Feng Shui for Condominium

Feng Shui for Condominum - House Hunting

Feng Shui for Condo Vs HDB

Is Feng Shui for Condos and HDBs the same? That is a common question, especially for potential buyers of condo units or for those who are currently residing in one. Based on some quick research online, we discovered that certain Feng Shui Masters have varying prices for Condo and HDB residential units.

Yes, there is a difference between evaluating the Feng Shui for a condominium apartment unit and that of an HDB. However, the difference is minute and eventually boils down to a few varying factors, such as a more expansive external environment and a more elaborate internal architectural design.

In this article, we will provide a comprehensive guide exploring the difference between Feng Shui for Condos and HDBs, 3 Feng Shui tips for buying a condo, and a little discussion on how condominium Feng Shui is essential for a balanced living environment.

Key differences

The external environment

First and foremost, the external environment. For this, we refer to the external environment, such as the garden, the water feature, and the BBQ pavilion within your development. The external environment holds more weight as these all belong to you! Essentially, purchasing a condo unit does not just mean the internal layout itself; one purchases a part of the encompassing environment within the development. From a Feng Shui perspective, the external environment now holds a much larger weight as it forms part of your living space.

With different themes and designs of each condominium, there may be very different flows of energy. The spatial arrangement of facilities, water features, swimming pools, and pavilions may all have a Feng Shui impact on one's house. Mid-level or high-rise facilities may also be built within the apartment building for high-rise condos. In short, condominium projects have a lot more varying building design features, which will lead to the need for more evaluation. We will touch on a few concepts here to illustrate this broadly.

Water Features

Not to be confused with swimming pools. It is common to notice a water feature at the development or building entrance. Depending on its features (direction of the flow, material, colour, etc.), it may generate a positive energy flow or not be that prosperous.

Pavilions

Pavilions, especially those with sharp corners, may also cause concern, especially when the condominium unit is on a lower floor. The same is true for BBQ pits. Not only will you have to contend with the frequent smoke and smell, but it may also bring negative energy. This depends on the Feng Shui analysis of each apartment's floor plan.

Swimming pools

A hallmark of a condominium project will be the swimming pool. Having a swimming pool is tricky. These bodies of water can either attract auspicious energy or, in some cases, their aggressive energy flows may just "erode" positive energy. This will largely depend on the direction, shape, and directional flow of the water bodies.

High footfall facilities or main driveway

Some condominium units may have walkways or driveways, with the exception of footfall facilities.

Central garbage chute

Proximity to the central refute area may be an issue. However, this is less likely amongst the newer developments as they are usually designed to be situated away from the main residential area within the development.

The external environment may be impacted by multiple factors. There are condominium units with very specific themes. Some take on the blue and white theme of Santorini, others are very water-front themed with multiple water features on top of having a waterfront view, and some projects revolve around nature and greenery. Each theme may result in a very different Feng Shui of the macro environment.

The Internal Layouts

The internal layout of a condominium usually differs quite a fair bit from that of an HDB setup. Although the square footage and number of rooms are very similar, there are other settings that set apart a condominium unit from an HDB setup. These include full-height windows, balconies, private lifts, special units (Patio, loft, penthouse), and the luxury of having furnishing included.

Windows:

Full Height Window - Feng Shui for Condo — Full-height Window

A full-height window is one of a condominium unit's most iconic architectural features. It not only increases natural light in the apartment but also adds to its poshness and class. However, from a Feng Shui perspective, a full-height window may be a cause of concern.

Balconies:

The more modern HDB settings do have balconies as well. However, there is no doubt that balconies are more prevalent in condominium projects rather than HDB. Having a balcony as part of the house structure could be good or bad from Feng Shui's perspective. It ultimately boils down to the facing direction of the balcony and the apartment.

Private Lifts:

Some condominium projects have private lifts that open at your doorstep. Based on the broad principles of Feng Shui, the doors of elevators at your doorstep are far from ideal, and additional procedures may have to be taken to resolve this.

Floors, Patios, Lofts & Penthouses:

Many may ask for the ideal floor level from Feng Shui's perspective; while there is a method to compute this, the effects are negligible based on our experience. More importantly, condominium projects have varying floor levels, and the design may vary greatly.

Patio units, being on the ground floor, will be heavily influenced by their surrounding external environment. This is like a landed property. Patio units usually have high ceilings and larger window panels, and some may even have the option of a loft being constructed.

