One of the key elements in feng shui is the understanding of the concept of space. Through the use of formulas, directions and charts, we can identify which areas of the home are suitable for each of us. However, to maximize the potential of these areas, we need to be able to create a ‘space’ which evokes a positive emotional response. How we feel, how we act and even how we live is directly attributed to what we see and experience in our environment.

THE OPEN PLAN

Through the Space Dimension of feng shui, we look into ways of creating spaces that help promote a sense of freedom and harmony. One of the key elements in the space dimension technique is the open space plan concept. Through an open plan concept, we are able to locate different areas (living, dining, entertainment or reading) of the home within a single space, thereby allowing each area to stand independently from one another, yet be held together by the overall space.

This enables the room to ‘grow’ exponentially, giving an illusion of a space that is larger than it actually is. This allows us to breathe more easily and to experience the true concept of abundance and growth. It helps promote family values and allows each individual family member to do their own thing yet be interconnected to one another, making any everyday task a social family event.

Another major advantage of an open plan is the ability for the energies of the home to flow from one corner to another freely and unobstructed. It is therefore important to identify which areas of the home are deemed auspicious based on the Flying Star natal chart. By organizing your open living right, auspicious star combinations can be magnified further, thus the household may reap maximum benefits from its potent energy. For example, look for sectors within the home that contain either the water or mountain star #8 and make these sectors the center of the open plan layout. This allows the energies of the #8 stars to overwhelm the other corners, thus strengthening its influence over the adjacent flying star combinations.

Another method in designing an open plan is to break the spaces up through the use of partition walls to highlight a sense of privacy from one room to another, yet leaving it open enough such that the seamless energy flow is maintained. In the example here, the living and dining areas are divided into their own zones with a feature cabinet, yet the window façade and floor patterns accentuates the open plan concept to link both areas together as one.

USING CEILING HEIGHT

If we are limited by the footprint we are given, another method is to play with the vertical element of the space. By designing your living area to accommodate for a double height volume, it allows you to experience an explosion of space through its volumetric effect. In this example, the upper sitting area provides a more private experience, while the lower living is more open and public. This energetic setting allows the family to interact at different floors of the home, yet allowing the architecture to create a visual barrier between private and public zones, all without the use of walls or partitions. This design method captivates the concept of a fluid energy flow, to resonate throughout the house, and spatial freedom.

BRINGING THE OUTDOORS INDOORS

Another way to expand your space is to borrow from the exterior landscape. In scenarios where we are limited by our physical space, we can consider enveloping the exterior views into the home through the use of floor to ceiling windows. This technique allows us to bring the exterior landscape indoors, thus giving the spatial experience we require without compromising on our physical footprint.

One thing to remember is that space is 3-dimensional. In homes that do not have the luxury of physical space or exterior views, we can always look up into the sky. By creating a powerful skylight effect, it allows our visual experience to be drawn up into the sky where the sky itself becomes our landscape palette. This not only allows us to bring in vibrant sun yang energy into the home but also creates an emotional experience of living where nature plays a vital role in setting our moods in the room.

5 ELEMENT OPEN PLAN LIVING

Another aspect of the space dimension to highlight is the balance of elements in the home. To create a balanced home, it is important to balance out the elements of the finishes within the living space. You do not want to have too much of one element that overwhelms any other, else it may create an unsettling effect. To adopt a 5-element design concept, we would need to introduce the element of Wood through plants and greenery. With Fire energy, the living space should have ample lighting to create vibrancy to its atmosphere. Earth energy, is represented through the flooring material to give a solid base and effect. Metal energy is introduced through the colour of walls with further accents added using the window and door finishes. Water energy is created through physical water, where the sounds and feel of water help create a soothing oasis for the space.

In designing your space, always look into the Space Dimension of Feng Shui to understand how space itself is a living entity and how it can help enhance our lives as well as the energies of our home. Look into the physical aspect of space and how you can use that to expand your home. Or capture the exterior views into the home to create the visual illusion of space and finally, understand how the elements we introduce the space can find balance in the energy of the home.

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To integrate Feng Shui with Design as a 3-dimensional entity, we need to learn how to visualize space and imagine our experiences. It is through our imaginations that we are able to see the world in our mind in a 3-dimensional spectrum and create a sense of visual experience. And it is this visual experience that gives us the excitement and creativity to transform our homes.

Visual Awareness

Visual aids such as 3-dimensional renderings and models, offer us a glimpse of what a space may look like, but it doesn’t give us the sense of what a space may feel like. Remember that ‘Experiencing’ a space is different from ‘Seeing’ a space. How a space feels like is determined by how we arrange our interior décor, from the type of furniture designs we select, to the fabrics and paintings we decide upon.

For example, refer to Scenario 1, the type of furnishing we select in our living areas affects our visual awareness and experiences. Close your eyes and imagine what a space would feel like in these two scenarios. The first, includes a modern-style sofa set in beige calf-skin leather, complimented with a dark brown central carpet. Design accents on the walls help to create a dynamic approach to the space, but what ultimately is experienced is a collision of visuals. The reason: the settee set is trying to organize a flow within the room, but the wall motifs exuberate their own authority in the space, thereby creating a confrontation. What happens is that our initial glimpse and feel of the room is torn between these 2 elements, thereby causing us to feel some discomfort when entering.

