Feng Shui, Architecture & the Lion City

[glenj]

Orchard Road's buildings and feng shui.. here's an article i stumbled upon taken from http://www.lisfengshui.com/__case-st...hard_road.htm. Look at the final paragraph.. interesting.

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Five Elements of Orchard Road's Buildings

Orchard road got its name from the numerous plantations along the area, which now form part of the Central Business District. It is Singapore's major shopping district where most of the 'Five Star' hotel whether big or small shopping complex and offices are located. Amongst them, creating a number of Business Tycoons.

Every year about seven millions of tourist visited Orchard Road. Tourist would not miss Orchard Road. It is hard to believe that this place was just a small kampong (a little village in Malay word) forty years ago. Scattered in this area were big colonial style bungalows. It was said that it cost about forty thousand dollars in local currency for a two acre land together with the mansion but now due to appreciation of the price, it is well above the region of ten millions dollars. The big appreciation can be quite alarming. Those with foresight had said that those landowner are really wealthy.

The inflow of water at Orchard Road is from TUI as Zhen Shen and outflow of water from ZHEN in the direction of Yi Shan. 7th Age TUI as Zhen Shen is at its peak, ZHEN as Ling Shen the unlucky direction. This coincides with the law of inflow and outflow of both the lucky and unlucky water respectively, thus creating the bustling Age of 7.

From the perspective of Xuan Kong Gua

Inflow of water -Gua Age is Eight

Outflow of water -Gua Age is Two

The combination of the Gua Age 8 and 2 equals to Ten. This indicates that there will be a time of prosperous during Age of 8th.

Within everything is its own Tai Chi, The Centre of Orchard road is situated at the Junction of Scotts road and Orchard road. This chapter is about this stretch of road.

CK Tang (Mariott Hotel)


This short stretch of road leaves a deep impression on the tourist. Major activities are confined within the distance of Five major buildings (its prosperity is that of Hong Kong's Nathan Road from Dundas Street to Argyle Street) situated at this central is C K Tang Department Store. Its unique outlook of octagon shape is similar to that of a Pagoda, outer facade is painted green thus activate the energy of Chi Lu Wen Qu No wonder this buildings has become a memorable mark for Orchard Road. Chi Lui when enhanced promote fame. The sitting and facing position of C K Tang is Chia and Ken respectively. Let us analyze respectively its Xuan Kong Feng Shui for both chart of Age of 6th and 7th. It is obvious that during the 6th Age, both sitting and facing were auspicious.

This signifies prosperity in both populations and wealth. The inflow of water is at Xu Flying Star 37, dominating the influx of wealth as signified by activating the number seven star (the future prosperous Chi) during the Age of Sixth. The outflow of water at Bing Flying Star 94 is that of the faded Chi Star.

Changes in Flying Star position during the Age of 7th resulting in the formation of Fountain on Top and Water Below, bringing about the loss of descendant and wealth. For readers who understand the Xuan Kong feng shui, I am sure you have realized the reason behind this periodic change of luck.

Inflow of water at Xu Flying Star 61 during the Age of 7th, number one star is activated. Although numbers one, six and eight stars are lucky star but during the Age 7 - 9 it is fading Chi (i.e. loss of wealth). Water outflow at Ping Flying Star 94 is that of fading star.

Wheelock Building

Wheelock building was invested by a group of financier from Hong Kong. It was built like a shape of a harp, to signify a continuous progress. It's concourse sits on Hai and facing Si. The Building was erected during the Age of 7th, thus resulting in Up mountain and Below water formation”. It's pointed entrance at the concourse is at Zhen Flying Star 64 which does not signify wealth. Inflow of water at Ping Flying Star 31, outflow of water at Chou Flying Star is 29. This does not fit the requirement of the theory, which demand a lucky inflow and unlucky outflow directions.


Thus within a short span of nine months, Lane Crawford Department Store has sized down their operations from five floors to two floor and ceased business later. This was due to financial problems.


Shaw Centre

Shaw Centre is round in its outlook. Due to high speed of car passing by at Scotts Road, the situation whereby water is being dragged is present. Chi cannot accumulate at the front of the door; this will damage the Building's financial luck.

