TROPICAL DESIGN

CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
CLIMATE
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
– defined a region with certain temperature, dryness,
BUILDING CONFIGURATION, wind, light etc
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT
BUILDING ORIENTATION
FAÇADE DESIGN – an integration in time of the atmospheric
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION environment of a certain geographical location
SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM

Climatology is the science that deals with prevailing

weather conditions.
CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS
TYPES OF CLIMATE CLIMATIC ELEMENT
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN Temperature
PASSIVE COOLING - Thermal analysis shows the range and distribution of
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT temperatures throughout the year. The dew point (point
BUILDING ORIENTATION at which airborne moisture condenses to liquid) and the
FAÇADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
diurnal cycle (24-h cycle of day to night) of temperatures
VENTILATION are also shown and give a good picture of just how
SUNSHADING DEVICES comfortable the outside temperatures are.
SUN PATH DIAGRAM

Humidity
- Humidity analysis shows an average percentage of RH
during the day for each month. Humidity affects both comfort
and building durability. Condensation, corrosion, mold, and
discoloration can be caused by moisture collecting on or
inside of building assemblies. Still air, heat, and moisture
provide perfect growing conditions for bacteria, mold, and
other undesirable problems. Comfort also is largely a factor
of dew point, 70% humidity at 70°F (20°C) is comfortable but
at 90°F (32°C) is unbearable. This is because at higher
temperatures the high RH prevents the body from cooling
through evaporation of perspiration.
CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS
TYPES OF CLIMATE
Precipitation
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
Precipitation analysis shows average monthly totals of rain
PASSIVE COOLING and snow.
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT
BUILDING ORIENTATION Very wet or dry places require special attention in building
FAÇADE DESIGN assembly.
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION
SUNSHADING DEVICES Wet environments need to shed excess water very quickly
SUN PATH DIAGRAM and the conventional means for accomplishing this, such as
gutters and downspouts, are not always adequate.

Foundation problems can also occur in wet locations due to

the increased hydrostatic pressure of underground water
against walls and basement floor slabs.

Dry environments can desiccate materials (absorbing

moisture out of a material) causing them to shrink and split or
crack. Soils in dry environments can also shift unpredictably,
causing foundation problems.
CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS
TYPES OF CLIMATE
Sky Conditions/ Solar Radiation
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
-Solar analysis shows the hours of sunshine broken up
PASSIVE COOLING quantitatively for clear and cloudy days. \
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT
BUILDING ORIENTATION A building in a very sunny place should both utilize and
FAÇADE DESIGN protect from the sun’s heat while using the direct light
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION
without glare.
SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM A building in a cloudy environment will not have as much
radiant heat and will need to have more open window area
to capture daylight.

Wind
Wind analysis shows wind direction and velocity.

Keep in mind that these may be measured in an open field or

on top of a building, small site differences like a hill or trees
can completely alter this data.

Wind can also be blocked or channeled into different

directions from the prevailing conditions.
CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS
TYPES OF CLIMATE WORLD CLIMATES
THERMAL COMFORT GENERAL TYPES OF CLIMATE
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING 1. Hot Humid (Tropical)
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT 2. Hot Arid
BUILDING ORIENTATION 3. Temperate
FAÇADE DESIGN 4. Cold
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION
SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS
TYPES OF CLIMATE THERMAL COMFORT
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
Human comfort as determined by the ability of
PASSIVE COOLING the body to dissipate the heat and moisture it
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT
produces by metabolic action.
BUILDING ORIENTATION
FAÇADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION PSYCHROMETRIC
SUNSHADING DEVICES CHART
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
A chart relating the
wet-bulb and dry-
bulb readings from
a psychrometer to
relative humidity,
absolute humidity
and dew point
CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN TROPICAL CLIMATE
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION, those regions where heat is the dominant problem, where
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT
BUILDING ORIENTATION the annual mean temperature is not less than 20 degrees
FAÇADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION
SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
TROPICAL DESIGN

