Feng shui architecture
| Published: 14th June 2007 12:33 |
Feng shui architecture
An example of a feng shui style staircase.
Most people associate feng shui with interior design. According to principles of the ancient practice, a home's architecture can either interrupt or aid the flow of chi around a building.
Though you may not be able to drastically alter your architecture accordingly, these principles may be of use if you're house hunting or renovating.
Feng shui practitioners warn that just because a building looks beautiful, this doesn't mean that it is a comfortable or healthy place to live.
Chi energy is essential for good health, prosperity and relationships, and features of a building are believed to have a major impact in these areas.
In many home designs, symmetry is one of the overriding elements. Some architects centralise front doorways and balance them with symmetrical windows. Other architects will use exterior items such as columns and pathways to create long straight lines that lead to the front door. This symmetry is neither harmonious nor balanced whenever it is considered by a feng shui practitioner.
Good feng shui is quite different from what architects would like to design. While windows or doors that are placed precisely opposite of one another may feel like good symmetry, such a design allows for chi to move too quickly through the room or leak its vitality.
High ceilings in period homes are a valued feature as they as drama and space. But this is not always beneficial in feng shui. It simply depends upon the room's function. Sometimes people will feel good in a room with a high ceiling, but other times they may have problems concentrating or sleeping. High ceilings in a bedroom therefore, are not advisable. Good energy is contained in small rooms with low ceilings, whereas small rooms with high ceilings may dissipate the energy.
Exposed beams are another valued architectural feature in period homes or barn conversions.
However, feng shui warns that exposed beams located within a bedroom may cause health and relationship problems.
Architects are aware that a major selling point for a lot of homes is the fact that there is a great view from the entrance hall leading all the way through the back of the house, where you are able to see the garden. Visual appeal aside, feng shui practitioners believe that the energy coming into the house will be channelled directly to the back of the house and straight out of the window or door. This is thought to result in the home's occupants having a difficult time saving their money.
Modern houses or flats sometimes feature odd-shaped rooms for design interest. Feng shui believes this results in chi energy being bounced around the room. This is thought to cause a lack of focus, ill health and arguments.
If you are lucky enough to have a dramatic spiralling staircase, this equates to a conduits for energy. Architects may just design these for visual appeal but feng shui sees an added bonus of encouraging chi energy to swirl around, activating anything near it.
The final concern is with aesthetics. While all of the visual features may be in total sync with good feng shui principles, feng shui also believes that the compass direction a structure faces and the time it was built could unravel all the other positive elements of the architecture. The ancient Chinese believed that certain locations, such as a home built on a sheltered south-facing hillside with a slow flowing river nearby, are lucky.
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