Tropical Houses: Creating a Dialogue Between Nature and the Built Environment

The tropical climate is famous for its exuberant flora. It's no wonder that architectural projects in the region maintain a constant dialogue between nature and the built environment. Biophilia's benefits to users are not news, after all. However, high temperatures, frequent rains, and high humidity levels present unique challenges for reconciling the connection between the interior and exterior with the construction of houses that are comfortable and efficient over time. In the search for solutions that meet needs and demands, we have selected residential projects that appropriate the context to become unique in this environment.

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In the following, we look at how architects have explored local techniques and materials, as well as innovative construction strategies that seek to maximize natural ventilation and the use of sunlight along with protection against its excessive incidence. From the choice of materials to the arrangement of internal and external spaces, typically open and in contact with nature, they provide inspiration and useful guidance for those seeking to build a functional and adapted home in the local climate.

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CHUZHI House / Wallmakers. Image: © Syam Sreesylam

As the tropical climate is located along the Equator, between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, we bring examples across Latin America, Africa, and Asia. See them all below.

Labri House / Nguyen Khai Architects & Associates (Vietnam)

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Labri House / Nguyen Khai Architects & Associates. Image: © Hiroyuki Oki
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Labri House / Nguyen Khai Architects & Associates. Image: © Hiroyuki Oki

Dog / Human House / EKAR (Thailand)

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Dog / Human House / EKAR. Image: © Rungkit Charoenwat
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Dog / Human House / EKAR. Image: © Rungkit Charoenwat

Bromelia Shelter / [Plup!] Studio Costa Rica (Costa Rica)

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Bromelia Shelter / [Plup!] Studio Costa Rica. Image: © Roberto d'Ambrosio
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Bromelia Shelter / [Plup!] Studio Costa Rica. Image: © Roberto d'Ambrosio

CHUZHI House / Wallmakers (India)

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CHUZHI House / Wallmakers. Image: © Syam Sreesylam
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CHUZHI House / Wallmakers. Image: © Syam Sreesylam

Open House in the Jungle / Ksymena Borczynska (Costa Rica)

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Open House in the Jungle / Ksymena Borczynska. Image: © Ksymena Borczynska
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Open House in the Jungle / Ksymena Borczynska. Image: © Ksymena Borczynska

Woven House / Santiago Pradilla + Zuloark (Colombia)

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Woven House / Santiago Pradilla + Zuloark. Image: © Federico Cairoli
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Woven House / Santiago Pradilla + Zuloark. Image: © Federico Cairoli

Wood and Mountain Cabin / Sher Maker (Thailand)

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Wood and Mountain Cabin / Sher Maker. Image: © Rungkit Charoenwat
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Wood and Mountain Cabin / Sher Maker. Image: © Rungkit Charoenwat

Residência em Carrizal / Daniel Moreno Flores + Sebastián Calero (Ecuador)

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Residência em Carrizal / Daniel Moreno Flores + Sebastián Calero. Image: © Lorena Darquea
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Residência em Carrizal / Daniel Moreno Flores + Sebastián Calero. Image: ©JAG Studio

The Wendy House / Earthscape Studio (India)

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The Wendy House / Earthscape Studio. Image: © Syam Sreesylam
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The Wendy House / Earthscape Studio. Image: © Syam Sreesylam

Toquilla House / Rama Estudio (Ecuador)

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Toquilla House / Rama Estudio. Image: © JAG Studio
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Toquilla House / Rama Estudio. Image: © JAG Studio

Blue House / studio mk27 (Brazil)

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Blue House / studio mk27. Image: © André Scarpa
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Blue House / studio mk27. Image: © André Scarpa

ↄc House / 3dor Concepts (India)

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Blue House / studio mk27. Image: © Running Studios
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Blue House / studio mk27. Image: © Running Studios

Bambou Pavillion / Koffi & Diabaté Architectes (Ivory Coast)

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Bambou Pavillion / Koffi & Diabaté Architectes. Image: © François-Xavier Gbré
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Bambou Pavillion / Koffi & Diabaté Architectes. Image: © François-Xavier Gbré

House at Fazenda Boa Vista / Nitsche Arquitetos (Brazil)

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House at Fazenda Boa Vista / Nitsche Arquitetos. Image: © Israel Gollino
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House at Fazenda Boa Vista / Nitsche Arquitetos. Image: © Israel Gollino

Pink House / 23o5Studio (Vietnam)

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Pink House / 23o5Studio. Image: © Hiroyuki Oki, Hoàng Lê
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Pink House / 23o5Studio. Image: © Hiroyuki Oki, Hoàng Lê

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About this author
Cite: ArchDaily Team. "Tropical Houses: Creating a Dialogue Between Nature and the Built Environment" [Casas tropicais: criando um diálogo entre a natureza e o ambiente construído] 19 May 2023. ArchDaily. (Trans. Simões, Diogo) Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1000663/tropical-houses-creating-a-dialogue-between-nature-and-the-built-environment> ISSN 0719-8884

Labri House / Nguyen Khai Architects & Associates. Image: © Hiroyuki Oki

热带房屋:在自然与人造环境之间创造对话

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