Varunya Yoon Jarunyaroj | AA March Sed Research Paper [Term 2]

AA SED Architectural Association School of Architecture Graduate School : MSc + MArch Sustainable Environmental Design 2015-2016

TERM 2 RESEARCH PAPER

FENG SHUI

CHINESE ANCIENT NOTION OF SUSTAINABLE DESIGN

VARUNYA JARUNYAROJ April 2016


Authorship Declaration Form

AA SED

ARCHITECTURAL ASSOCIATION GRADUATE SCHOOL

PROGRAMME:

MSc + MArch SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN 2015 - 16

SUBMISSION

RESEARCH PAPER 2

TITLE

FENGSHUI : CHINESE ANCIENT NOTION OF SUSTAINABLE DESIGN

NUMBER OF WORDS (excluding footnotes and references)

4,151

STUDENT NAME:

Varunya Jarunyaroj

DECLARATION: “I certify that the contents of this document are entirely my own work and that any quotation or paraphrase from the published or unpublished work of others is duly acknowledged.”

Signature:

Date: 25 April 2016

TABLE OF CONTENT ABSTRACT & INTRODUCTION Abstract

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1. Introduction

1

2. Methodologies

2

MAIN BODY 3. Development of Feng Shui

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3.1 Neolithic Period

2

3.2 Ancient Period

3

3.3 Medieval Period

4

3.2 Modern Period

4

4. Scientific Feng Shui

5-6

4.1 General Scientific Method

5

4.2 Defining Magical and Scientific Feng Shui

5

5. Sustainable Design and Feng Shui

6-7

5.1 Sustainable Design Principle

6

5.2 Sustainable Design and Feng Shui

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CONCLUSION 6. Conclusion

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AA SED Architectural Association School of Architecture MSc + MArch Sustainable Environmental Design 2015-16  April 2016   Term 2 Research Paper

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FENG SHUI CHINESE ANCIENT NOTION OF SUSTAINABLE DESIGN

Varunya Jarunyaroj AA SED Sustainable Environmental Design Programme, Architectural Association School of Architecture Graduate School, London United Kingdom, MSc + MArch Sustainable Environmental Design 2015-16

_________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACT The study aimed to investigate a legitimate scientific approaches of Feng Shui which is a notion used by the Chinese for nearly 6000 years as a guide to create a harmony between human, heaven, and built environment; the notion has been involved in Chinese development of architectural features from a small scale such as dwellings and villages to palaces and cities. The similarity of the Feng Shui concept and Sustainable Environmental design concept raise the question that whether is Feng Shui purely superstitious as it is involve beliefs in heaven and the world beyond scientific knowledge. The research was done by studying selection of key literatures regarding Feng Shui and extract the notions that could be explained by science. This notions would be later selected and compare to the sustainable design principles. The research found toward the end that; even though not the whole realm of Feng Shui could be explained by scientific approaches but there is obviously adequate evidences that some branches of Feng Shui notion are based on scientific methodologies. Furthermore, the scientific approach found in Feng Shui in this study has found its place to fit into sustainable design principles which can be concluded that Feng Shui is the Chinese notion of sustainable design.

1. INTRODUCTION Feng Shui is one of the oldest Chinese philosophies which has regularly been in practice until the present day in China and numbers of Asian countries. The philosophy bears holistic views of a relationship between men and built environment by establishing a guideline for site selection, architectural and landscape design. As a matter of fact, Feng Shui philosophy has been widely adopted by scopes of architectural design from dwellings to palaces and villages to cities. The Feng Shui guideline mainly aims to create a harmonisation between heaven, earth and men. However, unsurprisingly for the notions that could dating back for more than 6000 years like Feng Shui, it has been interpreted and developed into branches of different practices throughout the period.

These alterations and interpretations divided Feng Shui and its methodologies into several schools, but only 2 schools are well known until today which are; form school and compass school. However, all Feng Shui schools are undoubtedly originated from the same core concept.

Even though the notion of Feng Shui has been around for a very long period, there are very limited understanding to the original of it. The causes of this limitation issue might relate to the lacking of record of the studies which might have never been written down

or gotten destroyed and lost through times. Numbers of scholars who have studied Feng Shui in Scientific manner, including Michael Mak and Albert So (2011), the two dr. who both have spent years researching and teaching scientific Feng Shui in academic environment, revealed that there are still so much more to learn and to understand about the origin and logics behind Feng Shui. However, with lacking of the true scientific verification and legitimate comprehension, Feng Shui always falls into suspicion of being superstitious. Furthermore, with the known uses of Feng Shui nowadays tend to involve the idea of generating wealth and good luck, the belief in Feng Shui among the modern world population ,including the new generation of Chinese and Asians themselves has grown more and more scarce.

