FengShui Paradigm as Philosophy of Sustainable Design

FengShui, an old Chinese discipline, dates back to
more than 5000 years, is one of the design principles that aim at
creating habitable and sustainable spaces in harmony with nature by
systematizing data within its own structure. Having emerged from
Chinese mysticism and embodying elements of faith in its principles,
FengShui argues that the positive energy in the environment channels
human behavior and psychology. This argument is supported with the
thesis of quantum physics that ‘everything is made up of energy’ and
gains an important place.
In spaces where living and working take place with several
principles and systematized rules, FengShui promises a happier, more
peaceful and comfortable life by influencing human psychology, acts,
and soul as well as the professional and social life of the individual.
Observing these design properties in houses, workplaces, offices, the
environment, and daily life as a design paradigm is significant. In this
study, how FengShui, a Central Asian culture emanated from Chinese
mysticism, shapes design and how it is used as an element of
sustainable design will be explained.

• E. Erdogan
• H. A. Erdogan

• FengShui
• design principle
• sustainability.

[1] K. Hoyer, A Series of Meetings, Phone Conversations and Field
Assessments, 2003.
[2] E. Lynch, Conditions of Human Comfort, Degree of Master of
Landscape Architecture in the Graduate College, The University of
Arizona, Arizona, 2004.
[3] E. J. Eitel, FengShui, or The Rudiments of Natural Science in China,
London: Trübner, 1873.
[4] L.K. Chuen, The FengShui Handbook-How to Create a Healthier Living
and Working Environment, London: Gaia Books Ltd, 1995.
[5] H. Ren, FengShui and Chinese Traditional Domestic Architecture,
Master of Science, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, 2000.
[6] K. Yu, "Landscape into Places: Feng - Shui Model of Place Making and
Some Cross-cultural Comparisons", Council of Educator's - Landscape
Architecture Annual Conference, 1994.
[7] C. Norberg-Schulz, Genius Loci: Towards a Phenomenology of
Architecture, Rizzoli, New York, 1980.
[8] J. Xu, "A Framework for Site Analysis with Emphasis on FengShui and
Contemporary Environmental Design Principles", Unpublished PHD
Thesis, 2003.
[9] S. J. Wei, Body, "Mind and Spirit: FengShui Applications For a Healing
Environment Prototype", Master Thesis, Department of Interior Design
degree of Fall Semester, The Florida State University, 2006.
[10] M. Y. Mak, S. T. Ng, "The art and science of FengShui- a study on
architects’ perception", Building and Environment, 40, 2005, pp. 427–
434.
[11] L. Gu, Collection of the Secrets of Geographic Taipei, Taiwan: Wulin
Press Ltd, 1995.
[12] W. Spear, Herkes için Basitleştirilmiş Uygulamalı Feng Shui, Alkım
Yayınevi, İstanbul, 2003.
[13] J. M. Stewart, Taocu Uygulamanın Temelleri, Tercüme: Güneş
Davenport, 2003.
[14] P. Şahin, "FengShui İlkeleriyle Konutta İç Mekan Tasarımı", Mimar
Sinan Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Enstitüsü İç Mimarlık Ana sanat Dalı,
Yüksek Lisans Tezi, İstanbul, 2001.
[15] L. Too, The Complete Illustrated Guide to FengShui , Shaftesbury,
Great Britain: Element Books Inc. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and
State University, Blacksburg, 1997.
[16] R. Webster, FengShui (İşyeriniz İçin), Alfa Yayınları, İstanbul, 2002.
[17] E. Moran, The Complete Idiot’s Guide To FengShui, Alpha Books,
USA, 1999.
[18] E. Lip, Environments of Power, Academy Editions, Great Britain, 1996.
[19] W. Spear, The FengShui House Book, Connan Octopus Limited, China,
1999.
[20] S. Rossbach, FengShui ile İç Mekan Dekorasyonu, Dharma, İstanbul,
2001.
[21] G. Pu, A Translation of the Ancient Chinese: The Book of Burial (Zang
Shu), New York: The Edwin Mellen Press Ltd, 2004.
[22] R. Webster, Apartmanda Yasam için FengShui, Alfa Yayınları, İstanbul,
2002.
[23] www.sinemoktay.com/?p=1351 (access to 06.2014)