CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, NORTHRIDGE
USING CHINESE DESIGN PRINCIPLES AND OTHER SUSTAINABLE BUILDING
PATTERNS TO DESIGN THE INTERIORS OF A HOUSE
A graduate project submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements For the degree of Master of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences
by
Hao Luo
December 2013
The graduate project of Hao Luo is approved:
Rodica R. Kohn, M. Arch, MFA, Leed GA, CID Date
Wei Cao, Ph.D. Date
Kyriakos L. Pontikis, Ph.D., Chair Date
California State University, Northridge
ii ACKNOWLEDGMENT
I would like to thank my committee members who supported my efforts in writing this graduate project.
My highest appreciation goes to my major advisor and my project chair, Dr. Kyriakos L.
Pontikis. My undergraduate study of interior design focuses more on art, but this program focuses more on science and some theoretical understanding. Dr. Pontikis provided a lot of support in helping me understand the differences between science-based and human-based interior design and art-based interior design.
I also want to thank Professor Rodica Kohn because she provided a lot of support while I am working on my graduate project.
During the writing of my graduate project, Dr. Wei Cao also provided a lot of help to me.
With her oriental cultural background, she guided me in finding some Chinese design principles such as Feng Shui which I could apply to this project.
iii TABLE OF CONTENTS
Signature Page ii Acknowledgment iii List of Figures v Abstract vii
CHAPTER I – INTRODUCTION 1 Statement of the Problem 2 Purpose 2 Definitions 3 Assumptions 3 Limitations 4
CHAPTER II – REVIEW OF LITERATURE 5 The Fundamental Chinese Design Principle: Feng Shui 5 Feng Shui’s Application in Interior Layout Organizing 7 Feng Shui’s Application in Interior Element Selection 9 Feng Shui’s Development in Western World 11
CHAPTER III – METHODOLOGY 13 Project Methodology 13 Project Evaluation 15
CHAPTER IV – RESULTS 17 Project Results 17 Results from Evaluation by Experts 36 Results from Evaluation by Client 37
CHAPTER V – DISCUSSION 38 Discussion the Findings and Modifications 38 Discussion of the Expert Evaluation 38 Discussion of the Target Population Evaluation 38 Implications 39 Conclusion 39
REFERENCES 40
iv LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 2.1 Aquarium example 1 7
Figure 2.2 Aquarium example 2 8
Figure 2.3 Flowing water 8
Figure 2.4 Feng Shui: Fireplace 9
Figure 2.5 Feng Shui: Lamp 10
Figure 2.6 Feng Shui: Landscaping 10
Figure 2.7 Cool color selection on a bedroom 11
Figure 2.8 Hot and warm color selection on the living room 12
Figure 2.9 Cured feeling of a green dining 12
Figure 2.10 Air circulation for living things 13
Figure 2.11 Animals to promote positive Feng Shui 14
Figure 2.12 Plants to promote a feeling of green 14
Figure 2.13 Good bedroom Feng Shui example (gentle feeling) 15
Figure 2.14 Good bedroom Feng Shui example (passionate feeing) 15
Figure 2.15 Kitchen with positive energy flow 16
Figure 2.16 Dining area with good Feng Shui 16
Figure 2.17 Home office with natural Feng Shui feeling (Natural materials) 17
Figure 2.18 Home office with sufficient brightness (Feng Shui: energy) example 17
Figure 2.19 Living room with a natural Feng shui feeling 18
Figure 2.20 Living room with feeling of fire 18
Figure 3.1 Map of client’s home location 22
Figure 3.2 Satellite picture of client’s home 22
v Figure 3.3 Living room view 1 23
Figure 3.4 Living room view 2 23
Figure 3.5 Living room view 3 23
Figure 3.6 An empty living room area 24
Figure 3.7 Backyard North part 24
Figure 3.8 Backyard garden South part 25
Figure 3.9 Backyard garden lounge area 25
Figure 4.1 Entire plan of client’s house 32
Figure 4.2 living room original layout 32
Figure 4.3 living room suggested layout 32
Figure 4.4 Backyard original layout 33
Figure 4.5 Suggested backyard layout 33
vi LIST OF TABLES
Table 4.1 Living room patterns 28-30
Table 4.2 Backyard patterns 30-31
vii ABSTRACT
USING CHINESE DESIGN AND OTHER SUSTAINABLE BUILDING PATTERNS TO
DESIGN THE INTERIORS OF A HOUSE
by
Hao Luo
Master of Science in
Family and Consumer Sciences
Feng Shui, as one of the Chinese design principles, is a design and architecture framework developed in China. Its aim is to create peaceful, pleasant, healthy and sustainable environment for people who live in. When families in China look for their new home or upgrade their current home, they stick on several factors including location, shape, and the layout of the home and the structure of its internal elements. Based on the principle of Feng Shui, they evaluate what is missing, what is not needed and how can these elements be improved and balanced. The purpose of this project is to incorporate some simple Feng Shui principles along with sustainable design principles to remodel a house and make it more livable and sustainable.
