UNIVERSITY OF LA SALETTE, INC

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE

DUBINAN EAST, SANTIAGO CITY

TROPICAL DESIGN
11:30 – 1:30 AM

“DIFFERENT MATERIALS AND TECHNIQUES IN TROPICAL DESIGN”

“APPLICATION TO BUILDING DESIGN IN COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL”

PEROL, ANGELICA, L.
BSARCH 1A

AR. BRYLE RHYZ N. IMMANGDUL

INSTRUCTOR
 APPLICATION TO BUILDING DESIGN IN COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL

Architectural design in tropical regions requires a thoughtful approach to address

challenges like high temperatures, heavy rainfall, and humidity. Tropical design
principles focus on using natural resources and passive strategies to improve thermal
comfort, reduce energy use, and harmonize with the environment.

Traditional tropical architecture, with features like stilt structures, open layouts, and local
materials such as bamboo and timber, provides valuable insights for modern design. By
blending traditional practices with contemporary technologies, architects create
sustainable, energy-efficient spaces that integrate natural ventilation, shading, rainwater
harvesting, and vegetative features to meet modern living demands.

In residential buildings, tropical design emphasizes livability, integrating indoor and

outdoor spaces to create a seamless connection with nature. Features like large
operable windows, overhangs, and green roofs reduce heat gain and enhance
ventilation, while the use of natural materials fosters a sense of warmth and harmony.
These designs not only ensure a comfortable living environment but also promote
sustainable practices by reducing reliance on artificial cooling and lighting systems.

For commercial structures, the focus shifts toward energy efficiency and operational
sustainability. Commercial buildings often integrate advanced techniques such as solar
panels, energy-efficient glazing, and vertical gardens to minimize energy consumption.
Passive cooling strategies, like the use of atriums and high ceilings, improve air
circulation and reduce heat buildup, while flexible layouts ensure adaptability and long-
term functionality. By addressing the specific needs of each building type, tropical
design principles create spaces that are practical, resilient, and environmentally
responsible.

Tropical design principles cater to both residential and commercial buildings, addressing
their distinct needs:

1. Residential Buildings

Residential designs prioritize comfort, sustainability, and a strong connection to nature.

Natural Ventilation: Homes incorporate features such as large, operable windows,

louvered designs, and open floor plans to enhance cross-ventilation. Elevated homes,
like stilt houses, promote airflow beneath the structure, reducing heat buildup.
Material Selection: Locally sourced materials like bamboo, timber, and stone lower
costs and the carbon footprint. Thatch or clay tile roofs provide effective natural
insulation.

Shading and Orientation: Overhangs, verandas, and green roofs minimize heat gain
while allowing interiors to stay cool. Buildings are positioned to block direct sunlight but
optimize natural light.

Water Management: Rainwater harvesting systems and permeable landscaping

mitigate the effects of heavy rainfall.

Outdoor-Indoor Integration: Gardens, courtyards, and patios create a biophilic

environment, fostering a closer connection to nature.

Example: Bamboo houses in Bali showcase the use of vernacular materials and passive
cooling techniques.

2. Commercial Buildings

In commercial spaces, tropical design focuses on energy efficiency, cost reduction, and
user comfort.

Energy Efficiency: Solar panels, energy-efficient glazing, and green facades reduce
reliance on artificial cooling and lighting. Daylighting through skylights and clerestory
windows minimizes the need for artificial light.
Passive Cooling: Features like large atriums, high ceilings, and shaded courtyards
improve thermal regulation. Solar chimneys and stack ventilation systems expel warm
air naturally.

Flexible Layouts: Open floor plans support adaptive reuse and multifunctional spaces,
enhancing long-term sustainability.

Sustainable Materials: Composite materials, such as engineered wood, bamboo

laminates, and recycled plastics, meet green building standards.

Vegetative Features: Vertical gardens and rooftop greenery enhance aesthetics, act as
insulation, and serve as carbon sinks.

Examples:

Marina One in Singapore, a mixed-use development, incorporates green cores and

passive ventilation.

Tropical atrium buildings: These open-air lobbies and integrated greenery exemplify
tropical design on a larger scale.

