Documente Academic
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A Lecture on:
Tropical Architecture
for the Foreign Licensure Examinations for Architects
Rodel C. Balbastro, UAP,PMP
July 08, 2011
TROPICAL ARCHITECTURE‐ Design with Climate
SOLAR CONTROL
Solar Control utilizes beneficial sunshine for pasive heating and for daylighting and minimizes liability of
overheating through sunshading, orientation and related fenestration designs.
The Earth‐Sun Relationship:
The earth is almost spherical in shapeand it revolves around the sun in a slightly elliptical orbit.
The full revolution takes 365.26 days; one extra day for every four years.
Fig. 1 The Earth’s Orbit
The plane of the earth’s revolution is referred to as ecliptic.
The earths axis rotation is tilted 23.45 deg. From the normal to the plane of the ecliptic.
The angle between the earth’s equator and the ecliptic (the earth‐sun line) is the declination (DEC) and it
varies bet. +23.45 deg on june 22 (northern solstice) and ‐23.45 deg on Dec. 22 (southern solstice).
Definition of Terms:
ALTITUDE‐ measured in the vertical plane, between the sun’s direction and the horizon plane. Also referred to as
elevation.
‐ The ht above the horizon
AZIMUTH‐ the direction of the sun measured in the horizontal plane from north in clockwise direction. Also
referred to as “bearing”.
‐
Fig. 2 Definition of Solar Position Angle
ZENITH ANGLE‐ measured between the sun’s direction and the vertical and it is the supplementary angle of the
altitude. ZEN= 90 deg‐ ALT
HOUR ANGLE‐ expresses the time of the day with respect to the solar noon; it is the angular distance, measured
within the plane of the sun’s apparent path between the sun’s position and its position at noon; i.e. solar meridian
(the plane of the local longitude that contains the zenith and the sun’s noon position).As the hourly rotation of the
earth is 360 deg/24h= 15deg/hr, HRA is 15 deg for each hour from the solar noon.
HRA= 15 * (h‐12)
Where h= the hour considered (24‐hr clock) so HRA is negative for the afternoon and positive for the afternoon
hours.
Fig 3 Definition of Hour Angle (HRA)
SOLAR TIME‐ is measured from Solar noon. i.e noon is taken to be when the sun appears to cross the local
meridian.
Clocks are set to the average length of the day, gives the mean time. The mean time at Greenwhich is
referred to as GMT, but recently also as UT (universal time).
Calculation Methods:
DEC= 23.45 * sin (0.986*(284+NDY))
If the DEC is known and the time of the day is expressed by the hour angle, HRA, then the altitude angle will be:
ALT= arcsin(sinDEC*sinLAT+cosDEC*cosLAT*cosHRA)
Two expressions are available for azimuth:
AZI= arcos((cosLAT*sinDEC‐cosDEC*sinLAT*cosHRA)/cosALT
AZI=arcsin((cosDEC*sinHRA)/cosALT))
The results will be between 0 and 180 deg, i.e. for am only; for afternoon hours, take
AZI=360‐AZI
The sunrise hour angle is:
SRH=arcos(‐tanDEC*tanLAT)
And the sunrise time is:
SRT=12‐(arcos(‐tanDEC*tanLAT)/15)
The azimuth angle at sunrise will be:
SRA= arcos(cosLAT*sinDEC+tanLAT*tanDEC*sinLAT*cosDEC)
The performance of vertical shading devices is measured by the horizontal shadow angle: HSA
This is defined as the difference between the azimuth angle of the sun and the orientation azimuth (ORI) of the
building face (sometimes referred to as the AZIMUTH difference)
HSA= AZI – ORI
The performance of horizontal shading devices is measured by the vertical shadow angle (VSA). It is measured as
the sun’s position projected parallel with the building face onto a vertical plane normal to that building face, and it
can be found from the expression.
VSA= arctan(tanALT/cosHSA)
VSA‐ is also the angle between two planes meeting along a horizontal line on the building face which contains the
point considered, one being the horizontal plane and the other a titled plane which contains the sun.