The subject of this project is an Asian American house located in Northridge, California. A design proposal to remodel the client’s living room and backyard was presented based on some simple Feng Shui principles and other sustainable design principles. The goal of the design was to improve living quality and harmony. In this project, different patterns have been selected based on Feng Shui and sustainable design ideas. The project was evaluated by the client, an interior design expert and a Feng Shui Master who practices professional Fen Shui Design mainly in the United States. The project realized its goal of successfully incorporating Feng Shui principles with sustainable patterns in interior design to create a more humane and eco-friendly
viii green environment. It also demonstrated that many guidelines of Feng Shui are in accord with sustainability requirements. The findings of this project indicate that the use of simple Feng Shui and other sustainable patterns can help to improve the living quality of a house.
ix CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
Feng Shui is one of the world’s most ancient architectural principles that were originally developed and established in China. The principle of Feng Shui includes many important situations to be considered while executing the process of design and construction. Feng Shui- based design focuses more on designing an environment that integrates natures’ elements to bring harmony, health and wealth to people.
Eco-humane design is the integration of humane design and green design that aims to design a more eco-friendly environment that can have stronger connection between human beings, the building, and nature. Eco-humane design focuses on the application of sustainable principles to provide certain level of beauty while minimizing the negative impact on environment with a long lasting of the design outcome and the use of green material. Eco- humane is an important approach in the interior design industry.
In the past decades, a lot of Asian people have migrated to the United States. Although most of them have adapted to the American life style, traditional Asian cultures and customs haven’t changed much.. With the fusion of eastern and western cultures, the philosophy of Feng
Shui has drawn much attention from western people. The intent of this study was to use Feng
Shui principles and sustainable design patterns to design homes while facilitating the healthy development of Asian American communities.
Statement of the Problem
For most Asian American families, “home” is regarded as a place whose function is merely to provide living and sheltering functions. Although many of them hold the concept of people-nature harmony, rarely have they been aware of the approaches and elements to
1 personalize and upgrade it and to make it “their home”. Therefore, there is a need to improve
Asian Americans’ home with a design process, to make them more livable and sustainable while maintaining their Asian American identity..
Purpose
The purpose of this project was to integrate principles inspired by Feng Shui along with some applicable ecological and humane patterns to improve the home environment, both exterior and interior. A major concern of Feng Shui is to reach spiritual peacefulness and harmony and enrichment of a personalized family style. It is especially important in nowadays when people are dragged by the fast-paced life at work as well as at family, and have little time and efforts to focus on spiritual peacefulness. On the other hand, the fulfillment of human-nature harmony is match to eco-humane, or sustainability. Therefore, the combination of the two factors in home design would bring beneficial output. Those Asian American families may find a simple way to enrich their spiritual life and increase their feeling of belonging and personalized style of their homes.
Definitions
1. Ba Gua: Means Eight Symbols in English. It is the expansion of Yin Yang into three
dimensions. It uses a symbol with a combination of three lines, each line includes a symbol
of Yin (－－) or Yang(－). With the combination of three lines, there will be eight different
symbols to indicate eight different meanings in nature, social, family, direction, etc.
2. Chi: Called the breath of the earth while considering earth as a living organism. Chi is also
called “Life energy” that needs to be balanced with direction of the environmental situation
(Poulston & Bennett, 2012).
2 3. Feng Shui: is defined as “the art of adapting the residence of the living and the dead so as to
cooperate and harmonize with the local currents of the cosmic breath” (Hwabgbo, 2002)
4. Green Design: a design that approaches to eliminate negative environmental impact
completely through skillful, sensitive design (McLennan, 2004).
5. Humane design is a design concept that pays more attention on the design and construction
processes with the target to create a built environment that is comfortable for the habitation
of human and gives human a strong feeling of belonging (Pontikis, 2010).
6. Pattern Language: Pattern Language is a group of environmental patterns which can help a
homeowner design building interiors for themselves to enrich the spirit and beauty of their
living environment. It is a design methodology put together by Christopher Alexander
(Alexander et al. 1977).
7. Wu Xing: Means Five elements. This term indicates that everything in the universe was
classified as five different elements, which are Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth. They
have the relationship of generation and destruction between each other (Lip, 2009).
8. Yin Yang: Positive and negative. It claims that all phenomenon in the universe are result in
the interaction between those two and balanced by those two (Mak & So, 2010)
Assumptions
This project was based upon certain assumptions.
Participants would include not only professionals in architecture field, but also professionals
with some knowledge about Feng Shui, and representatives from target populations-- western
family members. It was desirable that participants would listen to and review the presentation
of this project.
Participants were expected to have English reading proficiency and can read my thesis and
3 understand the questions on the evaluation form.
The professional participants would have knowledge and expertise in interior design and
Feng Shui principles.
Limitation
This project would contribute to enrich the spiritual life of Asian American families and increase their feeling of ownership and belonging towards their home. However, this project had certain limitations.
This project only focused on one Chinese American family.
Since this project is written entirely in English, individuals need to understand English in
order to understand the language and terms defined in this project.
This project was only evaluated by professionals in architecture and interior design fields;
one of these professionals may not be very knowledgeable about Feng Shui Design.
4 CHAPTER II
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
Feng Shui was derived from the ancient Chinese elementary philosophy, which describes matters, physical or unphysical. Wu Xing, with properties of Yin and Yang, are the five elements in philosophy of Feng Shui. The motion and interaction of Wu Xing constitute the evolution of the world. Human being is one type of matters with the ability to adjust and modify the surrounding motions and interactions to obtain positiveness. This is the basic idea of Feng Shui.
