Tropical Design

Is a passively designed, climate- responsive architecture for hot and humid locations. It's all about achieving thermal comfort. through the use of passive elements.

What will this place require us to do?

Permit us to do?

Help us to do?

“Wendell Berry 1992”

Site Considerations

Maximize beneficial use of the sun while minimizing it's impact to the environment.

Design Considerations 🏠

• Orientation

• Building design

• Building envelope

• Fenestration

• Building materials

Use of High-pitched roofs so rain gets off fast as hot air rises and escapes to keep you cool. Retractable doors and windows to raise the air flow to the ventilation s and allow you open the house on the great lazy days. Use of outdoor gardens. Simple details and finishes compatible with the environment.

Sun Path ☀

Refers to the apparent significant seasonal & hourly positional changes of the sun as the earth rotates and orbits around the sun. Relative position of the sun is a major factor in the heat gain of buildings & in the performance of solar energy system. Accurate location and specific knowledge of sun path & climatic condition is essential for economic decisions about solar collector area, orientation, landscaping, summer sharing and the cost-effective use of solar trackers.

Passive Cooling

A cooling system using a buildings design and construction to maintain a comfortable temperature within a building. This is essential for low-energy design achieved by the building’s organization rather than electro-mechanical means.

Building Orientation

In tropical countries such as Philippines, it is best to place service areas in West and East for direct sunlight.

Facade Design

• Use of double layered facade to minimize heat gain.

  

• Use of low-emissivity glass

  

• Use of insulation

  

FENESTRATION

Is the arrangement of openings of building envelope. This includes glazing, windows, curtain walls, slope glazing, and exterior doors.