With the arrival of the Chinese Year of the Monkey, many of us are taking time to consider their goals for the future, and for some planning to buy or build a new home. If this is you, you may also want to think about incorporating the philosophy of Feng Shui into your home design.
Feng Shui is a way of using design and architecture to maintain harmony with the energy in the environment. It has been practised in China for thousands of years, and is used as a means of promoting a peaceful home environment, as well as to bring wealth and prosperity to the home and its inhabitants. This is achieved through focusing on such aspects as clean design lines, specific orientation of furniture, and the way in which work and rest spaces are kept separate. Feng Shui also emphasises a clutter-free household, both inside and out, allowing for a more natural flow of energy, or ‘chi’.
However, it’s not just for these reasons that many who are looking to build their new home follow the principles of Feng Shui. This approach to design can also be used for aesthetic and practical reasons, and following a traditional Feng Shui philosophy can result in beautiful and highly liveable architecture. However, those homes designed in accordance with these principles are just like any other, subject to the Building Code of Australia (BCA) and Council’s planning controls, and for some clients this can cause concern.
So how do you ensure that your design passes the required building regulations? The first step is to discuss your plans with an architect at the start of the process. Be open to suggestions, but don’t feel shy about insisting on parts of the design that follow Feng Shui and which are important to you. At Navon Solutions we regularly work with experienced architects who can also assist with Feng Shui requirements.
The next step is to contact Navon Solutions because we understand the bureaucratic process and can help to ensure that you can still have the home of your dreams, while meeting Council’s controls. Contact us on either 02 8355 7108 or at office@navonsolutions.com.au for more information.