Architecture

Designed by: BetweenSpaces. A deep-set veranda and slatted wooden screens can add amazing benefits to a tropical house. Verandas and wood screens provide sun shading to the interior spaces. They also offer privacy. “The most prominent element of the house is a 6ft deep veranda/balcony around the son’s bedroom on…

I live in a concrete block wall bungalow built about 40 years ago. The house follows the typical style bungalow you see across Barbados and other parts of the Caribbean. It has the bedrooms and bathroom on the east to catch the breezes and the living, dining and kitchen on…

We all know what a house should look like. It is square or rectangular, has a triangular roof, with a window and a door side by side. You have seen it hundreds of times throughout your life and have probably drawn several of this style house many times as a…

What is Tropical Architecture? Tropical architecture is the design that focuses and responds to the climatic conditions of the tropics. It studies the significant influences that impact architecture in tropical regions and develops passive strategies to lessen heat gain. It also encourages air movement through a home or building. Energy…

Kitchen gardens have become more popular in recent months. Many people have been turning their patios, backyards or any available outdoor space they have into a kitchen garden. Stay-at-home and lockdown mandates due to COVID-19 have forced people to be at home. As such, many have taken to gardening. Not…

The year 2020 has taught us many lessons about life, work and the way we live in our homes. We all watched as COVID-19 consumed the globe. For many of us, our lives were turned inside out. Lockdowns and stay-at-home orders plagued a large part of the year. Many of…

In tropical regions, there is an increasing need for water storage tanks on individual properties. Water scarcity is a growing concern in many countries due to climate change. Public water supply resources are under mounting pressure to meet the demands of their rising population. As such, there is a growing…

Having a double roof system can help create a much cooler house. A double roof can significantly reduce the heat gain in your home through the roof. Hence, this lowers your indoor temperature and reduces the need for air conditioning. (Note in this article, the term double roof refers to…

Designed By: AD+studio. This upper floor addition adds a master bedroom suite to this Vietnamese home. The roof over the upper floor addition characterises the Umbrella House. It provides shade while allowing a wide, open view. Architects, AD+studio did the design for a young couple with a simple lifestyle. The…

Designed by: Andyrahman Architect. The stunning brick wall on the upper front façade of this home creates a breathable layer. These unique trapezoidal bricks make a beautiful brise soleil that allows breezes to pass through. Andyrahman Architect is the designer for “Trapezioma”. The name comes from the Trapezoidal Brick and Omah,…

Designed by: Alexis Dornier. The unique A-frame roof of this one-bedroom house is incredible. The striking A-frame roof and loft space create a stunning home, though just a one-bedroom house. Alexis Dornier is the architect for the River Studio. This one-bedroom house had to respond to a few site constraints….

Designed by: OFFICE AT Co., Ltd. These two double roof houses are located on a narrow lot, close to the centre of Bangkok. However, despite the restriction of the narrow lot, the architects created as big a green space as possible. In addition, their raised floor is a nod to…

Designed by: Sabi Design. The Inside Out House is in the tropical city of Darwin, Australia. This house uses passive design strategies to ensure it remains cool in the hot tropical climate. Sabi Building Design did the design and Tropix Homes were the builder. Darwin is near the Top End…

In many ways, tropical architecture is a form of sustainable architecture. They are a lot of factors that go into creating sustainable architecture. However, I think tropical architecture that responds to its climate can address several sustainable design features. Many of these sustainable building design strategies are easy to add…

Designed by: Metropole Architects. Overlooking a breathtaking view of the Indian Ocean is The Reserve House by Metropole Architects. It is located in the sub-tropical region of Dolphin Coast, South Africa. The house is a combination of Tropical Modern Architecture with Futurist elements. It features a pitched combination roof with…

Is your house introverted and your site extroverted? No, I didn’t ask if you are introverted or extroverted, but if your house and your site were. Take a moment to consider what I could possibly be talking about. While you do that, also consider if your house’s personality suits your…

In our world today, we have many issues that challenge our lives, homes and communities. Topics such as climate change, water scarcity and rising energy costs force us to seek more sustainable home design ideas. I was recently asked to collaborate on an article by Redfin, the real estate agency….

