Quantification of Feng-Shui Principles in the Design of Korean Houses

Abstract

Although Feng-Shui has been widely used in architecture and urban design and planning for thousands of years, it has not been properly studied as a scientific and thus rational approach. Feng-Shui has been recognized as an environment-friendly design and planning method in recent years due to its thoughtful consideration on the harmonious relationship between architecture and the natural environment. This study investigates its major principles and techniques that have been widely used in the design of houses through previous relevant researches. Then, the principles and techniques that are relevant to the residential uses are indexed for the quantification of Feng-Shui. Ten Feng-Shui indices are formulated and each index is quantified to make five points for a perfect match. These indices are then tested on three different types of house in Korea, namely traditional Korean houses, contemporary Korean style houses and contemporary architects' houses. The result shows that the first type of house records the highest Feng-Shui points and then the second and third types in that order. This result convinces us that the Feng-Shui indices can very effectively represent the degree of environmentally friendly design.