Classical Feng Shui for Designing Authentic Wellness Spaces

With over 20 years experience applying this intricate ancient wisdom to the modern built environment, Founder of Feng Shui Agency and classically trained Feng Shui master, Sarah McAllister shares her expert insights on applying feng shui principles in interior designs to create authentic wellness spaces.

Classical Feng Shui and its impact on wellbeing

Classical Feng Shui originated in ancient China and is one of the 8 Brocades of Traditional Chinese Medicine – if someone were chronically unwell despite acupuncture or herbal remedies, then the advice of the local Feng Shui master was sought out to see if sick earth chi might be the cause of their malaise.

Classical Feng Shui and Interior Design

Natural Form & Topology

Emotional Health and The Five Elements in Design

It is quite remarkable how powerfully colour influences our moods and emotions and Feng Shui Five Element Theory helps us make wiser choices around design shapes, texture and colour for the best harmony, or whatever experience you wish to create. Not everyone wants harmony and restfulness, especially in an office space – they might want something more dynamic (lime green, striped/bamboo pattern – wood element) or inspirational (reds, purples, geometric – yang fire element). Those seeking a more restful mood will want to use warm blues and wave patterns (water element) or soft pinks, mauves, lavenders (yin fire element). Not only can Feng Shui design help to promote emotional balance, but it also helps occupants to have much deeper sleep, which is a fundamental factor for overall good health.

Natural Life-force Energy 

Feng Shui is primarily concerned with how to observe, protect and strengthen ‘chi’ or life force energy. Many other wisdom traditions, not just the Chinese, have words describing the animating force of life – in Japan it is known as ‘ki’ , in Ayurvedic tradition it is referred to as ‘prana’, in Cherokee Shamanic traditions ‘the spirit that moves through all things’ and even in the West we have terms such ‘orgone’ (Wilhelm Reich) and the Latin term Genus Loci, meaning ‘spirit of place’ also indicates that space has a spiritual or energetic quality.

Bespoke Feng Shui Design & Retrofitting Wellness

Even if you didn’t have wellness architecture or feng shui considered in the original design, you can usually retrofit key aspects by removing outdated systems or materials and replacing with much healthier substances and systems for water and air purification for example. Some feng shui cures can be added into an existing property or specific changes made to the landscaping that improves the chi circulation. Colours and interior layouts can be very powerful especially when combined with the unique Chinese astrology of the occupants. At the end of the day, the proof for all this theory is largely qualitative rather than quantitative, and those who are open minded enjoy distinct benefits from implementing principles of Feng Shui.

New to the market, Paragon Studio was founded in 2020 in Bath, where all its products are designed. Manufactured in the UK & Europe, the SBID Accredited Supplier designs high-end, sustainable gym equipment for private, residential and superyacht gyms across the globe. With years of experience in the luxury fitness sector, Paragon Studio meets the increased demand for customisation and bespoke gym design with its extensive collection.

The company ethos of ‘form follows function’ ensures all products meet the highest standards of quality, whilst boasting an exquisite design aesthetic. Understanding that luxury gym products are made for real people and not museums, its equipment stands up to the challenge of everyday use. The collection has been carefully crafted and rigorously tested to guarantee long-lasting durability.

The British company offers its customisable gym products using sustainable, natural materials. With its origins in the Superyacht and hospitality sectors, Paragon Studio understands that the identity of a boat or hotel is part of the whole experience and enjoyment of a space. Its ability to customise products with logos and monograms, whilst matching materials used throughout the rest of the space offers interior designers complete ease of design specification.

Similarly, when it comes to home gyms, working alongside designers and architects, Paragon Studio is able to customise and incorporate the same colours, finishes, materials and handle patterns used in the rest of the design scheme, ensuring seamless integration so the gym becomes an extension of the overall design rather than an obvious add-on.

Using only the finest and sustainably sourced materials, the entire collection is plastic-free, manufactured in the UK & Europe. Every product is made-to-order preventing any surplus of stock or wastage of materials. Reducing waste further, the whole collection comes with a lifetime warranty for mechanisms and structural integrity. Repairing products rather than simply replacing them, Paragon Studio offers a full refurbishment service to ensure equipment continues to look and perform beautifully.

All wood components are FSC Certified and locally sourced where possible. Unlike synthetic alternatives, wood’s natural grain and quick-drying properties offer unparalleled grip – essential for handles and storage. With its natural antibacterial properties, easy maintenance and a warm-to-touch surface, the collection includes a range of standard wood options including Oak and the ever-popular American Walnut. However, products can be customised with any wood specifications if required.

Where possible, Stainless Steel is sourced from recycled steel billets in line with the company’s sustainability ethos. Resistant to corrosion and extremely hard-wearing, Paragon Studio only uses the highest quality stainless steel across the range – including offering the option of 316 marine grade Stainless Steel components for use on superyachts. Alongside the classic steel finish, products are also available in bronze.

The collection comprises benches, barbells, dumbbells, wall bars, boxing equipment, storage solutions and accessories – including exercise balls, rollers, skipping ropes, push-up handles, and plyo boxes.

Personal Line is the design-led home fitness equipment by SBID Accredited Supplier, Technogym. A premium collection that combines the style of the world-acclaimed designer Antonio Citterio, with Technogym’s experience in the world of fitness and sport as the Official Supplier of the last 8 Olympic Games.

Alongside state of the art biomechanics and digital technologies, Personal Line products are made using refined materials and top-level craftsmanship, conceived to be specified as beautiful furniture pieces in the most inspiring spaces of people’s homes. The line includes the most iconic fitness equipment – Treadmill, Bike, Recline, Elliptical, Kinesis and Power Station – in order to offer people both the option of creating an entire home gym or to integrate their favourite equipment within their living room, bedroom or bathroom.