The next scenario allows the furniture set to take focus in the overall space, whereby the play of light and dark tone colours between the sofa, carpet and flooring helps to create a distinctive yet pleasing environment for living. It is how we select and arrange the different tone issues between the furniture and architecture that affects our visual awareness of any space.

Volumetric Change

One of the key elements in the 3-dimensionality of a space is the change in height and volume. When we move from one space to another, any change in levels will have an effect on our perception of the space and our mood. For example, when we move from a single to a double volume space, our initial reaction is a sense of volumetric explosion which translates into a sensation of freedom. However, if this change in level is too great, this sense of freedom turns into a void as we start to shrink within the space. Similarly, when we shift from a higher to a lower level space, we tend to experience a sensation of comfort and intimacy, but if not controlled, it may cause our moods to turn sour and claustrophobic.

Sound

Sound plays a vital ingredient in creating energy within the home. It may be considered one of the hardest visualization elements in experiencing space, as we need to identify the type and location of the source of sound, and how we want this sound to resonate through the home. In reality, the main source of sound tends to be noise from the roads, and other exterior elements. So the concept of sound plays two major roles in our home experience.

The first category is to block off noise, but to do so in balance with your internal environment. To block off noise, a few techniques may be employed, for example, by planting tall tower trees to help disperse sound as well as provide vital shade from heat. Another way is to install an efficient glazing system such as a Fascina window, which not only helps to insulate sound but provides solid protection from pollution. It is however imperative to control your space, as too much sound insulation may take a negative yin effect, as total silence will cause our bodies to feel disoriented and discomforted.

The next category of sound is sound that you want to hear within the home; whether a water feature, or music, the location of the source in relationship to your useable areas plays a vital role. For such features, the ideal scenario is to locate such features a stone’s throw away from your place of use, such as the living or dining areas. By doing so, it allows such features to stand out by themselves, nicely complimenting your space. Having it too close or too far away may allow such sounds to overwhelm the space or to become too inaudible to experience. The ideal level to achieve is by controlling the sound levels such that it acts as a background sound to compliment the overall atmosphere.

Touch

When we talk about ‘touch’, we refer to the physical interaction with your building materials. The choice of material plays an important role in setting up the mood for the room. That is why material sample palettes play a vital role in allowing us to select which materials go where. The common mistake is that many people tend to select such materials based on the look. While it is not wrong to look at a material and select it based on aesthetics, we should take a step further and select the material based on the mood you are trying to achieve.

For example, timber texture tones tend to set a ‘homely’ feel, as it allows the design to adopt a warm look, yet a colder feel. As such, timber textures tend to be the preferred choice of materials for the bedroom. However, when we combine materials together such as timber and stone, or timber and carpets, or even stone and carpets, we are able to create an array of mood transitions for the different areas of the home.

Timber and stone works well for more public areas such as the living and dining areas, so with a timber border and stone inlay concept, the timber acts as a bordering pattern that helps bring out the beauty of the stone, and also eliminating any monotony in the overall design. Furthermore, the tactile nature of these materials allow our inner psyche to identify that any change in material means a change from one area to the next, thereby enhancing our anticipation through design.

Colours

Finally, colours play a vital role in guiding us through the home. When employing the use of Feng Shui concepts, we may consider the use of colours based on the individual sectors of the home as a basic guideline. In this manner, we can select colours that are beneficial to such areas. However, the application determines how we make a space look good or bad. This is the basic concept of Yin and Yang, whereby we need to strike the right tone and balance to achieve the right look.

Depending on the space and flow through the home, we use colours to draw attention towards key areas of the home, either a picture frame window, a feature wall or even a vignette into another part of the home. Similarly, we use colours and wall covering textures to hide certain areas of the home such as the utility zones or storage areas. By doing so, it helps to lift the experiential appeal of the home to a different level, as it not only de-clutters the visual outlook of the space, but lifts the design standard to a new class of its own.

When we start to design a space, don’t look at it solely from a planning or utilitarian point of view. Look at it from an emotional viewpoint and try to visualize what you see (and how it affects you), how you feel (what you hear and touch) and where you move (what draws your attention).

When you start to experience the space, you will be able to create a home that is truly a Designer Home.

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The first step in juggling this balancing act is to know your audience. Understand what your client wants and try to find a solution that works for them. And there is no more personal space in the house than the bedroom, because this is where one has to literally ‘live in’ every day.

Tip 1 – Avoid Shocking Colours

Identify colours and tones that are suitable to the room use, and colour ranges that are acceptable to the user. One of the biggest mistakes is to select a colour scheme that may create the ‘shock effect’ by giving the sense of a sudden surprise, but then renders the space unlivable.

Take for example this room where the colour pink has been over-used. Our initial reaction would be the overwhelming effect of the colours. While “cool” in the beginning, this singular colour effect will ultimately dominate the room, making it difficult to accept and to live in on a daily basis. Once the personal paraphernalia goes in, the pinkness stops looking so Barbie-perfect and starts to have a gagging effect.

Similarly, another design element to highlight in this example is to avoid the use of wavy lines in the bedroom as these distract from any perceivable line of sight, causing a loss of balance. From a feng shui perspective, wavy lines also symbolize the element of water, which is not suitable for use in bedrooms.

