TROPICAL DESIGN

OF AN ARCHITECT
CASE STUDY

ARC 111
TROPICAL DESIGN
Many confuse the term tropical architecture with a particular design style. In
reality, tropical architecture is all about achieving thermal comfort through the
use of passive design elements like sunshades, cavity walls, light shelves,
overhangs, roof and wall insulation and even shading from large trees to block
the sun. It can look very traditional, ultramodern or even high-tech.

Tropical architecture is all about tackling urban heat island effect. So what
exactly is the heat island effect? This phenomenon is what results from cities
that have very little greenery and very many concrete surfaces. The city will
have 2 to 3 degrees Celsius higher temperature than that of the surrounding
suburbs and countryside. Figuratively, it forms an “island” of hotter land,
while being surrounded by cooler land in the city outskirts. Dark-colored roofs
add to the heat island effect. Some of the heat absorbed by dark-colored roofs
is transmitted to the room or space below.
THE BELAROCCA ISLAND RESORT
IN THE PHILIPPINES AND
THE HOUSE IN MAUI, HAWAII

CASE STUDY AND DESIGN

PRINCIPLES
FOR TROPICAL DESIGN ACHIEVEMENT
Basic design principles

For the Philippines, having a warm humid climate, there are a few basic design
principles regarding natural ventilation to cool a home or a building. Belarocca
Island Resort shows the following design principles creating an overall view of a
tropical island sanctuary.

1. The external features of the building envelope and its relation to the site should be
designed to fully utilize air movement. Interior partitions should not block air
movements.

2. Air velocity can be reduced when the interior walls are placed close to the inlet
opening or each time it is diverted around obstructions.
3. If interior walls are unavoidable, air flow can still be ensured if the partitions
have openings at the lower and upper portions. This is a common strategy in the old
Filipino bahay na bato, with its transom panels covered with intricate wood carvings
or wood louvers.

4. Maximize window openings for cross ventilation of internal spaces. Vents in the
roof cavity can also be very effective in drawing out heat from the room interiors.

5. Since hot air goes upward, and cool air goes downward, openings at the top of
staircases and in clerestory windows facilitate air change.

6. It is generally cooler at night, so ventilation of internal spaces can be continuous

for nighttime cooling. This means designing the building with operable windows to
let hot air escape at night and to capture prevailing night winds.
7. To supplement natural ventilation, fans can be placed at various heights and areas
to increase comfort conditions. Fans are effective in generating internal air
movement, improve air distribution and increase air velocities.

8. Window openings are advisable at the body level for evaporative human body
cooling. And room width should not exceed five times ceiling height for good air
movement.

9. Sunshades and sun protection devices on openings reduce heat gain and glare,
and also help in internal day lighting. Louvers that are adjustable can alter the
direction of air flow and lighting.

Asian houses have big roof overhangs to protect interior spaces from heat gain and
glare. Shading materials should reflect heat, and not be another source of heat.
Roof insulation is a must in our warm climate. This reduces the temperature
significantly inside the house.
 THE BELAROCCA ISLAND RESORT
IN THE HEART OF THE PHILIPPINES
CASE STUDY.

A TROPICAL DESIGN
OF AN ARCHITECT
SHOWING THE PRINCIPLES OF
GIVING INDOOR AIR QUALITY
FOR TROPICAL AREAS.
Bellarocca, an island resort off the coast of Elephant Island, has established itself
as one of the country‟s most famous and recognizable resorts, thanks to its
distinctive architecture, luxurious amenities, and air of exclusivity.

The resort‟s name means “beautiful rock,” an allusion to its island location; indeed,
the mountainous isle rises dramatically from the sea, and its forest-covered hills
and limestone crags providing a stark contrast against the blue sky and sea, all
serving as the backdrop to the resort‟s pristine white Santorini-inspired structures.

The resort in the island surrounded by grassy areas was taken advantage and made
as a golf course. Several vegetation's such as planting of coconut trees and other
species of trees creates a warm feeling at the same time it produces fresh air.
Exclusivity is key to the resort‟s appeal. The island is accessible only to guests,
who are ferried in via speedboats or Zodiac inflatable boats. Accommodations are
also designed for privacy. Villas are perched on hillsides, open to the sea but
screened on all other sides by fences and foliage. The Terrazas accommodations,
located on a cliff above the rest of the island, offer unparalleled privacy. Even the
hotel balconies are separated from neighboring rooms by the thick stucco walls and
geometric openings characteristic of Mediterranean architecture.