Fengshui has been developed in many Asian countries. Following the rules of Feng Shui, people are able to enrich their daily life in many ways. When the habitat of human, or home, is designed with Feng Shui principles, occupants will feel very comfortable and have a strong feeling of belonging. Assuming Feng Shui is adopted in more and more building constructions in the
United States, it is expected that the positive harmony can be realized in a larger scale, therefore more and more western families will be beneficial in increasing the quality of their personal and spiritual life. In this project, how Feng Shui patterns can promote the development of the home and how one can apply the principle to maximize the flow of “Chi” of the home, then enrich his/her life will be studied. Wu Xing would also be studied to balance the five elements in interior design to make a better harmony environment for individuals.
Basic knowledge and basic application of Feng Shui
There are a lot of basic terms described in the system of Feng Shui. When we talk about
Feng Shui, we always hear about Chi(or Qi), Yin Yang, Wu Xing, and Ba Gua. Yin Yang, Wu
Xing and Ba Gua and Chi are not only independent, but also integrated. First, Chi, also called
“life-force energy” is considered as the “Raw material of Universe” (Mainini, 2004). Chi can flow in human body, as well as nature and building. There are three types of Chi: Heavenly Chi,
5 which represents the energy from heaven; Earthly Chi, which represents energy from the response from planet; Human Chi, which comes from human life force.
Yin Yang, Wu Xing (Five Elements), Ba Gua (Eight Trigrams) are detailed representation of Chi. Yin Yang represents the universe in perfect balance (Mainini, 2004). With the analysis of
Yin Yang, we can find out which portion is exceeded and how we can balance them. Wu Xing, or Five Elements, is a constant energy transformation with a productive cycle and a destructive cycle (Mainini, 2004). Ba Gua, or Eight Trigrams, can help us track the manifestation of energies in the physical world (Mainini, 2004) so that we will be able to analyze. One important device while analyzing the Feng Shui of an environment and these principles at one time is a Feng Shui compass, which is called Luo Pan in China. Feng Shui compass can help analyst to analyze the setting of the entire room and the orientation of the room and elements (Kennedy, 1998, p. 7).
Sometimes, we may also need to look at a particular room or entire house to determine which element is missing (Kennedy, 1998, p. 8). When we use the Feng Shui compass, we may see that there are eight directions on it.
Numerous examples have proved that the integration of Feng Shui in building design and decoration can generate a lot of benefits to people live inside and bring value things to people.
The eight directions in Ba Gua mean the eight different situations in people’s daily life. With the careful consideration of Feng Shui, the room can create benefits to one’s health, wealth, and so on.
Valuable Patterns of Feng Shui
Feng Shui can be applied anywhere, such as in landscaping, color selection, air circulation, and sometimes valuable elements. Feng Shui needs can be fulfilled from some individual elements. When putting multiple elements together, we can also expect to approach a
6 good Feng Shui layout in independent rooms inside a building/house.
A. Ways to approach Feng Shui in individual element:
1. Using water to help residents gather fortune.
In Feng Shui, water is one type of five elements that can flow, shape and accumulate. It should not be understood simply as chemical formula H2O. Water plays an important role to enlarge fortune to the home. The second word “Shui” in the term represents water. Water flowing will become quite important in Feng Shui design. “Wind is generated, water is moved and one’s health and good luck is forthcoming” (风生水起好运来 in Chinese). An aquarium can be a good choice to bring good fortune to people. Aquarium/fish tank has flowing water so we can make our environment more alive and enlarge the life feeling of the home (Vaastu-Feng
Shui, 2013). Placing it on a correct place is very important to get the most benefit out of it. The element of water can represent the prosperity and wisdom. Most common place to place the aquarium will be entry way (Barker, 2009). We can also place some flowing water system to make sure the water are flowing and can help us enhance the flow of the positive energy. The flowing water can bring us fortune and the correct selection of fishes and water plants can also increase the feeling of life.
Figure 2.1 Aquarium Example
7
Figure 2.2 Aquarium Example 2
Figure 2.3 Flowing water
2. Using element of fire to bring energy and warm
In Feng shui, fire has a meaning of energy and the Sun is an ideal symbol of the element of fire. Thus, using some items that is filled with fire will bring a lot of energetic passion in an
8 interior environment. For most western families, fireplace could be an ideal element that can be applied into Feng Shui design. Usually, fireplace is a static design of a home, so we may not be able to relocate the fireplace, but we can add some other elements to enrich the fireplace’s Feng
Shui meaning such as adding a metal teapot that is boiling water above it. In that case, the fireplace has Metal (metal teapot), Wood (burning wood in the fireplace), Fire (fireplace’s warmness), Water (glass, and boiled water), and earth (most fireplace’s material), which are all five elements in Wu Xing and it is considered as the perfect Feng Shui approach. In the living room, we can make arrangement on fireplace. In the bedroom, we can apply fire element by using red décor (Barker, 2009).
Figure 2.4 Feng Shui: Fireplace
9
Figure 2.5 Feng Shui: Lamp
3. Landscaping
In Feng Shui, the purpose of a garden is to help balance the energy of the building and create a favorable interaction between interior environment and exterior environment. One important thing to keep in mind is that the harmony between the house and its landscape
(Mainini, 2004). When having a lot with irregular shape, it will be very good to use plants and trees to correct them. Also, flowing water among the landscaping can also help promote the circulation of active Chi (Mainini, 2004).
Figure 2.6 Feng Shui Landscaping
10 4. Color
When making the color selection for the house or for individual rooms, we can think in either orientation vision or existing situation vision. In orientation vision, the theme color of the house can be selected based on the sitting location and facing location (Mainini, 2004). When applying Feng Shui into the color selection from room to room, it is necessary to incorporate it with the Wu Xing elements. For example, if the home is located in a hot and dry area, you may probably need some water related color to increase the element of water. You can use things with blue color such as blue bedding set, blue curtain, etc. In order to make your home filled with energy, you can consider using red color because red is the color that represents passion, courage, happiness and romance. To ensure a healthy feeling, we should add some wood element colors such as green. Moreover, the more green color we use, a better feeling of cure we will have because green mostly means green plants and can represent life.