Tip 2 – Avoid Plants and Sharp Corners

In this example, there are a few elements to highlight on what not to do. While the design concept is to adopt a more oriental theme with the colours of the space in zen balance, the use of the furniture and the interior accents immediately set off warning bells.

First, you should always avoid any sharp or protruding corners. In this case, the zigzag design of the bookcase breaks two major taboos. 1) You should never have anything above your head when you sleep; and 2) you should never have anything sharp above your head.

Second, the use of plants, while they add to the “oriental theme”, has no place in the bedroom.

Third, you should always think about the proportions of space. Look at how different design elements affect our perception of a room. In this case, the scale of the bed to the window and ceiling seems rather disproportionate as the space between the ceiling and the window looks ‘tight’ thereby making the window the tallest element in the room. By doing so, it forces the ceiling to be lifted even higher than it is, visually causing the bed to shrink in size and float around the room, and thereby losing the sense of intimacy and solitude which is what is needed for every bedroom.

Finally, avoid any eccentric patterns on the ceiling, as this causes a whole array of visual confusion, and forces the ceiling to push itself down onto the room, creating claustrophobia as if being trapped within the space.

Tip 3 – Avoid Odd Shaped Rooms

Everyone loves the attic. Attics are a great sanctuary to find privacy, gather your thoughts and be secluded from the rest of the world. But with attics with limited ceiling space, don’t try to make it your bedroom. In this scenario, the pitched ceiling has inadvertently created a poison arrow straight down the middle as if cutting the bed in half. And due to the limited space, light is brought in through the use of skylights, which then creates further shards as if cutting further into the bed.

While the idea of living in the attic is a cool idea, the reality is that if the space doesn’t fit, living in there would create further depressing issues and neglect for the room in the end. Always think of the practical aspects of a room before the accents of the room.

Tip 4 – Finding A Balance

When we design a bedroom, it is important to find the balance between all the design elements such as colours, heights, texture and furniture design in order to create the ideal setting. Remember, the bedroom is a place to relax and sleep. Don’t overwhelm the space with elements such as hot colours or ‘ultra modern’ designs. It is better to tone down the visuals to create a more homely feel.

In this setting, the use of an earth tone is highlighted through the different elements of the room such as the beige back headboard, carpet, furniture and drapes. This is further balanced with the neutral wall and bed sheet colours, which helps to distribute the colours throughout the room so it does not over-dominate the space.

The next design factor is to balance the proportions of the room. By using long drapes, this helps to accentuate the vertical element of the window wall, rather than breaking it up between the window and wall between the ceiling. By doing so, we are able to grab the sense of the space through the bed heights and occasional furniture such as the lamps and paintings, bringing the room to a more human scale of living.

When we look at our bedrooms, always take note that what is cool is not necessarily good for you. Always keep the design simple. Don’t introduce any design element that causes your attention to be focused as the key design intent if you want your bedroom to evoke a sense of peace and solitude. The moment we start to introduce these overly ‘cool’ design elements, our attention is too focused, which causes restlessness and agitation.

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This issue, Chris Yeo, our architectural and design consultant, focuses on using open plan living to ensure the home always stays yang and infused with vibrant energy. He has also produced a series of rendered images to show you just how this layout can be applied in any home.

Step 1: CREATING THE FLOW – using an open-plan concept

When designing your home, it is always best to try and maximize the space you are given. I have always subscribed to the belief that bigger rooms are more useful than smaller rooms, simply because they are more versatile. This does not mean you have to live in one big room. You can demarcate the various living spaces within your one big room into different sections using floor, ceiling or wall designs, rather than erecting solid walls.

In the pictures overleaf, I show an example of a home designed to house the kitchen, living and dining rooms all in one big space. The living and dining rooms are separated not by a wall, but by the way the furniture has been laid out. The differences in wall colour also further distinguish the different sections of the room from each other. An easy way to apply this in your own home is with the use of wall coverings. Wall coverings are inexpensive and adaptable; they take a day to fix and you have brand new wall and a brand new feeling. I have rendered the images in a variety of wallpaper styles in various colours, to show you just how different a room can look with a new colour on the wall. This way you can regularly give the chi energy in your home a boost. Not only does this do wonders to the luck of the house, it also brings a very refreshing change for the occupants of the home.

The main entertainment area in this home is the living room where the sofa set is located. From here, the kitchen is clearly visible through a charming viewport, but the kitchen is situated on the opposite side of the room, with the dining area separating the living and cooking areas. This kind of layout is especially suitable for families who do a lot of cooking and entertaining at home. While the guests chat in the living room, smells from whatever is cooking in the oven is allowed to filter through the air to tempt their taste buds. And it is most natural to then adjourn on to the dining room for the meal once it is ready.

With a well-planned open-space concept like this, we can appreciate the benefits of each space fully, both separately and together. What’s more, in 2010, this is an especially lucky way to live as the auspicious number 8 star is located in the center of the home. If the all the rooms “merge” into one large space, the number 8 chi energy in the center is allowed to ooze into every nook and cranny of the home, bringing good luck indeed.

