Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Tropical Design Guidelines
Tropical Design Guidelines
-1. INTRODUCTION_
David Randerson dKO Architecture
2. HISTORY_
Background to Darwin Architecture
3. ENVIRONMENTAL PRINCIPLES
Building Design for Climate
The Breezeway Concept
Cross-Flow Ventilation
Semi-Enclosed Living
4. BUILDING APPEARANCE
The Street
Darwin Lifestyle
5. CURRENT EXAMPLES
Photos
INDEX
background to Darwin architecture HISTORY
Designed by government architect Beni Burnett,
this ‘K’ type house was completed in 1939. It
was intended as accomodation for senior public
servants.
3TYLE $ESCRIPTION
s 4HIS FOUR BEDROOM ELEVATED HOUSE WAS
DESIGNED BY THE GOVERNMENT ARCHITECT "#' "URNETT
s )T IS ONE OF OVER FIFTY HOUSES CONSTRUCTED IN $ARWIN DURING THIS PERIOD BY THE SAME
ARCHITECT
s /RIGINS OF THE HOUSE LIE IN THE !NGLO )NDIAN BUNGALOW HEAVILY INFLUENCED BY TRADITIONAL
AND "RITISH COLONIAL ARCHITECTURE OF THE 3TRAITS 3ETTLEMENTS -ALAYSIA
s ,OCAL INFLUENCES ARE ALSO EVIDENT IN THE MATERIALS USED AND DETAILS SUCH AS LOUVRES AND
SHUTTERS
&EATURES
s 4HIS HOUSE IS CHARACTERISED BY A STEEP PITCHED ROOF AND EXPOSED RAFTERS
s 4HE $UTCH GABLE ROOF IS BRACKETED BACK TO THE WALLS ON THE EASTERN AND WESTERN SIDES
WITH EXPOSED RAFTERS AND FRAMING
s ! COMBINATION OF LOUVRES GLAZED CASEMENT CORNER WINDOWS AND TOP HUNG SOLID SHUTTERS
PROVIDE LARGE OPENINGS TO THE PRINCIPAL ROOMS
s 4HE BUILDING STANDS ON ROUND CONCRETE PIERS THAT ARE CLOSELY SPACED AND BRACED TO THE
FLOOR FRAMING WITH STEEL BRACKETS
s 4HE INTERIORS ARE CHARACTERISED BY A LARGE OPEN CENTRAL LIVING AREA AND ROOMS OFF THIS
CENTRAL SPACE
s 4HE CEILINGS ARE RELATIVELY HIGH AT M ABOVE THE FLOOR
s )NTERNAL WALLS ARE OFTEN PART HEIGHT M HIGH WITH LOUVRES ALONG THE BASE OF THE WALLS
TO ENCOURAGE BREEZES TO FLOW THROUGH ALL THE ROOMS
-ATERIALS
s 'ENERALLY POLISHED #YPRESS 0INE FLOORS
s LOCALLY MILLED #YPRESS 0INE WALL FLOOR AND ROOF FRAMING
s PAINTED FLAT FIBRE CEMENT SHEET LINING FIXED TO INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL WALLS AND CEILINGS
WITH COVER BATTENS AT THE SHEET JOINTS FORMING A PATTERN ON THE SURFACE
s ROOF WAS LINED WITH CORRUGATED ASBESTOS FIBRE CEMENT SHEETING AND SOME HOUSES
RETAIN THIS ROOF CLADDING HOWEVER IN MANY CASES IT HAS BEEN REPLACED WITH CORRUGATED
GALVANISED IRON
s ORIGINALLY LOUVRES WERE MADE FROM ASBESTOS FIBRE CEMENT SHEET IN AN ELONGATED @S SHAPE
4HESE LOUVRES WERE DEVELOPED ESPECIALLY FOR $ARWIN AND SOLD AS THE h$ARWIN ,OUVREv
&EW BUILDINGS HOWEVER RETAIN THESE ORIGINAL LOUVRES
0ARAP $ARWIN MODIFIED $ (OUSE LONG THIN HOUSE ONE ROOM WIDE TO AID CROSS VENTILATION
3TYLE $ESCRIPTION
s %LEVATED THREE BEDROOM
s LAUNDRY STOREROOM AND ACTIVITY AREA UNDER THE HOUSE
s TYPICAL OF HOUSES BUILT BY GOVERNMENT NAMED 4YPE $
&EATURES
s %LEVATED IN THE TREETOPS TO CATCH THE BREEZE 5NDERNEATH THE HOUSE IS SPACE FOR CAR
PARKING AND EXTRA SHADY SPACE TO PLAY OR RELAX
s &LYSCREENS HAVE BEEN REMOVED TO INCREASE THE AIRFLOW THIS ALSO LETS IN SOME BUGS BIRDS
AND FROGS
s 4HE LARGE LOUVRED WINDOWS AND TIMBER FRAMED WALLS WITH METAL CLADDING LET THE HOUSE
COOL DOWN QUICKLY AT NIGHT WHEN THE AIR TEMPERATURE DROPS 4HIS TYPE OF CONSTRUCTION
ALSO MEANS YOU CAN HEAR THE
NEIGHBOURS TELEPHONE RINGING AND THE
BATS CRYING LIKE BABIES AT NIGHT
