As we arrive at the Spring Equinox, the world feels expansive and hopeful. Creating new built environments is a privilege and a pleasure for me, and several of my fengshui newbuild projects with wonderful clients are moving forward or almost completed. So, I felt inspired to summarise the process and value of considering Feng Shui as part of a wellness build.

Firstly, what is a wellness architecture project?

Wellness architecture is “The practice of architecture that relies on the art and science of designing built environments with socially conscious systems and materials to promote the harmonious balance between physical, emotional, cognitive and spiritual wellbeing while regenerating the natural environment. Human health, wellbeing and comfort are key design considerations that augment a foundation rooted in sustainable and regenerative design practices.” (Source: Global Wellness Institute, Wellness Architecture Initiative) 

I was an active member of the Global Wellness Institute’s Wellness Architecture Initiative for 3 years, before I took a break in June 2021 to concentrate on my projects and family matters, and I greatly enjoy the overlap between feng shui wisdom and wellness architecture priniciples. 

We can see straight away from the definition above that there is a depth and breadth to true wellness architecture that goes far beyond putting a few lavender shrubs to provide an ‘indoor-outdoor’ nature-inspired relaxation space! 

Did you know that Feng Shui is one of the 8 Brocades of Chinese Medicine and was originally used much more for health than wealth? There are specific correlations with the 8 directions and the major organs and parts of the body. The simple fact is that no spa wellness centre or wellness build has a right to call itself such if it ignores Feng Shui wisdom. I see too many drastic mistakes being made in the world of wellness design.

I go into much more depth in my new book 5D Wellbeing - purchase here - about the cross overs between Feng Shui and wellness architecture but to summarise them here, they are:

Dimensions of Wellness  - and the Feng Shui equivalent

• Mental/Intellectual Wellbeing  - Mindfulness in design and harmonised energy in the final built space
• Physical Safety - safe and ergonomic chi flow in the space
• Emotional - balance of elements leading to emotional equilibrium
• Spiritual - spirit of place, synergy with the natural surroundings
• Environmental - eco materials, do no harm, balance Heaven, Human and Earth
• Economic/Occupational/Financial  - give to receive, find your purpose, improve abundance in local community
• Social - harmony amongst the occupants and acknowledging the importance of interconnectedness

All these dimensions are of course interconnected and from a holistic health point of view each of them affect the other and create a synergy. This blog would be 4000 words long if I wrote in more detail, but here is how I see the whole process:-

1. Hire us as the Feng Shui consultants at PRE-PLANNING stage!

Most people get an architect to design a home and submit to planning, get it approved and then seek the advice of the Feng Shui consultant. While there is definitely a lot I can do after planning, it would give you so much more scope of application to have the Feng Shui advice during the design creation stage to then submit to planning. Some areas such as AONB (Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty) have such strict rules and such slow processes that it prohibits submitting changes to the application.

2. Pre-planning advice

The Feng Shui can advise on precise orientations (based on the 64 hexagrams of the I'ching) that resonate with health, prosperity and harmony for example. Also, we look at the natural world with different eyes to an architect and give design advice to use techniques to draw in good energies and deflect undesirable influences. So, the design in the submitted planning application has already had the main Feng Shui aspects considered. This might also include a level of interior detail to include fundamental wellness architecture principles such as use of energy, water, eco materials, and suggesting healthy non toxic building materials. I will also advise on air quality and water quality and how to minimise electromagnetic pollution (something that is often not included in usual wellness architecture for some baffling reason). There is also a fun practice of  'nudge architecture' which makes it easier to maintain healthy habits. I even look at how the orientation of the home connects to the clients astrology data, as some directions are more supportive than others. This can often include the room usage - who is best in which area, since we don't want to submit a plan with a master bedroom overlooking a terrace that might then need to be changed. This will even include which direction the bed faces and in which part of the room it is located. The position of the kitchen is also vital as are large bodies of water like swimming pools and areas where water leaves the property (bathrooms, WCs and laundry rooms). We will even give advice on sacred geometry that could enhance the property design.

3. Feng Shui Landscaping or Garden design

The Feng Shui design of the external space needs to be included right from the outset as it influences the rest of the building design, but usually is added last since the planning guidelines are usually (but not always) more flexible about what is put around the house. This needs to be totally changed in the whole design process.

4. Emotional needs of the clients

I always ask my clients how they are hoping to feel in their new home and what areas of life could be improved, if any. While I always try to create a design strategy that supports health, career and loving relationship harmony, sometimes it is necessary to focus on one area more than another. Some people want to start a family in their new home, so it needs to be designed to support this - I even helped a Basingstoke Feng Shui client once choose a rental with a view to having their first son - job done, within 2 years of moving in she had a beautiful baby boy! Imagine she had not followed my advice and rented a home that didn't support the male energies and the directions associated with the first male child? Could have been very different and they might have had a third beautiful daughter.

5. Customisation of the space & design sign off

As we start to move towards more detail we can include more of the astrology, not only in terms of which household member suits which room best but which colours, shapes and textures are suitable in the spaces to support both the Feng Shui and the astrology of the people where possible. I also love to include auspicious dimensions for bespoke joinery. Once the details are decided the design is signed off and orders can be placed.

6. The Physical Build & the Timing

It is best to start the physical build with a 'Groundbreaking Ceremony' so that the natural environment is approached with respect before disturbing it significantly with digging and demolition. There are better dates than others in the Chinese almanac (applies universally) to start the foundations or to erect the structure or to put the roof on etc. The build is likely to have started before the exact interior design concepts are settled upon, as the footprint and interior layouts of the home will have already been decided upon so that building works can commence. The build process takes months and often years, so the interiors tend to be fine tuned as the project progresses. This helps the client manage their cashflow. Having said that, so much consideration is required at the outset, that my fees are generally front-loaded, since the layouts have to already be pretty precise pre-planning stage for all of the Feng Shui to be as optimised as possible. Generally the interior fine-tuning is only 10-15% of the entire Feng Shui advice.

Generally, we support you in working with your own local architects and interior designers as this is good for the local economy. But there are some projects where we can supply the architect, interior designer and even the building team. 

With the Feng Shui and wellness guidance influencing the architectural designs and interior design, you can be confident that you are creating your dream home to not only look good but to feel good and more importantly be good for your energy, happiness and success in life!

My new book 5D Wellbeing gives the reader important insight into the process of applying Feng Shui to new builds.

 You can buy it from Amazon here

If you have a new build project you would like to discuss, anywhere in the world, feel free to Contact me for a free 20 min Discovery Call.

Kindest, Sarah