Step 2: PLAY OF MATERIALS – fabrics, furniture & wall coverings

If you want to use one big room for many different uses, it becomes important to define each space, and to create a visual imprint in the mind of each space. This can be done in 1 of 3 ways: through floor design, ceiling design or wall design. These 3 ways gives you plenty to work with, and you can use one, two or all three ways to create your mental demarcations. The idea is to break the monotony of the room and to create a pleasing visual collage that helps you to appreciate each space separately.

In the example here, the floor is done in two different materials, in marble and timber. The central areas sit within the marble floor, while the borders are in-filled with timber floor pabels to allow the separation of the central space from the wall area. This gives the room definition and it also looks really good. You can do the same sort of thing to separate different areas within the room. Other floor options to consider are carpet, tiles or granite.

The second thing to think about is the ceiling. Try to play with the levels of the ceiling space by creating decorative drop panels and recessed ceilings. For the dining area in this example, a drop panel is used to give a sense of intimacy when dining, while the living area features a recessed ceiling design for a more spacious feel. While you can see the dining area from the living room and vice versa, the two areas within the room are kept noticeably separate so each can fulfill its proper use.

The final thing to think about is wall design. Walls can be very boring, or they can be given texture and made very interesting. Consider using different materials on different sections of the walls that make up the room. Leave some walls painted, cover others up with tasteful wall coverings. For feng shui, have fun with the colours and pick according the the productive cycle of elements. Unleash the interior designer in you and pick your favourite shades. Then get creative. And don’t be afraid of being a little bit daring. You can also differentiate the different areas of the room with the artwork you choose to hang up. Different themes for different parts of the room set the tone that there are mini-rooms within your bigger open-space room.

Step 3: PLAY OF COLOURS – productive element cycle

The choice of colours and textures makes up the final step in creating the energy of a yang home. In selecting colour schemes, consider how the represented element of that colour will affect you. Based on the Eight Mansions formula, select colours based on the element of the sector in question. If the living room resides in the Northeast, consider shades of brown or stone colours for that sector.

Eight Mansions Colour Chart

As well as following the Eight Mansions colour chart, colour selection can also be made depending on how the annual stars fly. Annual flying stars I find have a great influence of the luck in any sector, so these should definitely be taken into account when planning colour schemes.

Annual Colour Chart

One of the advantages of using wallpapers to control afflicted annual stars is the wide selection you have to choose from. Also, if you are basing your choice on the annual stars, these change on an annual basis. Wall coverings give you an affordable option. Besides, changing the energies of your walls each year is just so excellent for revitalizing the chi energy inside the home each year.

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When we move into a new home, one of the questions we ponder about is the selection of which bedroom to give to each family member. While selecting may sound easy, it can also be one of the more important decisions made, as it directly affects the luck of each family member.

So how do we begin in the selection process? First, we need to study the general floor plan to identify which bedrooms belong to East group and which to West group. Once we have segregated the rooms into East and West, we then match each family member’s Kua number to their room groups. East group individuals should sleep in rooms located in the East group sectors (East, Southeast, South or North) and West group individuals should sleep in rooms located in West group sectors (Southwest, Northwest, Northeast and West).

While it is ideal to select a room that is in the same East or West group as your Kua, we usually find ourselves in the situation where we have to settle with a room that is not in the same group category as our Kua number. When this is the case, we have to look at a few factors to decide which room is most suitable.

For example, if you are a West group person and having to choose rooms located in the East sectors, first look for the room that is firstly NOT in your total loss sector, then try to find a room that is the least inauspicious for you based on your inauspicious directions.

Next, study the shape and orientation of the room to see whether the room is suitable for you to tap your auspicious directions. With most bedrooms, we only have 1 or 2 walls to choose from due to the location of the wardrobes, windows and doors. In most cases, the bed location is predetermined through the location of the power points and the bed location in relation to the windows and doors. So we have to make sure that the bed direction is one that is suitable for you.

The next step is to be aware of your surroundings and to identify whether there are any elements that pose a threat to your sleeping position, such as wall edges, direct line of sight of the doors, and whether your bed is positioned such that it forces you to sleep with a toilet behind you. In some cases, we have to strike a fine balance of the good and the bad, and settle for a bed position that takes into account all the negatives to find a positive solution.

Design Solution 1

In the example here, we are faced with a situation whereby the room is located in the South corner of the home, thereby ideal for all East group persons. However, the only wall that is ideal for the residents is the West wall which coincidently is the person’s total loss direction. In such a case, we have to look for alternative directions to locate the bed.

When we consider the constraints of the bedroom space, the North and South walls do not seem ideal, as the North wall results in the bed being cramped into a corner, causing a major shift in the overall room orientation. This can result in a claustrophobic effect. By having the bed along the South wall, it causes the bed to not only be cramped to a corner, but also positioned such that it sits in between wall and window, which would create more problems than it would solve.

Therefore, through elimination of directions, the most ‘ideal’ direction in this case would be the East wall, which would allow the bed to center itself to the main orientation of the room. The downside is that the door to the room would directly face the bed, so a partition screen would be needed to divert the direct line of sight, which then allows the bed to sit within the room properly and also to create a small entry foyer to divert the flow of movement.

The other aspect is that the bed headboard would be sharing the same wall as the toilet. To avoid this, a physical partition backdrop is introduced to create a physical barrier with the toilet wall, but also to create a backdrop that reinforces the bed position to the overall room shape and orientation.