Loft structures not only increase the floor area but also bring about a very important element of residential feng shui—stairs. Positioning of this is critical to avoid bad energy. Loft units, in a way, create a double-storey concept, and certain furnishings may be considered for positioning/avoidance.

Penthouses are another common type of residence found in a condominium. Depending on each project offering, dual-storey or single-plate penthouses may exist. The penthouse may also have the option of a rooftop space. All these will contribute to the complications of Feng Shui analysis and are largely different from what a usual HDB unit will comprise.

It is increasingly common for tall buildings, especially condo buildings, to have facilities on the middle floors or sometimes on the topmost floor. Depending on the project, some units may be closely situated in certain facilities, which may have a Feng Shui impact.

The included furnishings may work for you or against Feng Shui Principles. In most condominium projects, the furnishings are all done up, and this may or may not be favourable. Although some of the furnishings can be altered, they may come at an additional cost. Hence, for condominium projects, especially selecting a new unit during the house hunting phase, this can be a point of consideration for potential buyers.

3 Feng Shui Tips For Buying a Condo

Similar to the concept of house hunting, the three most important considerations for selecting a condominium will be the external environment, direction, and internal layout. We will briefly touch on these three concepts, and detailed information can be found in the previous article dedicated to house hunting.

1. Choosing the right stack

The right stack will determine the general direction of the house. This is likely the most important point, especially when selecting a condominium. The right stack not only determines the general direction of the house but may also put you in an advantageous or disadvantageous position, depending on your environment. Unlike HDB blueprints, where future development may not be predictable, prospective buyers of a condominium unit will have knowledge of the design of the project facade. This gives buyers a potential advantage.

2. Understanding the external environment

Depending on the optimal direction, the external environment will be considered. For a condominium project, the external environment likely comprises both the project's internal facade and developments outside of the condominium project. Be sure to research both, and if you are engaging a Feng Shui Master for house hunting, be certain to provide them with this information.

3. Layouts - Furnishing and fittings

The layouts of condominiums are usually much unique compared to HDB units. HDB projects tend to follow a similar layout, while condominiums usually have very unique house structures, depending on each project. These layouts, while unique, may either be a great advantage or a huge concern from a Feng Shui perspective. There may also be special units such as dual key, patio, loft, or penthouse.

In addition, the bed direction may also be a cause of concern (you may refer to the article here). Considering that furnishings are included, there may be little opportunity to change the facing direction of a particular furnishing.

Feng Shui Consultation for your Condo unit

Since you are spending more than a million on a unit, it will be best to get one that suits you. Feng Shui has been around for centuries if not more than a millennium; the essence and wisdom of Chinese Metaphysics should not be undermined.

Why the need for Feng Shui Consultation?

There are many instances where bad Feng Shui has resulted in less-than-desirable luck in life. Although there is no direct attribution, it is up to each individual's beliefs to determine how much Feng Shui plays in one's luck or destiny. We have always believed in the concept of cosmic trinity, where Heaven, Earth, and Mankind's luck all play a part. You may view this article here for more information on the cosmic trinity.

As in our previous articles, Residential Feng Shui should always be the priority, considering how much time we spend in our homes.

How it helps?

Having a Feng Shui Consultation only helps to either amplify or alleviate the situation. For the believers, Feng Shui will be able to reduce the hardship during tough times and maximize your luck during the good periods. For the not-so-much of a believer, Feng Shui may well be the trigger to the positive reinforcement cycle that you need, especially when you are in a bad patch.

For those who are contemplating how "true" Feng Shui can be, maybe you should take a look at Feng Shui being practiced on a larger scale. With Google being so powerful, information transparency is literally at our fingertips. You may begin with a search on Feng Shui regarding the SGD 1-dollar coin or perhaps Feng Shui of Suntec City Mall.

Should you wish to learn more, we are just a WhatsApp away!

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional Feng Shui advice. Feng Shui practices and interpretations can vary, and their effectiveness may differ based on individual circumstances and specific locations. For personalized guidance, it is strongly recommended to consult with a qualified Feng Shui Master or professional consultant who can assess your unique situation. The author and company are not responsible for any outcomes resulting from the application of Feng Shui principles described in this article. Always use caution and discretion when implementing any Feng Shui methods.