The exploration into Feng Shui notion has confirmed that there is similarity between the modern world sustainable design concept and Feng Shui concept and could supposedly be supporting each others (Dong and Zuehl, 2009). This realisation leads to more research in Feng Shui field whether in its core concept or the relation to modern science (Mak and Ge, 2012).

Undeniably, although scientists, since the scientific revolution in 16th century until today, have been attempting to use scientific methods to study and 1/ 8

understand, as well as, giving explanation to nature phenomenas; however, with the up-to-date natural science, the whole realm of nature phenomenas is yet to be fully explained or comprehended with scientific methods (Mak and So, 2011). As one of the great scientists, Sir William Henry Bragg (1862-1942) said, “The important thing in science is not so much to obtain new facts as to discover new ways of thinking about them.�, the realm of nature even though was not well explained with evidence or logged data, but the understanding of facts involving nature phenomenas might had already been described within this ancient knowledge like Feng Shui; however, in different approaches and ways of interpretation.

Feng Shui could be traced back to the Neolithic period. This stage of Feng Shui is when people start developing the fundamental concept of built environment based on observation of nature phenomenas. Archaeological evidence confirms that the early settlement from this period show consistency with environmental quality such as soil condition for cultivation, water supply, site topography.

Banpo Village, the famous archaeological site discovered in 1953 in Yellow River Valley is about 5600-6700 years old. This neolithic village is a part of Yangshao Culture existed from ca. 5000-3000 BC

2. METHODOLOGIES Importantly, there are difference to the ways people from the East and the West vision things. The Eastern ways of comprehend things are different from those in Western scientific world in the sense that instead of seeking the exact explanation of the emergence, they observe, experience and try to understand the complexity of it. Moreover, it could be said that the Eastern vision of nature is not to try to defeat or define it, but to respect and adapt and nurturing it. However, in the world driven by science and technologies like today, without Scientific approaches, Feng Shui which bear a holistic approaches would be forever viewed as superstitious belief (Mak and Ge, 2010). To link the two complete different languages of notions which come from the different cultures that bear different understandings and visions of the nature and reality, the interpretation process would be the most crucial part of this research.

In order to firmly establish a connection between the two worlds, the true understanding of the Feng Shui core concept and principles would be carefully explored first; follow by the analysed comparison between those principles and the scientific methodologies and approaches. The research then would carry on the extend comparison of the sustainable design principles and Feng Shui Principles. Eventually, by using the finding of similarity among the two, the conclusion could be made whether Scientific Feng Shui exists and whether it could be considered the root of sustainable design in China.

Fig. 1 The Early Settlement of Banpo Village (source: adapted from University of Oregon, 2013)

Banpo Village (see Fig.1) was built on the North side bank of the river which would guarantee adequate amount of water for domestic and agricultural uses. Also it located on a little elevated plateau which have a fertile soil for cultivation and a mountain on the North direction in the back. This geographic features will help the village avoid flooding problem and shelter the village from the wind.

Furthermore, it seems that the orientation has been taken into account for site planning as well. To be more precise, most of the settlement were facing Eastern or Southern direction. This notion of orientation believed to be built based on observation that the South and East part of China are suitable for cultivation while the North and West are deserts. Also with climate information, this setting would allow advantage for dwellers comfort by gaining of solar access of the South and Summer breeze from the East while avoiding hot wind from the West and cold wind from the North which could be vital (see Fig. 2-3).

3. DEVELOPMENT OF FENG SHUI To understand Feng Shui complexity and the principles, it is necessary to study from its root. The development of Feng Shui is related to social and political context in different periods of Chinese history.

The story of how Feng Shui were developed could be divided into 4 period.

3.1 Neolithic Period (5000-2000 BC) The evidence which point out that people lived in the area nowadays called China own knowledge regarding Built Environment which later evolved to

Fig. 2 January Wind Direction (source: The Comet Program)

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cold. The similar of the Qi concept could be interpreted into a more detail version which branched into the other type energy and force we understand today such as electricity, energy, air movement, water current.

