Feng Shui And Architecture
( Excerpt from "Make A Difference" published by Hunter Douglas & Windows Furnishings, Singapore. Issue 6, January 2001) 

In the talk presented at the dinner on 3 November, in connection with the Singapore Institute of Architects -Hunter Douglas Design Competition 2000 Award Ceremony, Master Ong Thiam Peng from I-Ching Geomancy Centre, elaborated on the influence of geomancy on building design and construction.

It is relevant to point out that today western doctors and the Chinese 'Sinseh' are still trying to outdo one another in the medical field, the latter carrying on the traditions of thousands of years ago, when people were dependent on the spiritual healer who prayed to the sun and the moon.

In the same way, as technology is increasingly influencing the design and construction of buildings, there is an important role for the application of ancient truths which have been recorded and transmitted through academic publications. This is particularly significant as we are addressing a group of intellectuals and professionals.

Understanding Chinese Architecture

There are several key points to note when looking at traditional Chinese architecture.

Planning is based on the 'courtyard' concept that adopts Confucian precepts. Structural design and construction are based on the 'column-beam frame', guided by the Imperial system and controlled by the feudalistic system.

Landscaping design and skills are based on the ideology of Taoism and the principles of Landscaping design and skills are based on the ideology of Taoism and the principles of Feng Shui. The metaphysics is derived from the I-Ching and Feng Shui theories. The decorative motifs are based on Chinese legends and abstract auspicious values.

Characteristics of traditional Chinese architecture

Ancient Chinese philosophy, aesthetics, psychology, geology, hydrology, and landscaping, are used in Chinese architecture, for site location and environment studies, planning and construction.

The context and understanding of how human beings respond to the natural environment resulted in the development of Feng Shui, which has been used in the selection of sites for towns and villages, and in urban planning and architectural design.

Roof formation and decoration

Traditional Chinese architecture is quite consistent all over China, due to the control exerted by the Imperial and feudalistic systems. However, one distinctive feature, where there is differentiation, is the roof. In northern China which possesses a richer culture but a weaker economy, than the south, the architecture is characterised by straight roof ridges that are easier to build. In central China, the roofs are lifted slightly upwards at the end, and in southern China, which has the strongest economy, highly tilted roofs with curved ridges, which are costly to construct, define the architecture. Traditionally, roof tiles possess a natural grey colour, except for Imperial buildings which can afford glazed roof tiles.

The edges of roofs and ridges are usually terminated with the forms of auspicious animals. An odd number of these animal forms are usually positioned along the roof tip, so that it does not 'offend' neighbouring buildings.

Colour

Most of the ancient buildings have a natural tile colour. The columns, brackets and roof supports are all made of treated hardwood and painted dark brown for protection against the weather.

In later years, buildings, especially those belonging to the Imperial family or Chinese temples, incorporated varieties of colours. The colour schemes were based on the I-Ching theories of Yin and Yang and the five elements and their attributes.

For example, red represents the warmth of a 'fire'; green, the longevity of 'wood'; and yellow, the power of the 'earth'.

Walls & decorations

Walls did not provide structural support and serve essentially as room partitions. The thickness of and material used for the wall, depend on its function and on climatic.

Columns

Columns are the main elements that support Chinese buildings, and are usually made of hardwood or concrete. Even when wood columns are used, these rest on a concrete base which prevents the wood from coming into contact with the dampness of the ground.

Roof tiles

There are basically six types of roof tiles. From the metaphysical viewpoint, the most the butterfly and roof edge tiles. The butterfly tiles streamline the rainwater flowing down the roof, into pearl-like droplets, symbolising 'heavenly wealth' and thus ensuring great prosperity. Different parts of the building, on all four sides, have roof edge tiles that are decorated with specific auspicious animal forms, to guard against evil and bring peace and harmony, throughout all the seasons.

Doors and openings

Imperial and official doors are heavily brass studded. Only Imperial buildings have 9 x 9 rows of brass studs symbolising the 'ultimate supremacy' of the numerical values obtained from the studies of the I-Ching. Officials and Imperial courts have smaller numbers, usually an add number of rows such as 7 x 9, 5 x 9 etc, the number of rows reflecting the social status of the building and the owner.

According to the I-Ching numerical studies, odd numbers represent 'Yang' attributes and even numbers, the 'Yin' attributes. That is why one or three joss sticks are used as Taoist religious offerings. Number '9' is the ultimate 'Yang' element. Hence, it is the most popular number of door studs and animal forms used as Imperial roof edge

Floor tiles

The internal and external pavements are usually made from stone and brick. Gardens and landscaped areas are finished with concrete or granite slabs and stone pebbles designed with auspicious graphics or patterns.

Windows and openings

Windows and openings are not only for the purpose of ventilation. Many shapes and forms are incorporated within the same building, each revealing a breath-taking scene beyond.

Lions

Most of the main entrances of major buildings and even graves are decorated with a pair of granite lions. The Chinese regard lions as the sentries outside a garrison, deterring any kind of intrusion. Traditionally, a female lion sits an the right of the building, with its mouth closed and holding a cub, while a male lion sits on the left of the building, holding a ball, with its mouth open, reflecting the chauvinism of early Chinese society.

¡¡