Tropical &

Passive Design
Practices

Arch. Amado P. de Jesus, Jr., fuap, PGBI ADP

Vice President
Philippine Green Building Initiative

Founding Chairman
Green Architecture Movement of UAP
PRESENTATION OUTLINE:

•Tropical design
•Characteristics of the tropics
•Design considerations
•Passive design
•Passive cooling strategies
•Wind & natural ventilation
•Solar control devices
TROPICAL
DESIGN
 What is
tropical
architecture?
Tropical architecture

• passively-designed
• climate-responsive architecture
• hot, humid zones
Tropical architecture
is all about achieving
thermal comfort through
the use of passive
design elements
Tropical Architecture is also
about tackling urban heat
island effect….and global
warming
Urban heat island (UHI)

What results from cities

with very little greenery
and many concrete surfaces
CHARACTERISTICS OF
THE TROPICS
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE TROPICS

Temperature
• average mean temperature (dbt) 20 to 30◦C
• Small diurnal temperature change/range 2 to 5◦C

Relative Humidity
• 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
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE TROPICS

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
DESIGN OBJECTIVES

Minimize heat gain

Maximize ventilation (but protect from typhoon wind)

Prevent unnecessary increase in humidity levels

Have good drainage systems to accommodate high
precipitation during the year

Protect spaces from insects and rodents
 Site
Considerations
“What will this place
require us to do?

Permit us to do?

Help us to do?”
Wendell Berry 1992
SITE CONSIDERATIONS

Maximize beneficial use of the sun

Minimize its impact on the

environment
Rural Site
Searching for its most attractive
micro-climate

Urban Site
Plotting shadow patterns from
surrounding buildings to optimize
solar gain
DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

Orientation

Building design

Building envelope

Fenestration

Building materials

Landscape
DESIGN ELEMENTS

High pitched roofs (so rain gets off fast as hot air
rises and escapes to keep you cool)

Retractable doors and windows (to raise the air

flow to the ventilations and allow you open the
house on the great lazy days)

Outdoor gardens

Simple details and finishes (compatible with the

environment)
SUN PATH

refers to the apparent significant

seasonal & hourly
positional changes of the sun
(& length of daylight)
as the earth rotates & orbits around
the sun
SUN PATH

relative position of the sun is a major factor

in the heat gain of buildings & in the
performance of solar energy systems

accurate location-specific knowledge of

sun path & climatic conditions is
essential for economic decisions about
solar collector area, orientation,
landscaping, summer shading, and the
cost-effective use of solar trackers
SUN PATH
SUN PATH
SUN PATH DIAGRAM
ALTITUDE

sometimes referred to as elevation

the angle between the object and the
observer‘s local horizon

HORIZONTAL COORDINATES
• Azimuth

• Altitude
TROPICAL DESIGN IN THE PHILIPPINES

BAMBOO HOUSE MARY IMMACULATE PARISH

Puerto Azul, Ternate, Cavite, Moonwalk Village, Las Pinas City,
1981 1988 PEARL FARM RESORT, Samal Island, Davao, 1994
Francisco Manosa Francisco Manosa Francisco Manosa

MANOSA HOUSE RISEN LORD CHAPEL

Ayala Alabang, Muntinlupa Cit Pulang Lupa, Las Pinas City,
1983, AMANPULO, Pamalican Island, Palawan,, 1994 1999
Francisco Manosa Francisco Manosa Francisco Manosa
PASSIVE
DESIGN
Passive
vs.
Active
PASSIVE COOLING

A cooling system using a

building’s design & construction
to maintain a comfortable
temperature within the building
PASSIVE COOLING

Passive design is essentially

low-energy design
achieved by the building’s
organization
rather than
electro-mechanical means
PASSIVE COOLING STRATEGIES

Natural Ventilation

High Thermal Mass

High Thermal Mass with Night Ventilation

Evaporative Cooling
NATURAL VENTILATION

Depends solely on air movement to

cool occupants

Window openings on opposite sides

of the building enhance cross
ventilation driven by breezes
NATURAL VENTILATION

Tall spaces within buildings called

stacks can enhance natural ventilation

Openings near the top of the stack let

warm air escape, while cooler air
enters the building from openings
near the ground
 HIGH
THERMAL
MASS
Thermal mass is a material's
resistance to change in
temperature as heat is added or
removed.
Thermal mass is crucial to good
passive solar heating design.
Objects with thermal mass absorb
and retain heat, slowing the rate
at which :
the sun heats a space and the rate
at which
a space loses heat when the sun is
gone.
Without thermal mass, heat that
has entered a space will simply
re-radiate back out quickly….
making the space overly hot with
sunlight and overly cold
without.
In climates that are
constantly hot or constantly cold,
the thermal mass effect can
actually be detrimental.