This indicates that people already started to gain knowledge of the the environment in scientific senses.

3.2.2 Ying and Yang Originated from observations of nature that everything have 2 opposing ends; Night and Day, Sun and Moon, Light and Dark, Men and Women etc., the two opposing ends of things could be categorised into two categories; the negative (Yin) and the positive (Yang). The concept of Ying and Yang believes that existence of things were all created by “Yi” (Change) which is a fruit of “Dao” (reaction generate by balanced Yin and Yang) All phenomenas believed to be unified under the balance of Yin and Yang lead to the creation of “Tai Chi” diagram (see Fig. 4) which were adopted in creation of Ba Gua (8 Trigrams) widely used in modern world Feng Shui.

Fig. 3 July Wind Direction (source: The Comet Program)

The theory used in Banpo Village was later called “Jing Shui, Shan Yang” which means Near Water, Facing Sunlight.

3.2 Ancient Period (2000-200 BC - AD900) The same concept for choosing site location from the Neolithic was still adopted at the beginning of this period (Shang - Zhou Dynasties) by using the mixture of two minor concept call Pu Zhai (House Divination) and Xiang Zhai (House Examination). The House Divination method would involve the magical approach ritual using heated rod on Animal Bones and interpret pattern to guide the way. The House Examination is said to be a lot more scientific because it based on survey and observation which similar to the modern world scientific method. The linked theory of these two methods is believed to be first called Feng Shui.

In the late Zhou Dynasty era, founded “Yi Jing” (The Book of Change) which considered to have great influence on Feng Shui; the book describes the creation of towns, cities and agriculture management in the rural area. After that, in the Spring and Autumn Period (722-481 BC), the others two philosophies which both played important roll originating Feng Shui were establish. The Confucianism by Confucius (551-479 BC) and The Taoism by Loa Zi (born ca. 604 BC). The three infamous Chinese philosophies considered basic theories of Feng Shui core principles also were founded in this period;

Fig. 4 Tai Chi Diagram (source: adapted from Mak and So 2011)

3.3.3 The 5 Elements The 5 elements concept based on 2 cycles of 5 elements; Fire, Earth, Wood, Metal, and Water, which were believed to be prime elements of all.

Firstly, this theory only included the observation summary of productive and destructive cycle (see fig.

5-6). The idea is very simple. In the productive cycle, Fire create ash which become earth where minerals (metal) could be found. Metal then when melt would become a liquid form (water) and water would grow plants (wood). The destructive cycle can be explained as; Fire could be put off by water which could be absorbed into the earth which are retained by wood that could be burnt down by fire.

3.2.1 Qi (Zhou Dynasty) Qi was defined by Taoism belief as vital Energy of any level existence for example, the energy of human being, life to nature, water current, growth of plantation. It was believed that the earth work as a form of living organism and its flow of energy is similar to human body. The location that have the flow of Qi that benefit the habitants is considered good location.

In the book of Zhang Shu (The Book of Burial)

by Guo Pu, it was defined that Qi would become cloud when it reaches the sky and able to move by wind (Yang Qi) and then falls down as rain (Yin Qi). Yin and Yang Qi could be applied to the originate of anything on earth. Also another type of Qi division is by life and death; the Shang Qi (Living Qi) was believed to be warm and moving while Sha Qi (Dead Qi) is still and 3/ 8

Fig. 7 The later used diagram that show the connection of 5 elements and orientation, Seasons, and Colours (source: adapted from Mak and So 2011)

Fig. 5 Productive cycle of 5 Elements (source: adapted from Mak and So 2011)

3.3 Medieval Period : Formation Period (200 BC AD900) The golden age of Chinese Civilisation started in The Han Dynasty (202 BC - AD 221). In this period, the new findings and development in many fields such as; philosophy, astronomy, medicine, science, technology, culture, art, architecture, music, and literature were very well achieved. This achievement led to the invention of Chinese Calendar, Astronomical Knowledge, and Chinese Compass.

The finding of Chinese calendar system created a unique Chinese solar calendar which is uses in Compass School.

Astronomical Knowledge created the concept of 4 emblems which interpreted the Feng Shui concept from the early periods and metaphorically represent them with 4 group of constellation which are; Dragon, Tiger, Bird, Tortoise.

The finding of Origin Chinese Basic Compass (Shi Compass) which was later developed into Luopan compass involved not just a magnetism to find orientation but was combined with celestial beliefs, solar month, and astronomical knowledge create a complex compass but the complexity of it made the use very difficult. The later Luopan compass is even more complex.

