Tropical Architecture

Tropical architecture is a specialized field of study that

focuses on designing and constructing buildings in
tropical climates, where unique environmental
conditions pose distinct challenges and opportunities.

Climatic Design Factors

Designing for tropical climates requires careful
consideration of various factors to ensure comfort,
energy efficiency, and sustainability. Here is a list of
climatic design factors: Lesson 2: Types of climate and climatic zones
●​ Temperature and humidity Weather and climate
●​ Solar angles and orientation Significance of learning climate and weather for
●​ Wind patterns tropical design
●​ Rainfall and drainage Learning about climate and weather is essential for
●​ Building materials tropical design because these factors directly influence
●​ Vegetation and landscaping the architectural form, material selection, energy
●​ Shading devices efficiency, and overall human comfort within tropical
●​ Natural ventilation environments.
●​ Elevated floors The main features of climate are:
●​ Insulation ●​ Air temperature and its change depending on
●​ Adaptability and flexibility the season;
●​ Energy efficiency ●​ The amount and the time of precipitation (rain
●​ Cultural and social context and snow) during the year;
●​ Water management ●​ How air masses move;
●​ Resilience to extreme weather events ●​ Prevailing and other winds.
Weather: short-term state of the atmosphere (can
Environmental or climatic design represents a change within minutes or hours)
paradigm shift in architectural philosophy, moving Climate: long-term pattern of weather ( average
beyond the mere aesthetics of buildings to integrate a weather over many years in one specific place)
profound understanding of the surrounding natural
environment. Meteorological elements:
●​ Air temperature- may be positive or negative.
Designing with nature, often referred to as biophilic or The dividing point between positive and
ecological design, is a concept rooted in the negative air temperature is 0°C; when water
understanding that the natural environment profoundly freezes and turns to ice.
influences human well-being and that incorporating ●​ Air humidity- depends on the amount of
nature into the built environment enhances the quality water vapor in the air. When humidity is higher
of spaces. in the winter, we feel colder. But when the
humidity is high and the air temperature is
high, it feels stuffy.
●​ Clouds- are a cluster of tiny water droplets or
ice crystals in the atmosphere.
●​ Precipitation- varies depending on whether it
falls from clouds or forms on the surface of the
ground on objects.
●​ Visibility- is the maximum distance beyond
which an observed object blends into the
distance and cannot be distinguished.
●​ Fogs- are a cluster formed by condensation of
water vapor close to the ground
●​ Atmospheric pressure- is the pressure
generated by the weight of air.
●​ Wind– is the horizontal movement of air
caused by differences in atmospheric
pressure.
Tropical Architecture

Differences in the climate on our planet are primarily ●​ Rain falls faster than water can evaporate from
because the sun’s heat is distributed unevenly over the the ground, so the soil in an equatorial climate
Earth’s surface. is waterlogged and covered by a dense and
high rainforest.
The main climate zones are equatorial, tropical, ●​ Found in northern parts of South America, the
temperate, and polar (Arctic in the Northern coast of the Gulf of Guinea, the Congo River
Hemisphere and Antarctic in the Southern basin, and the headwaters of the Nile in Africa,
Hemisphere). They are considered to be the main over the great part of the Indonesian
climate zones since each of them is dominated archipelago, and the adjacent parts of the
throughout the year by the same air masses, which are Indian and Pacific oceans in Asia.
typical of these climate zones.
Sub-equatorial climate
Climatic types accdg. to Koeppen ●​ Is marked by a rainy season in the summer,
followed by a cool and dry season in the
winter.
●​ Throughout the year, rainfall is very uneven.
●​ This type of climate is found in some parts of
the Indian Ocean and the Western Pacific
Ocean, as well as in Southeast Asia and
tropical regions of Africa and South America.

Tropical climate
●​ Dominated by anticyclones with high pressure,
giving clear weather nearly all year round.
There are two seasons: warm and cold
●​ Temperatures can vary from +20°C on the
Climates of Earth coast to +50°C in the interior.
●​ Deserts are often found in tropical climates,
and the largest of them is the Sahara desert in
Africa

Sub-tropical climate
●​ Is found in regions between tropical temperate
latitudes, from about 30 to 45 degrees north
and south of the equator.
●​ These regions are marked by hot, tropical
summers and fairly cool winters.
●​ The average monthly temperature in summer
is above +22℃ and in winter -3℃, but the
arrival of air from polar regions in winter time
may cause temperatures to drop as low as -10
to -15℃ and occasionally even as far as -25℃.
●​ This type of climate is typical for the
Mediterranean, South Africa, southwestern
Australia, and northwestern California.

