Understanding Climate: Measurement and Factors

• Climate relates to long-term patterns, while weather is short-term atmospheric conditions
• Climate is the average daily weather over an extended period at a location
• Weather reflects the atmosphere's short-term conditions

Understanding Climate Measurement and Factors

• Climate measurement includes temperature, humidity, wind, precipitation, and other meteorological variables
• Humidity is the moisture content in the atmosphere
• The Philippines has a humid climate, while Sydney is dry
• Factors that change climate in a specific place are:
• Latitude
• Altitude/Topography
• Proximity to the Sea (Continentality)
• Ocean Currents
• Human Influence
• Latitude indicates horizontal distance across the globe

Temperature, Altitude, and Proximity to the Sea

• Temperature decreases 6.5°C per 1000m of altitude
• The air is less absorbent of heat at higher altitudes
• Proximity to the sea makes a place warmer
• Gensan, and Dagupan are examples of how this proximity to the sea affects climate
• Tuguegarao a land locked city is also an example of this

Macroclimate vs. Microclimate

• Macroclimate refers to the climate of a larger region
• (Malabon, Bulacan)
• Microclimate involves localized climate variations
• Site
• Orientation
• Neighboring features
• E.g., a room in a house

Tropical Climates: Characteristics and Design Considerations

• Tropical climates typically have wet and dry seasons with average monthly temperatures above 18°C
• Humidity defines the tropical climate, enhancing warmth
• Tropical countries often need air conditioning
• Building design is complicated in tropical climates due to high humidity

Tropics and the Sun

• The tropics are regions surrounding the equator, limited by the Tropic of Cancer and Capricorn
• Parallel to the farthest point north where the sun is directly overhead at noon
• Parallel to the farthest point south where the sun is directly overhead at noon

Tropical Characteristics and Urban Heat Islands

• Tropical temperature ranges from 20-30 degrees Celsius, with 50-100% relative humidity
• Prevailing winds include NE (Amihan) from November to April and SW (Habagat) from May to October
• Climate conditions in the tropics breed insects due to damp ground
• Plants can repel insects in a tropical climate
• Urban Heat Island Effect is when cities experience warmer temperatures than rural areas
• Steel, concrete, glass (traps heat), and metal asphalt contribute to the urban heat island effect

Philippine Climate Overview

• The Philippine climate
• Tropical and maritime
• Relatively high temperature
• High humidity
• Lots of rain
• Heavy mass/body of water controls it
• The mean annual temperature in the Philippines is 26.6°C
• Coolest month is January, the average temperature of 25.5°C
• Warmest month is May with an average temperature of 28.3°C
• Latitude has less effect on temperature variation; altitude has higher impact

Humidity and Seasons in the Philippines

• High relative humidity due to high temperature and proximity to bodies of water
• Warm temperatures and high humidity make from March to May uncomfortable
• The country's climate has two seasons:
• Rainy (June-November)
• Dry (December-May)

Monsoons and Tropical Design Principles

Monsoons are large-scale sea breezes

• Large scale patterns of wind and rain
• Typhoons are classified under monsoons
• Tropical design is building design that responds to tropical climate conditions
• Habitable rooms require natural ventilation

Tropical Design Strategies

• Tropical design aims to lessen heat gain and increase air movement in buildings
• It applies to tropical climates where heat and humidity cause discomfort
• Climate affects building performance and energy consumption

Climatic Design and Site Analysis

• Climatic design suits the climate, using minimal heating or cooling for thermal comfort
• Site analysis identifies, understands, and controls climate impacts on the building site
• Site studies include:
• Sun path
• Prevailing wind
• Noise

Climatic Factors and Topography

• Climatic elements include temperature, humidity, precipitation, wind, and sky conditions
• Topography considers elevation, slopes, hills, valleys, and ground surface conditions
• Terrace design adapts to ground conditions

Climatic Design Considerations: Vegetation and Forms

• Vegetation considerations - hieght, mass, silhouette, texture,location and growth patterns
• Built forms and conditions of the building (including nearby buildings' impact) are design factors

Design Objectives

• Reducing energy costs
• Using "natural energy"
• design should try to minimize heat gain and humidity increase and maximize ventilation which can all be achieve by having platforms that are still above ground