Relation of Feng Shui to Green Building Design

in the Philippines

A Research Proposal
Presented to
The Faculty of the School of Teacher Education and Liberal Arts
Saint Louis University

In Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Course
English 7

By
Joson, Jeremiah
Paras, Jan Wensy
Dacanay, Denise Christine
Manalang, Kimberly
Maningding, Joan Mae

July 2018
Introduction

What is known:

The increasing severity of climate change has caused many countries around the world to strive
more for a sustainable environment and energy conservation to actively control greenhouse gas
emissions (Chan, 2015). In fact, the industries related to building construction contribute a lot to
carbon dioxide emissions in Philippines, accounted for 35% of the total global emissions trailed
by the industry sector with 18% contribution and the agriculture and forestry sectors with the same
contribution of 11%. Other sources were transport (13%), buildings (8%) and waste (4%) (AAG,
2013). As a result, in recent years, the government has been strongly promoting green building to
reduce the amount of carbon emissions in the construction industry (Chan, 2015). Hence, green
building has been of more concern recently. In Philippines, the concept of green building
emphasizes ecology, energy saving, waste reduction, and health, also known as BERDE system.

On the other hand, the ancient Chinese concept of Feng Shui for dwellings still asserts strong
influence on Chinese societies in the planning and arrangement of residences and offices. As it is
part of the national ideology, and not considered to be superstition, it plays a significant role in the
behavioral patterns and culture of daily life for Chinese people (Han, 1998). The concept of Feng
Shui has been passed down from ancient China, and it emphasizes harmony between inhabitants
and the natural environment with heavy consideration on wind, light, plants, landscape, direction,
location, soil, mountains, and rivers surrounding the dwelling, and was considered to comprise the
scientific rules for building residential structures in ancient times, as well as a domain of
knowledge regarding space and the geological environment (Chan, 2015).

Relevance of the study:

In professional architectural work, the field of green building and Feng Shui consider fairly similar
concepts, but their contents are extremely different and complex .This study is only a preliminary
exploration of the connection between the two fields, which merely marks the beginning of
research in the Philippines. It is clear that both green building design and Feng Shui concept
accentuate integration with the ecological and natural environment and involve issues related to
the living environment, thereby rendering them worthy of deeper study in tandem (Chan, 2015).

Rationale:

The primary motive for this study is to search out the connection between these two subjects and
that more understanding of the Feng Shui issue may also prevent Feng Shui problems from being
obstructions for promoting of green building. With more clarity on the relation between green
building design techniques and Feng Shui, we can understand better the common design principles
that satisfy both systems. This would help to facilitate the promotion of green building design
while respecting and passing down traditional Feng Shui culture.
Theoretical Framework

Feng Shui theory is a traditional Chinese philosophical idea that deals with a long history (Mills.
1992). Feng Shui, literally translated to wind (Feng) and water (Shui), is an ancient dwelling
philosophy that seeks for harmony among heaven, earth and people (Wu, 2005). It has been
developed and evolved throughout the Chinese civilization with the first written evidence believed
to be found in a manual called Zang Shu (The Book of Burial), written by Guo Pu in the Jin
Dynasty (Soon & Bahauddin, 2017). This theory included a set of empirical principles that
integrated biophysical landscape features with cultural traditions and religious beliefs to guide the
practice of selecting and designing dwelling and burial spaces (Hong et al, 2007). This theory has
continued to be used in site selection for dwellings and layout of buildings (Lee, 1986). By
providing equilibrium among nature, buildings and people, the Feng Shui philosophy is applied
(Lee, 1986).

Feng Shui theory includes two main schools, Compass School and Form School (Mak and Ng,
2005). Form School emphasizes the harmonious balance of natural environment, mountain forms,
water environment, and location situations. Originating in Jiangxi, China, the Form school has a
complete system and statements from ancient times (Yang W. H. and Chang P., 1995). The
Compass School, based on popular directions in Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD) is related to Yin
and Yang which is the philosophic theory of cosmic dual forces, the reciprocal effect of the Five
Elements in Chinese cosmology - metal, wood, water, fire and earth - and the effects of
numerology on directions. It is more complex and mysterious (Kao, 2004). This study will be
focusing on the Form School of Feng Shui for dwellings.