Design Solution 2

In a second situation, we are faced with an odd-shaped room situated in the West corner of the house. With the resident being a West group person, it also means there is only one direction for us to position the bed. So to find the solution, we first must identify the issues of the room. In the main section of the room, the doors are placed such that they would be in direct line of sight of the bed and cramped in a corner. Also due to the odd shape of the room, it creates a sharp edge that directly faces the entrance door, thus creating an invisible poison arrow to anyone that enters the room.

To resolve this situation, a partition screen is needed, to serve a dual purpose. First, it allows the corner edge to disappear, and second, it allows the room to be divided into two regular shaped rooms. This allows the main area to act as the bedroom living, where all the entertainment and reading would be done, and the smaller area can then serve as the main sleeping quarters. This creates a more intimate scenario where we allow the bed to be positioned to face the West direction, but also create a niche sector to separate the room in two parts, differentiating between the yin and yang activities of the bedroom.

Finally, the other aspect to take into consideration is the Flying Star combination in the room. Based on the facing direction of the house, we are able to extract the Flying Star combinations of the sector, and from there, we can identify what elements would be ideal to control or to enhance the room. Through the different elements of your design palette, we can introduce any element into the room through the use of flooring materials, wall colours and ID decorative features, thereby creating an aesthetic feel that not only suits our design intent but also becoming a feng shui cure in itself.

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Once we have organized the basic platform, the next step is to introduce an element of creativity into the design to develop the overall concept. To do so, we need to explore the following fine points of design, and how they affect the way we look at building and living.

Versatile Spaces

This aspect of design is something I stress about the most. As we evolve in our lives, we are in the state of constant change. The way we live and interact with others, and the responsibilities we assume, will change depending on which stage of growth we are in. We thus need to design a home that is able to grow and change with us. So we need to ask ourselves: what makes a space versatile? And more importantly, what does versatility mean?

Versatility implies the ability to fit multiple uses into a singular space, depending on your requirement at any point in time. In order to create this environment, we need to study the area and look at how many ways it can change. To begin with, we need to develop a relationship diagram where we look at the different ways we can arrange the spaces of the home.

By exploring the different ways space can be used, we can design the home to suit whatever lifestyle we lead. For example, the dining room can double up as a meeting area, if the home is also used as a home office, while the kitchen can be designed with an integrated kitchen-dining concept.

One key aspect to note is that certain areas are required to be fixed, such as the main door and kitchen. The main door should always be located in a sector that manifests some auspicious flying star combination. Similarly, the kitchen should not be located in any sector that may affect the luck of the residents or be placed in an area that interrupts the luck of the home. How we play with the other areas of the home depends on how we want to live at that point of time.

Orientations

The next step is to look into is the concept of orientations. Whether it be the door, portal or corridor space, every element of the home needs to be orientated properly such that it fits in with the overall design. For example, ask yourself what you see or want to see when you first enter the home. Is the wall balanced in front of you, are you going to design the first thing you see as a feature wall, or would it be a transitional element to lead you to other areas of the home?

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While the Bathroom is an area we would not place in a sector deemed auspicious, there is no reason for us to use a bathroom that literally may look like a store room. After all, this is the area we use to freshen ourselves up to prepare for the day, or the area where we come to unwind after a long day at work.

Arrangement of the Space

The bath area usually has space limitations, so the way we arrange the facilities is vital as to how we can create a sense of style and space. For example, if we place the WC directly opposite the basin, it constricts the circulation space and also creates an unsightly element that is open to the entire area. As a result, the bath area would have a direct view of the WC which is not the ideal setting when one is taking a bath.

The use of materials is equally important. Avoid having to use the same wall material throughout, as this creates a monotonous theme void of any inspiration, and simply results in a very bland finish. If you do have a single tone for the wall colour, don’t match it with a similar tone for the flooring, as this would further accent the dullness of the space.

Even if you have ample space to play with, avoid creating a space where the facilities do not have any connection to one another. In the example in the picture here, we have conflict between the bathtub and the WC, but more so since the space is so open, which only serves to highlight the oddity of the arrangement. Although the materials are mixed to give a sense of variety, the combination of the wall and floor patterns do not seem to fit together, and ultimately this creates a haphazard visual impression.

However, if we arrange the facilities whereby we segregate the bathtub wash area with the use of floor design, it allows us to open up the space and separate the functions of the bathroom. In this case, the use of materials helps to break up the monotony of the bathroom by accenting the marble wall pattern with a timber effect tile feature wall. The feature wall plays a vital role as it helps to identify the wash area as well as offer trimmings throughout the room for display. Similarly, the flooring is dual tone to whereby the darker tone tile, although different in design, carries the theme of the timber tone accents through but more so, the white tiles affirm the feature wall and wash area location, thereby creating a symmetry that ties all the facilities together nicely.

Other designs look into a sculptural placement where the signature bathtub is highlighted within the bathing zone. The use of glass mosaic helps to define the space, while the walls are painted in a combination of white and brown tones to accent the effect of the tiles and the bathtub. The use of rugs offers a simple solution to break up the flooring pattern but by standing alone in the space, the flooring itself highlights the rug to become a feature piece within the space.