Fig. 4 Horizontal Shadow Angle (HAS) Fig 5 Vertical Shadow Angle (VSA)
SOLAR CHARTS
Solar charts or sun path diagrams are developed to facilitate the process of computing the sun angles. It
shows the sun’s apparent movement across the sky. Since the sun path varies according to the location on earth,
there are different sun charts among different latitude.
The solar chart is 2‐dimentional representation of the sun’s movement projected to the horizontal plane.
The paths are shown as non‐intersecting curves moving along an east west direction.
The sun‐path lines showing designated days represent the apparent movement of the sun on those
specific days.
Lines connecting the sun‐path curves indicate the hours (solar time).
The concentric lines represent the solar altitude angles while the radiating lines represent the solar
azimuth angles. These lines are appropriate so that any position of the sun can be defined for a given locality.
The sun path diagram will change according to the location (latitude) of the place. The diagram which is
nearest to the latitude of the project site under investigation can be used for the preliminary architectural design
work.
Each line of the sun‐path curves represent two dates when the sun has the same path during a one‐year
period.
LATITUDES AND LONGITUDES IN THE PHILIPPINES
TOPOGRAPHY AND THE SUN’s RAYS
Differences in topographic features cause local variations on the amount of radiation. As the direction and
the degree of the slope changes, so does the angle at which the sun strikes the land.
A south‐facing slope is struck by the sun more directly than a north facing slope when the site is located in
the northern hemisphere. It also means that the shadows on southern slopes are shorter.
SOLAR CONTROL IN BUILDINGS
Shading Devices
There are three basic types of external shading devices: horizontal, vertical and egg‐crate. A horizontal
device will always give a segmental shaped shading mask and its performance is measured by VSA. Some sub‐types
are:
‐ eaves overhang
‐ Canopy at window head or higher
‐ A light‐shelf designed to act as a shade
‐ Horizontal louvers
‐ Jalousie shutters
‐ Awnings
‐ Combinations, e.g a canopy with slats suspended at the edge
A vertical device will always give a sectoral shaped shading mask.
‐ Vertical fins
‐ Vertical louvers
Egg‐crate (or combination) devices give a shading mask which is a composite of the above two. Some sub
types are:
‐ Grille blocks, rectangular
‐ Grille blocks, polygonal
‐ Fins, both horizontal and vertical (equal or unequal)
‐ Vertical fixed fins with horizontal (adjustable) louvers
Fig. 6 Mask of a rectangular Grille Block Fig 7 Mask of a Hexagonal Grille Block
DEFINITION OF TERMS:
HEAT‐ form of energy generated by the random motion of molecules. The flow of heat is always from a point of
higher temperature to the points of which the temperature is lower. There are three processes by which heat is
transmitted: they are conduction, convection, and radiation.
CONDUCTION‐ the process in which heat energy is transferred from one vibrating molecule to the one immediately
adjacent to it without any relative displacement of the molecules.
CONVECTION‐ transfer of heat between a surface and a moving fluid or the transfer of heat by movement of the
molecules from one point in a fluid to another. It can either be natural or forced. Natural Convection occurs when
fluid comes in contact with a heat source. When air is blown against the surface of a hot fluid, it cools fast. The air
molecules that have been warmed at the surface of the liquid are blown away and replaced by the cooler air
molecules which are capable of absorbing more heat. This process is called forced convection.
RADIATION‐ the transfer of heat through a space by the electro‐magnetic waves and is measured as temperature
at the surface of the material. There are two aspects of radiation; emissivity and absorptivity. Emissivity is the
ability of the material to give off thermal radiation. All materials emit heat, yet vary in degree. Apsorbtivity is the
capacity of the material to absorb radiant energy and convert it to other forms of energy.
EVAPORATION‐ the change of phase from liquid to gaseous state: the sensible heat (dry –bulb temperature) in the
air is lowered by the latent heat absorbed from air when moisture is evaporated.
