Natividad, Kristine Joy A.

Research Question Framework

Research Topic : Bioclimatic Approach

Bioclimatic architecture implies a design approach which embraces the principles of

sustainability but which goes further than minimizing the environmental impact of
buildings. It seeks to create an architecture which is fundamentally responsive to
location, climate and human needs and which gives expression to soundly based,
vital design parameters.

Architecture that has a connection to Nature. Building designs that take into
account climate and environmental conditions to help achieve optimal thermal
comfort inside. It deals with design and architectural elements, avoiding complete
dependence on mechanical systems, which are regarded as support.

Main Problem :

How does climate in tropical regions affect the design of buildings through
Bioclimatic Design Approach?

Sub Problems :

What factors affect the design of buildings in tropical regions?

What measures are presently undertaken to improve these issues?

How can these measures be complimented by bio climatic approach?

Main Objective :

This research objective is to provide a good understanding on building design in

tropical regions by using bioclimatic approach, and to provide design criteria in
order to achieve better solution in implementing sustainable design concept.

Objectives:
To identify existing issues and to provide complementary measures.

To document tested factors and these factors resulted in.

To develop a design that will improve existing issues through bioclimatic approach.

Strategy : Qualitative Research Design

Qualitative research involves an interpretive and naturalistic approach: “This

means that qualitative researchers study things in their natural settings,
attempting to make sense of, or to interpret, phenomena in terms of the meanings
people bring to them” (Denzin and Lincoln,2000)

According to McMillan and Schumacher (1993, p. 479) qualitative research is

defined as, “primarily an inductive process of organizing data into categories and
identifying patterns (relationships) among categories.” This definition implies that
data and meaning emerge “organically” from the research context.

In this study, a qualitative approach is considered more appropriate for the

evaluation. The qualitative evaluation is applied when it is not possible to eliminate
the subjectivity of the analysis on the understanding of complex relations. It
focuses more on the meaning of the phenomena than on its quantification, applying
techniques of interpretation to describe and decode the phenomena.
The need for the evaluation of the logic structure behind design processes, related
to the consideration of bioclimatic issues and focusing on real needs and influences,
will be observed. This evaluation is considered fundamental to recognize effective
ways to integrate bioclimatic considerations into architectural practice. It is
necessary to clarify that the research purpose is neither to evaluate nor to define
the design process.

Tactics

Case Study

This will basically involve literature review entail reading of books, journals,
periodicals and reports written by previous researchers on relevant areas. Also
reviewed policies and legal documents

A series of case studies regarding the topics bioclimatic approach, ventilation and
tropical climate will be used as key words to provide the validity of the concept. The
purpose of this is to explore the different opinions and what bases and justifies the
different points of view.