Tropical design ensures that both residential and commercial buildings are functional,
sustainable, and climate-resilient. By leveraging passive strategies and natural
elements, these structures reduce energy use, enhance comfort, and align with
environmental objectives, creating spaces that are both practical and harmonious with
their surroundings.

Reference: https://solutionsarchitecture.co.nz/commercial-projects/commercial-
residential-building-design/
The challenges and opportunities of designing for tropical climates and environments –
RTF | Rethinking The Future
DIFFERENT MATERIALS AND TECHNIQUES IN TROPICAL DESIGN
Tropical design incorporates materials and techniques that address the unique
challenges of hot, humid climates, such as heat, moisture, and heavy rainfall. These
approaches prioritize comfort, sustainability, and environmental integration while
reducing energy consumption. Below is a breakdown of commonly used materials and
techniques in tropical design:

1. Materials

a. Locally Available Materials

Bamboo: Flexible, lightweight, and renewable, used for structural elements, furniture,
and decorative features.

Timber: Durable hardwoods like teak and mahogany are used for frames, flooring, and
roofing.

Stone: Natural stones like basalt and limestone provide thermal mass and aesthetic
appeal.

Clay Tiles: Commonly used for roofing, these offer natural insulation and weather
resistance.

Thatch: Palm fronds or grasses create lightweight, breathable, and eco-friendly roofing.

b. Modern Sustainable Materials

Engineered Wood: Stronger and more sustainable than solid wood, often used for
beams and panels.

Recycled Plastics: Applied in composite boards or furniture for durability and

environmental benefits.

Bamboo Laminates: Used for walls, ceilings, and flooring, providing a polished look
while maintaining eco-friendliness.

Concrete with Additives: Lightweight concrete mixed with volcanic ash or other
additives enhances durability and insulation.

Green Roof Materials: Waterproof membranes and soil systems to support vegetation.
 2. Techniques

a. Passive Cooling Strategies

Cross-Ventilation: Incorporating large windows, louvered shutters, and open layouts to

maximize airflow.

Stack Ventilation: Using high ceilings, solar chimneys, or clerestory windows to expel
hot air.

Shaded Areas: Utilizing overhangs, verandas, and pergolas to block direct sunlight.

Double Roof Systems: An additional roof layer to reduce heat transfer and allow air
circulation.

b. Orientation and Layout

Building Orientation: Aligning structures to block intense sunlight and prevailing winds
while maximizing natural light.

Open Floor Plans: Encouraging airflow and reducing enclosed spaces that trap heat.

Courtyards: Central open spaces that enhance ventilation and create shaded
microclimates.

c. Rainwater and Moisture Management

Rainwater Harvesting: Collecting rainwater for irrigation or household use.

Permeable Landscaping: Allowing water to seep into the ground to prevent flooding.

Elevated Floors: Raising structures on stilts to avoid flooding and promote airflow
beneath.

d. Vegetative Features
Green Walls: Vertical gardens that provide insulation, reduce heat absorption, and
improve air quality.

Rooftop Gardens: Vegetative layers that insulate roofs, reduce heat, and manage
rainwater runoff.

Integrated Landscaping: Using native plants for shading, cooling, and water retention.

e. Energy-Efficient Systems

Solar Panels: Harnessing solar energy to power cooling and lighting systems.

Energy-Efficient Glazing: Using double-glazed or low-E windows to reduce heat gain.

Natural Lighting: Incorporating skylights, clerestory windows, and light shelves to

minimize artificial lighting needs.

Examples of Implementation

Bamboo Homes in Bali: Employing natural materials and passive cooling strategies.

Marina One, Singapore: Features green cores, vertical gardens, and advanced
ventilation techniques.

Traditional Stilt Houses in Southeast Asia: Elevated structures with thatched roofs and
open designs for airflow and flood prevention.

Reference:
https://news.nationalgeographic.org/in-bali-bamboo-architecture-offers-model-for-a-
sustainable-future/

https://ilotpropertybali.com/building-materials-for-tropical-climate/#:~:text=When%20it
%20comes%20to%20structural,termites%2C%20mold%2C%20and%20rot.