In tropical climates, which sides of a building are considered the "hot sides"?

In tropical climates, the "hot sides" of a building are typically regarded as the east and west facades. This is due to the sun's path and its intensity during the day.

In the morning, the sun rises in the east, bringing warmth and light. As the day progresses, the west side of the building receives strong, direct sunlight in the afternoon, often producing significant heat. Therefore, both these orientations are exposed to direct sunlight during the crucial hours of the day when heat accumulation is at its peak, making them the "hot sides."

Understanding this is vital for architectural design in tropical regions, as it influences decisions on window placement, shading devices, and material choices to mitigate heat gain and improve thermal comfort inside the building.