TROPICAL DESIGN

ADAPTING TRADITIONAL DESIGN

• Traditional Building
• Sustainable Architecture

•Sustainable Buildings with traditional building

elements
DEFINITION:

TRADITIONAL BUILDING

- refers to buildings that have become

accepted as a norm in a society, and whose
elements are passed on from generation to
generation.
WHAT IS TRADITIONAL BUILDING?

- refers to buildings that have become accepted as a

norm in a society, and whose elements are passed
on from generation to generation.
BUILDING ELEMENT

- any major functioning part of a building,

such as:
- roof
- floor
- walls
- beams
- slabs
- doors
- windows, etc.
HIGH-PITCH & THICK ROOF

-thermal insulator

DEEP OVERHANG

-shade for
elements
of nature (i.e.
sun,
wind, rain)

ELEVATED FLOOR

-for health &

security
considerations
 OTHER FEATURES:

- prefab structure

- rat-proof

- in sympathy with the

environment
HIGH-PITCH & THICK ROOF

-thermal insulator

DEEP OVERHANG

-shade for elements

of nature (i.e. sun,
wind, rain)

ELEVATED FLOOR

-for health &

security
considerations
WIDE WINDOWS

-better day lighting & ventilation

OTHER FEATURES:

- floor vents

- open plan

- in sympathy with the

environment
HIGH-PITCH ROOF

-thermal insulator

DEEP OVERHANG

ELEVATED FLOOR

-for health &

security
considerations
WIDE WINDOWS

-for better day

lighting and
ventilation

CAPIZ WINDOWS
-exterior sunshade

PERSIANA
-for day lighting &
ventilation control
14
15
 ESPEJO

-for day lighting

VENTANILLAS

-for day lighting and

ventilation control

ELEVATED FLOOR

-for health & safety

consideration
GALLERY

-for day lighting and

ventilation control
COURTYARDS

-light and
wind catcher
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SUSTAINABLE DESIGN FEATURES:

• double facade
SUSTAINABLE DESIGN FEATURES:

• double facade
SUSTAINABLE DESIGN FEATURES:

•natural cross ventilation/buildings oriented to

capture prevailing breezes
SUSTAINABLE DESIGN FEATURES:

•exterior sunshade
SUSTAINABLE DESIGN FEATURES:

•vertical & horizontal louvers for day lighting

control
SUSTAINABLE DESIGN FEATURES:

• deep overhangs on south-& west facing facade

SUSTAINABLE DESIGN FEATURES:

•use of locally available materials

SUSTAINABLE DESIGN FEATURES:

•use of natural day lighting

SUSTAINABLE DESIGN FEATURES:

•courtyards & gardens as wind and light catcher

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SUSTAINABLE DESIGN FEATURES:

•flexible plan to allow adaptability to changing

needs
“I have made the point that builders must
learn the local language – if not, they
will be outsiders, architectural tourists.”

- Witold Rybczynski
 QUIZ:
• ENUMERTE AT LEAST 10 TROPICAL
DESIGN TECHNIQUES.