Fortunately, the basement design of the block is circular (reflective effect) with the top of the block, a concave (for absorption). The turbulence-overwhelming chi can thus be stabilized. The ground floor concourse is spacious thus enable to save chi from outside. The sitting and facing of the concourse is Ren and Ping respectively, completed during the Age of 7th. This is an auspicious period for both manpower and finance.

Inflow of water at Ping Flying Star is 77, Outflow of water at Chia Flying Star is 14 matched with the theory of the auspicious and the unlucky direction. Thus it is often crowded both in the shopping area and the cinema.

The building itself has a formidably design formation with the erection of a circular clock facing Wheelock building with a metallic sounding at intervals of fifteen minutes. Using the Five Elements method of dissolving the Shar, that is, to dissolve the Fire Elements of Wheelock Building. On the other side of the building facing C K Tang, a similar clock is also erected there. This is to enslave C K Tang.

(Wheelock Building on the left with the clock outside Shaw Centre)


(Note C K Tang is Wood in element. Gold suppresses Wood. Those elements I suppress become my wealth).


Wisma Atria

Wisma Atria outer facade is painted solely in light blue colour. Its sitting is Wei with Chou facing, completed during the Age of 7th. Both stars are present, determine population factor. Its facing chart no is 14, which stands for popularity, with inflow of water at Qian Flying Star is 32 , predicting quarrel. Outflow of water at Zhen Flying Star is 68 predicts a loss in wealth, thus the building is known for its popularity and the presence of many people here all year round. Every Sunday, hundreds of Filipino maids congregate here, just like Hong Kong.




Ngee Ann City



Ngee Ann City opened in 1993. Both its outlook and star formations have acquired that of superior level. This building is formed by two squarish blocks together with a huge shopping area, giving a sense of stability similar to that of a castle. It sits on Kun and facing Ken, with presence of both stars, indicating prosperity.


Outside the main entrance is a huge fountain to activate the money luck Flying Star is 77. Inflow of water at Hai 59, outflow of water at Chen Flying Star is 32, exactly that of the theory of the auspicious and the unlucky direction.


The basement of the building is linked to both the MRT and pedestrian crossing with entrance at Qian. There is an estimate hundreds of thousands of passengers here daily, thus activating that of forecoming positive Chi. In the shopping arcade, a Japanese invested departmental store has achieved its yearly earning forecast within the short period of eight months. From this, I believe that you, my intelligent readers have already come to a conclusion that the Flat land Feng Shui is indeed detrimental all over.


Most people understand the theory of enhancement and suppression between the five elements. However, few understand the Xuan Kong five elements of the outlook of buildings and their colours. Now, let us take a look into this aspect. Gold circular, Wood straight, Earth broad, Water curved, Fire sharp is that of the five elements of shapes. Gold white, Wood green, Earth yellow, Water blue (Black), Fire red is that of the five elements of color.


Summary:


C K Tang outlook like pagoda, colour green, five element is wood.

Shaw Centre outlook like round shape, colour metallic white, five elements is metal.

Wheelock Building outlook like cone and sharp shape, curtain wall, five elements is fire.

Wisma outlook and the logo like wave and curves shape, colour light blue, five elements is water.

Ngee Ann City outlook like castle and board shape, colour is reddish, five elements is fire/earth.

From the map we can easily find out that their position and sequence is in destruction and not in construction, after all those five buildings built up and the retail business in Orchard Road becomes negative growth since 1993. This is the Xuan Kong feng shui phenomenon.

[redstone]

So it is 'unlucky' and 'unauspicious' there?

[huaiwei]

Originally posted by redstone

So it is 'unlucky' and 'unauspicious' there?

Perhaps we need some new building at the space above ORchard MRT for some addition of "postitive" elements to set things right.

[Cliff]

I don't know why, but I felt very irritated after reading that fengshui text.
But now I'm okay.

btw, this is the first time I EVER used that smiley.

[huaiwei]

Originally posted by Cliff

I don't know why, but I felt very irritated after reading that fengshui text.
But now I'm okay.

btw, this is the first time I EVER used that smiley.

Haha..coz it sounds too negative or something?

Anyway, wait till you see the fengshui stuff for OUB....some are very critical of it, while others are quite positive. But I recall the Gateway was a fengshui disaster!

[Cliff]

Ah! Do you have the fengshui for OUB? Please please!

