Healthy Homes in Tropical Zones

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Early nomadic shelters, including caves, animalskin tents, and igloos, were used for protectionagainst the elements wind, rain, snow, and sunlight.They provided defence against predatorsand storage facilities for a few important possessions.These early buildings were temporary, andproximity to a water source was of prime importance.For the hunters and gatherers, shelter wasfor survival. Health and comfort were not yet underconsideration. As civilization evolved, housingbecame more permanent, with increasing attentionto well-being. Unlike in industrialised countries, where piped-in water, indoor toilets, andsewage systems are the norm, in many developingcountries these facilities are often not available.Waterborne enteric diseases, preventableby the supply of safe water, hand washing, andappropriate sanitation, continue to be a majordisease burden in poor countries.But a safe, comfortable and healthy homeconstitutes a primary need for people aroundthe world irrespective of their culture or socioeconomicstatus.Throughout the tropics a huge diversity inhouse design and use of building materials canbe observed, based on centuries of local experience, customs, and availability of natural resourcesfor construction. Consequently, thesedifferences in building style affect indoor climateand comfort for occupants, which in turn affectoccupants¿ exposure to infectious diseases. Inthis book the authors describe the architecturaldesigns of rural houses in two countries in Asia(Thailand, Philippines) and two in Africa (TheGambia, Tanzania), analyse the indoor climateof local houses in these settings as an outcomeof design and determinant of comfort, and relatethese factors to health, notably the risk of mosquito-borne infectious diseases such as malaria.Based on these findings and intimate understandingof local building styles and preferences, they describe a series of house modificationsthat could enhance comfort whilst at the sametime reduce health risks.Jakob Knudsen practices architecture ashead of Ingvartsen Architects in Copenhagen.He is also associate professor at The Royal DanishAcademy of Fine Arts, School of Architecture.A recurrent theme in his works is sustainabilityand climatic design. Lorenz von Seidlein, son ofthe architect Peter von Seidlein, is a physicianwho has practiced medicine in Africa, Asia, theUnited States, and Europe. He is currently workingon malaria research in Darwin, Australia, andBangkok, Thailand.