You have probably heard the term sustainable architecture before and may be considering creating your own sustainable home in the tropics. However, you may be wondering what that means and how can achieve a home that is sustainable and responsive to the tropics. Sustainability The word sustainability has been a…

Sun shading or solar shading design is critical for creating a cooler tropical home. Direct sunlight shining on or in a home increases the temperature in the room. Adding sun or solar shading design strategies decreases heat gain. Hence, creating a home that is cooler and better thermally comfortable.  Today,…

Designed By: AD+studio. The surrounding context was the inspiration for the stacking roof and form of this house. Its steel frame truss roof creates large spans. Hence, making a connection with the surroundings. Stacking Roof House is home to a young couple born in the 1990s. House Location and Context…

Designed by: VTN Architects. Introduction This fantastic house adds greenery throughout by using a series of stacking roof gardens.  Though it is an urban house, it finds unique ways of maximising the greenery around the home’s interior. VTN Architects is the designer of the Binh House. In this home, they…

Stack effect can be an effective natural ventilating system for tropical homes. It was once a popular strategy for vernacular homes in tropical regions. However, the stack effect strategy has lost a lot of its popularity in recent decades. What Is Stack Effect? Stack Effect is a buoyancy-driven ventilation system….

The tiny houses movement swept across many parts of the world. Over the last couple of decades, tiny houses became the craving for those persons looking to shed the life of abundance and trade it in for one more modest and minimalistic. But is a tiny home suited for you…

Design By: OFFICE AT Co., Ltd. Sliding screens are a great way to provide privacy and protection from the sun’s heat. The timber sliding screens on U38 House offer privacy while reducing the heat from the sun. Such screens are beneficial for shading large areas of glazing. Office AT Co.,…

Designed By: Terra e Tuma Arquitetos Associados. The site for this new single-storey house had several existing fruit trees on it. This home is in a garden neighbourhood in São Paulo, Brazil. Terra e Tuma Arquitetos Associados were the architects for the single storey Casa das Jabuticabeiras or Jabuticabeiras House….

The current state of the global economy has forced many people to consider other forms of income. One of these is creating a short-term rental space in your home. Short stay or short-term rental areas are not a unique consideration for people living in the tropics. However, I feel that…

Design by: VTN Architects. A rooftop garden house is a great idea in the tropics. Green roofs or rooftop gardens in a house replace some or all the land space the building takes up. Hence, this makes them an environmentally friendly and sustainable response. Project and Context “Thang House” was…

Flooding is a major concern for consideration in a resilient building design. Depending on your location, different natural disasters can cause flooding in your region and home. Hence, it is important to design our homes, cities and neighbourhoods to be resilient against flooding. Effects Of Flooding One of the most…

The use of renewable energy sources in homes has been gaining popularity over the last couple of decades. Components of renewable energy systems are becoming more affordable. People are looking to reduce their dependency on the national electrical grid supplies and by extension, reduce their energy costs. Small island states…

Designed by: Andyrahman Architect. The beautiful red brick dominates the front façade of this house. However, there are other places where red brick occurs. Several brick walls in various patterns appear throughout the house. Andyrahman Architect is the architect for the Omah Boto.  They utilise the skills and expertise of…

Designed by: Bones Studio and Room by Room. A traditional Queenslander house is not known for having strong ground-floor connections to the outdoors. However, the renovation of this Queenslander house shows us a great way to create a relationship with a garden.  The Ridge House is in Northgate, Queensland, Australia. …

The open floor plan house concept has become popular over the years. Its association with modern/contemporary design has made open floor plan houses a common choice for homeowners. What Is an Open Floor Plan House? A house with an open floor plan removes walls separating some of the rooms. This…

Designed by: Alexis Dornier. Pererenan, Bali has impressive landscapes. This Pererenan house creates seamless connections to the beautiful tropical landscape in Bali. Alexis Dornier is the architect of the River House. House Location, Site and Climate  The River House is in Pererenan, Bali, Indonesia.  At 8.63815˚ S latitude Pererenan, Bali…

Designed by: POD (People Oriented Design) The idea of a passively cooled home nestled in a lush tropical garden sounds like a paradise for many families. That is what the design brief called for in this home. “…an efficient, passively cooled family home in a tropical garden setting, made of…

Passive strategies for thermal comfort is ideal in the tropics. Thermal comfort is a state we always want to be in. In homes in tropical climates, this can be achieved through passive strategies. However, they are many factors that go into determining your thermal comfort. What Is Thermal Comfort? Thermal…