s 4REES ARE PLANTED TO SHADE THE
HOUSE THROUGH THE HOT HOURS OF THE
DAY
-ATERIALS
s #OLUMNS AND BRACING ARE STEEL
s FLOOR IS #YPRESS 0INE SUPPORTED ON
)NDONESIAN HARDWOOD JOISTS
s WALL CLADDING IS METAL
s ROOF IS METAL WITH A TEN DEGREE PITCH
s ORIGINAL WINDOWS WERE FULL HEIGHT
Darwin Elevated
GLASS LOUVRES THAT WERE REPLACED WITH
SLIDING WINDOWS
s CEILING FANS ARE THROUGHOUT THE HOUSE
Muirhead - Darwin
Muirhead - Darwin
3TYLE $ESCRIPTION
s 0$# WERE A FIRM OF PROJECT HOME BUILDERS WHO REBUILT
WHOLE SUBURBS OF $ARWIN AFTER #YCLONE 4RACY 4HEY HAD
ONLY FOUR HOUSE TYPES AND THEY LAID OUT THE STREETS WITH
MILITARY PRECISION SO THAT EACH HOUSE HAD THE SAME SETBACK
AND WAS ON THE SAME ANGLE
s 4HIS HOUSE IS TYPICAL OF THE RECONSTRUCTION WHICH TOOK
PLACE AFTER #YCLONE 4RACY -ANY HOUSES WERE DAMAGED OR
DESTROYED BY THE CYCLONE AND REGULATIONS WERE MADE BY
THE GOVERNMENT TO MAKE @STRONGER HOUSES
&EATURES
s %NCLOSED AND BOXY IN PLAN
s SMALL HOPPER STYLE WINDOWS
s HEAVYWEIGHT CONSTRUCTION OF BRICK AND CONCRETE
s NARROW EAVES
s SMALL VERANDAHS
s LOW OR SHALLOW ROOF PITCH
s 4HE LIGHTWEIGHT MATERIALS AND LARGE LOUVRED WINDOWS THAT WERE USED BEFORE 4RACY WERE
REPLACED BY CONCRETE SLAB OR BRICK WALLS LOW OR FLAT ROOF PITCHES SMALL BOXY ROOMS AND
SMALL HOPPER STYLE WINDOWS
s 4HE BUILDINGS DO NOT ALLOW FOR THEIR TROPICAL ENVIRONMENT THEY HEAT UP DO NOT ALLOW
CROSS VENTILATION AND COOLING BREEZES TO ENTER AND HAVE SMALL VERANDAHS SO THAT OUTDOOR
LIVING IS NOT POSSIBLE
-ATERIALS
s #ONCRETE CEILINGS AND WALLS
s CONCRETE SLABS ON THE GROUND
s ALUMINIUM FRAMED WINDOWS
Muirhead - Darwin
Green Can
707156 Muirhead Master Planning CONTEXT
4ROPPO @'REEN #AN
0ERIOD
3TYLE $ESCRIPTION
s 3TEEPLY PITCHED ROOF WITH CURVED TOP
LIKE A GREEN CAN
s OPEN PLAN WITH A VERANDAH STYLE LIVING
AREA
s THE KITCHEN BATHROOM AND LAUNDRY
HAVE A SEPARATE ROOF AND ARE SEPARATED
FROM THE HOUSE BY A VERANDAH STYLE
CORRIDOR WITH A HALF CAN ROOF
s THE STRUCTURAL FRAME OF THE HOUSE IS
EXPOSED FOR ALL TO SEE
&EATURES
s 4HIS HOUSE IS TYPICAL OF THE HOUSES BUILT BY 4ROPPO !RCHITECTS )T HAS DESIGN FEATURES THAT
MAKE IT COMFORTABLE TO LIVE IN THE TROPICAL CLIMATE WITHOUT THE NEED FOR AIR CONDITIONING
s 4HE PLAN IS OPEN AND LARGE LOUVRED WINDOWS ALLOW THE BREEZE TO COOL THE HOUSE
s ,IGHTWEIGHT CONSTRUCTION OF CEMENT SHEET AND CORRUGATED IRON DO NOT STORE THE HEAT
s 7IDE EAVES PROTECT FROM THE SUN AND THE RAIN
s 6ERANDAHS ALLOW FOR OUTDOOR LIVING
s 3TEEP ROOF PITCH MEANS THAT HOT AIR WHICH NATURALLY RISES MOVES AWAY FROM THE PEOPLE
IN THE HOUSE
s 6ENTS AT THE TOP OF THE ROOF ALLOW THE HOT AIR TO ESCAPE
-ATERIALS
s #ORRUGATED IRON
s CEMENT SHEET
s TIMBER LATTICE
s TIMBER FLOOR
Muirhead - Darwin
high humidity (+70-80%) moderately high air temperature moderately high solar radiation
mainly overhead
small range in diurnal and annual high rainfall damp earth + flooding subject to cyclones/hurricanes
temperature
S Masterplan Option
climate characteristics
D H A M u i r h e a d 1:1000@A1 08.04.2008
4 key Measures. The design conTrols will be a siMple docuMenT
Shaded walls
Thick and insulated roof + wide eaves Insulate non shaded areas and tree provides shade
to shade walls provide reflective surface
wind pushes down
5xh
openable walls
pergola shading or sliding
POS elements
