Building & Habitat
In the tropics, “natural building” must be practical. Ventilation, humidity control, repairability, and long-term maintenance matter more than aesthetics.
Principles
- Build slowly, test, adjust, and document what works.
- Prefer local materials and techniques that can be repaired on site.
- Keep footprints modest: build what we can maintain.
Bio-construction in tropical conditions
- Ventilation-first design, shade, and moisture management.
- Protection against insects and rot (details, barriers, maintenance).
- Storm resilience: anchoring, drainage, safe storage.
Water
- Rainwater capture where appropriate.
- Filtration and safe storage as a daily discipline.
- Respect for waterways: no contamination, no shortcuts.
Sanitation
- Solutions must be hygienic, realistic, and locally appropriate.
- Systems are judged by maintenance, not by ideology.
Energy (sobriety first)
- Solar and storage where it makes sense.
- Low-energy tools, repair culture, and careful planning.
- We reduce needs before adding capacity.
Spaces
- Shared spaces: kitchen, workshop, storage, meeting areas.
- Private spaces: modest, quiet, respected.