taylors university architecture

1. MODERN INTERPRETATION OF
FENG SHUI IN CONTEMPORARY
HONG KONG ARCHITECTURE

2. ABSTRACT
Feng Shui is a complex system of theories that
is used to promote good spiritual energy, or
good “Chi”(Tchi, 2018). It has been used for
centuries and is still prevalent in certain
regions of the world today. The main objective
of this research is to explore how ancient
practices of Feng Shui and contemporary East-
Asian architecture complement each other in
today’s context, thus tackling misconceptions of
Feng Shui being irrelevant in modern day. We
have chosen Hong Kong as the focus of our study
doe to various reasons elaborated further in the
study. This research was carried out through
extensive and thorough study of reading

3. METHODOLOGY
Throughout the research of modern interpretation
of feng shui in contemporary hong kong
architecture, information from various sources
was extracted, compiled and synthesized to form
this research. Information was filtered
carefully to determine its credibility as Feng
Shui can be a very subjective topic. Books such
as, Feng Shui : A practical guide for architects
and designers by Vincent M. and Barbara Lyons
Stewart who applies feng shui to their designs,
were used. A thesis by Afet Çeliker, a Doctor of
Philosophy in Architecture was also used as a
source of information. Various articles online
were also used. The datas were collected as they

4. INTRODUCTION
TO
FENG SHUI

5. WHAT IS FENG SHUI?
Feng Shui is the ancient Chinese principles and
practices which for thousands of years have been
very significant for the Chinese built
environment. A harmonious built environment for
human-beings to live in is aimed by the
principles and practices of Feng Shui.

6. ORIGINS
Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese geomancy dating
back as early as the fourth century BC. (Clarck,
J. D., 1994) Two perspective of the roots of
feng shui was founded:
• Feng Shui as an interpretation of the
natural world (creating efficient agricultural
systems)
• Feng Shui as the study of the movement of
heavenly bodies in order to determine the
passage of time.

7. BASIC PRINCIPLES OF FENG SHUI
Chi is the core and heart of Feng Shui. It
cannot be created or destroyed, like energy.
Classical Feng Shui redirects, re-channels,
refreshes or revitalizes chi by assessing and
harnessing the right type of chi to the right
purpose. The concept of Yin and Yang is also
important in Feng Shui. (Yap, 2003).

8. EFFECTS OF FENG SHUI ON
ARCHITECTURE

9. ORIENTATION

10. LANDSCAPE

11. SHAPE & FORM

12. FENG SHUI IN
ARCHITECTURE

17. INFLUENCE OF
FENG SHUI IN
HONG KONG

18. WHY IS FENG SHUI PREVALENT IN HK?
Superstitions such as Feng Shui suffered a
great censor during the Cultural Revolution
(1966-76) that it had to be ditched to push the
development of true communism. 300 Mainlanders
crossed over to Hong Kong bringing with them
old beliefs and practices from the mainland.

19. FENG SHUI SUBSIDIES

20. GEOLOGICAL FENG SHUI OF HK
• Strategic Location
• Sea and mountains
• Victoria Harbour
• main factor of
prosperity
• Hong Kong Island &
Kowloon Peninsula
• Where Chi is stored

21. APPLICATION OF FENG SHUI IN HK
Repulse Bay

22. APPLICATION OF FENG SHUI IN HK
Jardine House

23. APPLICATION OF FENG SHUI IN HK
Cheung Kong Center

24. APPLICATION OF FENG SHUI IN HK
Hopewell Center

25. CASE STUDY:
HSBC HEADQUARTERS

26. HSBC Headquarters

27. ORIENTATION
“BACK MOUNTAIN FACING WATER”

28. ORIENTATION
STREETS LIKE ARMS

29. SHAPE & FORM
RECTILINEAR SHAPES

30. ORIENTATION
TO DRAW CHI IN

31. ORIENTATION

32. ORIENTATION
DEFLECT BAD ENERGY

33. SKEPTICISM
IN
ARCHITECTURE

34. Is Feng Shui a Scam?

35. MYTH REALITY
fraud
Based on ancient
Chinese civilizations
abstract
Lack scientific
explanations
Related to psychology,
geophysics &
architectonics
logical
Scientifically proven