y Shade outdoor spaces, walls Provide lightweight construction provide tall trees for shade
and openings no walls are required. and to direct the breeze through the
building
climate analysis
Muirhead will develop The concepT planning ouTcoMes Through 4 key
le planning principles. The five eleMenTs are -
dry season
breezes
Thi
to s
<5xh
wet season
linear rectangular breezes
use plans with one room depth to Separation of primary living areas The distance between should be generally S
encourage ideal movement of breezes capturing prevailing breezes in residential be 5 time the height, except where a
through the building. living areas communities is essential. Avoid wind buildings are elevated from surrounding
should be orientated to capture shadow. dwellings.
prevailing breezes.
siting principles
DESIGN ELEMENTS DESIGN ESSENTIALS BEST PRACTICE DESIGN OPTIONS
SUBDIVISION Provide a variation in lot intergate smaller lot sizes throughout the communitY Providing
sizes Within the standard consistant large street frontage across the communtY.
residential grid.
Provide lots that are orientatied to the Prevailing Breezes.
SITING site for eXPosure to use Plans With one room dePth to encourage ideal movement of
Prevailing Brezes. Breezes through the Building (cross ventilation).
WALLS use reflective insulation, minimise eXPosed east and West Walls. shade all Walls from sun.
The ‘breezeway’ lot provides a
and BulK insulation if grid orientation that is designed to
mechanicallY cooling. use for internal Walls consider the treatment of Potential Barries
light coloured Wall to the Path of Breeze through the house. maximise the prevailing breezes from
materials. design and Build site to site. The physical separation of
for cYclonic conditions.
the building is determined regardless
CLIP-ONS shade the Whole Building in eXtended vertical screens can modifY otherWise unfavouraBlY
of lot size.
summer and Winter. Provide oriented oPenings to imProve natural ventilation
shaded screened verandas
for indoor-outdoor living,
Provide outdoor sPace that addresses the street.
Outdoor living areas should be
and sleePout sPaces. located along this ‘breezeway’ to
efficiently capture its cooling affects.
the street
the lot
a wide rectangular lot - cool breezes and the big side yard
bed
bed
bath
kitchen laundry
living 1 living 2
cars trailer
1 Problem: Current Darwin plans are rectangular and deep and this stops breezes, cross-
ventilation and a good relationship with the environment (the yard, the street
and the greater landscape)
Solution:
2 Problem: A fat floor plan is lazy and takes over the lot.
Solution:
1. The bulk of the rooms should be located within half of the lot.
2. Group the small boxy rooms (bedrooms, bathroom and laundry) into a cluster and get
them out of the way.
3. These can be cheap and cheerful and stock standard in look and form (2550mm flat
plasterboard ceilings).
4. Focus on a key living / dining area and give it the prominent street address and an 1 1
‘outdoor feel’.
5. This space should be given the the unique ‘Tropical’ makeover.
6. Make the kitchen the ‘control hub’ of the house (don’t hide it out the back).
Problem: Modern architecture looks like it would struggle in the wet with no eaves and
3 Solution:
and shallow roofs.