THERMAL STORAGE‐ the heat charge and discharge both diurnally and seasonally, a function of its specific heat,
weight and conductivity.
Fig. 8 Paths of Energy Exchange at a Building Microclimate
DAYLIGHTING DESIGN
Daylight is part of architecture, in both its historical, theoretical and technical conception, with unique
capacity to inspire people and to illuminate the elements of its design.
Factors involve with the use of daylight in buildings:
1. AESTHETICS‐ the play of light from windows on surfaces and textures casting an interesting shadows; the
endless variety of mood and appearances due to the movement of the sun.
2. PSYCHOLOGICAL RESPONSE‐ the sense of well being associated with daylight and the sense of orientation
that comes with being “connected”with the exterior.
3. HEALTH‐ improved resistance to infections, skin disorders and cardiovascular impairment.
4. ENERGY/COST‐ reduction in electric use and related air conditioning load from electric lighting.
CRITERIA FOR LIGHTING DESIGN
The quality of lighting can be judged through 2 primary characteristics.
1. CONTRAST‐
2. GLARE‐
Specific goals related to daylighting of buildings:
1. Design to achieve daylight in all feasible areas in significant, useful quantities.
2. Distribute daylight reasonably uniformly, with no significant dark spots.
3. Avoid allowing direct sunlight into the building interior in such a way that it may cause visual discomfort.
4. Provide daylight sensitive controls for the electric lighting so that it will be dimmed or turned off when not
needed.
Three types of Sky Conditions considered in daylighting design;
1. CLEAR SKY‐ provides a steady source of low‐intensity light with direct sun of high intensity.
2. OVERCAST SKY‐ maybe a very dark under dark clouds, or maybe very bright and hazy. Low level lighting,
but diffusely cast from the entire skydome. Can be excessively bright when viewed from inside the
building, or it may be quite dark.
3. PARTLY CLOUDY SKY‐ the third type form the standpoint of daylighting design characterized by partial
clouds with a blue background with bright, white clouds (oftentimes passing and changing rapidly), with
direct sunshine penetrating off and on.
SITE AND BUILDING ORIENTATION
Site features to be considered in daylighting design:
1. Location of the building on the site so that daylight can reach the apertures without significant
interference from nearby obstacles such as tall buildings. Mountains, or trees.
2. Highly reflective surfaces near the site.
3. Trees and shrubs on the site that might give shade and reduce sky glare from the interior.
4. Bright ground surfaces that can be used to reflect daylight into the interior.
SHAPES GUIDE LIGHT
1. Building Configuration
Daylighting of multi‐story building will be most effective if long and narrow so that daylight can penetrate
from both sides.
Rule of thumb:
With reasonably sized fenestration, daylighting can be quite easily achieved to a depth of 4.5
meters inward from the aperture
With windows open to a high ceiling, about 6 m inward from the aperture.
2. Window Heights
The window size and height above the workplane are among the most important geometric factors in
daylightng design. The height of the ceiling above the floor has little effect on the daylight if windows are not
placed high in the exterior wall.
3. Room Depth
As the depth of the room becomes greater, everything else remaining the same, the level of daylight intensity
throughout becomes less.
4. Surface Reflectance
5. Overhangs
Building overhangs maybe very useful for sun and rain control. Although they do reduce the quantity of daylight
within the building, particularly next to the window wall, they are especially effective in reflecting light from
outside gorund planes back into the interior of the building.
Apertures are Critical
The amount of daylight that enters any opening is proportional to the size of the openin, the transmissivity of the
glazing, and ofcourse, the daylight available to enter.
Light Shelves‐ a horizontal plane placed below the top of a window, usually just above door
height allowing light to be reflected from its upper surface to the ceiling level.
Skylights
Clerestories‐ have many of the attributes of the skylights except that they occur in vertical rather
than in a horizontal plane, therefore, are exposed to less quantity of daylight than the skylights.