36. STUDY: FENG SHUI AS A KNOWLEDGE SYSTEM
‘Is Fengshui Science or Superstition? A
New Criterion for Judging the Value of
Knowledge Systems’

37. CONCLUSION
Through this research, we conclude that Feng
Shui is an element that can play a big impact on
architecture through the influence of the design
and orientation, among other fields. However,
the aforementioned misconceptions are severely
debilitating the growth of Feng Shui as many
still believe that it is a completely baseless
belief that leads to frauds and scams. Through
our research, the extracted information proves
Feng Shui’s relevance in today’s architecture
and how it brings various advantages with the
most prominent being determining optimal
orientation in accordance with geological
factors. As a team, we sincerely hope that this
research will contribute to opening the eyes of
the public to the truth behind one of the most

38. REFERENCES
1. Afet Celiker, (2013). Philosophical Questioning of Architecture with an
Emphasis on Feng Shui (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). Eastern
Mediterranean University, Gazimağusa, North Cyprus. Retrieved from
http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.1002.2988&rep=rep1
&type=pdf
2. Teh T.Y., (1988). Fengshui: Its Application in Contemporary
Architecture. Singapore: Concept Media Ltd. Retrieved from
Thttps://archnet.org/system/publications/contents/3989/original/DPT0576.pdf
?1384778037
3. Xu J., (2003). A Framework for Site Analysis with Emphasis on Feng Shui
and Contemporary Environmental Design Principles. Blacksburg, VA, USA.
Retrieved from
https://vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/bitstream/handle/10919/29291/3_EnvPrinciples.
pdf?sequence=3&isAllowed=y
4. Afet Celiker, (2013). From Rituals to Contemporary Design Solutions:
Examples of Feng Shui Applied Contemporary Buildings. Cyprus International
University, North Cyprus. Retrieved from
http://www.universitypublications.net/hssr/0103/pdf/HVD653.pdf
5. Zhang Y. & Dai W., (2013). Is Fengshui Science or Superstition?. David
Publishing. Retrieved from http://yongfeng.me/attach/fs-zhang-dai.pdf
6. Smith, V., & Stewart, B. (2006). Feng Shui: A Practical Guide for
Architects and Designers (p. 128, 174). Chicago: Kaplan/AEC Education.
7. G. Hale, (2004). The Practical Encyclopedia of Feng Shui. London: Annes
Publishing Limited.

39. REFERENCES
8. Jerry King, Feng Shui of the HSBC Headquarters Building in Hong Kong.
Retrieved from https://www.fengshuitoday.com/top-15-air-purifying-feng-
shui-plants/
Feng Shui Vancouver, Canada - White Dragon Consulting. (2011). Retrieved
from http://www.whitedragonhome
9. Gao, S. (2017). 6 Times Feng Shui Influenced Hong Kong's Skyline.
Culture Trip. Retrieved from https://theculturetrip.com/asia/hong-
kong/articles/6-times-feng-shui-influenced-hong-kongs-skyline/
10. Bergeest J., (2016). Feng Shui Buildings in Hong Kong - Building Radar.
Retrieved from https://buildingradar.com/construction-blog/feng-shui-
buildings-in-hong-kong/
How feng shui shaped Hong Kong's skyline I VOX | TES Community. (2018).
Community.tes.com. Retrieved from https://community.tes.com/threads/how-
feng-shui-shaped-hong-kongs-skyline-i-vox.778902/
11. Parkes D., (2018). Why feng shui is big business in Hong Kong. Time Out
Hong Kong. Retrieved from https://www.timeout.com/hong-kong/things-to-
do/why-feng-shui-is-big-business-in-hong-kong
12. Wainwright, O. (2018). Norman Foster's Hong Kong HSBC headquarters tore
up the rule book – a history of cities in 50 buildings, day 45. The
Guardian. Retrieved from
https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2015/may/28/hong-kong-hsbc-hq-bank-
history-cities-50-buildings

40. PRESENTATION BY:
Lee Jun Yeen 0330282
Hong Junn Keat 0330255
Tan Jes Lyn 0330099
Esther Tey Jia Ying 0330169
Wee Si Ying 0330751
Lee Zhe Yi 0330179
Joel Chin Weng Kong 0330236