I also heard about the Gateway, another of my fav.s
Isn't the Concourse also suffering from Fengshui disasters?

[redstone]

Suntec City's Feng Shui:

The Suntec City is the latest among Singapore's megastrucutres. Documented in the 1998 Guinness Record, its total floor area 7 Million square feet, 888,000 sq. ft. shopping space, 3,200 units of parking lots. 1,000,000 sq. ft. of conference area and outdoor fountain occupying 18,018 sq. ft. This is the world's largest outdoor fountain ?the spring of wealth. It spans over 18018 sq. ft. of the basement, of 46 feet height, with a diameter of 66 feet. Constructed of pure copper weighing 85 tones, its manufacture cost was S$6 Million.


This one of a kind fountain designed is allocated the pivotal position. From its formation, four outer main roads embraces it, providing influx of water whilst the form inner lanes interlinked represents the reverting of four flows towards its depository. The four inner lanes are respectively situated on Qian, Sun, Kun, Ken round a circle. This circulation of water enables the utmost perfect display of pivotal water. Qian, Kun, Ken, Sun water is termed "Official water" which according to a classic book ?Tian YU Classic depicts the visiting of officials. No wonder the numerous international conferences held with lots of international organizations taking up space for its offices.

The Suntec City is a combination of five blocks of offices, three malls and a conference cum exhibition hall. Each of these buildings is unique, with the aggregation of every two office blocks forming the Tui Gua, - the caving in at the top with the base protruded. (The I-ching states: Tui is the exclusion of the apex).

This is utterly agreeable during the 7th Age Tui Gua which span from 1984 to 2003. Metal cannot prosper without earth thus the location of a squarish building by its side. (Square depicts earth).


The roof of the conference hall is makes up by the assembly of numerous pyramids. Western mystics believe in the power of pyramids for energy storage, the sealing in of freshness of food and the ground for meditation. Thus the adoption of pyramids as tombs in ancient Egypt in the hope of resurrection and the continuation of power. The ensemble of these pyramids offers immense motivation and optimism.

[huaiwei]

I cant find OUB's feng shui info yet, but here is a very interesting related article about this:

"Feng shui is also at the heart of the battle of banks. Overseas Union Bank (OUB) has very sharp edges pointing at United Overseas Bank (UOB) — sharp edges are not good feng shui, especially for banks. So OUB built a platform in the middle resembling a chopping board to neutralise the sharp edges. Nearby Standard Chartered is also hurt by the sharp edges (not to mention by the sculpture of a big bird sitting on a pile of money, with the tail facing Standard). To counter this, Standard has slanted almost everything in its building: the staircase at the entrance, every tile, ceiling, even planters and windows!"

[RafflesCity]

OMG!

And can we say that Maybank gives Bank of China bad fengshui?
Funny thing is that UOB and OUB were designed by the same guy, Kenzo Tange..he should know what he is doing

Sharp edges of OUB

[huaiwei]

Originally posted by RafflesCity

OMG!

And can we say that Maybank gives Bank of China bad fengshui?
Funny thing is that UOB and OUB were designed by the same guy, Kenzo Tange..he should know what he is doing

Haha...but I think its usually the clients making requests to architects to make modifications due to fengshui concerns.

BTW, I think the article has a typo....it is more likely refering to the UOB adding a "middle platform".....the low-rise building joining the two UOB buildings....a big chopping board?

[Cliff]

Originally posted by huaiwei

I cant find OUB's feng shui info yet, but here is a very interesting related article about this:

"Feng shui is also at the heart of the battle of banks. Overseas Union Bank (OUB) has very sharp edges pointing at United Overseas Bank (UOB) — sharp edges are not good feng shui, especially for banks. So OUB built a platform in the middle resembling a chopping board to neutralise the sharp edges. Nearby Standard Chartered is also hurt by the sharp edges (not to mention by the sculpture of a big bird sitting on a pile of money, with the tail facing Standard). To counter this, Standard has slanted almost everything in its building: the staircase at the entrance, every tile, ceiling, even planters and windows!"

That is so interesting!

No wonder UOB(I assume, since there is the word 'mddle') has that cover for no apparent reason.

Now I also know why the Gateway has such bad fengshui.
Actually, triangular buildings have sharper edges, so this may be why Central Plaza in Hong Kong has it's sides 'cut' off.