Figure 2.7 Cool color selections on a bedroom
11
Figure 2.8 Hot and Warm color selection on the living room
Figure 2.9 Cure feeling of a green dining
5. Air circulation
As indicated before, the flow of Chi is the key in Feng Shui. Chi means air in Chinese.
But is should not be considered as mixture of oxygen and nitrogen. It has the meaning of
12 hollowness, fulfillment and indispensability. One cannot live without Qi. So we need to ensure that the Chi is not easy to get out and can be refreshed while needed. In Chinese, Chi is flowed in through a pathway, which called “mouth” in Feng Shui. In order to make that approach, we need to make sure that there are enough “mouths” to allow the air to flow into the home (Fang, 2000).
We can also use some indoor plants to refresh the quality of indoor air. In addition, we should prevent the two windows or doors are at a straight line because it will result in the air to go out very fast.
Figure 2.10 Envision of Air Circulation
6. Living creatures
In Feng Shui vision, living creature can make great contributions to enlarge the feeling of life at your home (Oon, 2012). As indicated above, we can use small aquarium to add the water element to the home. Here we can consider putting some live goldfishes to enlarge the feeling.
We can choose a particular color of the goldfishes. Some people may want to have pet at home.
In order to ensure the best contribution of Feng Shui feeling from pets, we need to place the pets at the location as indicated in Feng Shui compass. We also need to consider the carpet for the pets based on their Wu Xing properties to prevent overcoming.
13
Figure 2.11 Animals to promote positive Feng Shui
Figure 2.12 Plants to promote a feeling of green
B. How to work on Feng Shui in different rooms or areas at home
1. Bedroom Feng Shui
In general, people may spend half of a day in their bedroom. To make sure that a bedroom can provide a harmonious feeling and people inside may feel comfortable, we need to make sure that the bedroom will have good air quality and applicable light sources. Bedroom is the place to provide nourishing and sensual energy (Surendran, 2012). We can do things like using good air-purifier to refresh the air quality, using gentle lighting source such as non-toxic
14 candles. For beds, you can use mattress and sheets that made with natural resources. You can add bedside tables at each side to create a balance. However, the Feng Shui principle requires that you should prevent locating the bed in a direct line against the door.
Figure 2.13 Good Bedroom Feng Shui example (gentle feeling)
Figure 2.14 Good bedroom Feng Shui Example (Passionate feeing)
2. Kitchen/dining area Feng Shui
Kitchen is another area need to be in Feng Shui compliance to improve living quality. To
15 reach the compliance, we need to make sure the elements in the kitchen are filled with harmony
(Brown, 2006). We can add organic and healthy food in the kitchen to maintain a positive energy so that it can promote your body health. Moreover, we can also place some flower to bring uplifting energy to your home and improve the feeling of happiness in your kitchen area.
Figure 2.15 Kitchen with positive energy flow
3. Home Office Feng Shui
Homes with large square footage may have an independent home office or den room, which allows you to finish some office work in a more pleasant environment. In the cases where the office space is split out from a big bedroom, we will have to ensure that the home office or office area is far from the bed. Home office needs to have sufficient brightness and enough light so that when you will not feel tired easily. You can also add some green plants near the office area so that you can watch these and relax your eyes while you are tired (Mak & Ng, 2008).
16
Figure 2.17 Home office with natural Feng Shui feeling (Natural materials)
Figure 2.18 Home office with sufficient brightness (Feng Shui: energy) example
4. Living room Feng Shui
When considering the living room Feng Shui, it is really important to keep items in the living room clearly and well-organized. Living room is usually a place to relax. Thus, you should make sure that you know correctly about the Bagua location of your home and based on the element that assigned at the Bagua area, place the applicable color, air, and brightness solution to that place to ensure a good feeling of energy (Poulston & Bennett, 2012).
17
Figure 2.19 Living room with a natural Feng shui feeling
Figure 2.20 Living room with Feeling of fire
Feng Shui’s Development in Western World
With the pace of the globalization, many traditional Chinese technologies and principles are being introduced to the world. Many Chinese researchers and designers have found out Feng
Shui approaches in Western countries. For example, some contemporary architects in New York and DC consulted with some Feng Shui experts in analyzing the Feng Shui effect in their architectural and design projects (Xu, 2003). However, in western countries such as United
States, the comparison of Feng Shui and traditional design principles does not draw much
18 attention by people. Many of westerners may have the opinion that we are either conquering or preserving the nature. However, the principle in Feng Shui gave us an understanding that we should design an environment that can allow us to live with the nature in a harmony (Oon, 2012).
To most western people, Feng Shui elements are known as mirrors, crystals, and incense.
They are true in some physical display. However, Feng Shui is not as simple as these things. The final approach for Feng Shui is to have harmony with nature, so designing things that can connect with nature is very important (Grant 2006).