The impact of natural light such as daylight and sunlight is important in tropical homes. However, the type of natural light can have different impacts on tropical regions. Often, we want to ensure that our home has as much natural light as possible. Natural light is thought to be great…

Designed by: POD (People Oriented Design). Today, a modest-size home that creates a low-consumption lifestyle is not typical. A modest-size home catering to low-consumption living is usually less desirable than larger ones filled with stuff. However, the house on Gavin Street is an efficient design by architects, POD (People Oriented…

Modern and contemporary style houses have made their way across the globe, including tropical countries. But what are contemporary houses? Are they the same as modern houses and how do they perform in tropical countries?  What Is Modern and Contemporary Architecture? Modern architecture is a style of architecture that gained…

Minimising the impact that a building has on the land has sustainable benefits. Any artificial structure on a site has an effect. Many of these impacts are negative. Hence, minimising your home’s impact on the land or terrain is vital. The construction industry has had a tremendous effect on our…

Designed by: PXP Design Workshop Co. The primary aim of this Metro Manila house was for it to embrace the lush garden landscape. PXP Design Workshop Co. are the designer for the New Manila House. The client asked them to create a house connecting with the garden landscape. This beautiful…

Designed by: Metropole Architects. Tinderwood, in Zimbali Coastal Resort, is a luxury home that sits on a gentle hill overlooking the Indian Ocean. The Zimbali Coastal Resort in Ballito, South Africa, combines a lush coastal forest, beaches and panoramic views of the ocean. This stunning location is the setting for…

Jalousie windows are one of the most effective windows for providing natural ventilation. In warm climates, having ample natural ventilation creates a much cooler house. In some tropical and subtropical regions, jalousies are prevalent. Australia and some parts of Southeast Asia still use them often. However, in several regions, jalousie…

Over the past few decades, it seems as if the average house size has grown significantly in the Caribbean. As I drive around the island, I wonder if people have gotten that wealthy in Barbados. How are they so many enormous homes that are under construction or recently built? They…

Wind forces can have devasting impacts on your home. The wind forces during a storm or hurricane can cause your home to fail in several ways. It is essential to ensure that your house is best prepared to withstand the effects of tropical storms and hurricanes in tropical climates. Hence,…

The house that I live in is situated on a property where the land on either side of the house is underused. This is a normal thing that occurs in many homes in our region and throughout the world. It is a by-product of suburban developments. Our homes sit in…

Designed by: AD+studio. This 150m2 / 1,615 sq.ft. house renovation in Vietnam was for a retired couple. The main purpose of the renovation of “Half Roof House” was to create a more open and spacious house to invite and spend time with their children and grandchildren. They want to have…

Designed by: OFFICE AT Co., Ltd. The fantastic views from this home significantly influence the openness of its design. The house design maximises the views with its large openings and transparency. OfficeAT is the architect for the Adrisa Residence.  They create a home that beautifully sits within its stunning site….

Designed by: Vertebral. Embracing the natural vegetation surrounding your house is a fantastic part of its design. It is a home that lets you enjoy the beauty of nature even when you are inside. That is what Casa Erasto in Mexico City does. This design by Vertebral creates a house…

You are setting out on a new home construction project. You wrote down all the must-haves for the design brief and you have agreed upon your home construction budget. However, when you get to your architect or design professional you realise that your design brief is bigger than your construction…

Residential houses have been using exterior window shutters for quite some time. They were a common element in traditional homes in many tropical and subtropical regions. Shutters on exterior windows can be extremely functional in a tropical home. However, these have lost their popularity in our Caribbean region over the…

Designed by: ASOLIDPLAN. The double skin envelope on this house creates a functional and beautiful response. This outer wall system or envelope provides a unique climatic application for this tropical house. Envelope House is a creative approach for designing in the dense urban environment of Singapore. ASOLIDPLAN are the architects…

A garage is one of those items that often appear as a need on your list of required spaces. But living in the tropics, is it a necessity? Functions and Benefits of a Garage A garage is a place to house your vehicle. Usually it is mostly or completely enclosed….

