezeways
mild summer temp. Seek to control winter winds, and • Elevation of structures above the ground, facing into the
and very cold promote solar gain and storage breeze, and insect proofing of critical points and areas
winters • Provision of open, well-shaped ventilated storage areas:
use of fungus resistant materials and drying devices as
needed
CLIMATE-RESPONSIVE DESIGN
HOT-DRY REGIONS
WARM HUMID REGION
CONDITION
COMMUNITY • Climate Conditions
• Location of settlements in the lee of protective land a. Intense heat during the daytime
masses and forest and above the level of storm-driven b. Often intense cold at night
tides, c. Strong sunlight and glare are penetrating
• Alignment of streets and placement of gathering places d. Drying winds are prevalent, causing devastating dust
to capture all possible air currents storms
• Avoidance of natural growth insofar as feasible. e. Annual rainfall is minimal
Disturbance of the ground covers subject soils to erosion • Landscape & Vegetation
• Use of existing tree masses and promontories to provide f. Vast, open expanses
a sunscreen to public ways and places. Supplementary g. Vegetation is sparse to nonexistent, except along
planting of shade trees is often desirable watercourses
• Planned location of settlements with the arc of the sun to • Water & Agriculture
the rear not seaward, of the building sites h. Spring rains occur as cloudbursts, leading to rapid
• Location of settlements upwind of insect breeding areas runoff and heavy erosion
• Admittance of sun and breeze to building areas to reduce i. Water supply is extremely limited
fungi and mildew j. Limited agricultural productivity requires food and
goods importation
k. Irrigation is essential for survival

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 TRANS: Tropical Architecture

COMMUNITY • Exclusion of the chill night air through insulation,

• Creation of cool and refreshing islands of use within the reduction of heat loss, and use of localized radiant heat.
parched surroundings The open fireplace is a desert tradition for good reason.
• Provision of opportunities for group activity chill evenings • Clearly, architectural or landscape planning for the well-
in the desert, as on the tundra, suggest the need being of a cultural group demands an understanding not
• Adaptation of “outpost”, “fort”, and “ranch” plan patterns only of the physical nature of the region and site but also
of the people.
• Within the dispersed compounds, the planning of
compact spaces with narrow passageways and • Given a specific location within the region and a well-
colonnades to provide relief from the sun. defined program of needs, two-dimensional plan forms
can be developed to achieve a pattern of appropriate,
• Location of homesteads and trade centers in areas of
functional, and agreeable relationships.
established ground covers: use of shelterbelt tree
plantations. • Sometimes, the most important consideration in site
selection or planning is the realization of the need and
• Minimization of irrigation requirements by compact
benefits of protecting the natural environment.
planning and multiple use of planted and seeded spaces.
• Native Americans well understood that to preserve the
• Location of settlements and community centers close to
integrity of their hunting grounds, their nomadic villages
transportation and distribution nodes.
had to be widely dispersed and clustered.
• Coordination of land use and traffic patterns with existing
and projected irrigation canal routes and reservoir
locations. TROPICAL ARCHITECTURE