Temperate climate
●​ In winter, the temperature by day and night is
-35-45 °C. The landscape in the sub-arctic
Equatorial climate climate consists of tundra and forest tundra.
●​ Is marked by hot and moist equatorial air The soil is marked by permafrost, and there
masses. Air temperature is constant (+24 - 28 are few plants and animals.
°C) and there is much rain throughout the year ●​ The greater part of the sub-antarctic zone
(from 1500 to 5000 mm) consists of the ocean. Annual rain and
snowfall in these regions is up to 500 mm.
Tropical Architecture

●​ A sub-arctic climate is found between arctic ●​ At least 30 percent of the annual rainfall in the
temperate climate zones in the northern northern Philippines can be traced to tropical
hemisphere. cyclones, while the southern islands receive
●​ This climate is marked by air masses at less than 10 percent of their annual rainfall
moderate temperatures in the summer and from tropical cyclones.
cold air masses from the Arctic in the winter. Southwest monsoon (Habagat)
●​ A monsoon is a consistent wind pattern
Polar climate generated by a large weather system that lasts
●​ Found on the north of 70 degrees latitude in for months and affects large areas. There are
the northern hemisphere (arctic climate) and to 2 monsoon seasons in the country: Southwest
the south of 65 degrees latitude in the monsoon (habagat) and northeast monsoon
southern hemisphere (antarctic climate) (amihan)
●​ Polar air masses are dominant all year round. ●​ Habagat usually means wet conditions in the
The sun does not appear above the horizon western sections of the country from June to
for several months ( this period is called the September. Because of this, habagat brings a
‘polar night’) and during some other months it significant amount of rainfall during the rainy
does not set beyond the horizon (‘midnight season that triggers flooding and landslides.
sun’ or ‘polar day’) Northeast monsoon (Amihan)
●​ Snow and ice reflect more heat than they ●​ Winds coming from the northeast
absorb, so the air is very cold and the snow ●​ Cool and dry air
never melts. Atmospheric pressure is high all ●​ Slight to moderate rainfall
year round (anticyclone), so the winds are ●​ November to May
weak and there are almost no clouds. ●​ It usually weakens cyclones because of a lack
●​ The average temperature in summer is below of moisture
0°C, and in winter it is between -20°C and Typhoons
-40°C. ●​ The Philippines archipelago sits across the
typhoon belt, where dangerous storms occur
Philippine climate and weather system from July through October. Climate change
●​ Weather in the Philippines is monitored by exacerbates the situation with typhoons in the
PAGASA (Philippine Atmospheric, Philippines.
Geophysical and Astronomical Services ●​ The Philippines used a four-level warning
Administration) system to alert citizens of incoming tropical
●​ Warm months: March through October cyclones that would make landfall in the
●​ Winter monsoon: November to February country. But because of Typhoon Haiyan
●​ May is the warmest month, and January is the (Yolanda) the warning system was increased
coolest to five levels, and a Super Typhoon (STY)
●​ Monsoons are large-scale sea breezes that category was adopted in 2015. Initially, suer
occur when the temperature on land is typhoons were defined as typhoons with
significantly warmer or cooler than the maximum sustained winds of more than 220
temperature of the ocean. Most summer km/h (140 mph; 120 kn; 61 m/s), but the
monsoons or southwest monsoons (Habagat) threshold was lowered to those of more than
have a dominant westerly component and a 185 km/h (115 mph; 100 kn; 51 m/s) after
strong tendency to ascend and produce PAGASA revised its system of wind signals in
copious amounts of rain because of the 2022.
condensation of water vapor in the rising air.
●​ Winter monsoons or northeast monsoons
(Amihan), by contrast, have a dominant
easterly component and a strong tendency to
diverge, subside, and cause drought.
Tropical Architecture