Devices that control Daylight
1. LOUVERS‐ There are variety of types of louvers for daylight control. There are small, moveable and on the
interior,or they may be large and fixed on the exterior
2. GLAZING‐
NATURAL VENTILATION
Ventilation, is used to define air change in buildings from fan‐driven mechanical systems or from natural air‐flow
through ventilating openings.
AIR MOVEMENTS
Air has the ability to transport temperature. One characteristic of air is that its temperature changes faster than
ground temperature.
Principles of Air flow
1. Air Flows from a high Pressure to a low pressure area.
2. Air possesses inertia. Once set in motion, it tends to continue to flow in its initial direction until some
intervening force is met.
3. Air flows through the path of least resistance.
Land and Sea Breezes
In coastal regions, changes in directions of breezes are very discernible. As the daytime heating begins, the land
warms more rapidly than the water. At night, the land cools faster than water; the resulting movement of air is
from land to sea at the surface and from sea to land aloft. This is known as the land breeze.
Typhoons
A typhoon is a relatively persistent and mature cyclone observed to originate in the tropical regions from
about 5 deg to 15 deg north latitude. The eye of the typhoon is characterized by light winds and nearly clear sky.
Around the eye is the periphery of the typhoon extending as much as 300 km. from the eye. This is characterized
by the turbulent motion of the air with velocities sometimes as great as 250 km per hour.
The average typhoon has a life of more than a week.
Monsoons in the Philippines
MONSOON‐ a seasonal wind blowing from continental interiors to the ocean in winter and oppositely in summer.
(C.E.Palmer)
‐ Derived from Arabic word “mawsim” meaning season and originally referred to the winds of the
Arabian sea.
‐ A steady wind over a length of time characterized by regularity and constancy.
‐ A large‐scaled seasonal current from land to sea and from sea to land.
1. HABAGAT‐ or southwest monsoon, occurs yearly during summer months.
‐ The weather is characterized by general cloudiness with drizzle or rain.
‐ ‐ originates in Indian ocean anticyclone during the summer hemisphere winter.
‐ Appears in the Philippines in early May, attaining maximum strength in August, gradually
disappears in August.
‐ It is warm and very humid.
2. AMIHAN‐ or northeast monsoon is characterized by heavy stratocumulus clouds in the lower levels,
associated with showers and occasional heavy drizzles.
‐ Usually affects the Philippines in October as a weak stream, attaining maximum strength in
January. Weakens in March and disappears in April.
‐ The surface airflow over the Philippines in January under the influence of NE monsoon is
generally steady.
MOVEMENT OF AIR IN BUILDING INTERIORS
Wind Characteristics
1. The windward side has a positive high pressure, while the leeward side has a negative pressure.
2. Air enters buildings through openings located in the positive pressure zone, and exits through openings
located at the negative pressure zone.
3. Due to thermal forces, air enters a building through the lower level openings and escapes through
openings located at a higher portion of the building.
4. Studies from UNESCO show that the average indoor speed increases rapidly by increasing the ratio of the
window with wall width to about 50%. Beyond that, the rate of increase is much smaller.
PARTITION EFFECT
By providing openings above and below the partition, the air movement within the building improves.
AIR STREAM PATTERNS
1. No Air Flow 2. Low Velocity Flow 3.High Velocity flow
4. Maximum Air flow 5. Offset Inlet 6. Angled Flow
7 Louvered Inlet 8. Low Velocity Flow 9. Angled Flow with Partition
(
10. High Velocity flow 11. Low Cooling capacity 12. High Cooling Capacity
13. Centered inlet & Outlet 14. Low inlet, Centered outlet 15. Low Inlet, High Outlet
16. Low Inlet and Outlet 17. High inlet & outlet 18.Inlet with overhang
Louvers can deflect the air stream upwards,
Or down the floor
Projecting sunshades produce a bad upward air flow
By providing slats as projection, wind flow can be directed downwards.
Air flows differ on different levels
Clear‐story ventilation will not improve air movement at low level.
EFFECTS OF LANDSCAPE ELEMENTS
Hedges and shrubs deflect air away from inlets and cause a reduction in air motion
indoors.