SITE PROBLEMS IN AREAS WITH TROPICAL CLIMATES

1. High Temperature level
• Amelioration of heat and plate by orientation away from 2. High Humidity Levels
the sun, by shading, by screening, and by the cast- 3. Slow Wind Velocities
shadow patterns of well-placed building components. 4. High Precipitation levels during rainy days
• Adoption of the corral-compound (herder) arrangement of 5. High Incidence of typhoon
homesteads and neighborhood clusters. 6. Abundance of Insects and rodents
• Recognition of the automobile as the crucial means of 7. Damp ground condition
daily transport and a dominant site-planning factor
• Screening of use areas and paths of movement from the DESIGN OBJECTIVES
direct blast of the sun 1. Minimize Heat Gain
• Protection of outdoor activity spaces from overexposure. a. Protect from direct and reflected solar radiation
• Preservation of native plant materials as self sustaining within a given urban or interior space
and handsome components of the desert landscape b. Prevent occurrence of long wave radiation within a
• Avoidance of arroyos and floodplains as development given urban or interior space
routes and sites c. Prevent materials from storing heat / protect
• Limitation in the size of parks, gardens, and seeded areas materials from heat gain
• Use of tubbed and container grown plants, drip irrigation, 2. Maximize Ventilation (but protect from typhoon wind)
and hydroponic gardening. 3. Prevent unnecessary increase in humidity levels
• Incorporation of irrigation canals, ponds, and structures 4. Have good drainage systems to accommodate high
as attractive site features precipitation during the year
5. Protect spaces from insects and rodents
BUILDING
• Low ranch-type spreads are a logical architectural
5 EXTERNAL CLIMATIC FACTORS THAT AFFECT
expression of the hot-dry climate and desert topography INTERIOR DESIGN
• Provision of cool, compact, and dim interior spaces in 1. Amount of direct sunlight (heat transfer)
contrast to the stifling heat and brilliance of the great 2. External temperature
outdoors 3. Humidity
• Sealing of all buildings against dust and wind. Airtight 4. Wind directions
openings and skillful architectural detailing are required 5. Land structure and topography
• Grouping of rooms or structures around planted and
irrigated courts and patios HEAT TRANSFER
• Provision of spring rainfall catchment and storage. Water 1. Conduction – the flow of heat through a material by
from roofs, courts, and paved areas can be directed to transfer from cool to warmer molecules in contact with
cisterns each other
• Recycling of wastewater is prescribed. The type of use 2. Radiation – transfer of energy through space by
will determine the degree of treatment and purification electromagnetic waves
required a. Measured in watts per square meter
• The provision of food and fodder storage is an important
consideration in desert building design CLIMATIC DESIGN FACTORS
• Adaptation of irrigation to interior courts and garden a. Rood pitch and materials
spaces. The evaporation of moisture from paved b. Siding materials (walls)
surfaces, fountains, spray heads, mulches, or foliage c. Infrastructure considerations
provides welcome relief from the heat d. Weather and floor plan design
• Architectural use of thick walls, high ceilings, wide roof
overhangs, limited fenestration, light reflective colors, and
a precise design response to the angles and arcs of the
sun

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 TRANS: Tropical Architecture

PASSIVE COOLING SYSTEM GENERAL CONCEPTS: LOW RISE DESIGN

• A cooling system using a buildings design and
construction to maintaining a comfortable temperature DESIGN OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES
within a building 1. Provide maximum ventilation and free air movement by
• PASSIVE DESIGN – low-energy design achieved by the large openings.
building’s particular morphological organization rather 2. Provide maximum shading of direct and diffuse solar
than electromechanical means radiation.
3. Avoid heat storage.
PASSIVE COOLING METHODS 4. Use reflective outer surfaces.
1. Building configuration, site layout / planning 5. Use ventilated double roofs.
2. Building orientation 6. Use vegetation to moderate the solar impact.
3. Facade designs
4. Solar control devices (sun shading devices) GENERAL CONCEPTS IN VENTILATION
5. Wind and natural ventilation 1. Air change – An exchange of air is necessary to prevent
6. Others: passive daylight devices, color of building both the temperature and humidity from rising above
envelope, vertical landscaping outdoor levels.
2. Electric fans – A simple active device to enhance air
circulation.
THE SOLAR PATH 3. Evaporative coolers
• In warm sunny climates, excess solar gain may result in 4. Cross ventilation
high cooling energy consumption a. Free passage of air for cross-ventilation through the
• In cold and temperate climates, winter sun entering interior is important. This can be achieved by large
south-facing windows can positively contribute to passive openings, not only in the outer walls but also in the
solar heating internal partitions. An even more efficient solution is
• Path of the sun is equal to that of single-banked rooms with access from open
o Research: knowing the position/elevation → verandahs or galleries.
Analysis: Adapting to its different movements → b. The floor is preferably elevated above the ground to
Architecture: applying the appropriate design allow for better ventilation. Houses are best built on
features that responds to the situation → stilts or at least on raised platforms.
Satisfaction: thermal comfort for the users
SUN PROTECTION
1. The intense diffuse solar radiation calls for buildings that
have large overhanging roofs and wide shaded
verandahs.
2. Row houses elongated along the east-west axis provide
the best shading of the critical east and west walls.
3. These critical east and west walls are best protected if the
house is covered with a hipped roof.

THE SITE & BUILDING LAYOUT

1. Topographical location with maximum air velocity and
shade.
ALTITUDE 2. Orientation to minimize sun radiation impact.
• Height above sea level 3. Orientation to maximize natural ventilation by winds.
4. Scattered pattern of buildings.
• The height of something above a specific level, especially
5. Hazards, mainly floods and storms, to be considered.
above sea level or the earth’s surface
• Values: 0 to 90 degrees
• At the solstices, the sun's altitude varies: (manila)
o June 21 (summer solstice, Northern Hemisphere):
Higher altitude at noon.
o December 22 (winter solstice): Lower altitude (52° in
Manila).

• general consideration: the design of effective shading

devices will depend on the solar orientation of a particular
building facade

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