This is concerned with countries where discomfort due

to heat and humidity are the dominant problems.
Tropical Design is applicable to Tropical, Sub-Tropical
and Equatorial Climates covering the Southeast Asian
Countries.
CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS
CHARACTERISTICS OF TROPICAL CLIMATES
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
Temperature – average mean temperature (dbt) 20 – 30 deg C
PASSIVE COOLING Small diurnal temperature change/range 2-5 deg C
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT Humidity Levels - 50% - 100% Relative Humidity
BUILDING ORIENTATION
FAÇADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION
Wind Conditions – Slow Wind Flow
SUNSHADING DEVICES Average of 2 m/s
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
Prevailing Wind in the Philippines :
Amihan (NE) – November to April
Habagat (SW) - May to October

Sky Conditions – Overcast Sky most of the time

a lot of reflected heat/ solar gain

Precipitation – high during the year – average of 1000mm/yr.

Others :
Climate conditions breed insects (flies, mosquitoes, termites)
Damp Ground Conditions
CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS
PROBLEMS IN AREAS WITH TROPICAL CLIMATES
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION, HIGH TEMPERATURE LEVEL (HEAT)
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT
BUILDING ORIENTATION
FAÇADE DESIGN HIGH HUMIDITY LEVELS
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION
SUNSHADING DEVICES
SLOW WIND VELOCITIES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
HIGH PRECIPITATION LEVELS DURING RAINY DAYS
HIGH INCIDENCE OF TYPHOONS

ABUNDANCE OF INSECTS AND RODENTS

DAMP GROUND CONDITIONS

CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS Design Objectives in Tropical Climates :
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT 1. Minimize Heat Gain
BUILDING ORIENTATION
FAÇADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL 2. Maximize Ventilation (but protect from typhoon wind)
VENTILATION
SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
3. Prevent unnecessary increase in humidity levels

4. Have good drainage systems to accommodate high

precipitation during the year

5. Protect spaces from insects and rodents

Climate Zones Cool, temperate, hot–arid, hot–humid
Regional climate evaluation methods
• Thermal
• Solar
• Wind
• Humidity and
• Precipitation factors

Climate Strategies Traditional regional building types

• Economical
• Physical and
• Psychological needs
Determining the correct approach

Micro Climates Site selection factors

Working with rather than against your
environment
CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS PASSIVE COOLING
TYPES OF CLIMATE A cooling system using a building’s design and
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
construction to maintain a comfortable temperature within
PASSIVE COOLING the building
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT Passive design is
BUILDING ORIENTATION
FAÇADE DESIGN
essentially low-energy
WIND and NATURAL
design achieved by the
VENTILATION building’s particular
SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
morphological
organization rather than
electro-mechanical
means.
CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS PASSIVE COOLING
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN Some passive cooling methods used in building design are:
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT
BUILDING ORIENTATION
1. BUILDING CONFIGURATION, SITE LAYOUT and SITE
FAÇADE DESIGN PLANNING
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION
2. BUILDING ORIENTATION
SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
3. FACADE DESIGN

4. WIND AND NATURAL VENTILATION

5. Others : Passive daylight
devices,
Building envelope color, Vertical
Landscaping
CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS PASSIVE COOLING
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN 1. BUILDING CONFIGURATION, SITE LAYOUT and SITE
PASSIVE COOLING
PLANNING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT
BUILDING ORIENTATION
FAÇADE DESIGN Example :
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION
A building can be
SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM protected from direct
sunlight by placing it on
a location within the site
that utilizes existing
features such as trees,
terrain etc.
CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS PASSIVE COOLING
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT 2. BUILDING ORIENTATION
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT
BUILDING ORIENTATION
FAÇADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION
SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM

Example :
In tropical countries such as the Philippines, it is best to
place service areas in the west and east facing sides of
the building because these sides are exposed to direct
sunlight.
CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS PASSIVE COOLING
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT FACADE DESIGN
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION, Use of Double-layered façade
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT
BUILDING ORIENTATION
FAÇADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION
SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM

Use Low-emissivity glass

(Low-E glass)
CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS PASSIVE COOLING
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT FACADE DESIGN
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT
BUILDING ORIENTATION
FAÇADE DESIGN
Use of Insulation
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION
SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS PASSIVE COOLING
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN WIND AND NATURAL VENTILATION
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT Prevailing Wind in the Philippines :
BUILDING ORIENTATION
FAÇADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
Amihan (NE) – November to April
VENTILATION
SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
Habagat (SW) - May to October
CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS PASSIVE COOLING
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
STACK EFFECT / CHIMNEY EFFECT
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION, The tendency of air or gas in a shaft or other vertical
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT
BUILDING ORIENTATION space to rise when heated, creating a draft that draws
FAÇADE DESIGN in cooler air or gas from below
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION
SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS PASSIVE COOLING
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT CROSS VENTILATION
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION, The circulation of fresh air through open windows, doors
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT
BUILDING ORIENTATION or other openings on opposite sides of a room
FAÇADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION
SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS PASSIVE COOLING
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT
BUILDING ORIENTATION
FAÇADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION
SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM

Wind speeds increase with the height above the

ground, and the smoothness of the ground surface.
This variation in wind speed is known as wind
gradient.
CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS PASSIVE COOLING
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT
BUILDING ORIENTATION
FAÇADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION
SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS PASSIVE COOLING
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT
BUILDING ORIENTATION
FAÇADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION
SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS PASSIVE COOLING
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT
BUILDING ORIENTATION
FAÇADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION
SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS PASSIVE COOLING
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT
BUILDING ORIENTATION
FAÇADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION
SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS PASSIVE COOLING
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT
BUILDING ORIENTATION
FAÇADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION
SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS PASSIVE COOLING
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT
BUILDING ORIENTATION
FAÇADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION
SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS PASSIVE COOLING
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT
BUILDING ORIENTATION
FAÇADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION
SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS PASSIVE COOLING
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT
BUILDING ORIENTATION
FAÇADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION
SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS PASSIVE COOLING
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT
BUILDING ORIENTATION
FAÇADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION
SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS PASSIVE COOLING
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT
BUILDING ORIENTATION
FAÇADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION
SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
CLIMATE WIND BEHAVIOR WITHIN A ROOM
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT
BUILDING ORIENTATION
FAÇADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION
SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS PASSIVE COOLING
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
SOLAR CONTROL DEVICES (SUN SHADING DEVICES)
PASSIVE COOLING Protecting the Building Spaces from
BUILDING CONFIGURATION, Heat Gain due to Solar Radiation
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT
BUILDING ORIENTATION
FAÇADE DESIGN
SOLAR PATH
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION
DIAGRAM
SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM ALTITUDE

SUMMER SOLSTICE

EQUINOX

AZIMUTH
WINTER SOLSTICE
CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS PASSIVE COOLING
TYPES OF CLIMATE SUNSHADING DEVICES
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
HORIZONTAL TYPES
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT
BUILDING ORIENTATION Horizontal Sun Shades
FAÇADE DESIGN are generally used on the
WIND and NATURAL North-Facing and South
VENTILATION Facing Sides of a
SUNSHADING DEVICES building
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS PASSIVE COOLING
TYPES OF CLIMATE SUNSHADING DEVICES
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
HORIZONTAL TYPES
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT
BUILDING ORIENTATION Horizontal Sun Shades
FAÇADE DESIGN are generally used on the
WIND and NATURAL North-Facing and South
VENTILATION Facing Sides of a
SUNSHADING DEVICES building
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS PASSIVE COOLING
TYPES OF CLIMATE SUNSHADING DEVICES
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
VERTICAL TYPES
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT
BUILDING ORIENTATION Vertical Sun Shades are
FAÇADE DESIGN generally used on the
WIND and NATURAL East-Facing and West-
VENTILATION Facing Sides of a
SUNSHADING DEVICES building
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS PASSIVE COOLING
TYPES OF CLIMATE SUNSHADING DEVICES
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT EGGCRATE TYPES
BUILDING ORIENTATION
FAÇADE DESIGN Combination of
WIND and NATURAL Horizontal and Vertical
VENTILATION Shades
SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT
BUILDING ORIENTATION
FAÇADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION
SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT
BUILDING ORIENTATION
FAÇADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION
SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM

AZIMUTH = 289°

SOLAR ALTITUDE = 32°

THE END