The study will also be based on the Building for Ecologically Responsive Design Excellence
(BERDE), the Philippine’s national voluntary green building rating system developed under the
BERDE program. Developed in 2009 by the Philippine Green Building Council (PHILGBC), it is
a tool to assess, measure, monitor, and certify the performance of green building projects above
and beyond existing national and local building and environmental laws, regulations, and
mandatory standards. It is an appropriate response to the Philippine building industry’s need to
proactively address the negative impacts of climate change (PHILGBC, 2018). Both green
building design and Feng Shui concept accentuate integration with the ecological and natural
environment and involve issues related to the living environment, thereby rendering them worthy
of deeper study in tandem (Chan, 2015). If one were to combine Feng Shui for dwellings with the
perspectives of modern sociology, environmental studies, and ecology, it would greatly benefit
land development, ecological protection, and landscape design (Wang, 2001).
Conceptual Framework

Input Process Output

Concepts of Green building design in terms

of:

 Energy Efficiency and Conservation, Relation of

 Water Efficiency and Conservation, Feng Shui
 Waste Management, Comparative Analysis of Feng to Green
 Management, Shui and Green building design Building
concepts in the Philippines Design in
 Use of Land and Ecology,
the
 Green Materials,
Philippines
 Transportation,
 Indoor Environment Quality, and
 Emissions.

Concepts of Feng Shui in terms of:

 building location, orientation

 water environment
 environmental terrain
 indoor environment
 garden vegetation
 site and structural form

Profile of Respondents: Comparative Analysis of the

Respondents Perception on the
 Position relation of Feng Shui to Green
 Length of Service or Experience Buulding Design

Statement of the Problem

The aim of this study is to identify the differences and similarities between green building design
and Feng Shui concepts for further understanding of the design principles that could satisfy both
concepts.

The study seeks to answer the following questions:

1. How can green building design and Feng Shui coexist beneficially?
2. How can Feng Shui not be a hindrance to green building design?
3. What are the common issues that green building design and Feng Shui could relate/address to?
Hypothesis

This study shall proceed from the hypothesis that the design issues and concept of green planting,
ecology, energy saving, waste reduction, water resource, water retention and health have strong
connection between green building design and Feng Shui concepts in some aspects. Feng Shui
issues are highly associated with green building design techniques.

Scope and Delimitations

This research will employ the Form School of Feng Shui for dwellings because it comprises more
complete and systematic discussions about the living environment, and more integrated
information is available (Kang, L. and Kang, Y., 1999). This study shall focus only on the green
building design related to Feng Shui specifically in the Philippines. Furthermore, the majority of
Feng Shui references comprise ancient texts, the rhetoric of which can be abstruse for modern
people, so ancient books are not included in this discussion.

Assumptions of the Study

This study is anchored on the following basic assumptions:

1. That green building and Feng Shui integrate and consider designs with nature.
2. That green building and Feng Shui have similar concepts with each other.
3. That green building and Feng Shui have related principles regarding to buildings or dwellings.

Significance of the Study

The findings of this study would help the society in enhancing their understanding between the
relation of green building design and Feng Shui that both principles are closely interrelated
concerning ecological environmental designs and sustainability in buildings and dwellings.

This study would provide useful insights to Feng Shui experts, architects, and designers in aiding
for the further development of green buildings with the incorporation of the Feng Shui concepts
that would be beneficial to each other. Throughthis study, it would not only help enable the
advancement of green building design, but also for the consideration and promotion of the
traditional Feng Shui concepts for future environmental sustanability.
Review of Related Literature and Studies

This part of the proposal presents the background readings undertaken by the researchers on the
variables to be focused on this study. First, Feng Shui theory is discussed followed by the Form
School approach of Feng Shui. Third, the concept of Qi is explained. The last part deals with the
green building design in the Philippines.

The Feng Shui Theory

Feng Shui theory is a traditional Chinese philosophical idea based on the examination of three
main sources, the astronomical phenomena, natural phenomena and human behaviour
(Feuchtwang, 1974). By providing equilibrium among nature, buildings and people, the
application of Feng Shui philosophy aims to achieve a harmonious relationship between heaven,
earth and human being (Lee, 1986). This theory has been taken into consideration and utilized as
an architectural planning methodology in Korea, China, Japan and East Asian countries for
thousands of years (Chang, Kim, Park & Kim, 2014, p. 2). Its nature-friendly ideology and
practical ideals have been reproached as a scientific methodology tool for the built environment of
the 21st century (Choi 2002, Kim 2000, Too 2008). International researches have been focusing
on analyzing the core theories of Feng-Shui and applying them in the modern architectural
environment (Hwangbo 2002, Marafa 2003, Su-Ju and Jones 2000, Xu 2003, Xu 1998). Analysis
on Feng Shui model revealed that rather mere superstitions, the use of Feng Shui has reasonable
scientific value (Anderson and Anderson, 1973; He, 1990). Specifically, Feng Shui's Form School
approach has been acknowledged for having a scientific basis in analyzing the built environment
(He, 1990; Wang, 1992; Cheng and Kong, 1993; Mak and Ng, 2008; Mak and So, 2015).
Furthermore, the Feng Shui theory is an alternative tool for urban evaluation and is emerging as a
new paradigm for achieving a harmony between humans and nature (Daneshvar, Khosravi &
Rezayi 2013).