1. Use big roofs and overhangs to provide shade and weather protection.
SIDE (MIDDLE)
AN ENCLOSED
‘VERANDAH’
MAINTAIN THIN
BUILDING
SIDE (MIDDLE 2)
SIDE (FRONT)
THE FRONT DECK
& ELEVATED VIEW
TO THE STREET
SIDE (FRONT)
SIDE (STREET)
FRONT GARDEN
NATIVE VEG AS PART
OF STREET
1000 m
the lot
a big side yard on a wide shallow lot ODOUR BUFFER
1 Problem: Housing lots are sometimes too narrow for the tropics.
Solution:
1. Do not go below 18-20m in width.
3. Define a building footprint with ample setbacks and/or articulation to create the impression of space and to
accept cooling breezes.
Rear lot compression is a fundamental Murihead principle. The key is to maintain a constant lot width no matter
the lot size so any change in the mix (including affordable housing) is not self evident from the street.
Solution:
1. Create a ‘side yard’ made up of a number of spaces that are visually and physically linked.
2. Use a thin living space that dose not impede a long ‘green view’ from the backyard all the way through
to the street.
3. Take the heat off the front façade by looking through it.
4. Create one big robust/consolidated ‘outdoor’ space not a collection of little resort style
courtyards that can deal with the top end lifestyle.
8m max
living 8m max
living
living 8m max
living rooms
bedrooms
ENSUITE
LAUNDRY BED 1
form created
BED 2
by envelope Breezeway
BED 3
FAMILY
Greenway
tyPe 1
BED 3
INDOOR-OUTDOOR INTERACTION
LIVING 2
30m
GARAGE
KITCHEN LIVING 1
Garage integrated into plan,
subordinate to house facade. Wide frontage of living zones
Screened Add screens for shade
verandah and privacy
allows cool-
ing breezes
through
living zones.
Front
living areas extend onto ve-
randahs with larger outdoor
20m living to the rear
tyPe 2
LAUNDRY
BED 4 BATH
BED 3
Big rear yard on Single room al-
grade, children lows
play backyard cross-ventilation.
cricket. BED 2
LIVING 2
Secondary family
enclosed veran-
living space.
dah allowing cool-
ing breezes into
home.
extension of
internal living
areas. eyes on
the street.
tyPe 3
BATH
BED 2
Distinct separation of
20m LIVING
public + private spaces
KITCHEN BED 1
20 x 20 lot size
allows diversity
elevated living areas to capture cooling breezes
in suitable house
orientation.
20m
Living zones on two levels
taking advantage of cooler
areas + activating the
traditional
street level
elevated
design to add
diversity to
streetscape
outdoor living area
screened from street
PREFERED ORIENTATION
18-20
30
30m
ouse Type 1- Breezeway N
Single Level
SUPER LOT MATRIX
• HOUSE
preferred lot allocation
• Family Home
3 4
• 3 bedrooms 1 1 1 1 1
• 2 bathroom
3 4
• double front loaded garage
• Living wing
2 is 2located
2 in breeze
2 2corridor
4
• plan
3 is designed to be one room deep to
maximise cross ventilation
• front porch to provide active street frontage
• big side yard
• external courtyard living area
1:1000@A1 08.04.2008
House Type 2- Small Lot
Single Level
18-20m
LOT SIZE AND TYPE
PREFERED ORIENTATION
18-20
25
25m
N
Single Level
SUPER LOT MATRIX
•HOUSE
preferred lot allocation
• Affordable Home
• 3 bedrooms1 1 1 1 1
• 2 bathroom
3 4
• double front loaded garage
• wide street
2 frontage
2 integrates
2 2 with
2 adjoining
homes, shallow lot saves money
• Living wing is located in breeze corridor to
maximise cross ventilation
• front porch to provide active street frontage
• big side yard
• external courtyard living area
1:1000@A1 08.04.2008
20
27-30m
27
Double Level/Front
N
Loaded Upper Floor
HOUSELOT MATRIX
SUPER
• preferred lot allocation
• Duplex
• affordable homes
• 2/37 bedrooms 1
• shared bathroom
• through living on ground floor No
• Unit 1 single attached front loaded garage
4
8
• Unit 2 double detached rear loaded garage
• 180 sqm living
Ground Floor
1:1000@A1 08.04.2008
Note that in this simulation all the openings for each house in the development were open. This
allowed air to move more freely from one side of the development to other. If the openings in the
houses on the northern side of the development were closed, slower speeds may be experienced on
the southern side of the development due to the additional obstruction of doors. The detrimental effect
of closed openings would be small, however, in light of the large number of air changes per hour
reported.