Fig. 6 Destructive cycle of 5 Elements (source: adapted from Mak and So 2011)

Later on, believing that the 5 elements is prime of everything, the philosophers, found connections between the 5 elements and seasons, orientation, and colours (see fig.7). Earth where the human live on has become the centre of the five.

Water which could become snow and ice represent Winter and the North where the cold wind blew from.

Wood which is already represent vegetation has a strong connection to Spring and the East where the sunshine in the morning as a symbol of life. Metal was attributed to bleak season of Autumn while roughness and hardness represent strong West sun. Fire which provide heat was attributed to the South and Summer.

3.4 Modern Period: The Two Schools of Thoughts Until this period, there were many branches of Feng Shui schools but the two well known major schools which were developed from different influence of social, geographical, scientific, and religious are From School and Compass School.

3.4.1 Form School (Xing Fa) The Form School derived from the theories of Zang Shu (The Book of Burial) mentioned in 3.2.1. Its principles regard the verification of physical configuration of mountains, water source, surrounding 4/ 8

areas, and buildings. The theory involve the comprehension of the topography, environment and natural phenomenas. Obviously, Form School mainly concentrates on sites analysis in order to pick the best location.

The Form School also adopted the 5 elements diagram and Qi philosophy from the ancient period and the four emblems theory founded in medieval period to explain the five geological secrets (see Fig. 8) which are; (1) The Dragon Vein The Dragon Vein is represent the flow of Qi from the higher peak considered to be representing the ancestors to the lower plateau (cave) where the site located.

(2) The Sand The 4 sand hills named after the 4 emblems located on four sides of the site tend to shelter the site from cold wind.

(3) The Water Same as the early settlement, water is a very important feature not only believed to be giving good Qi but also as a water source.

Having a good flow of water features on the South is considered essentially preferable.

(4) The Cave The cave represent the settlement itself (5) The Direction Again the 4 emblems and the 5 elements diagram are used to describe the preferable orientation of the site location.

3.4.2 Compass School Compass School is a very complicated Feng Shui theories. It primarily dealt with space and time by using the understanding of Chinese numerology, philosophy, and metaphysic. Also the explanation of this school involves Chinese celestial beliefs.

The origin of the name of Compass School is the Luopan compass (see Fig. 9) which is used to determine a flow of Qi, Balance of Yin-Yang, the location and direction of site, rooms and furniture.

Even though the Compass School is popularly used along side the Form School, the logics and calculations behind its principles and methodologies are still yet to be thoroughly understood and explained. It is also found that the interpretation of Compass School could be varies depend on the Masters (Lee 2016).

Fig. 9 Luopan Compass (source: Wikipedia)

4. SCIENTIFIC FENG SHUI 4.1 General Scientific Method Undeniably, individual beliefs and different culture contexts influence the perception toward natural phenomenas and vision to reality. Scientific methods is a “finding problem and solution� procedure used for constructing a reliable process which minimise these influence and would deliver results which are unbiased. The general scientific method consist of 4 steps as follow; 4.1.1 Observe and question 4.1.2 Form hypotheses 4.1.3 Test hypotheses 4.1.4 Establish Theory or conclusion 4.2 Defining Magical and Scientific Feng Shui To study Feng Shui in scientific approaches, each theories have to be analised if they were created with the 4 steps of scientific methodologies.

4.2.1 Neolithic Period The early establishment concept can be concluded as a result of finding problems and

Fig. 8 Form School Model (source: adapted from Mak and So 2011)

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solutions because obviously the way of thinking has been through the process of observation for a periods in order to understand how the natural phenomenas works and then work by try toward finding the best solution for site location.

concept is based on human interaction with environment to enhance the environment and make the spaces enjoyable for the users.

4.2.2 Ancient Period The house examination which involve survey and observation in order to evaluate the options could be considered scientific while the house divination which used unexplainable method is undoubtedly fell into magical category.

The later philosophies of Qi, Yin-Yang, and 5 elements also involves a lot of observation; however, the celestial approach added to all philosophies make them very questionable. These 3 philosophies could only considered to be uncompleted scientific theories.

4.2.3 Medieval Period Similar to the 3 philosophies from the ancient period, even though, the understanding in calendar system, astronomical knowledge, and the finding of compass theories had obviously been through a lot of research but the celestial approaches added created doubts. These theories would also be categorised as uncompleted scientific theories.

