Tropical Design

Design for thermal comfort using passive strategies

Tropical Architecture

Design based on climate + human comfort

Bioclimatic Design

Uses sun, wind, environment

Climate-Responsive Design

CLIMATE

Q: Most important design factor?

Climate

Tropical temperature range?

20–30°C

Humidity range?

50–100%

Summer humidity?

~60%

NE wind, Nov–Apr, cool

Amihan

SW wind, May–Oct, rainy

Habagat

Sun position along horizon

Azimuth

Height of sun above horizon

Solar Altitude

Best building orientation

Short side facing East-West

Best window direction

North (less heat, less glare)

Sunny sides

East, West, North

June 21 (longest day)

Summer Solstice

Dec 21 (shortest day)

Winter Solstice

March & September

Equinox

HEAT TRANSFER

Q: 3 Types

Conduction, Convection, Radiation

Heat transfer by fluid movement

Convection

Hot air rises, cool air enters

Stack Effect

Windward vs Leeward

Windward = positive pressure
Leeward = negative pressure

Faster air = lower pressure

Bernoulli Principle

High windows for light + air

Clerestory

Slats for air + shade

Louver

Sun breaker

Brise-soleil?

Reflects daylight inside

Light shelf

Stores heat

Thermal Mass

Absorbs excess heat

Heat Sink

Resists heat transfer

Bulk insulation

Reflects heat

Reflective insulation

Resistance to heat

R-value

Heat transfer rate

U-value

Local climate condition

Microclimate

City hotter than rural

Urban Heat Island

Outer skin of building

Building Envelope

Materials + construction

Building Fabric

Between indoor & outdoor

Transitional Space

Seasonal wind change

Monsoon

Combined effect of sun + air temp

Sol-air temperature

Ideal temp range for humans

Comfort Zone