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• Weather


  • Defined as the state of the atmosphere at a specific place and time.
  • Refers to day-to-day conditions such as sunshine, rain, wind, and temperature.
• Climate

  • Refers to the average weather conditions of a region over a long period.
  • Influenced by factors like latitude, terrain, altitude, and proximity to water bodies.
• Tropical Climate


  • Regions where heat and humidity dominate.
  • Annual mean temperature is not less than 20°C.
• Tropical Asia


  Countries include Brunei, Myanmar, Cambodia, East Timor, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam.
• Philippines


  • March to May: Hot and dry.
  • June to October: Rainy.
  • November to February: Cool.
• Tropical Wet and Dry Climate


  Characterized by distinct wet and dry seasons.
• Tropical Monsoon Climate


  Experiences abundant rainfall and long warm temperatures throughout the year.
• Rainforest Climate


  Found around the equatorial region with high average precipitation.
• Elements of Climate


  Solar Radiation, Air Temperature, Humidity, Wind, Precipitation
• Air Temperature


  • Heat is acquired by air through direct radiation and contact with the earth.
  • Lowest temperature: Just before dawn (5-6 AM).
  • Highest temperature: Just after noon (2 PM).
  • Varies with time, season, and latitude.
• Humidity


  • Amount of water vapor in the air at a given temperature.
• Wind


  • Natural movement of air influenced by global and local factors like air pressure distribution, Earth’s rotation, and topography.
  • Important for ventilation and air exchange within buildings.
• Precipitation


  • Forms when rising air cools, causing moisture to fall as rain.
  • Types: Convectional, orographic, and convergent precipitation.
• Hot Humid (Tropical)

  • Characteristics:
  • Temperature: Average 20-30°C, small diurnal range.
  • Humidity: 50%-100% relative humidity.
  • Wind: Slow flow, influenced by seasonal winds like Amihan (NE) and Habagat (SW).
  • Sky: Overcast, lots of reflected heat.
  • Precipitation: High, average 1000mm/year.
  • Other: Damp conditions, insect prevalence.
• Hot Arid (Dry)


  • Characteristics:
  • Temperature: Can exceed 50°C, large diurnal range (15-20°C).
  • Humidity: Low, lacks moisture.
  • Precipitation: Very low (50-150mm/year).
  • Sky: Clear, blue, with occasional dust storms.
  • Solar Radiation: Strong during the day, escapes at night.
  • Wind: High-speed, dusty winds (20-30 km/h).
  • Soil and Vegetation: Sandy soil, sparse vegetation.
  • Animals: Adapted to extreme conditions (e.g., camels, foxes, snakes).
• Microclimate Effects


  Buildings affect microclimates by obstructing wind, casting shadows, and reflecting radiation.
• Tropical Design


  Focuses on mitigating heat and humidity to enhance comfort.
• Warm Temperate (Mediterranean)


  • Climate: Wet winters, dry summers.
  • Characteristics: Dry summers due to subtropical highs; adapted plant life; frequent fires; warm to hot summers, short mild winters.
• Cool Temperate (North America, Europe, Canada)


  • Climate: Dry, with significant seasonal variation.
  • Characteristics: Polar air masses in winter, continental air in summer; wide annual temperature range; cold winters, warm to hot summers.
• Cold Regions


  • Long, cold winters; short, cool summers.
  • Located in polar air mass regions; extreme temperature range; low annual precipitation, with more in summer.
• Hot Arid Regions


  • Balance temperature extremes, increase humidity, divert dry winds.
• Hot Humid Regions


  Increase shade, cooling via evaporation, and breezes.
• Temperate Regions


  Promote shade and cooling in warm periods; block winds and promote heat gain in cool periods.
• Cold Regions


  Control winter winds, promote solar gain and heat storage.
• Thermal Comfort Concepts

  Comfort is subjective; best achieved at optimum thermal conditions.
• Heat Loss Mechanisms


  • Convection (natural and forced)
  • Conduction
  • Radiation
  • Evaporation/Condensation
• Air Temperature

  Comfort range is 16-28°C. Low temperatures make people feel cold, while high temperatures make them feel hot.
• Mean Radiant Temperature

  Comfort is achieved between 16-28°C. The difference between air temperature and radiant temperature should not exceed 5°C to maintain comfort.
• Air Velocity

  Indoor comfort is achieved with air movement between 0.1 to 1.0 m/s. Higher velocities can lead to discomfort.
• Relative Humidity

  Comfort is maintained with humidity levels between 20-90%. Low humidity allows effective sweating, aiding in cooling.
• Clothing (Clo Units)

  Thermal comfort is achieved with clothing ranging from 0.5-1.0 clo, with 1.0 clo representing standard business attire.
• Activity Level

  Higher activity increases the body's heat production, affecting thermal comfort.
• Microclimate


  Refers to the climatic conditions in a small area, such as within a few meters above or below the Earth's surface.
• Microclimate is Influenced by

  temperature, humidity, wind, soil, and vegetation
• Microclimates 


  are site-specific and impact energy transfer through building materials and the thermal sensation of people.
• Five Factors Affecting Microclimates


  • Topography
  • Soil
  • Water
  • Vegetation
  • Artificial Structures
• Topography


  Influences sunlight, temperature, and shading, with aspects like slope direction affecting solar radiation.
• Soil


  Affects moisture retention, humidity, and temperature, with soil type impacting microclimates.
• WaterBodies


  offer evaporative cooling and influence local temperature, particularly near their vicinity.
• Vegetation


  Regulates soil temperature, provides shade, and influences local airflow and microclimates.