ABSTRACT
This chapter helps readers to be aware of the factors that impact upon the design, construction and use of buildings in tropical climates. The way in which buildings are designed in response to the tropical context reflects the recognized climatic parameters of solar radiation, air temperature, relative humidity and wind. The warm, moist conditions are ideal for vegetation growth but ideal for the development of organic agencies that damage buildings. The impact of potentially hostile tropical conditions upon building pathology and the durability of components, structure and fabric can be significant. The chapter illustrates the utilization of louvred cladding, high internal ceilings and light external fabric in the modern convention centre in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Such features are also manifest in traditional tropical construction forms such as the Thai or Malay house, which matches thermally light envelope, large openings to promote ventilation and high ceiling voids.
