TROPICAL DESIGN

CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT

BUILDING ORIENTATION
FAADE DESIGN

CLIMATE
defined a region with certain temperature, dryness,
wind, light etc

WIND and NATURAL

VENTILATION

SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM

an integration in time of the atmospheric

environment of a certain geographical location

CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT

BUILDING ORIENTATION
FAADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION

SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM

CLIMATIC ELEMENTS
Temperature
Humidity
Precipitation
Sky Conditions/ Solar Radiation
Wind
Special Elements

CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT

BUILDING ORIENTATION
FAADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION

SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM

WORLD CLIMATES
GENERAL TYPES OF CLIMATE
1. Hot Humid (Tropical)
2. Hot Arid
3. Temperate
4. Cold

CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT

THERMAL COMFORT
Human comfort as determined by the ability of
the body to dissipate the heat and moisture it
produces by metabolic action.

BUILDING ORIENTATION
FAADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION

SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM

PSYCHROMETRIC
CHART
A chart relating the
wet-bulb and drybulb readings from
a psychrometer to
relative humidity,
absolute humidity
and dew point

CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT

BUILDING ORIENTATION
FAADE DESIGN

TROPICAL CLIMATE
those regions where heat is the dominant problem, where
the annual mean temperature is not less than 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
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT

BUILDING ORIENTATION
FAADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION

SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM

CHARACTERISTICS OF TROPICAL CLIMATES

Temperature average mean temperature (dbt) 20 30 deg C
Small diurnal temperature change/range 2-5 deg C
Humidity Levels - 50% - 100% Relative Humidity
Wind Conditions Slow Wind Flow
Average of 2 m/s
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
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT

BUILDING ORIENTATION
FAADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION

SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM

PROBLEMS IN AREAS WITH TROPICAL CLIMATES

HIGH TEMPERATURE LEVEL (HEAT)

HIGH HUMIDITY LEVELS

SLOW WIND VELOCITIES

HIGH PRECIPITATION LEVELS DURING RAINY DAYS
HIGH INCIDENCE OF TYPHOONS
ABUNDANCE OF INSECTS AND RODENTS
DAMP GROUND CONDITIONS

CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT

Design Objectives in Tropical Climates :

1. Minimize Heat Gain

BUILDING ORIENTATION
FAADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION

SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM

2. Maximize Ventilation (but protect from typhoon wind)

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
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT

BUILDING ORIENTATION
FAADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION

SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM

PASSIVE COOLING
A cooling system using a buildings design and
construction to maintain a comfortable temperature within
the building
Passive design is
essentially low-energy
design achieved by the
buildings particular
morphological
organization rather than
electro-mechanical
means.

CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT

BUILDING ORIENTATION
FAADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION

SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM

PASSIVE COOLING
Some passive cooling methods used in building design are:
1. BUILDING CONFIGURATION, SITE LAYOUT and SITE
PLANNING
2. BUILDING ORIENTATION
3. FACADE DESIGN
4. WIND AND NATURAL VENTILATION
5. Others : Passive daylight
devices,
Building envelope color, Vertical
Landscaping

CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT

BUILDING ORIENTATION
FAADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION

SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM

PASSIVE COOLING
1. BUILDING CONFIGURATION, SITE LAYOUT and SITE
PLANNING
Example :
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
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING

PASSIVE COOLING
2. BUILDING ORIENTATION

BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT

BUILDING ORIENTATION
FAADE 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
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT

PASSIVE COOLING
FACADE DESIGN
Use of Double-layered faade

BUILDING ORIENTATION
FAADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION

SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM

Use Low-emissivity glass

(Low-E glass)

CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING

PASSIVE COOLING
FACADE DESIGN

BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT

BUILDING ORIENTATION
FAADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION

SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM

Use of Insulation

CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT

BUILDING ORIENTATION
FAADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION

SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM

PASSIVE COOLING
WIND AND NATURAL VENTILATION
Prevailing Wind in the Philippines :
Amihan (NE) November to April
Habagat (SW) - May to October

CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT

BUILDING ORIENTATION
FAADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION

SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM

PASSIVE COOLING
STACK EFFECT / CHIMNEY EFFECT
The tendency of air or gas in a shaft or other vertical
space to rise when heated, creating a draft that draws
in cooler air or gas from below

CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT

BUILDING ORIENTATION
FAADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION

SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM

PASSIVE COOLING
CROSS VENTILATION
The circulation of fresh air through open windows, doors
or other openings on opposite sides of a room

CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING

PASSIVE COOLING

BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT

BUILDING ORIENTATION
FAADE 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
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT

BUILDING ORIENTATION
FAADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION

SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM

PASSIVE COOLING

CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT

BUILDING ORIENTATION
FAADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION

SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM

PASSIVE COOLING

CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT

BUILDING ORIENTATION
FAADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION

SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM

PASSIVE COOLING

CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT

BUILDING ORIENTATION
FAADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION

SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM

PASSIVE COOLING

CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT

BUILDING ORIENTATION
FAADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION

SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM

PASSIVE COOLING

CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT

BUILDING ORIENTATION
FAADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION

SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM

PASSIVE COOLING

CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT

BUILDING ORIENTATION
FAADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION

SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM

PASSIVE COOLING

CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT

BUILDING ORIENTATION
FAADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION

SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM

PASSIVE COOLING

CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT

BUILDING ORIENTATION
FAADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION

SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM

PASSIVE COOLING

CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT

BUILDING ORIENTATION
FAADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION

SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM

PASSIVE COOLING

CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT

BUILDING ORIENTATION
FAADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION

SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM

WIND BEHAVIOR WITHIN A ROOM

CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT

PASSIVE COOLING
SOLAR CONTROL DEVICES (SUN SHADING DEVICES)
Protecting the Building Spaces from
Heat Gain due to Solar Radiation

BUILDING ORIENTATION
FAADE DESIGN

SOLAR PATH
DIAGRAM

WIND and NATURAL

VENTILATION

SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM

ALTITUDE
SUMMER SOLSTICE

EQUINOX

AZIMUTH

WINTER SOLSTICE

CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT

BUILDING ORIENTATION
FAADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION

SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM

PASSIVE COOLING
SUNSHADING DEVICES

HORIZONTAL TYPES
Horizontal Sun Shades
are generally used on the
North-Facing and South
Facing Sides of a
building

CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT

BUILDING ORIENTATION
FAADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION

SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM

PASSIVE COOLING
SUNSHADING DEVICES

HORIZONTAL TYPES
Horizontal Sun Shades
are generally used on the
North-Facing and South
Facing Sides of a
building

CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT

BUILDING ORIENTATION
FAADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION

SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM

PASSIVE COOLING
SUNSHADING DEVICES

VERTICAL TYPES
Vertical Sun Shades are
generally used on the
East-Facing and WestFacing Sides of a
building

CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT

BUILDING ORIENTATION
FAADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION

SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM

PASSIVE COOLING
SUNSHADING DEVICES

EGGCRATE TYPES
Combination of
Horizontal and Vertical
Shades

CLIMATE
CLIMATIC ELEMENTS
TYPES OF CLIMATE
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL DESIGN
PASSIVE COOLING
BUILDING CONFIGURATION,
SITE PLANNING and LAYOUT

BUILDING ORIENTATION
FAADE 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
FAADE DESIGN
WIND and NATURAL
VENTILATION

SUNSHADING DEVICES
SUN PATH DIAGRAM

AZIMUTH = 289
SOLAR ALTITUDE = 32

THE END