4.2.3 Modern Period The concept of the Form School derived from the early settlement concept can be also considered scientific while the concept of the Compass School might be considered non-scientific at all because even though the instruments used are the invention based on scientific knowledge but the comprehension of how they were used to calculate and the uncertainty of the delivered result which cause by relying on an individual Feng Shui Master to interpret.

Fig. 10 Comparison between Feng shui core model and Sustainable Design core model (source: adapted from Y Mak. 2XXX)

5. SUSTAINABLE DESIGN & FENG SHUI Not only scientific approaches in Feng Shui that could be noticed but some theories of Feng Shui also share some similar logical thinking with sustainable design. As mentioned before that Feng Shui concept primarily is to weave the connection and create harmonisation between heaven, earth, and human; the sustainable design concept also to create a balance of relationship between social context, environment, and human. The similarity between Feng Shui Design and Sustainable Design is obvious. (see Fig. 10)

5.1.2 Circular Design (Cradle to Cradle) The concept of circular design was started by William McDonough and Partners. They introduce the design scheme based on the the idea of create a loop cycle of reduce, reuse, and recycle through the knowledge of natural system. This concept does not only cover the materiality but also extend to cover the effectiveness of energy usage to nutrient cycle.

5.1.3 Energy Efficiency The achievement of energy efficiency involve the intelligence of site planning and building design.

The design use the built environment to benefit the users and create satisfaction, for example, using and balancing solar gain, daylight gain, and natural ventilation.

5.1 Sustainable Design Principles 5.1.1Constructivism Most of the sustainable design development are standing on the constructivist perspective which is learning and researching based on a combination of 2 set of knowledges; cognitive psychology and social psychology. Sustainable design uses these 2 psychology approaches to create spaces that would build knowledges and skills for the end user. The

5.1.4 Balance between Natural and the Built Environment

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The idea started with the studied done by USGBC which revealed that allowing natural elements to be bringing in a person’s environment would not only transform the space to be more enjoyable but also have positive effect on user behaviour.

5.1.5 Thinking Global; Buying Local The concept is basically for the design to concern about the big picture of global economy and environment. Consequently, to buy local product and cut the cost and energy of transportation, generate less waste would surely improve the environment condition.

encourage people to concern not just about inner circle but the big picture as well.

5.2 Sustainable Design and Feng Shui This part of the paper would discuss the connection between the green design principles mentioned in 5.1 and Feng Shui Principle which has been explained in section 3 and 4.

5.2.1 Unity Between Heaven and Human and Constructivism The creation of unity between heaven and human would be based on the harmonisation between 3 things, heaven, earth, and human. This harmonisation rely on balancing the physical and no physical forms of environment to enhance space quality which is similar to the constructivism idea which take into account both cognitive and social psychological factor in order to create enjoyable environment.

5.2.2 The Five Element Cycles and Circular Design The relation between these 2 principles is distinctive. They are both based on the understanding of how destructive and productive cycle in order to create a neutral stage.

5.2.3 Yin and Yang Harmony and Balance between natural and built environment.

It could metaphorically said that if the built environment is considered Yin then the natural context would be Yang. The idea of balancing these two ends appears in both Feng Shui and Sustainable design principles.

5.2.4 Form School and Energy Efficiency As described in (3.4.1) the form school direction uses criteria based on scientific methods to select the best site location, site planning, building orientation and design. This criteria would allow the users to gain maximum benefit from the environment which would limit energy usage to efficiency.

5.2.5 “Balance between Interior and Exterior spaces” and “Thinking Global; Buying Local” This Feng Shui principle on this matter mainly focus on thinking about how the change of interior and exterior spaces would have and impact on each other which even though not exactly the same but similar with the Thinking Global; Buying Local idea which 7/ 8

6. CONCLUSION From this research, it could be firmly concluded that the Feng Shui philosophies are not entirely superstitious. Even though there are many aspects of Feng Shui that could not be explained and comprehended by scientific methodologies but the originate of the principles from the early settlement (5000 - 3000 BC) is proven to be based on the scientific methodologies more than just non-logical ancient beliefs. These principles has been adopted as used up to today in the Form School model. However, the uncontrollable continuos usage of Feng Shui in magical direction would, consequently, create the continuos belief that Feng Shui is superstitious.

