Name: Emmanuel Joshua D.

De Luna
Subject Professor: ARCH. DIANA S. FAJARDO
Subject Code-Sec: ARHO-5A
Description: Housing
Course: Bachelor of Science in Architecture
Semester: 1st Semester
School Year: 2022-2023
Topic: Insight 1 – Housing & Feng Shui

Insight 1 – Housing & Feng Shui

When planning a building, particularly a socialized housing project, as architects, we have

to consider the primary and significant factors that concern the satisfaction and comfort of the end
users. Some may think of considering Feng Shui in the incorporation or planning of the design in
the structure. Personally, for an economic and socialized housing unit design, I don’t think that it
is necessary to consider Feng Shui due to various reasons.

First, when designing a house or a structure, client’s demands must be considered, in

relevance to the budget allocated for the project. In this case, the clients are usually the informal
settler families (ISF), to be budgeted by the local or national government agencies or
organizations. Some core principles of the Feng Shui require elements that are unnecessary to
the functionality of the building, which might increase the total construction cost of the project,
knowing not all of the ISFs believe in Feng Shui. Lastly, if I am going to base my design on my
own beliefs, I am not the type of person who bases his luck on the placement of elements in a
building. I am more on the technical aspect, where I based the comfort of my future clients on the
standard stated under the Building Code of the Philippines and on the ergonomics and
anthropometrics of the interior of the structure.

Feng Shui and its influence in architecture truly is remarkable on interpreting the
symbolism of a building and to understanding the flow of good and bad energy that is said to bring
prosperity to the structure. In fact, many prominent buildings were influenced by Feng Shui
principles, such as the Sydney Opera House in Australia and the Apple Store in London. But when
it comes to socialized housing structures, I personally think that the economical aspect, comfort
and functionality of the building must be prioritized above anything else. The possibility to consider
Feng Shui in the design without compromising the said factors would be just a bonus on the
overall operation of the housing units.

Submitted by:
Emmanuel Joshua D. De Luna

Submitted to:
Diana S. Fajardo
Professor