Feng Shui as a site design tool: Assessing conditions of human comfort in urban places.

Abstract

Feng Shui as a site design tool seeks a different spectrum of criteria in the observation and assessment of a site than that of contemporary site design. It is a method based on the understanding and observation of the energetic conditions within and surrounding a site. Energetic conditions are perceptible. It requires an additional level of awareness to be able to identify what it is that causes a space to feel the way it does. Feng Shui may provide the additional level of consideration that when incorporated in the design process, facilitates spaces that may more effectively fulfill their purpose and feel good to the people using them. This study assessed a variety of existing urban places in Tucson, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, and Sedona, AZ. for conditions of human comfort based on (1) Feng Shui principles, and (2) contemporary site design recommendations. Current research on the topic of Feng Shui is limited to its application in land planning. This qualitative study applied the principles of Feng Shui as criteria in the evaluation of urban spaces. Results of the study indicate that well designed places from a Feng Shui standpoint were also perceived as well designed from a contemporary site design vantage. The outcome suggests the value of incorporating Feng Shui as a tool in the site design process used by Western designers.