TROPICAL DESIGN

TROPICAL ARCHITECTURE

a climate responsive architecture where the buildings are specifically designed to achieve thermal comfort in a tropical region

THERMAL COMFORT

human comfort as determined by the ability of the body to dissipate the heat and moisture.

24 degree celcius

WHAT DEGREE IS THE COMFORTABLE THERMAL COMFORT IN TROPICAL COUNTRIES

HEAT

thermal condition of the atmosphere at high temperature

HUMIDITY

it is the presence of water vapor in the air

CLIMATE

it is the usual condition of the temperature in the atmosphere for a long time

WEATHER

it is the day to day condition

THE CONCEPT OF A GEOGRAPHICAL ZONE WAS FIRST HYPOTHESIZED BY THE GREEK SCHOLAR

parmenides

CLIMATIC DESIGN

it is the process of identifying, understanding and controlling the climatic influences at the building site

KOPPEN CLIMATE CALSSIFICATION

the most commonly used climate map developed by Wladimir Peter Koppen

ARCTIC

characterized by long cold winters and short cool summers

EQUATORIAL

it is usually found along the equator

TEMPERATE

it is between tropics and polar regions

TROPICAL AND SUB TROPICAL

it is where temperature remains relatively constant throughout the year.

CLIMATE

it is the long- pattern of weather in a particular area.

WET (RAIN FOREST)

the most predictable weather on earth, with warm temperature and regular rainfall

MONSOON

a wind system that reverses its direction every six months

SOLAR RADIATION

a radiant energy emitted by the sun, particularly electromagnetic energy

SUN PATH ORIENTATION

the sun’s position in the sky changes throughout the day and seasonally

CONDUCTION

a process of heat transfer from warmer to cooler temperature within a solid material

CONVECTION

a process of heat transfer by circulation or movement of hot particles

RADIATION

involves the interchange of electromagnetic waves between surfaces that are different temperature

AIR TEMPERATURE

is a measure how hot or cold the air is using thermometer

WIND

the natural movement of air

ANEMOMETER

it is used in measuring the wind velocity

HUMIDITY

amount of water vapor in the atmosphere

ABSOLUTE HUMIDITY

the amount of water vapor present in given mass of air at particular time and temperature

RELATIVE HUMIDITY

the ratio of the amount of water vapor present in the atmosphere to the maximum amount of water vapor the air can hold

PRECIPITATION

the product of the condensation of atmospheric water vapor

TROPICAL DESIGN

passive cooling

PASSIVE COOLING

design with no mechanical equipment used to induced comfort conditions

INDUCING AIR MOVEMENTS

relevant for areas with temperature variations of 10 degree celsius

CORIOLIS EFFECT

the rotation of earth deflects the air

SEA BREEZE

wind from the sea directed toward land

LAND BREEZE

wind from land directed to sea

NORTHEAST MONSOON (AMIHAN)

the winter monsoon

SOUTHWEST MONSOON (HABAGAT)

the summer monsoon

SUN SHADING

reduce the amount of radiation by reflection and absorption

BUILDING ORIENTATION

minimizes solar gain, maximize natural ventilation

MAXIMUM VENTILATION

to better indoor air quality and achieve thermal comfort

CROSS VENTILATION

SINGLE SIDED VENTILATION

STACK VENTILATION

PALACIO DA ALVORADA

one of the notable building design by Oscar Niemeyer

BRASILIA, BRAZIL

location of Palacio da Alvorada (Palace of the Dawn)

LUCIO COSTA

urban planner of Palacio da Alvorada

MODERNIST STYLE

distinctive feature of Palacio da Alvorada, Niemeyer’s signature style

OSCAR NIEMEYER

a prominent brazilian architect and one of the most influential figures in modern architect

TRADITIONAL DWELLINGS

primarily attributed to advancements in technology, materials and design

MODERN BUILDINGS

typically constructed with advanced materials equipped with sophisticated mechanical system for heating, cooling and ventilation, and design with a focus on ergonomics, convenience and aesthetics

SEMINOLE HOUSE

allows for greater control over the indoor environments, resulting in higher level of comfort

SHELTER

main instrument for fulfilling the requirements of comfort

DESIGNER

architect’s problem is to produce an environment which will not place undue stress upon the body’s heat-compensation mechanism

COMFORT

one of the main purposes of buildings other than ensuring safety and privacy

MECHANIZATION

vernacular architectural styles of the tropics were gradually replaced by sealed concrete boxes without operable windows, fans or external sunshades

INDIGENOUS STRUCTURES

provide a remarkably high degree of thermal comfort in sometime hostile environments

VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE

first step towards a sustainable form of architecture

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of the future generation

TYPICAL MODERN 20th CENTURY ARCHITECTURE

characteristically thrown out of all the lessons of both indigenous and vernacular building and relied on mechanical heating and cooling

VILLA SAVOYE

designed by Le Corbusier considered a seminal work of modernist architecture

FRANCE

location of Le Corbusier’s Villa Savoye

BAHAY KUBO

tropical setting of the Philippines and designed as an adaption to its tropical environment

ELEVATED ON STILTS

raised up and serve as the main posts of the house

FLEXIBLE FRAMING

bamboo-made to allow it to sway during earthquake

LARGE WINDOWS

to facilitate cross ventilation

AWNING WINDOWS

for sun shading and precipitation protection

BAHAY NA BATO

the evolutionary birth of the Philippines’ ancestral house which adapted the features of the Bahay Kubo

STONE MASONRY

elevated from damp ground by stone on the ground floor

HIGH PITCH ROOF

creating a large air space between the roof and ceiling

WIDE “ALERO”

eaves that provide sun shading for window openings

VENTANILLAS

below the window to take full advantage of cross ventilation

LATTICED VENTS

allow breeze to enter floor cavity preventing hot air from accumulating

GALLERIA VOLADA

double wall system or double-layered facade

OPERABLE LOUVERS

recognize as jalousies on the exterior of the building

CLAR ROOF TILES

roofing materials to keep the bahay na bato cool in temperature

LIGHT-COLORED EXTERIOR

cause heat waves to bounce away from a house’s walls

EXTERNAL SHADING

helps to lower internal temperatures

INSULATED BUILDING ENVELOPES

lessen the need for appliances such as air conditioner

OPEN PLAN LAYOUT

helps facilitate the blending of indoor spaces with the outdoor

OPTIMAL VENTILATION

moderate internal temperatures, reduce the accumulation of moisture

EASY VENTILATION CONTROL

maximizing the use of great ventilation based on the natural movement of the wind

GREEN SURROUNDINGS

help to block the sun and keeps the living space cooler

PUERTA

door of the entrada principal (main entrance)

POSTIGO

service door serves as pedestrian passage

PIEDRA CHINA

blocks of white stone that paved the zaguan of houses near the port

ZAGUAN

area opened to the carruaje and the empty carozza

CUADRA

stable for horses

COQUINA

coral rock quarried from reefs during low tide was used as ground floor

SILONG

hollow space beneath a bahay kubo was for storing livestock

ENTRESUELO

mezzanine, this is the area where clients, tenants or estate manager wait before being admitted to the office

AZULEJO

expensive, patterned hand-painted tiles

DESCANSO

stair landing

CAIDA

landing on the upper entrance hall

ESCALERA

wooden staircase

SALA MAYOR

main living room, place for late-afternoon parties

BASTONERO

a hat and cane rank placed at the caida or the staircase landing

COMEDOR

dining room

ORATORIO

prayer room with an altar of santos

URNA

a carved altar that enshrines statues of saints

VIRINA

a bell-shaped glass jar