TROPICAL DESIGN ARCHITECTURE

ASSIGNMENT NO. 1: RESEARCH WORK

FOR

AR 162: THEORY OF ARCHITECTURE 2

RESEARCH PAPER BY: CRISTOBAL, CHARLENE FAYE R.

OF

BSARCHI -1A A.Y. 2022-2022

 INTRODUCTION:
Tropical architecture is a design that is usually associated with the tropical regions and climates;
when in fact the design focuses and responds to the climatic conditions of the tropics. It studies
the significant influences that impact the architectural structures in tropical regions and develops
passive strategies to lessen the heat gains. Tropical designs also encourage air movements
throughout a house. Considering that the energy consumption for cooling a building in equatorial
regions is exceptionally high, we often use passive strategies for thermal comfort as the ideal
method of cooling.
Many people associate this design with certain aesthetics or looks. They often think of traditional
tropical designs, these are often imagined as a grand colonial mansion or a small timber hut. And
because of this, the pictures that comes to our minds are primitive houses steeped in vernacular or
resort-like villas with a wrap around verandas. Although this is not surprising—since many
traditional designs responds well with their tropical climates. Despite its occasional primitive
appearance, vernacular architecture of each region would carry their own peculiarities, which
often adapted similar principles. These includes steeply pitched roofs with large overhangs
generous window openings, and as I’ve mentioned before a wrap-around verandas. These
craftmanship and appearances are unique to the region’s artisans. However, the goal of this
design still remains as a respond to the climate.
In general, a good design includes many principles that determine tropical architecture. However,
since they address passive strategies that create buildings that are thermally comfortable in
tropical regions, they do not require mechanical ventilations. Passive strategies for thermal
comfort have two main categories. These are:

 Passive ventilation, and

 Solar shading
PASSIVE VENTILATION:
It makes use of natural forces, such as wind and thermal buoyancy, to circulate air to and from an
indoor space. These systems work to regulate the internal air temperature as well as bring fresh
air in and send stale air out.
SOLAR SHADING:
It is a method by which solar radiation in the form of heat and light can be mitigated in a
building. While natural heat and light are essential in most buildings and modern architecture
uses it more and more, there are occasions when the levels are too high.
tropical architecture allows us to create buildings that respond to the climate. As a result, they
have a lower negative impact on our environment. In general, buildings that use design strategies
for the tropics consume less energy and, by extension, not as much fossil fuels. With the heavy
focus on sustainability across the globe, more energy-efficient buildings are taking center stage.
Furthermore, architecture that responds well to its tropical climate will also have several other
sustainable benefits. They often make as little disturbance to the site or terrain as possible. Hence,
this incorporates more plants and trees and other natural elements into the design through
biophilia. More food-bearing plants and trees are also an excellent way to encourage urban or
residential agriculture and food self-sufficiency. Additionally, creating stronger indoor-outdoor
connections has long been a vital part of traditional tropical architecture. Most of these features
are not only beneficial to our environment but our health and wellbeing.
In addition, tropical architecture can often use some materials and skills that are locally available.
Doing this reduces transportation and the associated carbon footprint that leaves. Local products
and materials also tend to have a less energy-intensive manufacturing process. The
manufacturing process of materials such as concrete and steel has a far greater negative
environmental impact than brick, wood and bamboo.
Tropical Modernism is an excellent contemporary application of this approach. It emulates the
minimalist characteristics of Modernism but responds to the climatic conditions of the tropics.
This design approach tries to incorporate solar shading and passive ventilation strategies.
However, across the world, as we move closer to the year 2030, we are trying to reach more of
the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Some of these goals include taking
action against climate change, creating resilient infrastructure and building sustainable
communities. Therefore, I think we will require even more from our architecture.
Tropical architecture also needs to address climate change issues and the devasting effect it has
and will continue to have in the tropics. Hence, building resilience becomes a factor in our
designs and how more devasting natural disasters will impact it.
In addition, most of the poorest countries in the world are in the tropics. The other tropical
countries, except for a couple, are considered to be developing. It may not be directly related to
the climate, but it is a reality in tropical regions.
Materials, construction and housing costs consume a significant part of a homeowner’s income.
However, a place to live is an essential need for all. Therefore, our architecture should also
consider affordable housing that is accessible to all.
In addition, tropical countries have some of the highest population growth rates. Therefore,
providing safe, affordable housing for the rapidly growing population in the tropics is also a
concern.
The History of tropical architecture- can be traced back to the ancient Mayans, Aztec, and
Incas. These civilizations constructed some of the most astonishing architectural feats in the
region. The buildings they created were well suited to their environment – giving them a flow
and feeling still sought after by modern architects trying to emulate that style in modern
buildings.

Tropical architecture is as old as the pyramids

Over the past 6000 years there have been great civilizations that have thrived in tropical regions
of the world. They built palaces, temples, and fortresses to rule their kingdoms. But they also
build some of the best homes that could compete with any modern-day decorator out there. The
history of Tropical Architecture is an interesting story that goes back thousands of years into the
empires of the past, but it still has a present today.
Welcome to the world of pre-Hispanic Mayan architecture. Located in Mesoamerica, a part of the
ancient Mayan world, the Yucatan Peninsula served as an incubator for modern and ancient
tropical architecture and artifacts. In fact, it is from these mystical lands that the term “Tropical
Architecture” was derived.
The first rudimentary structures were based on materials readily available at the time, such as
wood or limestone. These materials, however, required more maintenance than their stonier
counterparts: stone structures were extremely resistant to humidity and pests, while wood tended
to degrade from both moisture and fungus.
There are a lot of people today seeking to learn how were homes built in the Mayan time. One of
the great historical monuments that are being investigated is the Mayan pyramid that stands
proudly and majestically as the oldest human-made structure on earth.
Colonial Homes
The architectural style of colonial homes and buildings in the tropics is different from that of
other countries because it is influenced by the local climate, particularly the near sun-soaked
countryside.
Caribbean colonial architecture focuses mostly on the parts of a house that are traditionally
influenced by the tropical climates. The interior design or style of a house is often created with
variations of wood or other natural materials.
People living in these islands generally do not usually build adobe-style houses that are popular
in other countries such as Mexico. Instead, they create homes by combining the traditional ideas
of home design with styles from European Countries. Furniture is also usually made from
hardwood, mahogany, and other solid woods to help keep the homes protected from hurricanes
and storms.
Imagine life before air-conditioning, in a colony where inhabitants suffered from tropical
diseases all year round. Life was hard, and it was no wonder that these houses were sparsely
furnished.
Modern tropical architecture
Modern tropical architecture takes on a new meaning in many parts of the world. There is
nothing wrong with these design inputs, whether rustic or just well-crafted from the first place.
These places are there and they are there to stay, even in the face of building codes and other
regulatory rules. That is because they are found to be perfectly harmonic with nature and they
blend in a manner that does justice to the environment as well. In short, the modern tropical
architecture is not something that will come out of a box of cold metal and brick; rather it will
always have some characteristics associated with that area or even those that are global in nature.