Product Description

Feng Shui for Architecture is a guide to using the ancient science and philosophy of feng shui for the purpose of designing, building, remodeling, and decorating our homes successfully so that they will become environments that support our lives and our well-being. The information is presented in a user-friendly manual format and can be utilized by homeowners and builders and also by professional designers and architects.

When first introduced to feng shui, most people ask, "Should I wait until after the building is designed, constructed, and decorated and have it all in nice shape before I call in a feng shui expert, or should I work with a consultant before I start all this?"

Some may think that by bringing in a feng shui consultant after everything is completed and seems perfect to their eyes, things will more likely look complete and perfect to the feng shui master’s eyes, as well. In almost every situation such as this, the feng shui master will be facing a dilemma: "Should I tell this person where the errors are and then displease them by finding flaws where they thought there was perfection, or should I just make them feel good about the effort they have made so far and tell them that everything is okay?"

The primary goal of the book is to assist homeowners and professionals in designing houses with "good feng shui" from the start instead of trying to put a bandage on problems or make patchwork corrections afterwards.

For years, an ongoing architectural debate has raged between style and functionality. The ideal solution takes both into account and also considers the subtler energies that can affect the health and happiness of a building’s occupants.

Many of the greatest architects of the past, such as Michelangelo, Borromini, and Guarino Guarini, have pursued the study of metaphysics. They have searched for an invisible ideal order for design. The celebrated Frank Lloyd Wright was a great admire of the Taoist philosopher Lao Tzu. Curiously, however, some of the great masterpieces of architecture do not always appear to be the most comfortable structures to live in. Like many other masterpieces of architecture, some of the most original works have become museums or showcases, not happily inhabited residences. Is it the style, the design, or something else that makes a house a dream home? Perhaps it is the ambient energy that determines whether a building supports its occupants in a positive way. Regardless of the particular design style, the energy blueprint of a building and its relationship to the occupants should be considered before any other concerns.

Readers of Feng Shui for Architecture may decide to familiarize themselves with the practices outlined in the book and then use it as a reference guide for home design and furnishing. Those in the process of building or buying can use it as a checklist for the various aspects under consideration. Readers in the architecture, construction, or design industries can also consider it as a formal study aid, digest the contents of each chapter, and then refer to the book in their daily work.

In order to help readers to better understand the practical application that constitutes most of the book, an initial overview of the history, the underlying theory, and the more abstract aspects of feng shui are offered in the first two chapters. Readers who would rather focus on direct applications can skip the beginning of the book, go to Chapter Three, and perhaps read the historical and theoretical material later.

The book opens with an introduction. Part One then describes what feng shui is, how it came about, and what it can do for the reader. Part Two deals with the relationship between architecture and feng shui and how the two interact. Part Three explains the concept of Qi (life-force energy) in its various forms and its actions and importance in daily life. Part Four deals with basic theories such as Yin/Yang, the Five Elements, and the Eight Trigrams. Without a proper foundation in these basic principles, it is difficult to understand how feng shui works in practice and how to apply it successfully.

Part Five elaborates on the environment of a property, whether in an urban or country setting. It includes the application of principles concerning how Qi operates in the environment, how to spot potential problems, and how to correct them. Part Six describes guidelines for landscape features and garden arrangements as they relate to a building. Part Seven gives a thorough description of features to avoid because they create polluted Qi.

Part Eight introduces guidelines to keep in mind when designing the floor plan, information about the size and shape of rooms, and the design features that are preferred or are to be avoided. Part Nine goes into detail concerning interior decoration, light, color, and materials, based on the building’s directional orientation. Part Ten reviews a house room by room. Part Eleven introduces readers to advanced theories and makes suggestions for engaging an expert to review the project.

This book offers a doorway to the metaphysical aspects of design and decoration of living environments by providing a new understanding of how life-force energy behaves in a home or office setting. This interaction is important because it will eventually affect the occupants who, by the mere act of living there, will attune to the building’s energy. Any unbalance present in the structure may be reflected in their life experiences.

Through this book, readers will become more aware of what may be affecting their lives in relation to the buildings where they live and work. Such perceptions are part of expanding consciousness and knowledge, which supplies a foundation for building greater awareness in this new century.

While the study of feng shui is a lifelong endeavor, Feng Shui for Architecture can provide readers with a basic understanding of its principles and practices so they may use this ancient Chinese art and science to the greatest benefit in their everyday lives.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #779236 in Books
• Published on: 2004-03-11
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 216 pages

Review
The title and subtitle promise a lot and the book delivers even MORE. A+ -- Star of Peace Publishing, May 2004

From the Author
" Aside from its many inspirations and resources, this book is also the result of questions that have arisen in classes I taught and issues brought up by students, as well as by architects, designers, and clients.

It is my fervent hope that this book will help you create a balance and harmony in the environment where you live and work."

From the Inside Flap
"With her book, Feng Shui for Architecture, Ms. Mainini has finally filled a gap. She has taken the rather complicated subject of Feng Shui as it applies to architecture and she has successfully laid out a step-by-step guide to understanding the mysteries of this ancient art. She has done an exemplary job of keeping this very complicated subject clear and concise for the layperson ".

Brian Dawson, AIA
Dawson Hannouche Partners, Architecture Planning

"Feng Shui for Architecture is an excellent guide for both the Feng Shui professional and layperson. Now, you can benefit from the knowledge presented here and can adjust your environment to make it as harmonious as possible".

Master Larry Sang, Founder and President
American feng Shui Institute

Customer Reviews

INSPIRATIONAL AND GREATLY APPRECIATED
This book has been extremely inspirational to me and my colleagues. We are very impressed with the author's knowledge and experience. She brings a new pattern to design and new insights to the application of Feng Shui.

THE REAL DEAL
I am very happy to write this review for Feng Shui for Architecture by Dr. Simona Mainini.
I found the book very practical in its applications and clear and concise in its style.
It has been also incredibly insightful during the process of renovating of our 4,000 sqf home here in Los Angeles and the construction of our vacation home in Scottsdale, AZ.
My architect couldn't agree more.
Although my husband was skeptical of Feng Shui because of the many 'hocus pocus' Feng Shui book we had read prior, he's now solidly convinced.
He particularly liked the approached to Feng Shui as a holistic science rather then religious self-help.
We couldn't take it anymore of bagua mirrors, hanging crystal and 'love' corners.
It is definitely the best book on the topic of Feng Shui and design I have ever read.
I plan to attend Dr. Mainini classes at UCLA this spring to learn more about this incredibly fascinating topic.
Highly recommended to those that are serious about creating the healthiest, happiest and most prosperous home for themselves and their family.

I Recommand:
The title and subtitle promise a lot, and this book delivers even more. Mainini has done a fabulous job organizing and explaining, in a clear, precise manner, the principles of Feng Shui, the ancient Chinese art of placement for good energy flow as it applies to the places in which we live and work. Not only is this book great for the preparation of buildings, but it is extremely useful even if you are searching for an energetically superior apartment, house or office to rent. If you are looking for an invaluable source of feng shui information to help bring harmony to your living and working space and your life, this book is for you. I applaude Dr. Mainini for the publishing of this, her first book offering, and highly recommand it to those who want to learn more about this fascinating modality of healing.