l?

<f/ - i j r •'

Architectural
Design
for Tropical
Regions
Cleveland Salmon

JOHN WILEY & SONS, INC.

New York • Chichester • Weinheim • Brisbane • Singapore • Toronto
 Contents

Preface xi
Acknowledgments xiii
Introduction xv

PART ONE
Regional Profiles

CHAPTER 1 The Caribbean 3

Introduction 3
Architecture and Culture 4
Tainos 4
The Spaniards 8
The British 10
Caribbean Timber House of Freed African Slaves 13
Public Buildings 14
The Estate House 16
Developments of the 20th Century 19
Climatic Data 24
Temperature 25
Humidity 25
Wind 26
Rainfall 26
Hurricanes 26
Earthquakes 29
vi CONTENTS

CHAPTER 2 Hawaii 31
Introduction 31
Architecture and Culture 31
Native Polynesian Hawaiians 33
Missionaries and Their Congregationist Architecture 38
The Monarchy Period 41
The Territorial Period 42
Plantation Architecture 44
Chinese influence 45
Spanish/Portuguese Influence 45
Japanese Influence 46
The Statehood Period (American Influence) 48
Contemporary Architecture 50
Climatic Data 51
Temperature 52
Humidity 53
Wind 53
Rainfall 55
Landscape 55
Hurricanes 56
Earthquakes 56
CHAPTER 3 Australia 59
Introduction 59
Architecture and Culture 60
The Aborigines 60
The British 62
Public Buildings—Georgian Style 64
Public Buildings—Classical Style 65
Dwellings 66
From Imitation to Independence 69
Modern Architecture 69
Contemporary Architecture 70
Climatic Data 72
Temperature 73
Sunlight and Solar Heat Gain 74
Rainfall 74
Landscape 74
Hurricanes 74
CHAPTER 4 Southern California 77
Introduction 77
Architecture and Culture 78
Native American Architecture 78
The Spanish and Mexican Period 79
 CONTENTS vil

California Mission Architecture 80

Pueblo Architecture 81
Queen Anne Style 82
The California Bungalow 84
The Spanish Revival 85
The Transitional Period 86
Modern Architecture 87
Climatic Data 89
Temperature 90
Rainfall 91
El Nino 91
Hurricanes 92
Earthquakes 93

PART TWO
Climate and Design
CHAPTER 5 Climate and Associated Phenomena 97
Tropical Climate: General Considerations 97
y Climate Summary 100
Temperature 100
Humidity 100
Rainfall 101
Sunlight and Solar Heat Gain 101
Sky Condition 102
Ground Condition 103
Wind 103
Hurricanes 105
Earthquakes 105
Associated Phenomena 105
Landscape 105
Vegetation 106
CHAPTER 6 Effect of Climate on Building Design 107
Effect of Temperature on Design and Construction 107
Effect of Humidity on Design and Construction 107
Effect of Earthquakes on Design and Construction 108
Effect of Hurricanes on Design and Construction 108
Foundation 108
Floor Slab 110
Walls 111
Opening 112
Roof 114
vill CONTENTS

CHAPTER 7 Conceptual Design Approaches 115

Urban Design and Climate 115
Climatic Factors in Design 116
Strategies of Climate Control 117
Ventilation Strategies 118
Aids for Cooling 119
Evaporative Cooling 123
Thermal Transmission 124
Passive Solar Application 125

PART THREE
Design Guidelines
CHAPTER 8 Application of Design Concepts 129
Site Selection and Analysis 129
The Design Process 130
Developing the Plan 132
Passive Solar Design: Basic Considerations 133
Passive Solar System 134
Clearstories 135
Skylights 135
Storage 135
Attached Sunspace 136
Shading 136
Lighting 137
Energy Conservation and Comfort 138
Building Codes: Minimum Safety Requirements 138
CHAPTER 9 Design and Construction Techniques 141
Site Planning 141
Ventilation 142
Locating Openings 143
Solar Chimneys 143
Courtyards 143
Building Form and Orientation 144
Shade and Shading Devices 145
Vegetation 147
Ground Planting 147
Roof Planting 147
Glare 148
Day Lighting 149
Horizontal Screens 149
Vertical Screens 150
 CONTENTS IX

Hurricanes 151
Effects of Wind 153
Site Selection in Hurricane Areas 154
Site Selection Along a Coastline 155
Design of Buildings in Hurricane Areas 156
Foundation 156
Wood Structures 159
Bracing 159
Rafter Construction 160
Design of Buildings in Earthquake Areas 160
Base Isolation 164
Recommendations for Tropical Climate Zones 167
Warm-Wet to Hot-Wet Zones 167
Hot-Dry Zones 168
Cool-Cold Dry (Subtropical) Zones 170
Composite Zones 171
APPENDIX A Case Studies 173
APPENDIX B A Regional Photographic Tour 185
APPENDIX C Tables 207

Bibliography 213
Index 217