A Cold Front The heat and high humidity are elements that homeowners living in the tropics constantly grapple with. Here are some cool ways to keep chill while enjoying those sunny afternoons from the comfort of your living room

NATURAL VENTILATION

Passive cooling is an inseparable part of sound tropical architecture. This approach to building design aims to improve indoor thermal comfort with low (or even zero) energy consumption. Common tropical architecture features that bring forth passive cooling include extensive roof overhang, strategically placed water features, and the most crucial, sufficient natural ventilation that promotes airflow— after all, the stifling, unbearable heat we feel in the air is mostly caused by the lack of airflow. The simplest solution for improved indoor airflow is to create cross-ventilation by placing ventilation openings—inlets and outlets—on the opposite sides of the building, creating a pathway for natural breezes to flow and cool down the room. “Cross ventilation is pretty much determined by the specific location of doors and windows in a space,” says Wayne Loh, associate director of WAL Associates. “It would, of course, be logical not to position any big, tall pieces of furniture directly in front of a doorway or window as they would obstruct air flow.” In ancient Rome, people would hang swathes of wet fabric on a specially designed rods installed outside of their window to cool the breeze that flowed into their homes. This ancient cooling method combined two things: water and shade. Placed near openings, water features, be it a cascading curtain of water or an expanse of water surface, does wonders to cool incoming air. Pivoted screens that shade the facade from glaring sunlight help to bring the temperature down, too. “Where ventilation is non-existent or poor, homeowners can opt to add a ceiling or wall-mounted ventilation fan to draw out any stagnant air in the space,” says Loh.