Form School Approach

Form School approach has been recognized by contemporary Feng Shui scholars and researchers
as the most dominant approach in Feng Shui practice for analyzing built environment (Cheng &
Kong, 1993; He, 1990; Lip, 1986; Mak & Ng, 2005, 2008; Xu, 1990). The Form School of Feng
Shui for dwellings comprises more complete and systematic discussions about the living
environment, and more integrated information is available (Kang, L. and Kang Y., 1999). The
principles and practices of Form School approach represent "a compendium of Chinese
architectural theory" (Lee, 1986). This approach looks into the physical form of a site and its
surrounding context in order to identify the flow of Qi. It observes configuration of mountains and
hills; the direction of water; and the relationship between hills and water (Xu, 1990).
Understanding the physical form of a site is thus the most important aspect of Form School
approach as these elements represent both terrestrial and celestial Qi (Mak and So, 2015). It places
importance on a structure’s relationship with the natural environment, the climate, and the terrain;
the water environment and the soil are also taken into consideration (Chan, 2015). This study
derived the concepts of Feng Shui for dwellings into seven major topics following the information
provided by Wu’s and Wang’s books: building location, orientation, the water environment, the
environmental terrain, the indoor environment, garden vegetation, and the site and structural form
of the building (Wang, 1994; Wu, 2005, 2006). These major topics related to Feng Shui for
dwellings summarized by Chan (2015), will be compared and connected to the BERDE criteria to
relate Feng Shui to green building design in the Philippines.

The Concept of Qi

The concept of Qi is the fundamental premise of Feng Shui theory and largely the basis of Taoism
and traditional Chinese philosophy (Zhang, 2007). According to Feng Shui, Qi is an invisible and
intangible substance, a form of energy, solely responsible for providing the ‘breath of life’ to
everything that exists in the Universe (Zhong & Ceranic 2008, p. 48). Through the concept of Qi,
Feng Shui creates inseparable and unified connection between the humans, shelters and nature,
emphasizing the uppermost principle of pursuing and keeping the balance and harmony (p. 48).
Qi should be controlled not to flow quickly or slowly. It could be destructive if totally blocked
(Henwood & Choy, 1999). Appropriate building technology and use of high thermal mass
materials further maintains good Qi inside a house, whilst improving air tightness and thermal
comfort (Zhong & Ceranic 2008, p. 52). Solar and wind energy are interpreted as good Qi and are
also the most recognized renewable energy sources (p. 52).Furthermore,. Feng Shui believes that
this geo-thermal Qi has special qualities that can improve dwellers’ health (p. 52). Using and re-
using the local materials for buildings and construction is the natural course in Feng Shui,
following the fundamental principle that the destruction of one thing will inevitably result in the
creation of other (p. 53). A rich source of living Qi is water, a good Feng Shui site is a place where
living Qi exists and accumulates, where wind has its way and water has its course (p. 53).

Green Building Design in the Philippines

To proactively address the negative impacts of climate change (PHILGBC, 2018), the Philippine
Green Building Council (PHILGBC) developed a national voluntary green building rating system
called “The Building for Ecologically Responsive Design Excellence” (BERDE). The council
created a core framework of BERDE that will define the different credits that are essential in
developing a green building project. The core framework includes: Energy Efficiency and
Conservation, Water Efficiency and Conservation, Waste Management, Management, Use of Land
and Ecology, Green Materials, Transportation, Indoor Environment Quality, and Emissions
(PHILGBC, 2018).

Although Feng Shui is widely accepted in the Philippines (Guiley, 1991), no study is conducted
on the relation of Feng shui to green building design in the said country. Using the core framework
of BERDE, the techniques related to these green building indicators will be compared to the Feng
Shui concepts as to show the relation of Feng Shui to green building design in the Philippines. The
Feng Shui concepts are based on the Form School Approach of Feng Shui which provides complete
system and statements from ancient times (Yang W. H. and Chang P., 1995).
Methodology

Research Methods used

In-depth interviews with experts will be processed as the main research method.

Respondents of the study

In this study, six Feng Shui experts will be invited to participate in interviews, who have an average
professional experience of about 15 years.