which contribute to improved indoor comfort

PAGASA’s Tropical cyclone scale and reduced reliance on mechanical cooling
systems.
●​ The sun path diagram serves as a visual guide
for predicting the position of the sun at specific
times, enabling precise design decisions on
shading devices, window placements, roof
overhangs, and facade treatments.
●​ By maximizing daylight while minimizing glare
and heat, designers can create healthy,
energy-efficient spaces that are both functional
and aesthetically pleasing. This is especially
crucial in tropical regions, where reducing heat
gain and promoting cross-ventilation are
essential for occupant comfort.
PAGASA’s tropical cyclone wind signal
KEY DATES TO REMEMBER:
●​ Summer solstice (June 21/22): The longest
day of the year, the sun is at its highest
altitude.
●​ Winter solstice (December 21/22): The
shortest day of the year, the sun is at its lowest
altitude.
●​ Spring and Autumn Equinox (March 21 and
September 23): Day and night are equal, and
the sun rises and sets at due east and due
west.
KEY CONCEPTS IN SUN PATH ANALYSIS:
Type 1 Climate: There are 2 pronounced seasons: A.​ Solar Angles
dry, from November to April; wet, during the rest of the 1.​ Solar altitude: the vertical angle of the sun
year, when thunderstorms are fueled by the warm, above the horizon.
moist air from the West Philippine Sea. ●​ High in summer, low in winter
Type 2 Climate: There is no dry season with a very ●​ It affects how much sunlight enters a building.
pronounced maximum rain period from November to 2.​ Solar Azimuth: the horizontal angle of the sun
January. relative to true north.
Type 3 Climate: Seasons are not very pronounced; ●​ Helps in orienting buildings to receive optimal
they are relatively dry from November to April and daylight.
weep during the rest of the year. 3.​ Solar Declination: The tilt of the Earth relative
Type 4 Climate: Rainfall is more or less evenly to the sun as it orbits, affecting the height of
distributed throughout the year. the sun in different seasons.
4.​ Solar Noon: The time of day when the sun is
Lesson 3: Sun Path Diagram and Analysis at its highest point.
●​ Shadows are shortest at solar noon, which
●​ A sun path diagram is a fundamental tool in varies depending on the location.
the study of tropical architecture, where B. Sun Path Diagrams
climate-responsive design plays a pivotal role -shows the sun’s position throughout the day for a
in ensuring thermal comfort, energy efficiency, given location. It uses curves to represent the sun’s
and environmental sustainability. movement at different times of the year
●​ Tropical regions are characterized by intense ●​ Circular sun path diagram: displays the
solar radiation, high humidity, and significant sun’s movement as circular arcs, commonly
variations in daylight hours throughout the used in the northern and southern
year. hemispheres.
●​ By analyzing the sun’s trajectory, architects ●​ Rectilinear sun path diagram: Shows sun
can optimize building orientation, control movement in a cartesian (grid-like) format,
natural lighting, and reduce heat gain, all of useful for architectural design.
Tropical Architecture

How to read sun path diagrams azimuth of the sun, draw a line from the center to the
outer edge of the chart, going directly through the sun
position you marked

The Altitude circle

●​ The sun’s altitude is its height from the horizon
when it rises.
●​ It starts from 0 degrees when it rises.
●​ The higher the sun, the higher its altitude and
higher the angle.
The Azimuth Lines
●​ The azimuth angle is the angle of the sun from
a reference point, which is usually North (0
degrees).
●​ With reference to this, the other points are
East (90 degrees), South (180 degrees), and
West (279 degrees)
●​ The Azimuth angle lines are the lines radiating
to the circumference of the circle from the
Step 1: Identify the month center for every 10 degrees. To find the
The first thing you need to do is locate your month on azimuth angle, draw a line from the center of
the chart. These will be the heavy, solid lines running the circle to the circumference, passing
horizontally, though they are slightly curved. In terms of through the time and month intersection
solar position, June and December are special points. For example, if the line hits 120
months. At the summer and winter solstices, the sun is degrees, then the Azimuth angle of the Sun at
at it's highest and lowest point, respectively. These two that hour would be 120 degrees from the North
months have their own lines. Every other month point.
shares a line with it's opposite month. The complete The sun path
list of pairs is May/July, April/August, March/September ●​ The solar path is described with the sun path
(these are the Equinox months), February/October, diagram. The sun path diagram is a very
and January/November. useful tool in the early photovoltaic system
Step 2: Identify the time design phase for shadowing determining.
These are represented by the heavy, solid lines ●​ The most important geometrical parameters,
running vertically. At this point, you should MARK THE which describe Earth-Sun relations, include
INTERSECTION of your month and your time. This is declination (δ), sun height (α), and solar
the position of the sun. azimuth (Φ).
Step 3: Find the altitude
The altitude is the height of the sun above the horizon.
Sunrise is the first time during the day the altitude is
above 0. Sunset is marked when it drops below 0. The
sun is higher in summer than it is in winter and higher
at midday than it is in the morning or the evening.
Higher sun means higher altitude. The altitude is
represented by the thin circles. This chart has a circle
for every 10 degrees of altitude.
Step 4: Find the azimuth
The azimuth is the angle of the sun from some
reference point. 99.875% of the time, this reference
point is North. A typical compass will show the cardinal
directions (N, E, S, W) and provide a direction line
every 10 degrees. These are the thin lines radiating
out from the center. You can read the direction/azimuth
on the outer edge of the chart. North is 000, East is
90°, South is 180°, West is 270° and then, of course
you get every 10 degrees in between. To find the
Tropical Architecture

