DON HONORIO VENTURA STATE UNIVERSITY

Villa de Bacolor, Pampanga

College of Engineering and Architecture
Department of Architecture
LESSON 06
TROPICAL ARCHITECTURE
""Architecture is the masterly, correct, and magnificent play of
masses brought together in light. Our eyes are made to see
forms in light; light and shade reveal these forms. Cubic forms,
sweeping away chaos, organizing comfort."
- Le Corbusier
V I L L A S AV OY E
Poissy, France
VP oIi sLs yL, AF r a nSc AV
e
OY E designed by Le Corbusier, is
considered a seminal work of
modernist architecture.

LE CORBUSIER
Charles-Édouard Jeanneret-Gris

FIVE POINTS IN ARCHITECTURE

• Pilotis (pillars)
• roof garden
• open floor plan
• long windows
• open facades
V I L L A S AV OY E
Poissy, France

Le Corbusier's Villa Savoye is a modernist masterpiece located in France

and is not specifically designed for tropical climates. It was designed for
a temperate climate, and its architectural principles may not directly
apply to tropical architecture, which requires consideration of unique
environmental factors, such as high temperatures, humidity, heavy
rainfall, and abundant sunlight.

However, some design principles used in Villa Savoye, such as open

floor plans, large windows for natural light and ventilation, and
integration with nature through gardens and outdoor spaces, could be
relevant to tropical architecture. These features can be adapted and
incorporated into tropical architecture designs to optimize natural
ventilation, daylighting, and connection with the outdoor
environment, which are important considerations in tropical climates.

Additionally, Villa Savoye's elevated pilotis, which lift the building

above the ground, and the use of horizontal windows for views and
privacy, could be relevant in tropical areas prone to flooding or with
concerns about privacy and security.
BAHAY KUBO
 BP hAi l i H AY
ppines
K U B O
In the tropical setting of the Philippines, Passive cooling
techniques have been in use since Pre-Colonial times.
Bahay Kubo is designed as an adaptation to its tropical
environment.

DESIGN CONCEPTS
& STRATEGIES
 2. FLEXIBLE FRAMING

Bamboo-made to allow it to sway during

earthquakes

1 . E L E VAT E D O N S T I LT S
Raised up on hardwood stilts which serve as the
main posts of the house, Bahay Kubo have a silong
area under the living space for a number of reasons,
the most important of which are to create a buffer
area for rising waters during floods and to prevent
pests such as rats from getting up to the living area.
 4.AWNING WINDOWS

For sun shading and precipitation protection

3.LARGE WINDOWS

To facilitate cross ventilations

 6 .T H ATC H WA L L S

Low u-values (thermal resistance)

BAHAY NA
5. WIDE OVERHANGS
BATO
For the window’s protection from solar
radiation and rain
BP hAi l i H AY
ppines
N A B ATO
Is the evolutionary birth of the Philippines’ ancestral
house which adapted the features of the Bahay Kubo. Its
architecture evolved in order to adapt to local
environment condition in the Philippines
1.STONE AND MASONRY

Elevated from damp ground by stone on the

ground floor

2.HIGH PITCH ROOF

Creating a large air space between the roof and

ceiling.

3 . W I D E “A L E RO ”
Eaves that provide sun shading for window
openings.
4 . V E N TA N I L L A S

Large windows and Ventanillas

below the windows to take full
advantage of cross ventilation

5 . L AT T I C E D V E N T S

Underside the wide eaves that

allow breeze to enter floor
cavity preventing hot air from
accumulating
6.GALLERIA VOLADA 7. OPERABLE LOUVERS
Double wall system or double- layered façade Or the principle we recognize as jalousies on
in modern buildings to further protect the the exterior of the building
space from heat gain
8. CLAR ROOF TILES

As roofing materials to keep the

Bahay na Bato cool in
temperature.
20 TH
CENTURY
ARCHITECTURE
 20TH CENTURY
ARCHITECTURE
Philippines

The goal of tropical architecture is to achieve

thermal comfort through the use of passive
design elements. These houses would then be
designed with sunshades, overhangs, cavity
walls, and light shelves in order to block the
sun. Roof and wall insulation would also be
installed as added protection.
 THE
ANATOMY
OF A
TROPICAL
HOUSE

20TH CENTURY ARCHITECTURE

THE
ANATOMY
OF A
TROPICAL
HOUSE
 THE
ANATOMY
OF A
TROPICAL
HOUSE

20TH CENTURY ARCHITECTURE

 THE
ANATOMY
OF A
TROPICAL
HOUSE

20TH CENTURY ARCHITECTURE

 THE
ANATOMY
OF A
TROPICAL
HOUSE

20TH CENTURY ARCHITECTURE

 THE
ANATOMY
OF A
TROPICAL
HOUSE

20TH CENTURY ARCHITECTURE

 THE
ANATOMY
OF A
TROPICAL
HOUSE

20TH CENTURY ARCHITECTURE

THANK YOU.
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