Data Collection Instruments

Interview guides will be used to collect data. To avoid misunderstanding about green building
design contents and the meaning that will be interpreted by these experts, the interviewer shall
clearly explain to the Feng Shui experts the purpose and strategies of green building design as
plainly as possible during the interview process. Data results will be tallied based on the summary
of the answers of the Feng Shui experts.

Data Collection Procedure

This study will comprise three main steps. The first phase of this study will involve collating and
analyzing relevant literature before analyzing relationships between the technical content of the
two practices. Following, expert interviews will be carried out to collect information for the
analysis of connections between green building design and Feng Shui concepts. Finally, a panel
of 12 Feng Shui experts, including the six involved in the given step of analysis, will evaluate the
proposed connections to confirm the analysis results. Government departments and academic units
will provide the green building strategies that is to be used in this study. These sources are complete
and credible. Then through systematic expert interview collation, content comparison and expert
evaluation, the researchers shall confirm the associated practices in the two systems.
Data Analysis Plan of the research process

Phase 1

Collate and analyze relevant literature of Green Building Design and Feng Shui concepts.

-Analysis of Summary of Concepts Related to Green Building and Feng Shui

Phase 2

Carry out interviews to collect information from experts for the analysis of connections
between Green Building Design and Feng Shui concepts

-Analysis of Summary on Relationship of Feng Shui to Green Building Design from

Expert’s Views vice-versa

Phase 3

Evaluate the proposed connections to confirm the analysis results

-Confirmation for Relationship between Green Building Design and Feng Shui concepts
 References

Bo, S. (n.d.). Traditional Feng Shui architecture as an inspiration for the development of green

buildings. Journal of Public Affairs, 3(2), 68-76. Retrieved from

https://www.researchgate.net/

Chan, S. (2015). Green building design related to Feng Shui issues in Taiwan. Journal of

Engineering and Architecture, 3(1), 19-27. doi:10.15640/jea.v3n1a3

Chan, S. (2015). Greenery concerns of green building design and Feng Shui. Journal of

International Scientific Publications, 9. Retrieved from https://www.scientific-

publications.net/

Chang, D., Kim, K., Park, J. & Kim, B. (2014). Quantification of Feng-Shui principles in the

design of Korean houses. Architectural Research, 16(1), 1-8.

doi:10.5659/AIKAR.2014.16.1.1

Chen, X. (2013). Modern environmental design of Feng-shui culture ecological analysis. Applied

Mechanics and Materials 361, 519-524. doi:10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.361-

363.519

Daneshvar, M., Khosravi, S. & Rezayi, S. (2013). Ecological evaluation of landscape using Feng-

Shui theory at Shandiz urban region, NE Iran. International Journal of Environmental

Protection and Policy, 1(2), 32-37. doi:10.11648/j.ijepp.20130102.13

Erdogan, E. & Erdogan H. (2014). Feng Shui paradigm as philosophy of sustainable design.

International Journal of Nuclear and Quantum Engineering, 8(10), 3336-3341. Retrieved

from https://scholar.waset.org/1307-6892/9999817
Hongmei, L. (2014). Analysis of the application of traditional “Feng Shui” theory in modern home

space. Studies in Sociology of Science, 5(3), 105-109. doi: 10.3968/5072

Koranteng, C. & Simons, B. (2011). Contrasting the principles behind the orientation of building

forms and location of spatial components around the globe. Journal of Science and

Technology, 31(3), 77-85. doi:10.4314/just.v31i3.9

Mulyono, G. (2015). Adaptation of Fengshui based on windflow on shop houses in Medan City

Indonesia. International Journal of Engineering and Technology, 5(7), 447-453. Retrieved

from https://www.ietjournals.org/

Octavia, L. & Gunawan, T. (2014). Feng Shui in modern house design searching for the rationale

and possible impacts assessment. Journal of Architecture and Built Environment, 41(1),

43-50. doi:10.9744/dimensi.41.1.43-50

Teng Chang, P. (2008). Applying fuzzy weighted average approach to evaluate office layouts with

Feng-Shui consideration. Universal Journal of Education Research, 2282-2291. doi:

10.12030/ujer.2017.05120001

Wang, J. & Joy, A. (2010). Creating and sustaining a culture of hope: Feng Shui discourses and

practices in Hong Kong. Universal Journal of Education Research. doi:12.11291403rr-

92143.15674

Xuimin,P.(2013). Architectural education adapting to climate changes in light of Feng-Shui.

Universal Journal of Educational Research 4(10), 432-445. doi:

10.13189/ujer.2016.0416000
Zhong, Z. & Ceranic, B. (2008). Modern interpretation of Feng Shui in contemporary sustainable

residential design. WIT Transactions on Ecology and the Environment, 113.

doi:10.2495/ARC080051