Figure 19: Velocity vectors coloured by air speed for House 2 in north-westerly wind conditions.
Figure 17: Velocity vectors coloured by air speed for House 1 in north-westerly wind conditions.
Figure 20: Streamlines coloured by air speed are shown near House 2. The streamlines show the air blown from a
north-westerly heading (right hand side of the figure) and through the open living area of House 2.
Figure 18: Streamlines coloured by air speed are shown near House 1. The streamlines show the air blown from a
north-westerly heading (right hand side of the figure) and through the open living area of House 1.
DHA Muirhead
DHA Muirhead Wind and Ventilation Analysis
Figure 21: Velocity vectors coloured by air speed for House 3 in north-westerly wind conditions. Figure 23: Velocity vectors coloured by air speed for House 4 in north-westerly wind conditions.
Figure 22: Streamlines coloured by air speed are shown near House 3. The streamlines show the air blown from a Figure 24: Streamlines coloured by air speed are shown near House 4. The streamlines show the air blown from a
north-westerly heading (right hand side of the figure) and through the open living area of House 3. north-westerly heading (right hand side of the figure) and through the open living area of House 4.
Figure 26: Streamlines coloured by air speed are shown near House 5. The streamlines show the air blown from a Figure 28: Streamlines coloured by air speed are shown near House 6. The streamlines show the air blown from a
north-westerly heading (right hand side of the figure) and through the open living area of House 5. north-westerly heading (right hand side of the figure) and through the open living area of House 6.
Figure 32: Streamlines coloured by air speed are shown near House 8. The streamlines show the air blown from a Figure 30: Streamlines coloured by air speed are shown near House 7. The streamlines show the air blown from a
north-westerly heading (right hand side of the figure) and through the open living area of House 8. north-westerly heading (right hand side of the figure) and through the open living area of House 7.
the STREET
Indicative Streetscape
The vision is to create a neighbourhood
that is laid back, open and leafy and
embraces the Darwin lifestyle. This
lifestyle is facilitated by a well-located,
well-planned neighbourhoods that are
considered both the social and physical
environment.
CHARACTER
Mix of lightweight
and masonry
construction
MATERIAL PALETTE
Roof form in detached housing,
has significant influence on the
character of the streetscape. The
objective is to provide a variety
of roof forms that complement
Simple roof form
the home and to provide the
and deep eaves
opportunity for distinct and
regionally appropriate designs
C R E AT E A P R O M I N E N T S T R E E T A D D R E S S W I T H A N ‘ O U T D O O R ’ F E E L . . .
Welcoming verandah
Active surveillance
NATURAL SURVEILLANCE
Positive relationship to
street
CURRENT EXAMPLES
CURRENT EXAMPLES
CURRENT EXAMPLES
CURRENT EXAMPLES
dry season
breezes
Shaded walls
1. home design principles tree provides shade
Contain a description of core planning principles <5xh Thick and insulated roof + wide eaves Insulate non shaded areas and wind pushes down
to shade walls provide reflective surface
for the community. They cover elements such openable walls
as front setbacks, garages, private open space, pergola shading
POS
or sliding
elements
environmentally sustainable design and linear rectangular
wet season N
breezes
services.
Use plans with one room depth to Separation of primary living areas The distance between should be generally Shade outdoor spaces, walls Provide lightweight construction Provide tall trees for shade
capturing prevailing breezes in residential and openings no walls are required.
encourage ideal movement of breezes be 5 time the height, except where and to direct the breeze through the
through the building. Living areas communities is essential. Avoid wind buildings are elevated from surrounding building
should be orientated to capture shadow. dwellings.
prevailing breezes.
2. architectural character
requirements
Contain a description of the mandatory character
elements the dwelling facades must achieve.
Examples of appropriate elevations, materials,
colours, verandahs, and entry features will be
provided as a kit of parts for integration with the
facade design.
Positive relationship to the street Front Porch The Greenway Decent Hat The Breezway One Room Deep
The home classification plan contains a Envelopes for all allotments are provided linear plan
LAUNDRY
BATH
BED 1
classification for each lot type, examples which govern building form, Private open form created
BED 2
by envelope Breezeway
of planning principles, internal and space location, garage location, entry
BED 3
external are given for each type. This location and location of living areas.
is supplemented with an example FAMILY
floor plans to demonstrate the desired Building envelope plans will in be in excess
KITCHEN LIVING DINING
outcome. of the setbacks and will dictate the desired
home planning outcome.
GARAGE
Front Setback
Greenway N
Setback Plan Building Envelope Plan Zoning Plan Floor Plan Type 1