Tying the Knot: Application of Chinese Geomancy in Hawai'I Residential Architecture

Date

2011-12

Contributor

Department

Instructor

Depositor

Speaker

Researcher

Consultant

Interviewer

Narrator

Transcriber

Annotator

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

University of Hawaii at Manoa

Volume

Number/Issue

Starting Page

Ending Page

Alternative Title

Abstract

The purpose of this doctorate project is to explore my Chinese cultural background through history; especially the practice of fengshui, wind and water. The outcome of this project is a house design using guidelines formed from the identified fengshui principles. Although this house will be designed for Honolulu, Hawai‘i, these fengshui principles may also be applied anywhere in world. Chinese immigrants, like my great-great grandparent who immigrated to Maui, Hawai‘i, moved to have a better life. Not only did Chinese immigrants make the transition, so did other Asian immigrants like, Japanese, Koreans, Vietnamese, and Filipinos. They brought their cultures and beliefs with them and instilled these aspects into their everyday lives in Hawai‘i. Throughout time, the practice of fengshui in architecture seems to have lost its sensibility or become diluted here in Hawai‘i. Especially in Hawai‘i, with its large Asian immigrant population, many Chinese visions and ideas are still recognized; hence, this study proposes fengshui principles are still applicable to Hawaiian context, given sitespecific considerations. By exposing a new interpretation of fengshui principles, which I have designed, gives new possibilities of designing fengshui proper homes in the 21st century. Contemporary case studies are also included in the interpretations of both modern fengshui and residential architecture. Case studies such as the Bank of China, Hong Kong Shanghai Bank, residential condominiums in Chicago, Illinois, and the Liljestrand house in Honolulu, Hawai‘i, provided valuable information and in-sight of how fengshui was applied and the opportunities for applying these principles for a fengshui-proper home. Using the knowledge gained from the case studies, both fengshui schools (Compass and Form/Shape School) and sensitive design strategies particular to Hawai‘i’s qualities, this thesis will provide guidelines and principles for residential architecture. This will be exemplified in a design project sited on O‘ahu, Hawai‘i, in a pursuit to create an excellent well-balanced built environment for the owners.

Description

Keywords

Citation

Extent

196 pages

Format

Geographic Location

Time Period

Related To

Related To (URI)

Table of Contents

Rights

Rights Holder

Local Contexts

Email libraryada-l@lists.hawaii.edu if you need this content in ADA-compliant format.