October 2024 FSIM Quarterly Meeting Recap by Mary Conley, FSIM Board Member
Feng Shui and its Application to Architectural Design Projects RD Chin, author of Feng Shui Revealed October 8, 2024 RD Chin, author, teacher, architect, and Feng Shui Practitioner, presented at the October 2024 FSIM Quarterly Meeting. RD uses the following as his template for developing information for a Feng Shui consultation: -5 Elements: Chinese concept of the balance of the world using Fire, Earth, Metal, Water and Wood Energies -Lo Shu Square/9 Star Ki: Using the client’s birthdates, he creates the Lo Shu Square as a guiding point regarding the clients’ elemental characteristics -Ba Gua: design template of space The following Feng Shui fundamental principles (Universal Human Values) are utilized as well: -Nature: using green design, sustainable redevelopment, natural fibers -Concept of Chi: energy moving not too fast or not stagnant -Feeling Safe and Protected: feeling safe and being in control in your space -Yin/Yang: dynamic balance of opposites -I-Ching: Change -Ba Gua as a design template of the space: balance of life -5 Elements for Shapes: application of shapes and colors (transformations of energy) 5 Elements-Structural Design Looking at various architectural structures, we can apply Feng Shui by identifying the elemental shapes as they relate to the diagram of the 5 Elements and noting how these are apparent in the design. He provided several examples of these including the pyramid in the Louvre as fire, the Louvre building as Earth, and the Stupa in Nepal where fire and metal are represented with the triangle at the top and the round dome below it. Chi/Qi-Energy Flow Qi is the flow of energy, the life force, the intangible force, but yet so palpable. Expressing this concept of Qi is fundamental to Feng Shui consultation. He discussed ways in which we can experience and enhance our internal chi through meditation, yoga, creating a quiet space in our minds, Qi Gong, Breath work, Om, etc. Having our personal experience of Qi supports us in being able to express this concept to clients. Consultations We are designers trying to achieve the clients’ goals. Keeping this in mind, RD noted the importance of providing the client a handwritten floor plan because it is infused with the practitioner's energy. In creating floor plans, RD uses colored pencils for his sketches and circular bubbles to identify each of the areas of the bagua. In addition, he notes the recommendations for change directly on the floor plan. The 9 Star Key and 5 Elements based on the client’s birthdate are illustrated on the floor plan as well. He labels the floor plan with the date and client name so this becomes a reference for this point in time as things do change over the course of time. A blessing ceremony using orange peels, nine envelopes for writing intentions, and the bagua as a guide for placing the envelopes can be included to imbue the consultation with added energy. The orange peels are created in circular shapes to represent gold coins. Using the 9 Star Key as the guide to follow the path overlaid onto the bagua, the orange peels are thrown. RD reviewed several floor plans as examples of his consultations, which included one for a Wall Street firm, Standard Chartered Bank of New York, and several others. He shared his proposal for the World Trade Center Memorial, which was beautifully designed with the 5 Elements. RD also shared his personal journey to wellness with us, which was infused with Feng Shui. It was an amazing inspirational story. One thing that he emphasized was the importance of healthy food as medicine, using the lens of the 5 Elements to eat all the colors of the rainbow. And most important relative to our chi energy, his parting words were that “we are like a lighthouse, sharing our light.” You can contact RD Chin by going to his website: https://rdchin.com/ | 
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