This is because all surfaces of the

mass will tend towards the
average daily temperature.

.
If this temperature is above or
below the comfortable range, it
will result in even more occupant
discomfort due to unwanted
radiant gains or losses.

Thus, in warm tropical and

equatorial climates, buildings
tend to be very open and
lightweight.
EVAPORATIVE
COOLING
Cooling through evaporation is a
natural occurrence.

The most common example we all

experience is perspiration, or
sweat.

As perspiration evaporates it
absorbs heat to cool your body.
The principle underlying evaporative
cooling is the fact that water must
have heat applied to it to change
from a liquid to a vapor.

When evaporation occurs, this heat

is taken from the water that
remains in the liquid state, resulting
in a cooler liquid.
EVAPORATIVE COOLING

Lowers the indoor air temperature by evaporating

water

In dry climates, this is commonly done directly in the
space

Indirect methods, such as roof ponds, allow
evaporative cooling to be used in more temperate
climates too
PASSIVE DESIGN
METHODS
BUILDING ORIENTATION

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
 Façade Design

Sun Shading Devices

FAÇADE DESIGN

Use of double-layered façade

FAÇADE DESIGN

Use low-emissivity glass (Low-E glass)

FAÇADE DESIGN

Use of insulation
WIND & NATURAL
VENTILATION
Prevailing Wind in the
Philippines :

• Amihan (NE) November to

April
• Habagat (SW) May to
October
WIND & NATURAL VENTILATION

Prevailing Breezes & Air Movement

• The feeling of discomfort is mainly
attributed to high humidity ( the
presence of more water vapor in the
atmosphere

• Wind factor can negate this

• Buildings must be oriented in such a way

that the window side faces the
prevailing breezes
Prevailing Breezes & Air Movement

• Corresponding opening in the leeward

side must be carefully located for
effective cross ventilation in all areas

• Wind shadows must be anticipated in

order to be assured that other areas are
not deprived of prevailing breezes
Windward
is the direction upwind from the point of reference (+
pressure)
Leeward
is the direction downwind from the point of reference (
pressure)
WIND & NATURAL VENTILATION
Stack / 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
Warm Air - OUT
Warm Air - OUT

Cool Air - IN Cool Air - IN

Warm Air - OUT

Cool Air - IN

Warm Air - OUT

Cool Air - IN
WIND & NATURAL VENTILATION

Venturi Effect
The rate of flow of air inside the building will be increased by
making the outlet opening bigger than the inlet.
.

INLET OUTLET
WIND & NATURAL VENTILATION

Cross Ventilation
The circulation of fresh air through open
windows, doors or other openings on opposite
sides of a room
WIND & NATURAL VENTILATION
Wind Gradient
Wind speeds increase with the height
above the ground, and the smoothness of
the ground surface
WIND & NATURAL VENTILATION

Although towns
are “rough” and
slow down the
wind, tall
buildings will
often deflect
strong winds
down to a lower
level
WIND & NATURAL VENTILATION

Permeable wind
breaks do not give
so much shelter
immediately
behind them but
slow down wind
for some distance
WIND & NATURAL VENTILATION

Solid wind breaks

give more local
shelter but also
cause strong down
drafts & give
higher wind
speeds at low
level than areas
behind permeable
ones
WIND & NATURAL VENTILATION

If there are large expanses of

hard ground surfaces outside
buildings, the air will become
heated and wind will pick up
dust
WIND & NATURAL VENTILATION

Trees & grass will keep the

ground partially shaded &
covered
WIND & NATURAL VENTILATION

Low bushes will restrict air

movement at ground level & will
deflect the wind away from the
openings
WIND & NATURAL VENTILATION
Bushes at low level can be
used to deflect the wind into
interiors which would otherwise
suffer from low wind speeds

If air movement is needed &

prevailing breeze is from the
west, buildings should not be
oriented to catch both sun &
wind

The discomfort due to solar

radiation will almost always
exceed the comfort due to
air movement

Air movement can be directed

around corners to a limited
extent, while radiation travels in
straight lines
WIND & NATURAL VENTILATION

Air movement over the

skin encourages
evaporation of sweat
from the skin causing a
cooling sensation &
lowering the effective
temperature
WIND & NATURAL VENTILATION

Air movement through

building can prevent an
increase in internal air
temperature due to
internal heat sources:
people, lighting, equipment
WIND & NATURAL VENTILATION

Air movement across the

surfaces & in the air
spaces can reduce the
heat build-up due to
solar radiation.