Furthermore, it is obvious that since the notion was started in the period without any technology that would help human cope with the climate condition, the founded way to deal with natural phenomenas by using mostly rules of thumb and adaptation to live along side with nature would have less impact on the environment and as a result could be considered the basic of sustainable design. However, undoubtedly, the modern world sustainable design was studied in deeper and broader perspectives and would be more suitable for the design for the present day than Feng Shui theories.

The most important lesson learnt from this research is that not all the ancient or old knowledge could be considered to be behind. Some of the notions from old period might bear forgotten modern knowledges which people left behind and moved on until realising later or re-found it later even.

Consequently, it could be manifested that, the ways people in the old day living with out the support of technology are worth studying and could lead to the development of the modern world.

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REFERENCES PUBLISHED MATERIALS Brophy, V. and J.O. Lewis (2011) A Green Vitruvius . 2nd Edition. Earthscan Hawkes, D. (1996). The Environmental Tradition. E&FS Spon, London.

Hausladen, G. (2012). Building to suit the Climate. Birkhauser.

MAK, M.Y. and Ge, J.X. (2010) 'Sustainable design and feng shui: a case study of an office building in Sydney', CIB World Building Congress 2010: Law and Dispute Resolution, Salford, 10-13 May. International Council for Research and Innovation in Building and Construction (CIB). Available at: https://www.irbnet.de/ daten/iconda/CIB_DC24655.pdf (Accessed: 23 February 2016).

Mak, M.Y. and Ge, J.X. (2012) 'Feng Shui: A Chinese Perspective of Sustainability', Global Chinese Real Estate Congress 2012 Annual Conference, Macau, 3-5 July 2012. GCREC. Available at: http:// www.umac.mo/fba/gcrec2012/83974183/12203-Mak.pdf (Accessed: 23 February 2016).

Mak, M.Y. and So, A.T. (2011) Scientific Feng Shui for the Built Environment - Fundamentals and Case Studies. Available at: http://www.amazon.co.uk/CityU-Press-Scientific-Environment-Fundamentals-ebook/dp/ B006OIR92O/ref=tmm_kin_title_sr?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= (Downloaded: 23 February 2016).

Mak, Y and So,T. (2011) Research in Scientific Feng Shui and the Built Environment.

Available at: http://www.amazon.co.uk/CityU-Press-Research-Scientific-Environment-ebook/dp/ B00BHIBV0C?ie=UTF8&keywords=research%20in%20scientific%20feng %20shui&qid=1461591515&ref_=sr_1_1&s=digital-text&sr=1-1 (Downloaded: 23 February 2016).

S. Yannas and Weber, W. (Eds. 2013). Lessons from Vernacular Architecture . Earthscan/Routledge.

Thomas, R. (ed. 2005). Environmental Design . Taylor & Francis.

Wittkopf S.K. and B.K. Tan (Eds. 2007). Sun , Wind and Architecture. Proc. PLEA 2007, National University of Singapore. [CD] Woolley, T. (2006). Natural Building. A guide to materials and techniques. The Crowood Press.

INTERNET REFERENCE 'List of Neolithic cultures in China' (2013) Wikipedia. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ List_of_Neolithic_cultures_of_China (Accessed: 25 April 2016) PERSONAL INTERVIEW Lee, M. (2016) 'Talking with Thai Feng Shui Master'. Interviewed by Varunya Jarunyaroj., 19 March 2016.

Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWPBGJoHKvk (Accessed: 25 April 2016).

IMAGE REFERENCES Fig. 1

Fig. 2

Fig. 3

The Early Settlement of Banpo Village (Adapted) University of Oregon (2013) Keyword 2 [Illustration]. Available at: http://pages.uoregon.edu/inaasim/ Foundations/Keynotes%202.htm (Accessed: 25 April 2016).

January Wind Direction The Comet Program (2013) Introduction to Tropical Meteorology [Illustration]. Available at: http:// www.goes-r.gov/users/comet/tropical/textbook_2nd_edition/print_3.htm (Accessed: 25 April 2016).

July Wind Direction

University of Oregon (2013) Keyword 2 [Illustration]. Available at: http://pages.uoregon.edu/inaasim/ Foundations/Keynotes%202.htm (Accessed: 25 April 2016).

