TROPICAL DESIGN
CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
CLIMATE
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT
BUILDING ORIENTATION
FAÇADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
– defined a region with certain
VENTILATION
SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
temperature, dryness, wind, light etc
– an integration in time of the
atmospheric environment of a
certain geographical location
CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT
BUILDING ORIENTATION
FAÇADE DESIGN • Temperature
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION
SUNSHADING DEVICES
• Humidity
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
• Precipitation
• Sky Conditions/ Solar Radiation
• Wind
• Special Elements
CLIMATIC FACTORS SUN is the source of:
• Solar radiation
• Natural light
WIND, its prevalence, direction, velocity and
wind effect.
• air filtration into a building (heat loss)
• ventilation of interior spaces
• lateral load on a structure
PRECIPITATION prevalence and amount
precipitation effect:
• the roof form, its construction and
resulting load on structure
• the presence and drainage of water on
• the choice of building materials
TEMPERATURE air temperature and
Thermal comfort are affected by all of the ab
climatic factors.
CLIMATE WORLD CLIMATES
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS GENERAL TYPES OF CLIMATE
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
1. Hot Humid (Tropical)
PASSIVE COOLING 2. Hot Arid
BUILDING CONFIGURATION, 3. Temperate
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT 4. Cold
BUILDING ORIENTATION
FAÇADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION
SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS
STRATEGIES FOR PASSIVE COOLING
TYPES OF CLIMATE PROGROGMATIC REQUIREMENT IN DIFF. REGIONS
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 CLIMATE
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING those regions where heat is the dominant problem,
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT where the annual mean temperature is not less than
BUILDING ORIENTATION
FAÇADE DESIGN 20 degrees
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
TYPES OF CLIMATE THERMAL COMFORT
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN Human comfort as determined by the ability of the
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
body to dissipate the heat and moisture it produces
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT
BUILDING ORIENTATION by metabolic action.
FAÇADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION PSYCHROMETRIC
SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM CHART
A chart relating the
wet-bulb and dry-bulb
readings from a
psychometer to relativ
humidity, absolute
humidity and dew poin
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
TYPES OF CLIMATE WIND AND NATURAL VENTILATION
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION, Prevailing Wind in the Philippines
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT
BUILDING ORIENTATION
FAÇADE DESIGN Amihan (NE) – November to April
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION Habagat (SW) - May to October
SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS
TYPES OF CLIMATE PROBLEMS IN AREAS WITH
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN TROPICAL CLIMATES
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT
• HIGH TEMPERATURE LEVEL (HEAT)
BUILDING ORIENTATION
FAÇADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION
• HIGH HUMIDITY LEVELS
SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM • SLOW WIND VELOCITIES
• HIGH PRECIPITATION LEVELS DURING RAINY DAYS
HIGH INCIDENCE OF TYPHOONS
• ABUNDANCE OF INSECTS AND RODENTS
• DAMP GROUND CONDITIONS
CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS Design Objectives in
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT Tropical Climates :
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
VENTILATION
SUNSHADING DEVICES typhoon wind)
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 PASSIVE COOLING
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT A cooling system using a building’s design and construction
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
to maintain a comfortable temperature within the building
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT
BUILDING ORIENTATION
Passive design is essentially low-energy design achieved by the
FAÇADE DESIGN building’s particular morphological organization rather than
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION
electro-mechanical means.
SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS
TYPES OF CLIMATE
STRATEGIES FOR PASSIVE COOLING
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN Some passive cooling methods used in building design are:
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT
1. BUILDING CONFIGURATION, SITE LAYOUT and SITE
BUILDING ORIENTATION PLANNING
FAÇADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL 2. BUILDING ORIENTATION
VENTILATION
SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM 3. FACADE DESIGN
4. HEAT INSULATION
5. WIND AND NATURAL VENTILATION
6. BUILDING ENVELOPE COLOR
7. SUN SHADING
CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS STRATEGIES FOR PASSIVE COOLING
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN 1. BUILDING CONFIGURATION, SITE LAYOUT and SITE
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION, PLANNING
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT
BUILDING ORIENTATION
FAÇADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION
SUNSHADING DEVICES Example :
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
A building can be protected
from direct sunlight by placing
it on a location within the site
that utilizes existing features
such as trees, terrain etc.
CLIMATE STRATEGIES FOR PASSIVE COOLING
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS
TYPES OF CLIMATE
1. BUILDING CONFIGURATION, SITE LAYOUT and SITE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN PLANNING
PASSIVE COOLING Trees shade a building most
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT
effectively from the southeast and
BUILDING ORIENTATION southwest when the morning and
FAÇADE DESIGN late afternoon sun has low altitud
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION South-facing overhangs provide
SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
more efficient shading during the
midday period when the sun is
high and casts short shadows.
CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS
STRATEGIES FOR 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
STRATEGIES FOR PASSIVE COOLING
TYPES OF CLIMATE
2. BUILDING ORIENTATION
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
Location of Spaces:
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT
Bedroom- North/Northeast Carport- West
BUILDING ORIENTATION
Kitchen- West Service Area- West
FAÇADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL Living- with good view, north
VENTILATION
SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS
STRATEGIES FOR PASSIVE COOLING
TYPES OF CLIMATE 3. FACADE DESIGN
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN • Use of Double-layered façade
PASSIVE COOLING • Use Low-emissivity glass (Low-E glass) or solar tint
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT • Use of materials and heat insulation
BUILDING ORIENTATION
FAÇADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION
SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS
STRATEGIES FOR PASSIVE COOLING
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT 3. 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
CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS
TYPES OF CLIMATE
STRATEGIES FOR PASSIVE COOLING
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
3. FACADE DESIGN
BUILDING CONFIGURATION, Wide canopy
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT
BUILDING ORIENTATION
FAÇADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION
SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
STRATEGIES FOR PASSIVE COOLING
5. CROSS VENTILATION
3 . FACADE DESIGN
(BUILDING ENVELOPE MATERIALS)
Transparent Translucent Opaque
HEAT TRANSFER ON VARIOUS MATERIALS FINISHES
CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS
STRATEGIES FOR PASSIVE COOLING
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT 3. FACADE DESIGN
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION, Use of less heat absorptive façade materials
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT
BUILDING ORIENTATION
FAÇADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION
SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS
STRATEGIES FOR PASSIVE COOLING
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT 4. HEAT INSULATION
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT Reflective insulation
BUILDING ORIENTATION
FAÇADE DESIGN A form of a material of
WIND and NATURAL high reflectivity and
VENTILATION
SUNSHADING DEVICES
low emissivity.
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
Aluminum insulation
Aluminum-bubble
insulation
STRATEGIES FOR PASSIVE COOLING
5. BUILDING ENVELOPE COLOR
HEAT TRANSFER ON VARIOUS SURFACE TYPES
CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS
STRATEGIES FOR PASSIVE COOLING
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
6 . VENTILATION
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT
BUILDING ORIENTATION
FAÇADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION
SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
STRATEGIES FOR
PASSIVE COOLING
6 . VENTILATION
STRATEGIES FOR PASSIVE
COOLING
6 . VENTILATION
STRATEGIES FOR PASSIVE
COOLING
6 . VENTILATION
STRATEGIES FOR PASSIVE
COOLING
6 . VENTILATION
STRATEGIES FOR PASSIVE
COOLING
6 . VENTILATION
STRATEGIES FOR PASSIVE
COOLING
6 . VENTILATION
STRATEGIES FOR PASSIVE
COOLING
6 . VENTILATION
STRATEGIES FOR PASSIVE
COOLING
6 . VENTILATION
STRATEGIES FOR PASSIVE
COOLING
6 . VENTILATION
STRATEGIES FOR PASSIVE
COOLING
6 . VENTILATION
STRATEGIES FOR PASSIVE
COOLING
6 . VENTILATION
STRATEGIES FOR PASSIVE
COOLING
6 . VENTILATION
CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS
STRATEGIES
PASSIVE COOLINGFOR PASSIVE COOLING
TYPES OF CLIMATE SUNSHADING DEVICES
THERMAL COMFORT
7 . SUN SHADING
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT
HORIZONTAL
BUILDING ORIENTATION TYPES
FAÇADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION Horizontal Sun Shades
SUNSHADING DEVICES are generally used on
SUN PATH DIAGRAM the North-Facing and
South Facing Sides of a
building
CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS
STRATEGIES
PASSIVE COOLINGFOR PASSIVE COOLING
TYPES OF CLIMATE SUNSHADING DEVICES
THERMAL COMFORT
7 . SUN SHADING
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT
HORIZONTAL
BUILDING ORIENTATION TYPES
FAÇADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION Horizontal Sun Shades are
SUNSHADING DEVICES generally used on the
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
North-Facing and South
Facing Sides of a building
CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS
STRATEGIES FOR PASSIVE COOLING
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
7 . SUN SHADING
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT
VERTICAL TYPES
BUILDING ORIENTATION
FAÇADE DESIGN
Vertical Sun Shades are
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION generally used on the
SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
East-Facing and West-
Facing Sides of a
building
CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS
STRATEGIES
PASSIVE COOLINGFOR PASSIVE COOLING
TYPES OF CLIMATE SUNSHADING DEVICES
THERMAL COMFORT
7 . SUN SHADING
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
EGGCRATE
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT
BUILDING ORIENTATION
TYPES
FAÇADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION Combination of
SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM Horizontal and
Vertical Shades
CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS
SOLAR STUDIES
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 SOLAR STUDIES
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°
CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS SUN PATH
PASSIVE DIAGRAM
COOLING
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
SOLAR CONTROL DEVICES (SUN SHADING DEVICES)
SOLAR PATH
PASSIVE COOLING Protecting the Building Spaces from DIAGRAM
BUILDING CONFIGURATION, Heat Gain due to Solar Radiation
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT ALTITUDE
BUILDING ORIENTATION
SUMMER SOLSTICE
FAÇADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION
SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
EQUINOX
AZIMUTH
WINTER SOLSTICE
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
SOLAR PATH
DIAGRAM
ALTITUDE
SUMMER
SOLSTICE
EQUINOX
AZIMUTH
WINTER SOLSTICE
Sun exposure
South- exposed for 8 months
North –exposed for 4 months