●​ Building orientation: determining the best

orientation for windows, balconies, and living
spaces.
●​ Shading Devices: Designing overhangs,
louvers, and shading screens to block harsh
summer sun while allowing winter sun to enter.

Steps to conduct sun path analysis:

1.​ Determine Location: Identify the geographic
The sun path chart location of the project (latitude and longitude).
A sun-path chart, or sun-path diagram, is a simple 2.​ Obtain Climate Data: Use data on solar
graphical method to present the sun's apparent altitude, azimuth, and solar radiation for that
movement. Depending on the projection used following location.
Sun path charts, different sun-path charts are used. 3.​ Use Software Tools: Input location data into
●​ The Equidistant Sun-Path Chart method was SketchUp, Revit, or Ladybug to visualize the
developed in 1948 by Irving F. Hand. Solar sun's path.
altitude lines are not geometrically projected 4.​ Simulate Shadows and Sunlight: Conduct a
but are equally spaced as concentric circles. shadow analysis for different times of day and
This method is widely used in the USA. seasons.
●​ Orthographic Sun-path diagram: an exact 5.​ Design Shading Devices: Use overhangs,
projection of the sky's hemispherical vault onto vertical fins, and louvers to control solar gain.
a 2-D plane. 6.​ Optimize Building Orientation: Adjust building
●​ Stereographic Sun-path chart—this method orientation to maximize daylight while reducing
is easiest to draw. Drawback are densely heat gain.
packed lines toward diagram center so solar Application of Sun path analysis in architecture
altitudes for high latitude locations are not A. Building Orientation and Layout
easy to read from the diagram ●​ Maximizing Daylight: Orient main living
●​ Gnomonic Sun-path chart—used in plain spaces to face south (in the northern
sundials also. hemisphere) to receive maximum daylight.
●​ Cylindrical Sun-path chart: this method is ●​ Minimizing Heat Gain: Design shorter
very suitable for architectural design and facades to face east and west to reduce
site/shading analysis exposure to intense morning and afternoon
Significance of finding azimuth and altitude sun.
●​ A sun path diagram can determine the position B. Shading Device Design
of the sun throughout the year, at every single ●​ Fixed Horizontal Louvers: Ideal for blocking
hour high summer sun while allowing low-angle
●​ We can easily study when and where sunlight winter sun to enter.
will be falling at a particular time while ●​ Vertical Fins: Used on east-and west-facing
designing facades to block low-angled morning and
●​ Enables us to design climate-responsive afternoon sun.
spaces since we know how the sun will affect ●​ Overhangs: Can be calculated using sun
our site and building throughout the year. angle data to provide shade for windows and
●​ Can also help with the aesthetic part of a walls.
design by making maximum use of natural C. Passive Solar Heating and Cooling
light and enabling interesting play with ●​ Passive Solar Heating: Sunlight entering
shadows. during winter is stored in thermal mass (like
The sun movement affects: concrete or stone) to keep buildings warm.
●​ Daylight Design: Maximizing natural light ●​ Passive Cooling: In tropical regions, sun path
while minimizing glare. analysis helps design cross-ventilation paths
●​ Thermal Comfort: Controlling heat gain and and avoid excessive heat gain.
loss, which impacts energy use for cooling or D. Daylighting Design
heating. ●​ Window Placement: Ensure optimal
●​ Energy Efficiency: Optimizing the use of placement of windows to capture natural
passive solar energy to reduce reliance on daylight while avoiding glare.
artificial lighting and HVAC systems.
Tropical Architecture

●​ Clerestory Windows: High-level windows atmosphere are warmed by the sun, they do 3
allow sunlight to penetrate deep into the things:
interior of the building. 1.​ The molecules move quickly
2.​ They spread out
Shading devices using sun path analysis 3.​ And they rise up.