Fig. 4 Tai Chi diagram (Adapted) Mak, M.Y. and So, A.T. (2011) Scientific Feng Shui for the Built Environment - Fundamentals and Case Studies. Available at: http://www.amazon.co.uk/CityU-Press-Scientific-EnvironmentFundamentals-ebook/dp/B006OIR92O/ref=tmm_kin_title_sr?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= (Downloaded: 23 February 2016).

Fig. 5 The 5 Element productive cycle (Adapted) Mak, M.Y. and So, A.T. (2011) Scientific Feng Shui for the Built Environment - Fundamentals and Case Studies. Available at: http://www.amazon.co.uk/CityU-Press-Scientific-EnvironmentFundamentals-ebook/dp/B006OIR92O/ref=tmm_kin_title_sr?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= (Downloaded: 23 February 2016).

Fig. 6 The 5 Element destructive cycle (Adapted) Mak, M.Y. and So, A.T. (2011) Scientific Feng Shui for the Built Environment - Fundamentals and Case Studies. Available at: http://www.amazon.co.uk/CityU-Press-Scientific-EnvironmentFundamentals-ebook/dp/B006OIR92O/ref=tmm_kin_title_sr?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= (Downloaded: 23 February 2016).

Fig. 7 The later 5 Element digram (Adapted) Mak, M.Y. and So, A.T. (2011) Scientific Feng Shui for the Built Environment - Fundamentals and Case Studies. Available at: http://www.amazon.co.uk/CityU-Press-Scientific-EnvironmentFundamentals-ebook/dp/B006OIR92O/ref=tmm_kin_title_sr?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= (Downloaded: 23 February 2016).

Fig. 8 Form School Model (Adapted) Mak, M.Y. and So, A.T. (2011) Scientific Feng Shui for the Built Environment - Fundamentals and Case Studies. Available at: http://www.amazon.co.uk/CityU-Press-Scientific-EnvironmentFundamentals-ebook/dp/B006OIR92O/ref=tmm_kin_title_sr?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= (Downloaded: 23 February 2016).

Fig. 9 Luopan Compass Wikipedia (2015) Feng Shui [Illustration]. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feng_shui (Accessed: 25 April 2016).

Fig. 10 Comparison between Feng shui core model and Sustainable Design core model (Adapted) Mak, M.Y. and So, A.T. (2011) Scientific Feng Shui for the Built Environment - Fundamentals and Case Studies. Available at: http://www.amazon.co.uk/CityU-Press-Scientific-EnvironmentFundamentals-ebook/dp/B006OIR92O/ref=tmm_kin_title_sr?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= (Downloaded: 23 February 2016).

Singapore Vernacular to Modern Housing PreColonial - Colonial - Modern OVERVIEW As a matter of fact that the modern housing in Singapore is as in many developed cities, look the same, the development of housing typologies seems to be regardless of the environment & climate condition. By studying the history and characteristics of kampong houses & shop houses, the understanding of how Singaporean dwelling should be connected to the environment would help guiding the development of new Singaporean Housing to have better performance in term of thermal comfort and energy efficient.

RESEARCH QUESTION • What are the differences in building performance between each period of architectural development?

• Are there any alteration for future development of sustainable public housing design that could be taken from the vernacular house to improve the sustainable performance?

HYPOTHESIS • The modern typology might be design regardless the climate condition and users comfort • The vernacular and housing typologies might bear some knowledge which was overlooked in the modern design.

METHODOLOGIES 1. Study the Different Housing type From Different Periods Means of studying housing typologies (Performance Assessment) - Measurement (if possible) - Simulation (In case measurement is not possible) Housing typologies

- Study Kampong House (Pre-Colonial) Building Performance on Palau Ubin Island (Singapore) - Study Shop House (Colonial) Building Performance - Study Public Housing (Modern) Building Performance 2. Compare the differences between each housing typologies 3. Study the Case studies of considered sustainable buildings in Singapore EXPECTED OUTCOME The dissertation is expected to delivered a guideline of new housing design solution derived by the study of the vernacular architectures which could enhance the quality of space and condition.

KEY LITERATURE Koch-Nielsen, H. (2002) Stay Cool: A Design Guide for The Built Environment in Hot Climate. Reprint, New York: Earthscan, 2007.

TIME TABLE May Week 1-3 Week 4 June Week 1-2 Week 3-4 July Week 1-2 Week 3-4 August Week 1-4

Research and Study Literatures Research and Plan Field study Field study Research Calculation and Simulation Finalise Outcome Finalise Report