The Coronavirus disease, COVID-19 has consumed the entire globe. Its wave of illness and death has affected us all in some way or another. We may know someone who had it, or we may have. Perhaps it is how it monopolized every aspect of the news, how we were quarantined…

Cross ventilation is one of the most effective ways of naturally cooling a house. Houses in hot, humid climates like the tropics can become hot and unbearable. As a wind-driven strategy, cross ventilation uses wind or breezes to move air through a room. Hence, reducing the temperature in a house…

In tropical regions, having a patio and other covered outdoor living spaces as part of your home is a must…right? After all, we have this amazing climate, awesome weather and stunning views. However, it sometimes seems that though many homes have a patio or some sort of covered outdoor space,…

Designed by: VTN Architects. The concrete planters of this house create a green façade to the front and back. Several stacking concrete planters make up this green façade. They characterise the façade of this home and how it interacts with the street. Stacking Green is the name of this house…

In the Caribbean, we are accustomed to vibrant colours. It is a big part of our fashion, food, and cultural events. It is also a major aspect of houses and buildings. Therefore, choosing a paint/trowel finish colour for your home is an important decision. This is more important for your…

Designed by: NO Architects Designers and Social Artists Location: Kollam, India | Latitude: 8.8932° N | This climate-responsive home is rooted in the cultural context of India. It is also climatically efficient and uses design strategies that respond to the hot, humid climate of Kollam. Photo: Redz Photography Inspiration Manjadi…

Designed By: BetweenSpaces. When you approach this home, the beautiful terracotta brick jali wall is the first thing that greets you. This brick jali fence provides privacy from the street. In addition, its design allows natural ventilation to flow through the front courtyard and into the home. Site and Context…

What Is Biophilic Design Biophilic design is an intentional design approach that incorporates nature into a building. The word biophilic relates to humans’ tendency towards the natural environment. Benefits of Biophilic Design Throughout history, humans have always had a close relationship with and love for nature. We long to find…

Choosing the best windows for natural ventilation is a significant decision in a tropical home. Windows that encourage the most natural ventilation are among the most important factors when building in the tropics. Generally, windows are a critical part of any home. Windows allow natural light and ventilation into your…

There is a wide range of wall materials out there for constructing a home in the tropics. Different materials have various properties and will perform differently. In hot, humid tropical climates, your wall materials need to perform a variety of functions. Walls provide shelter and security for a home or…

The roof of a house is typically the most exposed to solar radiation. Therefore, choosing the right roof in hot tropical climates is essential to minimise the heat coming into your home. A roof is an essential part of a house or building. In the tropics, places of shelter can…

During hurricanes, your roof is one of the most vulnerable areas of your home. In the aftermath of some hurricanes, you often see images with several homes missing their roof. If you live in the tropics, you have probably seen those hurricane preparedness videos where a roof goes flying off…

Design by: VTN Architects. “Bamboo House” in Ho-Chi-Minh City, Vietnam, creates a comfortable living space on a tight, narrow lot. The house uses bamboo to add greenery in a dense urban district. Hence, these bamboo plants create vegetation that is seen both from the street and inside the house. VTN…

Designed by: Andyrahman Architect. A courtyard is an excellent way to cool a house in the tropics. Courtyard houses introduce natural ventilation, daylight and vegetation into the interior spaces. Located in the hot tropical city of Surabaya, Indonesia, Griyoase is a beautiful house designed by Andyrahman Architect. It is in…

Designed by: Shane Marsh Architects. Designing an addition for a house can come with challenges. However, with careful design, you can create a home that preserves the original character while adding comfort and functionality.  That was the case with the Taringa House. The designers are Shane Marsh Architects.  Location, Site…

Making outdoor spaces and nature part of tropical homes is ideal. Our tropical climate and natural environment make spaces for outdoor living beneficial in many ways. In tropical climates, the outdoor temperature does not get so low that it would make being outside unbearable. These regions enjoy a mild temperature…

Natural or passive ventilation is one of the primary concerns of a tropical home. How good the passive ventilation in your home is, will determine the level of reliance on mechanical ventilation systems in tropical climates. What Is Passive Ventilation? Passive ventilation is the process of naturally moving air through…

I have a love-hate relationship with patios and other covered outdoor rooms. Having covered outdoor rooms like a patio, balcony or veranda is awesome in the tropics. However, I find that in many homes, this space is often underused. Hence, it is just another extra wasted space in your home….

