Feng Shui: The Role of Proportion and Composition in Luxury Design

7/13/2018

As written in my company’s tagline, “All you need is equilibrium,” allow me to discuss about proportion and composition in a design to achieve a suitable and elegant look.

In many cases regarding design and other general issues, we often witness how a layout is excessively done so that it appears out of proportion. One simple example of this is how we place a load of decorative elements in a room which effectively lessens the elegant quality of the room. Similarly, the disproportionate placement of a furniture piece, in terms of the dimension and size of the piece compared to the room, might also create the same effect.

For most people, the feeling to achieve the precise proportion and composition is not an easy thing to obtain. Therefore, in order to get an attractive, visually-appealing and good-quality design, it is suggested that we commission the services of competent parties. However, to answer the question whether this particular skill can be achieved through training, of course it can. When we refer to proportion and composition, we also talk about “The Golden Ratio,” in which we find the number 1.618, a figure obtained from the retraction of Fibonacci sequence. Learning about this Golden Ratio gives us a sense of beauty, which is derived from the composition it creates.

What is Fibonacci sequence? The image above is the approximation of the Fibonacci sequence, and it is said that the universe speaks to us using these numbers. Let’s consider the square arrangement of this image. The smallest square consists of 1 square (1x1) and another 1 square (1x1), followed by a bigger square twice the length of the first square (2x2). Next come the following squares, 3x3, 5x5, 8x8, 13x13, 21x21, and so on. This is then referred to as the Fibonacci sequence: 1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21. After learning about the Fibonacci sequence, we can see how this sequence can create the perfect composition.

The above image shows us about how the composition of the Parthenon was created following the sequence; and as we can see today, although the structure is in ruins, the majestic sense of its golden era can still be felt.

This also proves to us that the perfect proportion and composition will lend an excellent visual image to the design. Furthermore, in the field of feng shui, proportion and composition also play an important part because both concern balance, an equilibrium that is not a strict and stiff measurement, but a dynamic balance akin to a surfer balancing his board through the rolling waves. This is the equilibrium in feng shui.

A good proportion and composition in feng shui can only be done by a feng shui practitioner who has learnt about the feng shui theory, has trained in the field of feng shui and possesses the right skill to create a good aesthetic look. This combination will definitely create a good design with a touch of elegance as expected. This is all I can share in this article. I hope it can be useful for us all.


Read more:

Applying Feng Shui into Luxurious Properties

Feng Shui for the Office

Feng Shui: How to Best Occupy a House

Feng Shui in Future Design

Feng Shui for Hotels: Exterior and Landscape Design

Like this story, share to your friends
Sidhi Wiguna Teh
Author
Sidhi is an architect whose thirst for knowledge has never ceased. He completed his architectural education at Tarumanagara University, then proceeded to study Feng Shui from Grand Master Yap Cheng Hai and obtained a license in elementary and intermediate teaching modules under the name of Grand Master Yap Cheng Hai.