These should not be planted at a distance of more than 2 or 3 meters from the building
because the induced air motion is reduced.
Air movement in the leeward part of the building can be enhanced by planting a low
hedge at a distance of 2 m from the building.
Trees with large foliage mass, having the trunk base branches up to the top level of the
window, deflect the outdoor wind downward and promote air motion in the habitable
zones of building interiors.
LANDSCAPING
Plants and trees are among the most effective and desirable elements that can be used
to direct air flow.
Effect of Tree on Air Movement
The tree offers very good protection from the wind direction behind the foliage.
The combination of hedge and tree can be used in many ways to achieve air flow control
and visual control.
Hedge Downwind Hedge Upwind
Trees and shrubs can also be used effectively to channel air laterally into close corners
and secluded pockets.
WINDSHADOWS
The wind shadow of a well‐foliage tree is approximately 2 times the ht of the tree.
A row of closely spaced tree whose row is 4 times its height can have a wind shadow of
3 times the height of the tree.
If the length of the tree row is 8 times the height, the wind shadow will be six times the
height.
EFFECT OF PLAN FORM
1. L‐Shape Plan‐ air motion can be enhanced by facing the inner sides of the wings towards oblique winds
2. U‐Shape Plan‐
3. H‐Shape Plan‐ self‐shielding and do not conduce to the induction of air movement indoors. Whether eind
is incident normally and obliquely on the parallel wings, the parallel wings shield the remaining part of the
building so that very little air motion is induced in the wing.
4. T‐Shape Plan‐ promotes air motion only in a limited part of the building. As compared to H‐shaped plan, t‐
shaped plan induces a higher indoor air movement for obliquely incident wind.
INFLUENCE OF ADJANCENT BUILDINGS
1. Buildings located in Broadside‐on Position
Buildings of equal height arranged in parallel rows with their ends in a straight line create poor
ventilation conditions in the shielded block. To induce air motion in the leeward blocks, the distance of
separation between the two parallel rows should be more than ten times the height of the blocks.
For buildings of different height in broadside position, multi‐storey building in the windward side
obstructs wind flow while low building located in the windward side has little effect on the indoor air
motion of the leeward blocks.
2. Buildings located in End‐on Position
Air motion induced by normally incident wind in the leeward block is less when buildings located
in end‐on position are close to each other. Obliquely incident wind speeds available in the windward block
are not affected by the changed location of the leeward block through air motion in the leeward block
increases as the distance of separation between the blocks is increased.
AIR MOVEMENT FOR PASSIVE COOLING
PASSIVE‐COOLING‐
Vital to a passively‐cooled environment in hot‐humid localities is air movement. This would be particularly
relevant when temperature variations do not exceed 10 deg Celsius and where the humidity is high. This climatic
phenomenon is typical for most urban areas and the lowlands of the Philippines. In hot‐humid conditions when
moving air hits the human body, this promotes the evaporation of sweats and induces cooling sensation. Hence,
the flow of air into the interiors of buildings should be directed towards the occupancy zones of the interior
spaces. Air flow can be induced to improve the thermal comfort even if the building interiors are 15 meters deep.
Although there is a great need to induce air movement during the hot‐humid periods of the year, there
are also periods of the year when the building should be able to resist typhoon winds. Consequently, the architect
should bear in mind that while low velocity air movement is beneficial for human comfort in interiors, the building
should be designed to withstand the harsh winds of the typhoon season.
PASSIVE SYSTEMS FOR VARIOUS CLIMATES
Hot‐Humid Climate‐ maximum wind exposure; maximum internal airflow; minimum radiant heat gain
Hot‐Dry Climate‐ minimum radiant heat gain; moderate wind resistance; moderate internal airflow
Cool Climate‐ Maximum thermal retention; maximum radiant heat gain; minimum heat resistance
Temperate Climate‐ moderate thermal retention; moderate radiant heat gain; slight wind exposure; moderate
internal airflow