Feng Shui is not fully accepted by western community because most people still wonder whether FengShui is valid and works well to support the community or business (Poulston &
Bennett, 2012). Many architecture institutions are conducting researches or studies in Feng
Shui’s application in architecture. In Hong Kong and Singapore, there are many Feng Shui followers who are exposed and educated in both Chinese and western cultures. In western culture, the term, so called environmental psychology, is very similar with Feng Shui because both of these terms require us to live with the natural environment (Luk et al, 2012). In residential parts, we are unable to find out some ideal example in Feng Shui, but there are still some examples made by western architects. One good example will be the falling water in Pittsburgh, United
States. This architecture doesn’t have Feng Shui training or experience, however, his project matches a positive Feng Shui coincidentally because his project has a good harmony of the surrounding environment (Lam, 2009).
Feng Shui has played an important role in making the built environment more close to the nature, but it is still not widely applied in western countries. With the fast pace of the globalization, Feng Shui will be accepted and known by more and more western people and the western world will see more contribution from Feng Shui.
19 CHAPTER III
METHODOLOGY
Project Methodology
I. Feng Shui Theory and Principles
The central idea of Feng Shui is to reach human-nature harmony. However, the systematic design consideration based on that is much more complex. Feng Shui’s approach of the flow of Chi can be understood as the humane approach because a good Chi will give occupants a better feeling of belonging and ownership. Yin Yang, Wu Xing and Ba Gua support the creation of harmony and balance in the living environment, which is nearly the same as the approach of sustainable design because sustainable design requires the design to have a better connection with human (users), the built environment, and the nature.
II. Client
The client for my project was a Chinese couple living in the United States for over ten years. The house was purchased a few years ago and the client expected me to come up with a preliminary sustainable design first. They would look forward to implementing the design recommendations when funding is available.
III. Project Location
The project is located in Northridge, California. This location is on the west side of CSU
Northridge campus. The following photos downloaded from Google Maps indicated the map location and the satellite overview of the house.
20
Figure 3.1 Map of Client’s Home Location
Figure 3.2 Satellite overview of Client’s Home
IV. Client Meeting
After identifying the client, I had a meeting with them and discussed what improvements they wanted. According to the client’s feedback, they would like to improve their living room and backyard. First, I did some assessment of the existing situation and thus took some pictures of the client’s living room and backyard. The following pictures show the current situation of the living room and the backyard.
1. Current Living Room Situation
21
Figure 3.3 Living Room View 1
Figure 3.4 Living Room View 2
Figure 3.5 Living Room View 3
2 2
Figure 3.6 An Empty Living Room area
Based on the evaluation of the current living room layout, I found that all of the furniture had been placed on the south side of the living room and almost half of the living room space was empty. Moreover, the color of the living room was not bright enough to bring a harmonious feeling to both the client and to guests. There was also an absence of interior plants to enrich the living room atmosphere. Some additional elements can be added to the north part of the living room to make it more colorful. Furthermore, the color of the living room is also very important.
Figure 3.5 indicated that the client already had a baby at home, so using some gentle color such as light yellow would be very helpful to decorate the living room’s wall and make it looks warm.
2. Backyard Situation
The backyard has been with less attention for a long period and was in despair. It was in need of being landscaped. There was only a covered porch on the backyard lounge area but there were no outdoor furniture to fulfill the need of socializing and hosting parties. Furthermore, there were no personal elements that can represent the owner’s characteristics on the wall.
23
Figure 3.7 Backyard North Part
Figure 3.8 Backyard Garden South Part
Figure 3.9 Backyard Garden Lounge Area
V. Project Pattern/Form Language Selection
After assessing the current situation of the living room and backyard, and interviewing the client about their needs and visions, a pattern language was developed to be used as the basis for design.
24 VI. Project Design
The project design consisted of using patterns language as a guiding process, doing space planning and drawing the floor plans of the living room and backyard.
VII. Project Assessment
After the design of the home, I contacted the client again to present my project to them, explained my recommendations and got their feedback and assessment. Finally, I discussed the budget with the client and went with them to some furniture stores to look at the pricing of the particular items that needed to be purchased.
Project Evaluation
I. Evaluation by Feng Shui Experts
For this project, I contacted one expert in Feng Shui field and one expert in design field to participate in the evaluation. Open-ended questions were developed in evaluation questionnaire as listed at Appendix A.
The Feng Shui expert has fifteen years of experience in Feng Shui and she has her own
Feng Shui firm located at Beverly Hills. She said that she was very happy to be selected to do the evaluation for my project. When I asked about her knowledge on pattern languages, she said that
Feng Shui is always working with patterns such as indoor layout, color combination and the harmony between units. She is qualified to evaluate this project.
The second expert is an interior design firm director in San Fernando Valley. This designer has extensive experience in designing residential homes with sustainable elements.
Evaluation by Members of the Target Population
For the evaluation by the target population, I worked with my client. My meeting with them included my presentation, feedback through discussion and questions listed in Appendix B.
25 CHAPTER IV
RESULTS
Project Results
I. Patterns Developed for the client.
The Pattern Language in designing the layout of the living room was developed based on the Feng Shui Approach as indicated on Table 4.1. Moreover, I carefully looked at her placement of the baby’s crib. I found that she placed the baby’s crib at a correct location based on Feng
Shui’s need. Baby’s crib needs to be put against the wall so the crib has the backing and it will be good for newborn baby.
1. Living room
Category Photos and Explanation
Problem Solution
Fireplace
Explanation: In the description of Feng Shui, fireplace has the element of fire. So it is necessary to use something to balance the fire. The fireplace is located at the south of the room; however, the south of the room usually receives a lot of sunshine. The fireplace at this location generates too much fire energy. To dissipate this energy, a water elements needs to be used. Therefore, a mirror (or a television) should be placed on top of the fireplace.
