![]() The need for artificial lighting is also lessened, as the wide window openings ensure proper lighting throughout the day.ġ1. This is literally…a ‘green’ roof since it is planted with ground cover over soil and other layers, and lowers interior temperatures.” Vincent also suggests going further by building “a turf roof. ![]() “ Noong unang panahon ang mga vernacular houses natin, hindi energy-guzzlers,” explains architect Joven Ignacio, professor of Tropical Design. ![]() Tropical homes are by nature energy-efficient, as they do not need artificial air conditioning or lighting during the day. “It is good for the soul, calms the nerves, and heightens the senses.” So even if you live in a small condominium, add a seating area and lush plants to your balcony, or have your townhouse’s dining room open up to a pocket garden.ġ0. “The idea of bringing the outdoors in is very Asian,” surmises Vincent. Tropical homes always have a connection with the outdoors. This is the trademark of a tropical home, and this means having wide window openings, and employing the next few techniques.ĩ. Passive cooling simply means cooling the house without using artificial air conditioning. “Considering that most Filipino properties are small, the lesser walls you have, the better the ventilation, and better communication in terms of interaction,” says John. The recommended pitch is 30 to 45 degrees. The air in this void circulates, and cools the home,” explains Joel. “A steep roof slope allows rainwater to flow down faster, and creates a larger void between roof surface and ceiling. Longer and wider eaves (that part of the roof that hangs over the walls of your house) shield parts of the house from sun and rain. I like using rain water for watering the plants, creating storage for it.” Rain is always taken into considerationĪrchitect John Pangilinan explains, “rain is a part of tropical design…we have six, or even seven or eight months of rain, and that has to be incorporated into the design, and use it for sustainable purposes. Materials may also be substituted with more modern and durable ones available today.”Ģ. “But a modern tropical house may take off from its practical design. “It’s certainly impractical however to build a bahay kubo in the metro, for fire safety and durability issues,” warns Joel Muñoz, an architect who worked at Leandro V. It is cheap, it is fast it is easy to relocate or even replace,” explains architect Vincent Martin Pinpin, an architect and lecturer on Asian Vernacular Architecture, who affectionately refers to the traditional bahay kubo as “TBK.”īut before you snap up sawali and bamboo to build your hut, take heed. “The house-on-stilts form, while perfect for hot or humid climates…is our most economical answer to the environment. Keep these in mind when planning your tropical home.ġ.The Filipino-tropical house is essentially a contemporary bahay kuboįor most architects, the bahay kubo is the model of a perfect tropical home. But do you really know what it is? Four Filipino architects-all with expertise in tropical design-share with us the architectural and design details that make a true tropical-style house. The words “tropical style” are two of the most abused (and misused!) words when referring to house design.
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