Architropics is a website dedicated to providing future and existing homeowners with the knowledge and resources they need to design, build and maintain a house in the tropics. I believe that residential architecture in tropical regions should try to consider and respond to the climate, culture and natural environment of the place and people.
I aim to educate people on how to incorporate more techniques and strategies in building a home in the tropics. Homes that are safe, cool, and comfortable. Such strategies provide you with a home that is a joy and pleasure to be in. In addition, it creates a more energy-efficient and sustainable home that is better for the environment and your energy budget.
Architropics is committed to bringing awareness to the principles of tropical residential architecture. It provides design inspiration through precedents from tropical regions around the world.
As you embark on building or renovating your home, use these resources to assist you with planning your project.
Hugh, the founder of Architropics, is from Barbados, where he has lived most of his life. He did his undergraduate degree at the University of Technology, Jamaica. He also graduated with a Master of Architecture (M.Arch) degree from Florida A&M University.
With over eighteen years of professional experience in Barbados and the USA, he is a driven and motivated designer with a passion for architecture. He is fascinated by architecture that responds to the climate, context and culture of the place and its people.
In addition to graduating with a 4.0 GPA (Grade Point Average) in his architectural master’s degree programme, Hugh has received several awards. These include the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Florida Bronze Medal, the Architectural Research Center Consortium (ARCC) King Research Award, the AIA Henry Adams M.Arch Medal and the Thesis Studio Award.
I have lived in two houses in Barbados. Both were very modest and typical of the available low or modest-income homes in the country. Though typical, especially in the current house I live in, they are deficient in many ways in their response to the tropical climate.
This does not only concern me. I have heard other people talking about the issues they have in their own homes.
It seems that a lot of the modest residential architecture does not focus on responding to the tropical climate. As such, I have grown a special interest in this topic. I observe traditional residential architecture from our region and residential architecture from other tropical regions. From this, I started to form my own opinions on this topic.
Architropics intends to share my thoughts and ideas of things to consider when building a house in the tropics.
I will not pretend to know everything. Considering the vast ocean of information out there on this topic, I will confess that I know little.
However, I want Architropics to be an opportunity for both you and me to learn more.
My hope is that you gain knowledge and ideas from the website. Hence, making the site useful in your home projects.
In addition, I also want to learn more through research, exploration and, most importantly, dialogue with you. I want to hear about your experiences, preferences, and ideals. Feel free to share concerns you have and things that you have tried.
I believe that with this exchange, we could discover ideas and solutions for some of the issues that surround home design and construction in our tropical regions.
Issues that include climatic response and environmental sustainability. We also need to consider building strong, resilient structures against natural disasters. In addition, constructing more affordable homes is essential. Most countries in tropical regions are either developing or under-developed. Also, we need more exploration of our cultural identity in architectural design.
Many of the technical issues surrounding designing and building a house are left to the contractor and design professional. This arrangement is fine and as it should be. They have the professional experience to respond to your requirements.
However, I believe that we in the built industries can only do what the clients require. You, as the end-user, request what you want from the functionality of your home. These requirements should not only be the number of bedrooms and bathrooms. You also need to include issues that relate to climate and affordability.
Architropics seeks to provide you with information for building a home specific to the tropics. I hope it can be a source of alternative or supplementary information.
When you venture on the journey of building your home, let Architropics help you.
hholder@architropics.com