26 Furniture a) Sofa Orientation
Problem Solution
Explanation: One important issue that needs to be addressed is the combination of sofa and the fireplace in the living room. It will be the best if the sofa is not placed directly facing the fireplace. We can place it on the side the fireplace where its back is against the wall. b) TV placement
Problem Solution
Explanation: When the sofa is put on the two sides of the fireplace, it is necessary to relocate the television for a proper vision. In Feng Shui vision, it will be a good idea to place the TV on top of the fireplace so when the TV is not in use, it can be used as a mirror. In such placement the TV can be used as a water element. c) Indoor Plants Problem Solution
In the original design of the client’s home, it shows a lack of some indoor plants. Thus, it is necessary to put some indoor plants next to the fireplace. As discussed above, the TV is planned to be placed above the fireplace, so placing indoor plants can help reduce the emission of electromagnetic influence from the TV. Thus to enhance to flow natural Chi in the room.
27 d) Fish Tank Placement Suggested Placing location
In Feng Shui vision, fish tank cannot be placed right behind the sofa because water is moving element. If the sofa is placed in front of fish tank, it means that the sofa doesn’t have a backing. It is a highly unfavorable placement in Feng Shui. We can place the fish tank beside the sofa. Fish tank itself can bring wealth to the owner of the home. For the amount of fishes, it depends on the owner and the recommended amount is odd amount.
Table 4.1 Living Room Patterns
2. Backyard Category Photos and Explanation
Backyard Problems
Garden
Solutions
Explanation: The backyard garden was much less cultivated and in despair. Some suggestions were to: use fountain or water basin because fountain has a moving water and can represent active Chi for the backyard garden; Add some fruit trees and other endemic California trees and bushes at the perimeter to cover the walls; furthermore, we discussed the possibility of installing a small patch of grass but this proposal was not sustainable, thus an alternate solution was to use crashed gravel and some drought resistant plants. In terms of Feng Shui, the fountain represents active water and can help the owner bring wealth and good luck. Water can also generate wood, so plants can
28 get benefits while planted near the fountain. Problem Solution
Lounge Area
with comfortable
outdoor
furniture
For the lounge area of the backyard, some recommendations were: placing some comfortable furniture; painting the wall with an accent color; using some personal elements on the wall to represent owner’s characteristics; a dining table and chairs for outdoor entertainment. In Feng Shui prospective, round table doesn’t have sharp arrow that makes people feel uncomfortable. Table 4.2 Backyard Patterns
II. Design Proposal
1. Entire room layout obtained from the client
Figure 4-1 is the floor plan of the client’s house. It indicated the location of the client’s living room and backyard. The client doesn’t have the official floor plan from the real estate agency so she drew the floor plan by herself.
29
Figure 4.1 Entire plan of Client’s house
2. Living room remodeling recommendation:
Figure 4.2 Living room Original Layout Figure 4.3 living room Suggested Layout
Explanation: Overall, the right portion of the living room was empty and the family was only using the left portion of the home. It is necessary to make the living room balanced. The TV was suggested to be placed on top of the fireplace. The baby’s crib was placed next to the television, which is not good for baby’s health due to the electromagnetic influence. In that case, in my proposal, I removed the baby’s crib along with the two chairs. I also included some green plants. Green plants can give the living room more natural feeling and reduce the emission of electromagnatic. Adding a tea table can allow the client to put something on it or have an interior entertainment when need it. Putting some potted plants on the tea table can also be considered.
3. Backyard remodeling recommendation:
30
Figure 4.4 Backyard Original Layout Figure 4.5 Suggested backyard Layout (plant symbols indicates existing plants) (plant symbols indicates existing plants)
Figure 4.6 Lounge Wall Design
Explanation: First of all, the existing crashed gravel will become a good accent of the center area of the backyard garden. However, the backyard garden has been abandoned for quite a long time, it won’t be valuable if the client continue abandon it like that. Putting a fountain in the middle of the garden will have two benefits: in Feng Shui prospective, it is flowing water so it can help the owner bring more and more wealth. Secondly, in sustainability prospective, the flowing water can enable the water circulation of the backyard so that in future remodel, the earth quality can become better. Moreover, the fountain itself is also a good humane accent. To ensure a good water circulation, putting some drought resistant plants can also become a good source to re-develop the earth quality. With this consideration, I recommended Japanese Maple as the decorating tree because Japanses maples is drought tolerant plant, but I also told the client to water the tree regularly to make sure it would grow beautifully. Some more consideration can also be cedar trees, American Hophornbeam Trees because these trees can be used for shading.
31 Planting these trees can also improve the air quality. In the lounge area, the setting of one table with two small chair and an umbrellas were replaced to a bigger table with six lounge chairs. The reason of using this setting is to ensure a comfortable entertainment area. For the lounge wall, making it as it is would not be very personalized, so I suggested using ceramic tiles to cover it and make some possible art combination such as using double color to attract guest’s attention.
Expert Evaluation Results
This project proposal was sent to two experts for evaluation. Both of the Feng shui expert and interior design expert gave me so many valuable recommendations in the design proposal for the living room and the backyard.
The Feng Shui expert focused more on the Feng Shui approach of this project. For the living room, the Feng shui expert indicated that it is important to consider the characteristics of the clients themselves. It is true that the TV can be used as a mirror, which can be considered as a water element, when it is not in use. However, TV and fireplace are both fire element. If the client actually likes fire element, it will become a good choice. For the backyard, the Feng Shui expert said that placing the fountain at the center of the backyard garden was not very good because placing the fountain at the center is not good for wealth. The Feng Shui expert recommended placing the fountain at the location of Azure Dragon.
