Michael Y. Mak’s and Albert T. So’s study explores integrating traditional feng shui principles into the preliminary building design process using a knowledge-based expert systems approach. This interdisciplinary research combines ancient Chinese geomantic techniques with modern technological methods to enhance the design and evaluation of building environments.
Michael Y. Mak is a lecturer at the School of Architecture and Built Environment, University of Newcastle, Australia. He has co-authored a book titled Scientific Feng Shui for the Built Environment: Theories and Applications with Albert T. So. This book aims to integrate historical feng shui theories with scientific data and practical applications. The book offers an in-depth view of feng shui by combining traditional knowledge with modern scientific approaches, likely covering:
- Fundamentals of scientific feng shui
- Case studies demonstrating practical applications
- Integration of historical theories with scientific data
For the full content list, go to Google books: https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/Scientific_Feng_Shui_for_the_Built_Envir/TX_tBgAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Scientific+Feng+Shui+for+the+Built+Environment+-+Fundamentals+and+Case+Studies+by+Michael+Y.+Mak+and+Albert+T.+So&printsec=frontcover
Objectives
The primary objective of Mak’s and So’s research is to evaluate the application of feng shui knowledge within the context of building design through an expert systems approach. The study aims to develop a systematic framework that leverages feng shui principles to improve the quality and performance of architectural designs.
Methodology
Mak and So employ a knowledge-based expert system to facilitate the application of feng shui principles in building design. This system captures and codifies the expertise of feng shui masters and integrates it into a computerised decision-support tool. The methodology involves the following steps:
- Knowledge Acquisition: Gathering and structuring the knowledge of feng shui experts through interviews and literature reviews.
- System Design: Developing a knowledge-based expert system that includes a database of feng shui principles, rules, and evaluation criteria.
- Application: Using the system to assess preliminary building designs and provide recommendations based on feng shui principles.
Key Findings
- Integration of Feng Shui Principles: The study demonstrates that feng shui principles can be effectively integrated into the building design process using an expert system. The system provides valuable insights and recommendations that align with both traditional geomantic practices and modern design standards.
- Improved Design Quality: Buildings evaluated and designed with the aid of the expert system showed improvements in environmental harmony, spatial arrangement, and overall aesthetic appeal, which are core to feng shui practices.
- System Usability: The expert system was found to be user-friendly and accessible to architects and designers, facilitating the practical application of feng shui knowledge without requiring in-depth expertise in the field.
What new scientific approaches are introduced in the enhanced edition
The enhanced new edition of Scientific Feng Shui for the Built Environment: Theories and Applications by Michael Y. Mak and Albert T. So introduces several new scientific approaches to the study and application of feng shui principles. These include:
- Particle Physics: The book explores the new development of particle physics in relation to feng shui studies, aiming to bridge traditional feng shui concepts with modern scientific theories.
- Numerology and Luo Shu Study: A novel approach to numerology and the Luo Shu study is introduced based on modern linear algebra. This mathematical perspective provides new insights into researching feng shui, supplementing traditional methods with contemporary mathematical tools.
- Spherical Trigonometry: The use of spherical trigonometry is also discussed, further enhancing the scientific rigour in the analysis and application of feng shui principles.
These new approaches aim to demonstrate that feng shui can be studied scientifically and may evolve into a recognised field of science within the academic and professional disciplines of architectural design.
How does the book integrate historical theories with modern scientific data
The book Scientific Feng Shui for the Built Environment: Theories and Applications (Enhanced New Edition) by Michael Y. Mak and Albert T. So integrates historical feng shui theories with modern scientific data through several key approaches:
Integration of Historical Theories
- Traditional Wisdom: The book emphasises that feng shui, or Kan Yu, is an ancient Chinese philosophy aimed at creating harmony between the environment, buildings, and people. This traditional wisdom has influenced Chinese building design for thousands of years.
Modern Scientific Data and Methods
- Scientific Exploration: The enhanced edition explores new scientific developments, such as particle physics, to relate them to feng shui principles. This approach aims to bridge traditional concepts with contemporary scientific understanding.
- Mathematical Approaches: The book introduces modern linear algebra and spherical trigonometry to study feng shui numerology and the Luo Shu grid. These mathematical tools provide new insights and a more rigorous framework for analysing feng shui principles.
- Case Studies: The book includes new case studies that demonstrate the application of feng shui principles in sustainable design. These case studies illustrate how historical theories can be applied in modern architectural practices, focusing on sustainability and environmental harmony.
Methodological Constructs
- Scientific Methods: The book outlines various methodological constructs in the scientific research paradigm to study feng shui. This includes the application of scientific methods such as evidence collection, repetition, and critical analysis to validate feng shui practices.
Conceptual Frameworks
- Form and Compass Schools: The book discusses both the Form School and Compass School approaches to feng shui. It provides a conceptual framework for these approaches and includes practical examples and case studies to show their application in the built environment.
By combining these historical and scientific approaches, the book aims to demonstrate that feng shui can be studied scientifically and may evolve into a recognised field of science within the academic and professional disciplines of architectural design.
Implications
Mak’s and So’s research highlights the potential for combining traditional knowledge systems with modern technology to enhance building design processes. The integration of feng shui principles through an expert system provides a structured and scientifically grounded approach to improving environmental quality and human well-being in architectural practice.
Conclusion
Scientific Feng Shui for the Built Environment Theories and Applications (Enhanced New Edition) by Michael Y. Mak, Albert T. So (2015)
The study concludes that the application of a knowledge-based expert system to incorporate feng shui principles in building design is both feasible and beneficial. It provides a systematic approach to integrating traditional wisdom with contemporary architectural practices, potentially leading to more harmonious and effective design solutions.
This summary provides an overview of the study’s goals, methods, and significant findings, emphasising the innovative approach of combining ancient practices with modern technology to improve building design and evaluation.
Reviews
Scientific Feng Shui for the Built Environment: Theories and Applications, has received various reviews and critiques. The book is praised for its rigorous integration of traditional feng shui principles with modern scientific methods, providing a systematic approach to applying these principles in architectural design. The enhanced edition emphasises sustainability and scientific exploration, adding new case studies and theoretical developments (City University of Hong Kong).
Critics have noted that the book successfully demystifies feng shui by using scientific methods to verify its principles, thus bringing feng shui out of the realm of superstition and into a more scholarly and practical context. This approach has been appreciated by professionals and researchers in architecture, urban planning, and related fields, who find the book’s combination of historical theories and scientific data particularly valuable for practical applications.
However, some reviewers suggest that the complexity of integrating feng shui with modern scientific approaches can be overwhelming for readers without a background in either field. The book’s dense content and the use of advanced concepts from physics and mathematics may also pose a challenge to those new to the subject.
Overall, Scientific Feng Shui for the Built Environment is regarded as a significant contribution to the field, offering a unique blend of traditional wisdom and modern science, which can potentially establish scientific feng shui as a legitimate academic discipline and professional practice.
Preview the book at Google books (the Forward was written by Derek Walters, author of many books on feng shui): https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/Scientific_Feng_Shui_for_the_Built_Envir/TX_tBgAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Scientific+Feng+Shui+for+the+Built+Environment+-+Fundamentals+and+Case+Studies+by+Michael+Y.+Mak+and+Albert+T.+So&printsec=frontcover
You can read this book on Amazon: https://amzn.eu/d/0bBfV1s7
A good companion book to read on the subject is: Feng Shui: Teaching About Science and Pseudoscience (Science: Philosophy, History and Education) by Michael R. Matthews