7 Essential Tips You Should Consider When Designing A House In A Tropical Climate
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    • Nov 22, 2022
    • 4 min read

7 Essential Tips You Should Consider When Designing A House In A Tropical Climate

Are you planning to build a house in a tropical climate? If so, there are some essential things you need to know to make sure your home is comfortable and stylish.

Designing a house in the Philippines is different than creating one for a temperate climate. The weather is hotter and more humid, so you need to consider that when choosing materials, designing ventilation, and creating outdoor spaces.

In this article, we will share 7 tips you need to know when designing a house in our country. By following these tips, you can be sure your home will be beautiful and functional.

So, let's get started!


1. Orientation

How efficiently your home takes advantage of the prevailing breezes and shields itself from the sun depends on its orientation in the area.

When it's feasible for rectangular dwellings, consider aligning the building's length from east to west. The exposure to the morning (east) and evening (west) sun is reduced by this orientation.

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The sun's heat can be scorching and powerful, especially at sunset. Additionally, they are challenging to shade because of the sun's low angle during certain times.


It would be preferable if you placed your building to benefit as much as possible from the dominant winds. To create a house in the tropics, as much wind as tolerable should run through the structure. Additionally, place rooms in the direction of the prevailing winds and prioritize them.



2. Passive Design

When it comes to construction in hot or tropical areas, ventilation is just one of the many factors that must be carefully planned.

Passive design, the act of controlling indoor thermal comfort by making the atmosphere work in our favor, is one way to do this. Doing this makes it less necessary to use artificial systems to create the comfortable temperature we all want in our homes.

Photo by R ARCHITECTURE on Unsplash


In deeper structures, yards or high ceilings can allow light to enter the floor plan's focal point, while taller structures may use stack ventilation to circulate outside air through their bodies. Nevertheless, internal walls should cooperate and allow air to flow freely.



3. Open spaces

Openings are essential in a building because they determine its breathability, mainly through air circulation. However, their position and size depending on the desired geography.

Despite this, it is crucial to ensure that the wind entering the house does not pass over hot surfaces and that the openings are large and operable while still being manageable in terms of rain, insects, and other elements of nature.

Photo by R ARCHITECTURE on Unsplash


Consider all of these factors during careful and thorough layout of the openings, along breeze channels and from behind tree buffers, for conformity with the wind directions and even sun orientations to reduce the amount of daylight entering the structure.



4. Roof Designs

Most tropical homes typically have large roof overhangs or double roof structures to block solar heat and glare. Sloped roofs are preferred because they ensure that rainwater flows away from the property since tropical nations also have wet months.


The second factor that could reduce heat in a house is the roof's material. Clay is typically used because it is naturally heat-resistant. However, reflecting metal roofs can also help keep buildings more relaxed.



5. Shading

Shading devices are crucial environmental controls that significantly reduce the demand for conventional heating and cooling systems by limiting the amount of heat gain, daylight access, and daylight entering via the openings.

Photo by R ARCHITECTURE on Unsplash


The architect must decide between external and interior shading mechanisms with a focus on lowering the radiant temperature of the building, which is also possible with the help of natural vegetation and its buffers, as well as the coordinated construction of solar shields for self-shading.

Big trees can also serve as general shading for your home's exterior and interior, allowing for excellent indoor air conditions.



6. Lightweight Materials

Due to their thermal properties, lightweight materials are typically preferable for house plans in tropical areas.


Materials like wood, metal, and cement boards cool down quickly on a framed construction system. This technique made the surroundings cozier at night.



7. Outdoor Spaces

Including outdoor areas like patios, verandas, and gardens is advantageous in your house. Because of our wide range of temperatures, these areas can be occupied all year long.

They can also offer shade for the home's interior rooms. Additionally, outdoor areas are a fantastic method to introduce people to nature.


We should be aware of the importance of our home. Every house we create should resemble a habitat. Most of the time, we stay inside our homes or spend our days working in the office, eating dinner, and resting.

Undoubtedly, we did most of our work here. For this reason, our house should possess the soul and character of a livable environment.

When designing a house in a tropical climate, there are several important factors to consider. These include the type of materials to use, the orientation of the house, the shading, and the ventilation. These factors will help ensure that your home is comfortable and efficient.

For more design and construction tips, don't forget to follow us!

Also, if you are looking for an architect for your dream home, check these emerging Filipino architects down below:



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