Powerful Feng Shui Principles for Modern Architectural Designs
Part 2 of 2
The system of feng shui provides simple and easy approaches to modern-day builders in designs and construction. Although ancient and Eastern, feng shui has an unchangeable intention of creating favorable environments so that all living beings may live in harmony with nature. Integrated wisely in modern design and construction, feng shui is the highest level of sustainable, green building.
II. OPENNESS
Another basic principle that builders can adhere to is openness. Openness in feng shui is important as it creates a space to receive the chi as it arrives. Openness is applied to both the exterior and interior of a building. An ideal feng shui site is on a hill rather than on flat land, as higher ground has an easier access to the universal life force. Houses built at mid-hill with a rolling hill at the back as a support and an unobstructed view from the front of the house are considered the best.
Also, a significant symbolic meaning of buildings with obstructions relates to a life full of obstacles for the people who live there. Accordingly, a house built on the downward slope of a street facing an uphill is considered less favorable than one built on an upward slope, as the hill in front of the house is considered an obstacle. Likewise, other taller buildings or trees in front of the house are considered as obstructions. Builders should be careful not to place tall trees or streetlights in front of the front door of a house as it creates a situation of obstruction.
This principle of openness can also be applied to the interior of a house. As we enter the front entrance of a building, it is important to have open space without facing an obstruction such as a wall, as it interferes with the flow of the chi. Moreover, obstruction at the entrance usually creates darkness. And a dark entrance portends disaster from a feng shui point of view because it creates a situation where a sudden change of lighting could disrupt the flow of chi. Builders should be careful in applying this principle. Too much openness results in too much exposure, which leaves the homeowner vulnerable in life. One example of such vulnerability is the house built on a hilltop where there is too much exposure to the sun, wind and rain. Remedies are then needed to provide protection when there is excessive openness.
III. CONNECTEDNESS AND FLOW OF CHI
"Everything in a space should be connected without disconnection or interruption to ensure a continuous flow of life."
This ancient wisdom refers to the flow of chi, the universal life force that is vital to a person's well-being. It was observed and believed since ancient times that positive chi flows gently on a curved surface and gives beneficial effects, while negative chi travels viciously on a straight line and gives harmful effects. Without the flow of chi, a space becomes dead or stagnant, lacking in vitality. An example would be a dead-end street location or a storage room. It is always crucial to connect a space to another space with a channel that enhances the flow of positive chi.
A valuable application of this concept in subdivision development is to create flowing streetscapes. A positive feng shui site would be one with maximum connection of streets and minimum dead-ends. It is more desirable to have curved, meandering streets rather than long, straight, narrow streets. A straight dead-end street is considered as unfavorable, but a horseshoe cul-de-sac that allows for in- and-out circulation of chi is favorable.
To direct a better flow of chi, there should be a walkway that is leading from the street to the front door. A curved pathway is preferred to lead the beneficial chi into the house. Front doors are considered as "mouths," and they should be facing the street with no obstacles in front. Builders should avoid planting trees in front of the entry doors, as they are perceived as obstacles in life. Other unfavorable obstacles in front of the house include utility poles, streetlights and sharp rooflines of neighboring homes. Windows are considered as "eyes" of the house. They should be opened to the best views. Sharp corners are considered as arrowheads and dangerous to one's health and well-being. They should be avoided by the windows, especially the bedroom windows.
January 2008 Builder Architect Edition Issue