If we have the luxury to allocate the facilities how we like, a symmetrical design offers many opportunities. In this scenario, we are able to separate all the 4 main bathing routines from each other whereby the basin serves as the entry hall, flanked by large mirrors to expand the space even more. The bathtub serves as a central circulation node where it centers itself within the whole area allowing the ritual of bathing to adopt a holistic effect. The shower and WC areas may be placed at one side to separate it from the dressing zone, thereby creating dry and wet zones. Similarly, the use of colours and timber accents help to break up the white wash walls and furniture colours. But at the same time, it creates a sophisticated and classy look. Likewise, the use of glass mosaic on the floor serves a dual purpose where it not only breaks up the marble but allows a rougher walking surface for safety.

The Dressing Room

The adjacent dressing room is equally important. Some of us may be so used to concealing our clothes in cabinets and drawers that it transforms into a habit of hiding away our things, which then leads to clutter being accumulated within our home.

If we design our dressing area similar to a clothing boutique concept, we display our clothing and accessories in open view, thereby forcing ourselves not to accumulate clutter. At the same time, it creates a new way of living. By being able to view all your clothes in a single glance, it makes it easier for you to dress and prepare for each day.

By introducing the showcase concept into the dressing area, this also allows you to organize your clothes in a neatly arranged manner, whereby every item of clothing is placed in its proper location, allowing the user to become more effective and decisive.

Therefore, when we design these ancillary spaces around the home, it is important to think of how we want to live, and consider the effect of the design on the way we live, think and organize our lives. Look at the function of the space, identify how best to make that function fit, and think outside the box using materials, design, colours and space to create the lifestyle you want.

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When we think about our Home Value, we always refer to its location and floor area. But what we don’t think about is its Psychic Value, the value of how much we cherish our homes and the value we place on a property when we resell it.

But how do we gauge this ‘premium’ for a home, as no two people will ever cherish the same space the same? It is helpful then to set some ground rules on how to determine this psychic value. Remember, there are plenty of properties in the same location with similar floor areas, but with different price tags. Our aim is to create an environment that enhances both psychic and monetary value of the space.

Materials to Create Value

First, we have to determine what sets your home apart from the rest. When we talk about materials, the choice, size and design of each material would affect the perception of how much we pay for the space. For example, a living room with 1ft and 2ft size ceramic tiles would give a different perception of the space. Larger-sized tiles tend to be associated with a higher perceived value, while 1ft-sized tiles are typically a lower-grade option. While the price difference between the two selections is minimal, the change of tile size creates a higher psychic value for the home.

The next item to consider is the pattern on the ceramic tiles. With today’s technology, ceramic can feature an array of patterns and finish, ranging from terracotta to timber to marble effect tiles. For main living spaces, the use of a marble effect tile creates a sense of a higher quality finish compared to a monotone ceramic tile finish. Similarly, the tiling pattern also affects our perception of the space, e.g. in bathrooms, a staggered tiling layout breaks up the monotony of the space.

Bathrooms Count

Believe it or not, bathrooms tend to form a major decision in the valuation of the home. For most willing buyers, the less work required on the bathroom, the quicker the time it would take to move in. So a minimal investment to enhance the bathrooms could lead to further returns at the end of the day.

Second, the choice of the material texture will also affect the comfort level of the space. For example, when comparing a natural timber floor to a laminate flooring system, visually we may not notice the difference, but the tactile nature of both elements reminds us of the difference of a higher or lower grade material choice. Similarly with carpets, the difference between wool and nylon and the difference in weight and padding thickness all affects our perception of the comfort level.

It is this vital comfort level that affects how we appreciate a space, which then translates to how much people are willing to pay for such spaces. So when we think about how materials can affect the value of a house, consider how simple material selections can have a huge impact in the overall perception and value of the home.

Clumsy Transitions

In this example above, the contrast of the two material choices is overwhelming as there is no seamless transition between the two areas, which then creates a conflict between the two spaces. So while both materials may be of high quality, the use is counterproductive in this case. In such a scenario, the use of a softer tone element such as carpets or neutral white oak timber flooring would have worked better in creating a flow between the two areas, rather than a conflict as in this case. By creating this invisible barrier, the use of the materials here has instead shrunk the perception of the space as well as its value.

Contrast Creates Harmony

In this example above, the use of ceramic tiles is balanced through the introduction of a central carpet cover. The rug helps to break the monotony of the room and also gives the space a sense of arrangement. While simple in concept, the arrangement and colour selection of the furniture helps to add a higher perceived value in the mind.

Materials to Create Moods

The next design consideration is to look at how materials can affect our mood. First we need to understand that everything surrounding us has an effect on our perception of the space. So when we look at hard materials such as ceramic tiles or natural stone, there is an automatic association to a more “public” space. Similarly, carpets and timber tones tend to create a more “homely” effect, but what is interesting is that too much of one kind of material creates monotony, and thus gives off too much hard, yang energy.

The secret is to balance these materials out by introducing a compatible material, or through the use of furniture and colours. Consider the two examples above. The first living space (image on the left ) exhibits a very monotone effect where the timber flooring has created hardness with no sense of comfort. The second living space (image on the right) illustrates how too many accents of the same material has its own drawbacks; the timber strips and ceiling patterns generate too much confusion as there is too much information for the mind to accept. In both cases, the inner appreciation for the space turns negative, which then translates into an erratic and confused state of mind.