The radiation will be

greatest when wind speed
in slowest & air
movement through
cavities does not affect
heat transfer due to
radiation
WIND & NATURAL VENTILATION

If the inlet & the outlet

are at a high level, then
the stream of air passing
across the room will be at
a high level
WIND & NATURAL VENTILATION

If the outlet is lowered,

then the stream of air is
only altered at the back
of the room
WIND & NATURAL VENTILATION

Air movement at the

required height in the
room can only be
achieved by positioning
the inlet correctly
WIND & NATURAL VENTILATION

If partitions are used

which give visual privacy,
they will also prevent
good air movement at
low level
WIND & NATURAL VENTILATION

If the inlet is larger than

the outlet, the fastest
wind speeds will occur at
just outside the outlet
WIND & NATURAL VENTILATION

If the inlet is smaller

than the outlet, the
fastest wind speeds will
occur in most areas
inside the room (Venturi
effect)
WIND & NATURAL VENTILATION

A low building in
front of the tall block
causes strong winds
at low level
WIND & NATURAL VENTILATION

Spaces under the

building if it is on
columns (piloti) are likely
to experience high
velocities

Rain can be blown up on

the face of the building
WIND & NATURAL VENTILATION

Buildings laid out in regular A staggered arrangement

rows will shade each other allows greater space between the
& the wind will be channeled first row & the building behind.
into the spaces between them Any deflected wind is directed
into the face of the next
building
 WHY GREEN ROOFS?

• Reduce heat
• Improve energy performance
• Improve air quality
• Manage storm water runoff
• Purify rainwater
• Converts roof area into pleasant place
FENESTRATION
SYSTEM
 FENESTRATION SYSTEM

• Glazing
• Windows
• Curtain walls
• Sloped glazing
• Exterior doors
• Building integrated
photovoltaic (BIPV)
 FENESTRATION SYSTEM

• Glazing
• Windows
• Curtain walls
• Sloped glazing
• Exterior doors
• Building integrated
photovoltaic (BIPV)
For daylight applications
High
visible transmission values
are important
to bring
as much daylight
as possible
 NEW GENERATION
OF GLASS

• Clear or diffuse glass

• Laminate glass
• Fritted glass
• Holographic films
• Smart windows
SUN SHADING DEVICES

Horizontal Types
• Most efficient toward southern
orientations
• Louvers parallel to wall have the
advantage of permitting air
circulation near the elevation
• Slanted louvers have the same
characteristics as solid
overhangs & can be retractable
• Louvers hung from solid
horizontal overhangs are
efficient when projection is
needed for low sun angles
• A solid or perforated screen strip
parallel to wall cuts out the
lower rays of the sun
• Movable horizontal louvers
change their segmental mask
characteristics according to their
positioning
SUN SHADING DEVICES

Horizontal Types
Horizontal Sun Shades are
generally used on the
North-Facing and South
Facing Sides of a building
SUN SHADING DEVICES

Vertical Types
• Vertical fins serve well toward
the near east or near west
orientations
• Their mask characteristics are
radial
• Vertical fins oblique to walls
will result in asymmetrical mask
• Separation from wall will
prevent heat transmission
• Movable fins can shade the
whole wall or open up in
different directions according
to the sun’s position
SUN SHADING DEVICES

Egg crate Types

• Egg crate types are
combination of horizontal and
vertical types
• The masks are superimposed
diagrams of the two masks
• Solid egg crate wind slanting
vertical fins results in
asymmetrical masks
• Egg crate devices with movable
horizontal elements show
flexible mask characteristics
• Egg crates are efficient in hot
climates because of their high
shading ration
SOLAR CONTROL DEVICES

Each project should be evaluated

depending on its relative cooling needs

Extend the overhang beyond the
sides of the window to prevent solar
gain from the side

Use slatted or louvered shades to allow
more daylight to enter, while shading
windows from direct sunlight

Reduce solar heat gain by recessing
windows into the wall
BASIC PRINCIPLES OF AIR FLOW

1. Air flows from a high - pressure to a low-

pressure area
BASIC PRINCIPLES OF AIR FLOW

2. Air possesses inertia: once set in motion, it tends to

Continue to flow in its initial direction until some intervening
force is met
BASIC PRINCIPLES OF AIR FLOW

3.Air flows through the path of less

resistance
INDUCING AIR MOVEMENT IN BUILDING INTERIORS

Effect of partitions
 Reference to
Climate Change
Resiliency
of the
GrEEEn Building Rating
System
G.1 Sound site selection
G.2 Soundness of structure
G.3 Resiliency of building materials
G.4 Water and wind tightness
G.5 Spatial flexibility
G.6 Own emergency provisions
G.7 Access to public services
G.8 Ease of egress in emergencies
G.9 Disaster risk management plan
G.10 Energy independence
 Tropical &
Passive Design
Practices

Arch. Amado P. de Jesus, Jr., fuap, PGBI ADP

Vice President
Philippine Green Building Initiative

Founding Chairman
Green Architecture Movement of UAP