Designing a house in the tropics should always try to consider and respond to its region’s climate. This design approach is becoming increasingly relevant as climate change is projecting warmer temperatures in the future. As a result, designing a house to be more responsive to the tropics and its climate…

A courtyard in a house can have many benefits. Courtyards are a great way to improve the functionality of a home. The benefits of a courtyard in a house are significant in the tropics. This situation is because of the function they perform in cooling a house. They are, however,…

Terracotta has been around for centuries in art and architecture. As a building material, terracotta was prevalent in several regions across the globe. From Europe, Asia, Africa and South America, terracotta has been a significant aspect of many ancient civilisations. What Is Terracotta? Terracotta is a clay-based ceramic. It comes…

Green roofs have become popular in several parts of the world. The benefits of green roofs on the building and the environment have made them a good idea in many applications. Though the benefits are better seen in urban areas, they are some general benefits to green roofs in any…

Vernacular architecture and the chattel house are familiar to us in Barbados. The chattel house is our most identifiable example of vernacular architecture. Many of us may have heard the term “vernacular architecture” before. The words can sometimes conjure in us a primitive style of building. We may think about…

The idea of having a tropical bathroom has an exotic allure to it. We imagine an outdoor bathroom with a white freestanding bathtub, nestled in lush tropical vegetation. Think of birds singing and gentle breezes rustling the tree leaves. All that while you sit in the tub and let all…

Around the world, the year 2030 has become a crucial target for many aspects of our global society. These aspects include the building industry and influence what houses may look like in 2030 and beyond. Homeowners need to be building tropical houses that respond to our climate and environment. United…

Smart home features for climate control have been gaining popularity in recent years. Automated systems for smart home climate control can be used to regulate your home’s indoor climate. This creates an indoor environment that is cool and comfortable for you in your tropical home. What Are Smart Home Climate…

Slatted timber screens have grown in popularity over the last few years. Many tropical modern homes today seem to feature them prominently on the exterior façades. They often protect large, glazed windows and doors or screen an outdoor space. But are they a fad or are there great benefits to…

The kitchen has become one of the main showpieces of a home. We always look for new kitchen design ideas to make our home pop for our guests and ourselves. The days when kitchens were strictly utilitarian seem to have dwindled. A large part of our décor budget goes towards…

Working from home has quickly become part of the new normal for many persons since the onset of COVID-19. Many of you have been looking for ways to create a home office or workspace to operate out of. You have been combing the internet, searching for ways to enhance our…

Tropical Modern houses are becoming one of the most popular residential architectural styles in many tropical regions. Houses using tropical modern principles are more responsive to their climate. However, they reflect the time and current construction technologies that exist today. Whether it is perched on a cliff, looking over the…

Building a more affordable house can be a major challenge. People are often searching for housing that is more affordable or searching for ways to lower their construction costs. However, it seems that too often housing that is intended to be more affordable is just smaller and poorer quality housing….

Exterior doors are an integral part of your home’s character and function. Their style, colour and material influence the overall aesthetic of your home. However, exterior doors perform several important functions beyond their appearance. They are a critical part of a building’s envelope, offering security and protection from the weather….

Building a house is expensive. Between labour and materials, constructing a house is not cheap. One way to reduce the construction cost of your home is by using cheap building materials. Typical building construction materials and finishes are pricey. Often, the more attractive and durable the material, the more expensive…

When building a new home, site orientation is critical. The orientation of your home on its site dictates how well it responds to passive design principles. These principles determine the thermal comfort of your home and its energy efficiency. In general, the site orientation of a home can be based…

A Louvre or Jalousie window has traditionally had several benefits in warm climates. Traditional homes and buildings in tropical regions often use jalousie or louvre windows. In warm tropical climates, a jalousie window is one of the best types of windows for natural ventilation. However, as air-conditioning became more popular…

Building resilience has become a major discussion point recently. Creating homes and buildings that are resilient against disasters is a primary concern of any homeowner. As the effects of climate change in the tropics become more prevalent, resilient design is a critical factor in tropical design. Hence, there is a…

Creating a strong indoor-outdoor connection in a home can have several benefits. In the tropics, an indoor-outdoor connection can have a significant impact on your home’s indoor environment. An indoor-outdoor connection has long been a standard part of traditional homes in the tropics. Middle to upper-class homes would usually have…

Your beautiful courtyard house can make your home feel like a private oasis. A courtyard in the middle of a house can add an intimate garden or a natural outdoor space within your home.  They are an incredible addition to your house plan design. Courtyards have many benefits in a…