The interior design expert also provided some feedback for the sustainability approach of the living room and the backyard. For the living room, the interior design expert said that putting green plants near TV for absorbing the electromagnetic emission is a good choice for maintaining a low emission home, especially for a home with baby. However, putting the TV directly above the fireplace was not that beautiful. Therefore the expert recommended to set up a cabinet above the TV so that while the TV is not in use, we can close the cabinet and makes it
32 another kind of decoration of the living room.
Client evaluation Results
The design proposal was sent to my client in late October for their comments. The client thoroughly went over my recommendation in the living room and backyard. After that, they also provided their opinions on my design proposal for both parts.
For the living room, the client said that my design has fulfilled her needs and vision. First of all, my proposal helped them to resolve the problem of placing the fish tank. Secondly, they said that I also relocated TV and sofa, along with an addition of the tea table. They said that the potted plant used on the tea table was not good enough. They would like to put a pot of flower for decorating the living room. Furthermore, they asked me about the quantities for the fish to be fed in the fish tank.
For the backyard, the client said that Japanese maple tree was a good recommendation to them and they can easily find it in any Gardening department. However, they said that their backyard is not very large so it may be challenging to plant a large Japanese maple tree which would eventually become the predominant feature in the garden. For the fountain, they said that they felt that the water fountain also looks too centrally located in relation to the home; their living room is located near the lower left side of the backyard, so their view to the fountain would not be that good. Furthermore, they asked me about the budget on purchasing and installing the water fountain on the backyard. They also asked me if aloe or cacti can also become a consideration for the design of backyard.
33 CHAPTER V
DISCUSSION
Discussion of Findings and Modifications
My findings indicated that Feng Shui design requires a strong connection between human being and nature. Linking it to my study in sustainability, they coincidentally match the two basic approaches in Sustainable design: Humane and Green. I believe that by applying more
Feng Shui elements in the home design, we can create a good harmony between humans and the natural living environment.
Discussion of Expert’s evaluation
This project was evaluated by both the Feng Shui expert and interior design expert. Both experts stated the importance of determining the location of the elements used in the living room and backyard.
According to the Feng Shui expert’s evaluation, the fountain would be better to be set up at the Azure Dragon location. I did some research on the benefits of Azure Dragon and found that when the element of water is placed at the Azure Dragon location, it will promote people in wealth and fortune. I also got the guideline about how to determine the location of Azure Dragon.
The location of Azure Dragon of the client was on the left hand side after getting out of the living room, so I relocated the fountain a little left on the backyard garden.
According to the interior design expert’s evaluation, placing the TV inside a cabinet would make this TV well-decorated. I also did some research in the Feng Shui benefits of this situation. I found that putting a cabinet can help the TV to perform as a mirror to balance the fire element of the fireplace.
After combining the feedback and recommendations from all parties, I re-drew the plan
34 for the backyard, which is shown below.
Figure 5.1 Revised Plan.
Discussion of Client’s evaluation
The client’s evaluation focused on two major issues. First was on the quantity of the fish.
I did some research on the Feng Shui of fish quantities and found that having fish in odd number will bring fortune. The reason is because even in Chinese has close pronunciation of harm.
Therefore, I recommended the client to have six gold fish along with one black fish for a total of seven fishes in the fish tank. For the color of the fish, gold is metal element in Wu Xing; black is
Water in Wu Xing. Metal can generate water, water can also bring wealth.
For the backyard, I did some research about the fountain and found that the estimated cost for a fountain that fits the client is around 300 dollars. For the consideration of aloe and cacti on the backyard, both of them are fine because they are endemic to Los Angeles, and both are drought tolerant.
Implications of this project
Based on my experience in doing this design project, I found that this project may have
35 both design-based and culture-based implications.
In design field, more and more design firms understand the advantage and the benefit of
Feng Shui inspired principles. Most of Feng Shui’s principles have same approach with the current sustainable design languages. In the future, Feng Shui can possibly become a green building rating system. Introducing and applying Feng Shui design principles in design projects will promote a harmony and health in the home. With the improvement in Chinese American family, it can be expected that Feng Shui design principles can also be accepted by more Asian
American families, even regular American families.
Conclusion
This project is my first attempt to adopt Feng Shui principle into home design for my graduate study. Based on the investigation of current status of client’s house, specific situation and client’s expectation, I conducted researches and designed indoor and outdoor improvements.
The overall design was based on the combination of the Feng Shui and eco-fridenly principles and was expressed in detail in each part and every element. During this work, the proposal was reviewed by experts in Feng Shui and interior design, as well as by the client to reach the most favorable output. The finally finished project is expected to greatly improve the client’s living condition and human-nature harmony.
Through the project, I have expanded my understanding of Feng Shui, and am more optimistic of its merging in western mainstream culture, especially in sustainability related fields.
When I was in China, I have never expected that Feng Shui could be of any means in western societies. However, after the researches on this subject, I found that Feng Shui has been quite involved in western countries in design fields. It has to be admitted that Feng Shui benefits are not yet fully recognized in the western countries. Further efforts in researches and application are
36 required to improve the situation. I hope this project can make certain contribution to that end.
37 References
Alexander, C., Ishikawa, S. & Silverstein, M. (1977). A pattern language : towns, buildings, construction. New York: Oxford University Press.
