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K-IKLBuilding Science

Tropical Buildings: Heat, Wind and Rain

Keep a house cool and dry without guessing

Start chapter 1 freeEnrol in this course
45100150KACA 6MM CLEARSEALANT SILICONE NETRAL+ BACKER RODAMBANG GRANIT 20MMMIRING 10% KE LUARALUR TETESAN 7×7PLESTER + ACI +CAT EKSTERIORGLAZING BEAD + GASKET EPDMKUSEN ALUMINIUM 100MMPOWDER COAT, SEKRUP SSMEJA JENDELA MARMER 20MMTONJOL 30 DARI DINDINGBALOK AMBANG BETON110×100, 2Ø10BATA MERAH ½ BATUPLESTER 20 2 SISIILUSTRASI CONTOHBUKAN UNTUK KONSTRUKSI1K-IKLTROPICAL BUILDINGS: HEAT, WIND AND RAINSKALA 1:5
Level
Beginner
Lessons
18
Time
1h 56m
Rating
4.8
Learners
12.6K
Updated
Sep 2026

After this course

What you'll be able to do yourself.

You learn why foil fitted wrong does nothing, why colonial houses have high ceilings, and why an AC drips. Then you take it to the drawing: air gaps, vents, condensate outlets and window sills.

  1. 1Tell conduction, convection and radiation apart at the roof
  2. 2Explain why roof foil needs an air gap
  3. 3Work out simple thermal resistance and vent opening sizes
  4. 4Place vents and explain the stack effect
  5. 5Plan AC condensate outlets on working drawings
  6. 6Read the slope and drip groove on a window sill

Good for

  • Architecture students learning tropical house design
  • Drafters and young architects working on houses
  • Anyone often asked by clients why their house is hot

Full syllabus

Chapter by chapter, nothing hidden.

18 lessons, 1h 56m in total. Chapter 1 is open to everyone.

Chapter 1Heat from the roofFreeThe three ways heat moves, and why foil only works with an air gap.6 lessons / 37 min
  1. Roof foil is a heat mirror5 min
  2. Tile, cavity and ceiling5 min
  3. Words for heat4 min
  4. Work out thermal resistance7 min
  5. Ceiling still hot after the foil went in6 min
  6. Chapter 1 test10 min
Chapter 2Air on the moveHigh ceilings, vents, cross ventilation and the water an AC squeezes from the air.6 lessons / 38 min
  1. The high ceilings of colonial houses5 min
  2. Wind in, wind out5 min
  3. A dripping AC is water squeezed from the air5 min
  4. Work out openings and water vapour7 min
  5. The renovation that closed the vents6 min
  6. Chapter 2 test10 min
Chapter 3Rain that comes sidewaysWind-driven rain, eaves, and a window sill that sheds water before it gets in.6 lessons / 41 min
  1. Driven rain and the window sill5 min
  2. Build up a window sill6 min
  3. Find the fault in a window sill6 min
  4. Draw a window sill8 min
  5. The stain below the window6 min
  6. Chapter 3 test10 min

Lesson kinds

  • Concept
  • Glossary
  • Calculate
  • Site case
  • Chapter test
  • Layer Stack
  • Spot the Fault
  • Draw the detail

Get a feel for it

You practise, you don't just watch.

Try it: Slide the ParameterIllustration, not for construction
45100150KACA 6MM CLEARSEALANT SILICONE NETRAL+ BACKER RODAMBANG GRANIT 20MMMIRING 10% KE LUARALUR TETESAN 7×7PLESTER + ACI +CAT EKSTERIORGLAZING BEAD + GASKET EPDMKUSEN ALUMINIUM 100MMPOWDER COAT, SEKRUP SSMEJA JENDELA MARMER 20MMTONJOL 30 DARI DINDINGBALOK AMBANG BETON110×100, 2Ø10BATA MERAH ½ BATUPLESTER 20 2 SISI

Slide the value. The drawing follows, just like in the lessons.

A deeper frame needs a wider sill. The sill must still fall outward to shed water.

Illustration, not for construction

Your creator

Taught by someone who still does the work.

Your creator

Nara Wijayakusuma

Architect, 12 years in practice

Teaches details the way studios use them: start from the problem on site, then down to the drawing.

Courses
5
Learners
110.1K

Other courses

About becoming a creator

Learner reviews

From people who took it.

4.8out of 5

1K reviews

  • 581%
  • 414%
  • 34%
  • 21%
  • 10%

  • Mega Puspitasari

    Junior architect

    The failure cases were the most useful part. Now I know what to ask my senior.

  • Bagas Wicaksono

    Junior quantity surveyor

    I used to memorise terms without knowing why. After the moisture chapter I finally understood why the wall at my parents' house keeps peeling.

  • Salsa Rahmadani

    Junior drafter

    The explanations start from what happens on site, not from a formula. My lecture notes finally make sense.

Questions that come up

About this course.

All questions

01

What can I try for free?

All of chapter 1, "Heat from the roof": 6 lessons, about 37 min. No card needed. If it isn't for you, stop there.

02

What should I know before starting?

Nothing in particular. The course starts from what you see on a drawing and on site, and builds from there.

03

Subscribe or buy this course?

Pro is Rp149.000 a month and opens every course, track, exam and certificate. Buying this course is Rp229.000 once and it stays yours. If you plan to take more than two courses, Pro usually comes out cheaper.

04

Do I get a certificate?

Certificates come from track exams, not single courses. This course counts toward Building Science, Junior Architect. The exam runs 60 minutes and you pass at 75 percent.

05

Can I use these drawings on a project?

No. Every drawing in the course is an illustration for learning, not for construction. Use them to understand the logic, then follow your firm's standard and your engineer's drawings.

Part of

This course counts toward these tracks.

Where next

Courses people often take next.

All courses
  • ibsFlagship

    Building Science / Beginner

    Everyday Building Science

    Why concrete gets watered, walls turn damp and flat roofs leak

    Nara Wijayakusuma
    Lessons
    27
    Time
    2h 45m
    Rating
    4.9
    Learners
    38.4K
K-IKLStart with chapter 1

Tropical Buildings: Heat, Wind and Rain free.

No card needed. If it suits you, go on with Pro or buy this course.

Start chapter 1 freeSee plans, Rp149.000