Bellarocca‟s architecture and design is another factor that sets the resort apart.
Based on the resort‟s principle of organic luxury, the rooms and common areas are
well-appointed, and an effort is made to integrate nature throughout. The villas and
structures are providing huge windows that will let the northeast and southwest
monsoon enter the inside areas.
THE HOUSE IN MAUI, HAWAII
Sustainable Tropical Building Design Principles

Energy and emissions

1. Incorporate passive design measures to maximise the use of natural ventilation,

cooling and lighting.
2. Maximise energy efficiency and surpass minimum statutory requirements for
energy efficiency.
3. Strive for long-term sustainability and energy security by installing renewable
energy generation systems.
4. Maximise opportunities for public and active transport access to the building.
Water and wastewater

5. Maximise water efficiency and surpass minimum statutory requirements for

water efficiency.
6. Access alternative water sources to reduce consumption of potable water.
7. Phase out use of potable water in landscaping.

Indoor environment quality

8. Incorporate materials and fittings that are not harmful to the health, safety and
well being of building users.
9. Use air-handling and temperature control systems that provide a comfortable and
healthy indoor environment.
10. Ensure work areas have access to natural light and external views.
Waste and construction materials

11. Select materials with the lower embodied energy and environmental impacts.
12. Maximise reuse and recycling of construction and demolition waste.
13. Allow adequate space for recycling, waste storage and composting by building
occupants.

Local environment

14. Restore habitat and improve community spaces surrounding buildings.

15. Minimise the impact during and post development on biodiversity, water and
soil quality, soil erosion
and visual amenity.
Passive design

„Passive design‟ is design that works with the environment to exclude unwanted
heat or cold and take advantage of sun and breezes, therefore avoiding or
minimising the need for mechanical heating or cooling.

Passive design in the tropics means designing a building to make the most of
natural light and cooling breezes, and using shading, orientation and appropriate
building materials to reduce heat gain and storage.

The use of passive design principles in the tropics results in a building that is
comfortable, energy efficient and results in substantial savings in running costs of
both cooling and lighting.
How we design and construct buildings can affect the natural environment, both
directly – by placing buildings and paved surfaces on previously vegetated areas,
and indirectly – through extracting resources to create building materials; emitting
greenhouse gases in the manufacturing and transportation of materials to the site;
and through using energy sources such as electricity once the building is operating.

Sustainable building design is about reducing these impacts by designing and

constructing buildings that are appropriate for the climate, have minimal
environmental impacts, and are healthy and comfortable for building users.

Sustainable building design for the tropics differs considerably from sustainable
building design for temperate areas. The majority of available information on
sustainable design has been produced for temperate climates and is not applicable in
the tropics.
These guidelines have been developed specifically for the wet tropical climate of
the Cairns region, and provide information on the key sustainable building design
elements for the tropics. They can be used in conjunction with Council‟s
Sustainable Design Checklist to plan the design and construction of sustainable
buildings in tropical climates.
 THE HOUSE IN MAUI, HAWAII

INTERIORS

A HOUSE INSPIRED BY TROPICAL

DESIGN AND
GREEN ARCHITECTURE
SEVERAL FACTORS TO CONSIDER FOR TROPICAL DESIGN

Orientation for minimal solar heat gain:

The path of the sun changes gradually throughout the year

between summer and winter. Generally the best approach
in the tropics is to design so that all walls are shaded from
the sun all year round.
Depending on the building use, it may be desirable to admit
some northern (mid-day) sun in the period May-July, which
can be done by planning the width of eaves and awnings .
It is also important to remember that in the Cairns region
the sun is in the south during summer months and so
shading is also needed on the south of buildings.
Orientation to maximise air flow:

In Cairns, prevailing winds are south-easterly in the winter months and north to
north-easterly during the summer months. Stronger breezes typically occur
around April and October.

The lack of breeze during the hottest days can pose challenges for achieving
effective natural ventilation, and designing to encourage convection flow is very
effective at these times.
PASSIVE VENTILATION:
Designing a building in a way that maximises natural ventilation will greatly
reduce the need for energy-intensive air conditioning.
Air movement over the body, even if the air is not much cooler, creates a
feeling of cool due to the evaporation of moisture from the skin.
The following methods of passive ventilation are most effective in the tropics.
Maximising breezes:

• Orient the building to make the most of prevailing winds.

• Align vents, windows and doors to allow air flow through the building – these
should be aligned in a reasonably straight line for maximum effectiveness.

• Minimise internal obstacles or blockages such as internal walls in major flow

through areas to allow for unimpeded ventilation.

• Raise the building off the ground to

catch breezes.
Removing hot air:

• Design for convection air flow to remove hot air from the building. Convection
air flow is created by hot air rising and exiting at the highest point, which
naturally draws in cool air from outside.

This natural cycling of air can be created by placing low window openings across
a space from high window openings. This will be even more effective at cooling
if incoming air is being drawn from a shaded area where plants are growing.