Colour Selection Can Make or Break a Space

In the picture above, the key elements of the design form associations throughout the space without one element or material dominating over another. The carpet in the middle of the room helps to center the orientation of the furniture, but what is fundamental is the colour selection. By introducing a neutral tone, the colour does not create any confrontation with the two dominating colours, which are mainly white and black. The neutral beige tone is further highlighted due to the contrast of the colours.

The furniture selection also brings balance to the room. The white sofa set is complimented by the flooring and drapes, while the black furniture pieces accent the black wall-papered feature wall. Here we can see how giving simple consideration to the colours and how they go together can create such a marked difference to balance and appeal.

So when we look at materials, consider how a mix of different colours can create the most appealing or the most appalling of spaces in the home. The next time you select materials for the home, always give thought to size, material and patterns, and how these would enhance the value and comfort level of the space. Above all, once you have selected the materials, consider how you can enhance your space even further to create the right mood, as a happy home really does create a happy life, better rental income and better asset appreciation.

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Buildings can create good or bad energy and when those that surround us make us feel good, they create within us a positive kind of energy that makes our responses to the world warmer, kinder and more positive. Perhaps this is what feng shui really is all about – the ancient builders must have put their collective experiences together and devised a whole set of “rules” for making homes, public places and other structures just a lot more imbued with great good energy and thus happier and more auspicious.

Using form, materials and colour, buildings can be designed to evoke responses from our inner senses. These react to the visual sight, textural and emotion al experiences raised. Even if we don’t realize it, or are aware of it, the way a building is designed definitely affects the collective unconscious and even our subconscious; this then affect our experiences just by being in space surrounded by buildings. This is why the “energy” of cities is rarely ever the same as the energy of the countryside.

How do buildings create energy? How do they reach into our souls?

Energy is created through our human interaction with the building. As more people pass through the space, the energy level increases and this creates copious amounts of yang energy within the space. So how do we bring people through a space? To do this, the architecture of the building must stand out visually – this is what entices the subconscious to release a host of emotions such as curiosity or awe, gratification or empowerment OR maybe disgust and rejection – but our attention is drawn towards the building.

When a building lacks inspiration or visual captivation, our attention is not seduced in any way. That is when the building is said to lack energy, lack drawing power; this kind of design leads to a Yin-like state, an environment lacking in active energy. Much better it is to create a Yang Design environment.

So what are the key ingredients to creating an exciting Yang design environment? Here are a few examples of buildings around the world that strike at the core of the Human Emotion; looking at them, one can feel oneself with the Architect that conceived of that structure and nurtured it to completion.

Symbolic Architecture

This incredible building is the L’Hemisfèric at the City of Arts & Sciences in Valencia, Spain. By creating an Organic building form, the Architect was able to symbolize a modern representation of the ‘Eye’. Through the ovoid cantilever roof stretching over the main entrance, the roof seamlessly defy the laws of gravity thereby creating suspense when walking towards the entrance. Integrating the building form with shutters, the building takes on life, literally functioning like an Eye.

Through the clever symbolism, the observer immediately relates to the building – it reminds us of something familiar, it makes us think of our Human Eye. It thus creates a lyrical spirit within us and that is when imagination begins within our minds. There is great boldness in this structure; it easily overwhelms and intrigue us, and many looking at it will be awed at how the building can stay upright, defying all perceivable structure.

Admiration quickly transforms into curiosity. We are drawn towards the building to explore further. In this example, we can see how a building can exert great power and evoke a whole series of emotions; so it acts with a strong magnetic force that draws energy into the building. It would be interesting to see how structures as modern as this appeal to the feng shui eye!

Yin and Yang of Architecture

This is IM Pei’s famous glass pyramid at the Louvre Museum in the heart of Paris. We see this as a Yin and Yang building conceptually fusing two opposites to create a harmonious relationship. The Louvre pyramid is a magnificent combination of glass and metal sitting in the heart of the Louvre Palace complex. Here we see also a merging of old and the new, classical architecture with modern, all coming together to create a delicate tension, and it is this tension that somehow gives birth to a magnetic attraction (and even a hint of repulsion) simultaneously.

By introducing these two architectural forms whose styles are as far apart as is humanly possible, yet the connection itself creates a new architectural language that is so powerful it draws people into the building. The emotion invoked here is neither curiosity nor intrigue. Instead it evokes a strange sensation that something so different – so old and so new – can actually lend itself to creating such strong magnetic pull. Through this symbiotic relationship, buildings can indeed create this invisible energy, a higher cosmic intangible that affects us in ways we cannot even explain. From a feng shui perspective, the nature of the energy has been described as a fusion of tien ti ren – heaven earth and mankind chi fused seamlessly into a whole – heaven energy flowing smoothly through the glass panels drawing fresh chi continuously to replenish the tired old chi of the Louvre corridors and galleries. IM Pei was truly at his best when he created this.

Sacred Architecture

The Bahá’í House of Worship or Lotus Temple in Delhi was designed from an illustration of the lotus flower, an iconic symbol used in many Asian cultures and religions. Here, it is function that determines how the building is created. Arranged as 27 free standing marble clad petals, and with the building itself built in clusters of 3 to form 9 sides, these “petals” become the essential architectural design input that transforms this into a House of Worship.