Classification of wind:
On Earth, winds are broadly classified into three
categories:
●​ Primary Wind: Primary winds constantly blow
throughout the year in a particular direction.
Primary winds are also known as prevailing
How sun path analysis shapes design: winds or planetary winds. Trade winds,
●​ North-South Orientation: Longer facades westerlies, and easterlies are different types of
face north and south to avoid exposure to primary wind.
intense east-west sun. ●​ Secondary Wind: Secondary winds are winds
●​ Shading Strategies: Overhangs, vertical that change their direction in different seasons.
louvers, and roof insulation reduce solar heat Secondary winds are also known as seasonal
gain. winds and periodic winds. Secondary winds
●​ Ventilation Design: Cross-ventilation is occur in many locations throughout the world.
essential, with windows placed to capture A particular secondary wind and the
breezes and facilitate air movement. underlying physical forces that drive the wind
Limitations of Sun Path analysis: depend upon the unique geographic location.
●​ Complex Shadows: In dense urban areas, One of the most commonly recognized
nearby buildings can block sunlight. secondary winds is the monsoon wind.
●​ Dynamic Shading Needs: Climate change ●​ Tertiary Wind: Tertiary winds blow only during
can shift solar angles, affecting past designs. a particular period of the day or year in a small
●​ Software Limitations: Not all software allows area. These winds blow due to the difference
for interactive sun path simulation. in temperature and air pressure of a specific
location. These winds can be of different
Lesson 4: Wind Analysis for tropical design types, like hot, cold, ice-filled, or dust– rich, in
accordance with local characteristics. Loo is a
Wind hot and dry local wind of the northern plains of
●​ The wind is simply air in motion. It is caused India. Other main local winds include Mistral,
by the uneven heating of the Earth’s surface Foehn, Bora, etc.
by radiant energy from the sun. This classification is based on the periodicity of
●​ An ideal situation for the formation of local occurrence and location of occurrence.
wind is an area where land and water meet.
●​ During the day, the air above the land heats up Wind direction
more quickly than the air above water. The A weather vane, or wind vane, is used to show the
warm air over the land expands, becomes less direction of the wind. A wind vane points toward the
dense, and rises. source of the wind. Wind direction is reported as the
●​ The heavier, denser, cool air over the water direction from which the wind blows, not the direction
flows in to take its place, creating wind. In the toward which the wind moves. A north wind blows from
same way, the atmospheric winds that circle the north toward the south.
the Earth are created because the land near Wind speed
the Equator is heated more by the sun than Wind speed can be measured using a wind gauge or
land near the North and South Poles. anemometer. One type of anemometer is a device with
●​ Air is a mixture of gases in Earth’s three arms that spin on top of a shaft.
atmosphere. The weight of these gases
pushes down on Earth, creating pressure. Global air circulation
●​ Wind is caused by differences in air pressure, ●​ Earth does rotate, and very fast. The Earth’s
and temperature can affect these differences. surface at the equator is moving at a
●​ Gases are made up of tiny particles called staggering 463 meters per second (1,036
molecules. When gas molecules in our
Tropical Architecture

miles per hour), and this rotation affects the Key concepts of wind direction flow and pressure
wind patterns substantially. zones
●​ The rotation of the Earth results in three ●​ Wind Flow: Movement of air from
convection cells in each hemisphere. high-pressure areas to low-pressure areas,
●​ The Hadley cell is found at latitudes near the influenced by natural and man-made
equator. At the highest latitudes is the polar obstacles.
cell, and at mid-latitudes, the intermediate ●​ Pressure Zones: High- and low-pressure
circulation is called the Ferrel Cell. zones form around buildings and structures,
●​ These three cells, working together, still influencing the flow of air and creating
convey heat from the equator to the poles, but potential areas for ventilation and
less efficiently than as a single cell. cross-ventilation
Coriolis effect: as Earth rotates, the coriolis effect ●​ Turbulence: Caused by obstructions like
turns winds in the northern hemisphere toward the buildings and trees, turbulence impacts airflow
right. efficiency and natural ventilation within and
around structures.
Wind direction for tropical analysis
Natural Ventilation and airflow principles
Purpose of wind analysis: ●​ Stack Effect: Vertical air movement driven by
●​ It directly impacts building performance, differences in indoor and outdoor air
energy efficiency, and occupant comfort. temperature and pressure.
●​ By understanding how wind interacts with a ●​ Cross ventilation: the use of openings on
building’s form and layout, architects can opposite sides of a building to create a natural
harness natural ventilation, reduce reliance on flow of air.
mechanical cooling, and create sustainable, ●​ Airflow Pathways: Designing pathways that
climate-responsive designs. guide air through the building to achieve
●​ This analysis is essential for optimizing airflow, optimal thermal comfort and ventilation.
mitigating heat buildup, and ensuring thermal
comfort, particularly in tropical climates where Localized wind pattern in urban and natural
high temperatures and humidity prevail. environments

