Tropical and Arid Climates Overview

Study Notes

Tropical Rainforest (af): High temperatures (20-25°C or 77-86°F), high humidity, stilt houses are common (similar to Bahay Kubo).
Tropical Savanna (aw): High temperatures with distinct wet and dry seasons, pronounced seasonal precipitation variation, mug huts are found in Botswana.

Desert (BWh, BWk): Extremely low rainfall (less than 250mm or 10 inches), low humidity, clear skies, traditional houses in Iraq are examples.
Steppe (BSh, BSk): Low to moderate rainfall (250-500mm or 10-20 inches), hot summers and cold winters, Mongolian yurts are a typical dwelling.

Mediterranean (Csa, Csb): Hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters, frequent sunny weather, Roman Domus are an example of architecture.
Oceanic (Cfb, Cfc): Mild temperatures with small seasonal variations, often cloudy and humid, consistent rainfall, Croft Houses in Scotland are representative.
Humid Subtropical (Cfa, Cwa): Hot, humid summers, high humidity, significant rainfall, traditional Japanese houses are an example.

Warm Summer Continental (Dfa, Dwa): Warm to hot summers, moderate to high annual rainfall, significant seasonal temperature variation, log barn houses in Estonia.
Cool Summer Continental (Dfb, Dwb): Cool summers, very cold winters, large annual temperature range, moderate precipitation, traditional Norwegian houses.

Tundra (Et): Extremely cold temperatures, low annual precipitation, permafrost in many areas, Icelandic turf houses are an example.
Ice Cap (Ef): Perpetual ice and snow cover, very low precipitation, traditional Inuit houses (igloos).

Crucial for design; involves collecting, interpreting, and applying environmental information.

Temperature: Daily and seasonal variations are critical for achieving thermal comfort; understanding range is essential.
Humidity: High levels are common in tropical areas, affecting comfort and material choices.
Solar Radiation: Sun path (movement of sun across the sky) and solar intensity (amount of solar energy received) are key factors.
Wind Patterns: Prevailing wind directions (e.g., Amihan (NE) cool and dry, Habagat (SW) warm and moist) influence ventilation design; speed and frequency affect openings’ design, orientation, and structural integrity.
Rainfall: Amount and timing influence roof, drainage, and water infiltration management; monsoons and storms require structural consideration.
Microclimate: Influenced by topography, vegetation, surface materials, water bodies, human activity, climate change; site-specific conditions (proximity to water, forests, urban areas) are important.

Thermal Comfort Analysis: Identifying temperature and humidity levels using tools like psychometric charts to understand relationships between variables. Psychometric charts help illustrate and diagnose environmental problems like condensation.
Solar Path and Shading Analysis: Analyzing sun path to design shading devices, window placement, building orientation using solar diagrams to optimize natural light and minimize heat gain.
Wind Flow Analysis: Visualizing wind patterns to optimize building orientation, openings, and landscape design for natural ventilation.
Site-Specific Microclimate Analysis: Understanding how terrain, trees, and other features affect local climate (shading, wind flow, temperature variations); considering urban density's impact on temperatures and designing to mitigate the urban heat island effect (cities significantly warmer than surrounding rural areas due to heat absorption and radiation from unshaded surfaces).
Rainwater Management: Roof and drainage design to handle heavy rainfall; assessing rainwater harvesting potential based on rainfall patterns.