I pity Standard Chartered.

It's like

OUB to Kenzo: I want you to design a building to give my neighbour bad luck.

Kenzo to OUB: Ok, I'll cut your building into half so there will be sharp edges pointing at UOB's eight sided building. But you must understand, when I cut it in half, you will loose vaualbe office space.

OUB to Kenzo: Then think of another way, this land is expensive you know.

Kenzo to OUB: I know, I'll add a smaller triangle at the side to make up for loss pace and still have the sharp edge pointing at UOB.

OUB to Kenzo: Good, let the construction begin!

OUB Centre is completed.

UOB to Kenzo: Your design is killing our company, I want you to design something to give my building its luck again.

Kenzo to UOB: I know, I can add a platform resembling a chopping board next to your building to neutralise the effect. But you must buy more land to build this Chopping Board.

Kenzo shows the plans

UOB to Kenzo: WHAT?! so much land is wasted on that roof with no use? This land is expensive you know.

Kenzo thinks: These Singaporeans! Wait till they see the price list for land in Tokyo!

Kenzo to UOB: I can shorten the chopping board and add the tallest building in Singapore, same as OUB.

UOB to Kenzo: Ok thats good, let the construction begin!

UOB Plaza is completed.

Many years later, they merge, and draw posters of the buildings being connected by a bridge -

well, that's my little story

[RafflesCity]

@Cliff, your story doesnt sound far-fetched at all! If you were the owner of a bank you might think like that

And UOB has this golden coin in its entrance..good fortune?

[RafflesCity]

Actually, there was a book about FengShui in Singapore, with several examples in cartoon form. Quite fun reading

[TropicalSQ744]

Nice story cliff.

I think it's silly to assume these things actually affect our "luck". We're a modern society remember?

But those are just my views, you are free to have yours.

Here's a real life story of mine involving fengshui...

I used to live in this masionatte (sp?) that was facing a sharp edge of an opposite block. When my parents wanted to sell it to downgrade to a 5 room flat, seveal supersitious possible buyers who visited our flat commented on it and refused to buy even though our price was reasonable.

Thats just my experience. Please share if you have any stories about fengshui (but do not attempt to sell or promote it to us, please )

[glenj]

Does anyone recall those jagged-looking metallic sculptures that once used to hang at the main entrance/lobby of the new SIA building? I overheard someone mentioning that they were removed not long after that.. No prizes for guessing when and why.

[Cliff]

Originally posted by TropicalSQ744

Nice story cliff.

I think it's silly to assume these things actually affect our "luck". We're a modern society remember?

But those are just my views, you are free to have yours.

Here's a real life story of mine involving fengshui...

I used to live in this masionatte (sp?) that was facing a sharp edge of an opposite block. When my parents wanted to sell it to downgrade to a 5 room flat, seveal supersitious possible buyers who visited our flat commented on it and refused to buy even though our price was reasonable.

Thats just my experience. Please share if you have any stories about fengshui (but do not attempt to sell or promote it to us, please )

My sister used that exact excuse to get a bargain for her condo.

[Kit]

Foster's Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank building in Hong Kong sits on the original HKSB building. The old building was considered a great contribution to Hong Kong's prosperity. It had to be demolished to make way for the new building. Some attributed the collapse of the Hong Kong stock market in 1982 to the demise of the old building.

Foster's building was nonetheless considered an auspicious design. It sits on a dragon position. That would explain why the ground level is left open (this open space is the "Lucky Plaza" of HK on Sundays).

[Cliff]

Wow, I never knew that!

There is also that sotry about Singapore having some dragons and the CTE Tunnel cutting through the dragon's eye resulting in the recession?

[Kit]

Somemore........

I.M. Pei's Bank of China building nearby is in contradiction, considered to be bad Feng Shui because of the building's crosses and angles. These crosses and angles are considered to be "poison arrows" and will affect other buildings in the vicinity badly. The building itself however, enjoys very auspicious Feng Shui as it is encircled by curvy roads that are likened to a blade cutting into the building and bringing auspicious "Chi".

[Cliff]

More:

The Lisboa Hotel and Casino, Macau's most luxurious hotel is designed like a bird cage, and the decorative top resembles numerous blades pointing down. The main door to the casino is a tiger's mouth.

I wonder why.....