We are humbled by the spiritual element of the architecture as we enter the space here. The energy created is pure; it is mesmerizing and captivating, and it in spires the observer to engage in an inner conversation with the building itself. One of the key aspects of this temple is its unique essence – it is open to all religions. It is used as a spiritual gathering arena rather than for any specific religion. As a result, the architecture lends itself to creating this personal relationship between Building and Man.

Shocking Architecture

But what about the other side of the emotional spectrum where we are ‘shocked’ by architecture that literally shocks an emotional response out of our system? The Dancing Building in Prague proves to be just such an example where the twisted formation of glass, metal and concrete creates an architectural form that seems to dance and sway with the elements.

Not subtle in nature, most people would be taken aback by such architectural language. But it enforces the idea that architecture, no matter how elegant or symbolic, does have powerful influence on how we react not just to it but also to the world around us.

So even if a building is truly “horrible”, the fact that it can create a response from us enforces the idea that all buildings have a level of energy to influence the way we feel, act and respond. The next time you encounter a building that attracts your attention, examine your emotions as you gaze at the building. You might be surprised how the building speaks to you .

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BALANCING COLOURS

Colours play a vital role in how a room is set up. Always take note that there are 3 types of primary light sources – direct sunlight, reflected light and artificial light. How light reflects around the room will affect the overall colour ambiance and general atmosphere.

In this example, there are a few key elements to look out for. The first thing that captures the eye is how the purple furniture set is set onto a timber finished floor with a stone-cladded wallpaper finish. Through the contrast of colours, the purple tone forces the furniture set to dominate the entire room, yet is toned in a manner where it doesn’t overwhelm the room. The next element to look out for is the reflection of light, which in this case is seen through the semi-reflective surface of the ceiling, which helps to capture small essences of the purple tone, thereby creating a soft ceiling finish rather than a white-washed ceiling that may otherwise contrast with the settee set.

USE THE SKY AS PART OF THE DESIGN PALETTE

Not everyone is blessed with an ocean or valley view, which you see in many design illustrations; look around your home and you will find that the greatest view will be the sky. So think of ways of how to incorporate this landscape feature as part of your home. For example with this kitchen, the skylight is shaped as a fan to mimic the kitchen layout, thereby creating a visual central point that blends into the space perfectly. Being the central highlight, the constant movement of the sky from dusk through dawn will create amazing lighting variations, thereby changing the atmosphere of the space throughout the day.

INTERNAL GARDENS

In areas void of any external landscaping, the easiest way to create a view is to install an internal courtyard. Doing so allows the surrounding rooms to focus onto this central feature piece, which will not just pull all the spaces together but will also help to soften the overall environment. In this example, the living space is set on a modern white concept which without any colour would otherwise make the room feel too clinical or yang. By introducing a setting for plants and water, it helps to create an internal backdrop to the space to balance out the uniformity of the open space plan.

The other key design element to take note of is the treatment of the overall depth to the space. With an open plan concept, it is important to treat the space in such a way that you get the overall sense of space without the feeling of living in a single big hall. The central landscape in effect acts as a buffer between the main living room and the study on the other side. The use of glass screens meanwhile allows the rooms to connect with each other, yet maintain a sense of privacy, giving the user the illusion of depth without compromising on the quality of each separate space.

VISUAL PLANES

The final design element to look out for when sifting through for ideas is the concept of planes. Look at a space in its raw value and identify what makes the space unique and interesting. In this image, the use of the Architecture plays a vital role in setting up the overall mood of the room. First, horizontal planes between the concrete roof and timber flooring help define the horizontal surfaces, but it is done in a manner whereby it helps to frame the garden beyond as if viewing it through a picture window. The next design element are the raw concrete walls, which extend outwards from the living space towards the garden, thereby giving a vertical anchor that pulls the user outwards as if signifying there is more beyond the confines of the covered area.

The next time you are looking for ideas, be sure to look deeper into the Design Concept and understand what makes the space unique and how you may incorporate those ideas into your home.

ILLUSIONS OF THE MIND

The next design technique to incorporate is to create illusions in the mind. While we may not notice it in the beginning, we will ultimately feel its effect in the end and start to question how it all works. For example, this dining room scenario is set with an open view to the exterior. What is interesting as a design note is how it all comes together? While we may at first be taken aback by the sprawling view of the landscape, the key element to look at is how are we able to do so as if the structure is separate from everything else. First, the use of a thin window frame profile helps to minimize the physical barrier between the inside and the outside. But the next element that starts to make the mind wonder is how the roof is held up, as we know the thin window frames will hardly have the strength to hold up the concrete roof.

So by playing with different materials and structural elements, we are able to generate illusions that add a bit of spice to create a unique corner for the home.

In this example here, the effect is again translated through the corner glass sliding door and the feature wall at the end. By having the opening at the corner, it helps to highlight the floating ceiling, but the effect is amplified further through the wall at the end, which stops short of the ceiling, thereby teasing the user further with this “floating” effect.

You can see then that through these architectural design techniques, we are able to create uniqueness to the space that will leave an impression… and such is the power of Architecture.

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