Alexander, J. (2002). Spirit of the Bedroom. New York, NY: Watson-Guptill Publications.
Alleven, M. (2002). Bring some feng shui our way. (Opinion) . Wireless Week , 49.
Barker, E. (2009). Revitalize your home: Clear out clutter and bad energy! usher in health, prosperity & joy with our easy feng shui decorating tips. Natural Health, 39(3), 76-81.
Bradler, C. M., & Scheiner, J. A. (2001). Feng Shui Symbols: A User's Handbook. New
York, NY: Sterling Publishing Company, Inc.
Brown, K. (2006). Using feng shui principals can create harmony among appliances in kitchen.
Boulder County Business Report, 25(1), 7B.
Collins, T. K. (1996). The western guide to feng shui : creating balance, harmony, and
prosperity in your environment. Carlsbad, CA: Hay House, Inc.
Choi, K. , & Yu, C. (2011). Sustainable design for Asian housings: Traditional culture, lighting and aesthetics. Indoor and Built Environment, 20(5), 485-487.
Fang, Z. (2000). Feng Shui in Site Planning and Design: A New Perspective for Sustainable
Development. n.p.: ProQuest, UMI Dissertations Publishing.
Grant, D. (2006). Feng shui - part 1. RDH, 26(5), 78-79,98,6. Retrieved from
http://search.proquest.com/docview/225017145?accountid=7285
He, X. , & Luo, J. (2000). Fengshui and the environment of southeast china. World Views:
Global Religions, Culture, and Ecology, 4(3), 213.
Hilts, E. (2004). Fabulous Feng Shui. E: The Environmental Magazine , 45.
38 Hutton, E. (2002). Design principles: Feng shui finds the grove. Shopping Center World , 16.
Hwangbo, A. (2002). An alternative tradition in architecture: Conceptions in feng shui and its
continuous tradition. Journal of Architectural and Planning Research, 19(2), 110-130.
Juan, Y.-K., Chien, S.-F., & Li, Y.-J. (2010). Customer Focused System for Pre-sale Housing
Customisation Using Case-based Reasoning and Feng Shui Theory. Indoor and Built
Environment , 453-464.
Kennedy, D. D. (1998). Feng Shui Tipsj for a better life. Canada: Webcom Limited.
Lagatree, K. M. (1996). Feng Shui: Arranging your home to change your life. New York,
NY: Villard Books.
Lam, K. W. Y. (2009). Recovering the sense and essence of place: The eastern practice of feng
shui and its role in western architecture. University of Waterloo (Canada)). ProQuest
Dissertations and Theses, , 134. Retrieved from
http://search.proquest.com/docview/305146937?accountid=7285. (305146937).
Lip, E. (2009). Feng shui in Chinese architecture. Singapore: Marshall Cavendish Editions.
Luk, C. , Wan, W. , Chow, R. , Chow, C. , Fam, K. , et al. (2012). Consumers’ views
of feng shui: Antecedents and behavioral consequences. Psychology and Marketing, 29(7),
488-501.
Mak, M. , & Ng, S. (2008). Feng shui: An alternative framework for complexity in design.
Architectural Engineering and Design Management, 4(1), 58-72.
Mak, M. Y., & So, A. T. (2010). Scientific Feng Shui for the built environment: Fundamentals and case studies. Hong Kong: City University Press.
Mainini, S. (2004). Feng shui for architecture : how to design, build and remodel to create a healthy and serene home. Philadelphia, Pa: Xlibris.
39 Oon, M. (2012). Building on feng shui. The Estates Gazette, , 239-240. Retrieved
from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1146991973?accountid=7285
Pontikis, K. (2010). The humane green: Integrating humane design with green design in a
graduate interior design program. International Journal of Environmental, Cultural,
Economic and Social Sustainability, 6, (4), 49-66.
Poulston, J. , & Bennett, R. (2012). Fact, fiction, and feng shui: An exploratory study. Facilities,
30(1/2), 23-39.
Simons, T. R. (1996). Feng shui step by step, arranging your home for health and happiness--
with personalized astrological charts. New York, NY: Clarkson Potter Paperbacks.
Surendran, S. (2012). Feng shui way of life. India Currents, 26(5), 112.
Vaastu-feng shui & bio-energetics: Importance of water elements. (2013). Star of Mysore
Xu, J. (2003). A framework for site analysis with emphasis on feng shui and
contemporary environmental design principles. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State
University). ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, , 272-272 p. Retrieved from
http://search.proquest.com/docview/305306991?accountid=7285. (305306991).
40 APPENDIX A
EXPERT EVALUATION QUESTIONS
1. Do You think that the Feng Shui approach for the living room is used correctly?
2. Do you think that the Feng Shui design outcome also meets humane or green needs for
the design of the living room?
3. Do you think the Feng Shui approach for the backyard is used correctly?
4. Do you think that the Feng Shui design outcome also meets humane or green needs for
the design of the backyard?
5. Do you have any suggestions on the improvement of the overall Feng Shui approach of
this design proposal?
41 APPENDIX B
CLIENT EVALUATION QUESTIONS
1. Do you think that the design of your living room fulfilled your needs and visions?
2. Do you think that the backyard design fulfilled your needs and visions?
3. In a scale from 0 to 10, please rate my design proposal about your satisfaction
4. Was the pattern language for your project easy and clear to understand?
5. Do you have any recommendations as to how the pattern language can be improved so
that clients can better understand it?
42