Student name and ID:

LOW CHOON YONG 1001G77707

Topic:

A COMPORATIVE STUDY OF THE PRINCIPLES OF FENGSHUI INFLUENCED IN ORIENTATION AND SPATIAL LAYOUT OF CHINESE VERNAKULAR CLANHOUSE & COMTEMPORARY RESIDENTIAL IN MALAYSIA

Lecturer:

PN. NORHAYATI RAMLI

Research Question(s):

ISSUE:

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF PRESERVING PRINCIPLES OF FENGSHUI IN OREINATION AND SPATIAL LAYOUT OF COMTEMPORARY ARCHITECTURE

QUESTIONS:

1. What are the core principles of fengshui?
2. What are the theories and general significances of fengshui?
3. What are the influences of principles of fengshui in Chinese vernacular architecture?
4. What are the influences of principles of fengshui in contemporary architecture?
5. What are the similarities of fengshui influences for two periods and its significance?
6. Are the principles worth preserving and why?

Outline a summary of the topic:

Fengshui is a traditional Chinese geomancy theory based on the law of Earth and Heaven. Implication of fengshui helps in promoting and improving life mainly related to health and wealth. There are several core principles and theory of fengshui in architecture such as yin and yang balance (polarity), five elements and concept of Qi (energy). The theories of fengshui have great influenced in Chinese architecture in orientation, spatial layout and colours.

The vernacular Chinese architecture building, Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi, one of the most distinctive Chinese clan associations in Penang Malaysia has implied many theories of fengshui in its architecture. The clan house is sitting in the middle of town, a great position of accumulating Qi, hence also the accumulation of wealth. The building is orientated facing south and it has a spatial layout resembles an enclosure which creating a smooth flow of Qi. The symmetrical layout of the clan house also promotes polarity.

Khoo’s villa is contemporary bungalow built up in Setia Eco Park, Shah Alam. The bungalow is sitting in the middle of a square built area set. It is orientated facing south and is slightly elevated. Its spatial layout create a courtyard circulation within the house.

Both building resemble in the way that they sitting in the middle of an area, which is the best position to absorb Qi. They are orientated facing towards south, which promote the absorption of sunlight, accumulating positive energy and Qi. They have spatial layouts that are symmetrical which achieve balance and harmony. The components of both are arranged in a way that achieve balanced in the 5 elements.

The deliberate orientation of both buildings and organization within them based on principles of fengshui promote health, wealth and happiness. Continually invigorating positive energy and enhancing occupants living quality are the most primary significances of preserving principles of fengshui.

Annotated Bibliography

Bierre, Julia, and James Bain Smith. Penang: through gilded doors. English ed. Penang, Malaysia: Areca Books, 2006. Print.

This book gives introduction to Penang Heritage Trails including Khoo Kongsi clan house. It introduces the architecture of the clan house, also the components and spaces within itself. The book also analyses its orientation and spatial layout and realted it to theories of fengshui briefly.

"Feng Shui | Best Bungalow Design." Best Bungalow Design | Best Bungalow Builder in Malaysia. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Apr. 2012. <http://www.bestbungalowdesign.com/?cat=6http://>.

This website gives introduction to theories of fengshui applied in contemporary bungalow design. It covers examples and cases that used the principles of fengshui in bungalow’s floor plan and layout.

Skinner, Stephen. Feng shui style: the Asian art of gracious living. Singapore: Periplus Editions :, 2003. Print.

The book introduce to vernacular Chinese architecture. It analysize the spatial layout of clanhouse. It also provide information regarding to architecture features of clanhouse in related to the principles of fengshui. It also mentioned about typology and system of clanhouse that related to fengshui.

"[Khoo Kongsi Online] The Official Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi, Penang Website - http://www.khookongsi.com.my." [Khoo Kongsi Online] The Official Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi, Penang Website - http://www.khookongsi.com.my. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Apr. 2012. http://www.khookongsi.com.my/index2.html

This is the official website of Khoo Kongsi Clan house, Penang. It offers information of khoo kongsi clan house, including history and significance. It also introduce architecture features and religious belief of the clubhouse.