Importance for tropical architecture ●​ Urban Environments: Urban canyons, street

●​ Enhances natural ventilation and air orientations, and building clusters create
circulation. localized wind effects, such as wind tunnels
●​ Reduces energy consumption for cooling and turbulence.
systems. ●​ Natural Environments: Coastal areas,
●​ Improves thermal comfort and indoor air mountains, and valleys experience unique
quality. wind patterns due to terrain, vegetation, and
water bodies.
Role in sustainable design strategies ●​ Microclimate Considerations: Localized
●​ Supports passive design strategies for energy wind conditions within a site impact thermal
efficiency. comfort and design decisions for building
●​ Aligns with green building certifications and orientation and ventilation.
sustainable development goals.
Wind Rose Diagram
●​ Wind direction analysis refers to the A wind rose is a circular diagram that shows the
systematic study of wind flow patterns at a frequency, direction, and speed of winds at a specific
specific location, with the aim of understanding location over a defined period.
how wind impacts the design, comfort, and How to read and interpret wind roses
energy performance of buildings. ●​ Radial bars indicate wind direction and
●​ It encompasses the study of natural and built frequency.
environments, focusing on factors such as ●​ Color coding or line thickness represents wind
airflow, pressure zones, and wind turbulence speed
to inform design decisions in architecture and Components of a wind rose
urban planning. 1. Direction: The compass rose typically includes the
cardinal directions (N, S, E, W) and intercardinal
Tropical Architecture

directions (NE, NW, SE, SW). Each direction ●​ Harnessing wind to enhance indoor air quality
corresponds to a specific angle (0° for North, 90° for and thermal comfort.
East, 180° for South, and 270° for West). ●​ Designing air pathways to maximize airflow in
2. Frequency: The length of the spokes represents occupied spaces.
the frequency of wind from each direction. Longer ●​ Implementing passive design techniques to
spokes indicate that the wind blows more often from achieve optimal comfort conditions.
that direction, while shorter spokes indicate less
frequent winds. Design Considerations
3. Speed: Wind speed is often represented using color a. Building Orientation
coding or shading along the spokes. Different colors Optimal building orientation is key to maximizing or
can denote various wind speed ranges, allowing users mitigating prevailing winds. A thoughtful approach
to quickly assess not just the direction but also the ensures that structures work in tandem with the
intensity of the wind. environment, enhancing natural ventilation and
4. Scale: A scale is usually provided to help interpret passive cooling.
the length of the spokes in relation to wind frequency. b. Form and Facade Design
This scale may vary depending on the specific wind Architects must consider building shapes that minimize
rose design. wind resistance, especially in areas prone to strong
winds. Façade designs should prioritize controlled
Design Implications of Wind direction analysis ventilation and even wind pressure distribution.

Passive Cooling strategies Tools for Wind Analysis

For architects navigating the complexities of wind
Maximizing Cross-Ventilation and Stack Ventilation patterns, several tools prove invaluable:
●​ Positioning openings on opposite walls to ●​ Anemometers
allow cross-breeze. ●​ Wind Vanes
●​ Designing vertical air pathways to promote the ●​ Wind Rose Diagrams
stack effect for natural cooling. ●​ Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)
Building Orientation and Layout Design Simulations
●​ Orienting buildings to maximize exposure to
prevailing winds.
●​ Designing courtyards, atriums, and open-plan
layouts to encourage airflow.
Window Placement, Louvers, and Openings
●​ Positioning windows and louvered openings to
capture and direct wind into living spaces.
●​ Using operable windows and adjustable
louvers to control airflow and ventilation.

Shading and Solar heat gain reduction

Role of wind in cooling building surfaces

●​ Utilizing wind to reduce surface temperature,
enhancing passive cooling.
●​ Designing ventilated facades to allow airflow
between exterior layers.
Roof design, shading devices, and green roofs
●​ Designing ventilated roofs to reduce heat gain
and encourage airflow.
●​ Incorporating shading devices like overhangs,
fins, and pergolas.

Thermal comfort considerations

Natural Ventilation strategies