TROPICAL ARCHITECTURE

WORDS: AR. RAVINA, UAP

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WELCOME TO THE HAVEN OF
TROPICAL ARCHITECTURE

THIS IS WHERE FORM FOLLOWS CLIMATE

It is a type of green building strategy
applicable specifically for tropical
climates, using design to optimally
reduce the energy consumption of the
building, particularly on the active air
conditioning system.

It 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.

A climate responsive architecture where

the buildings are specifically designed
to achieve thermal comfort at a tropical
region.

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Tropical architecture works to
achieve thermal comfort
through the use of design
elements, such as :

Sunshades, overhangs, eaves,

brise soliel, pergola

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THE BRISE SOLIEL (SUN BREAKER) AT THE MILWAUKEE ART
MUSEUM BY ARCHITECT SANTIAGO CALATRAVA

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 The design principles of tropical architecture include:

REGIONAL CLIMATIC SITE SELECTION SOL-AIR

EVALUATION ELEMENTS ORIENTATION

SOLAR CONTROL ON WIND EFFECTS AND THERMAL EFFECTS BIOMIMETIC

THE BUILDING AND AIRFLOW PATTERNS OF MATERIALS THINKING
ENVIRONMENT
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BIOMIMICRY THINKING

Biomimetics or biomimicry is the imitation of the models, systems, and elements of

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nature for the purpose of solving complex human problems. (From Wikipedia) 2014 USC CAFA IPD
 Cactus-inspired design for the new Minister of Municipal
Affairs & Agriculture (MMAA) building in Qatar

The spectacular office building and adjoining botanical dome is

a great example of biomimicry, a discipline that studies nature’s
best ideas and then imitates these designs and processes to
solve human problems.

This increasingly prominent approach has yielded advances in

fields as diverse as aerodynamics, robotic navigation, clothing
design,UAVs and the detection of water pollution.

It seems that architects too can learn from nature.

The design, by Bangkok-based firm Aesthetics Architects GO

Group, takes its form from the hardy cactus plant with it’s
ability to thrive in harsh desert climates, very apt for Qatar, a
hot country covered in sand which has an average rainfall of
only 3.2 inches
The MMAA building, dubbed the cactus project has been
designed with energy efficiency in mind; sun shades on
the windows can be opened or closed to suit the
prevailing temperature (thus mimicking the activity of
the cactus which performs transpiration at night rather
than during the day in order to retain water).

The dome at the base of the tower will house a botanical

garden which for extra green points could include an
edible garden and use plants to clean up waste water.
 General Objective:

To learn about architecture in the

tropics (Cebu, Philippines) in order
to develop the skill to analyze a
particular condition and to be able
to create appropriate design
solutions that will ensure a good
thermal environment for human
comfort.

TROPICAL ARCHITECTURE
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 TROPICAL ARCHITECTURE
Instructive Objectives:

1. To exercise the analytical capacity of the designer in order to

draw conclusions and create design solutions that will
respond to the specific climatic condition.
2. To widen the learning experience and the challenge of the
creative process through:
- Exposure
- Investigation
- Observation
- Experimentation
- Team Analysis
- General Discussions

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 Specific Objectives:
1. To understand better the climatic
elements and their effects in the specific
locality, including potential natural
hazards.
2. To know and apply the concept of Human
Comfort Zone through the use of
bioclimatic tools.
3. To be aware of the need for adequate
climatic design.
4. To learn the wealth of information from
vernacular architecture and from
biomimetic thinking.
5. To plan and design a residential house
based on the principles of tropical
architecture in an urban setting.

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TROPICAL ARCHITECTURE
 TROPICAL ARCHITECTURE
Methodology:
• Theoretical and practical lectures
presented with plenty of visual images
and examples.
• Practice based on active participation of
the students in class discussions, case
studies, and other various exercises.
• Possible field trip to the Archival Eco
House in Talamban.

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Evaluation System:
• Class standing- participation, individual and group work --------- 25%
• Theoretical examinations -------------------------------------------------- 25%
• Design Project Output
(A Residence in a Tropical Hot-Humid Climate) ------------ 25%
• Field Trip ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 25%

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Reference:
Introduction to Architecture Science: The Basis of Sustainable Design
By Steven V. Szokolay

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