If you’d like to become SBID Accredited, click here to find out more. 

As lockdown now begins to lift and life starts returning to a very new kind of ‘normal’, we’ve had the time to re-consider our lifestyles and re-asses our living environments. For many, the new normal sees much more of our time being spent at home. The focus therefore turns to residential design, as we look to upgrade tired interiors or reconfigure homes for a more functional layout. This month we’re sharing some of the inspiring interior designs from last year’s SBID Awards finalists, offering some much needed interior inspiration as the importance of residential design continues to grow.

Residential Apartment Under £1M

Christopher Tan Design – One KL @ KLCC

Based closely on an aquatic theme, the use of blue accents and fluid lines infused a sense of serenity associated with the attributes of water. Engulfed by sleek, stylish furnishing details, this sophisticated design serves as a contemporary upgrade to the apartment while retaining the architectural brilliance of its structure. Functioning as a sanctuary and a place to entertain, the aquatic themed design, inspired by the pool, instinctively emboldens the interior with an aesthetic that echoes the chicness and grandeur of a home located at the heart of a city.

Kirsten Schwalgien Design – Loft BuresQ

Situated in one of the most iconic Modernist buildings, the loft adapts its historic space to contemporary use as a habitable, sophisticated home. Private zones were separated from the living area with a wooden clad ‘box’ and the gallery featuring industrial glass windows was included for enhanced privacy. All original pillars supporting the 4 metre height ceiling remained exposed and the rooms were developed around them. KSD designed almost all furniture custom to the place and person, not only in size but also in context, legacy and aesthetic. Main materials include veneered varnished chestnut, natural stone and original brick. Green marble was paired with elements in untreated brass that will age naturally developing a beautiful patina. KSD focused on specific qualities and tactility of materials, alternating textures cold with warm, glossy with raw, soft with hard.

Li Yizhong & Associates – Fortress Villa

To suit the personality of the owner, the structure of the space had to be free, open, smooth, and imposing. The building is on sloping land, with a difference of nearly one floor between the front and back: the entrance is low and the large garden is high up. The design included a sunken garden, which improved the ventilation and lighting at the back of the first floor and improved the quality of the space. On the second floor is the living room, dining room, kitchen, and a bedroom. This floor is benefits from an open and free layout closely connected to the outdoor garden, thus expanding the boundary of human activities and increasing the sense of freedom. The living room space is double height, which highlights the momentum of the space. The original beam cannot be removed because of the structure, so a bridge was designed to the third-storey balcony, increasing the level of space.

Sheree Stuart Design – Toronto Penthouse

The design of this two-story penthouse located in the heart of downtown Toronto takes a cue from the clients’ love of travel and their growing collection of Asian antiquities and art. The design team has imbued the space with the Japanese aesthetic of simplicity, modernism and an earth-toned palette. Every aspect of the penthouse is customised, from the lighting, millwork and flooring to the furniture and cabinet hardware. The result is a luxurious and tranquil retreat that more than meets the homeowners’ objectives and satisfies this designer’s criteria for a successful project: a customised interior that enhances the clients’ living experience, delivered on time and on budget. The unique design of this penthouse fits beautifully into the wider environment and features 360-degree views of beautiful downtown Toronto.

Residential House Under £1M

AND Design Co – Chapters

Chiseled volumes, striking artworks and understated luxury define this home. The property bears a footprint of 2,500 square metres, with 1,000 square metres built-up. The layout of the house amalgamates into the letters H and I, which are the initials of the client’s names, making it a signature feature of the house. The ground floor has a double height foyer, a formal and informal living room, parents’ and guest bedrooms, a prayer room, dining room, kitchen and powder room. The outdoor space houses a swimming pool, sit-out deck, a dining nook and servant’s quarters, while the upper floor has the master bedroom, kid’s bedroom, another guest room, a gym and an open terrace. The concept of the project revolves around the idea of diminishing the barrier of built and natural environment by bringing in the exteriors within the interior habitat.

Cass Calder Smith Architecture & Interiors – Lagoon House

This 2,100-square-foot weekend residence was built in Seadrift on the Stinson Lagoon in Marin County, California. Although the lagoon is filled with Pacific Ocean sea water, it is shallow and warm – much like a lake and so used for swimming, paddling, and many other non-motorised water sports. While beach houses are often tattered and somewhat quirky, this one is meant to be modern and refined, yet casual. It was created for a family of five that live in San Francisco who surf, cook, craft, and party.

JIXI DESIGN STUDIO – 360 degrees, 180 degrees, 90 degrees

The design of the house is based on the situation of the building and the advantages of outdoor window views, with a 360-degree circle as the main axis. Double moving lines are adopted in the porch, making the centre the beginning of the space. The flowing circle runs through the public space, breaking the thinking that indoor space requires square planning to effectively use the space. The moving lines naturally and smoothly guide the movement within each block. Ceiling, spatial allocation, and even wall design all carry the round form, which lets the sensibility of flowing and roundness expand in space.

SHANGHAI BENJAI ARCHITECTURE – Shangkun Yueshan Peninsul Showcase

The Shangkun Yueshan Peninsula Project is located in Sheshan Plate, Songjiang District, Shanghai, an area surrounded by mountains, rivers and shade, all of which are aspects of island life that city dwellers desire when escaping urban living. The concepts of art and home were the starting point of the project. Using advanced colours, changeable space and concise lines; the design paints a picture of the modern dweller’s art and life intertwined. The most interesting feature is the ‘pipe’, which gives the project a more playful feel and an artistic edge; it makes the whole design more individual and dynamic. The whole underground space uses design to create a joyful feeling. It’s an amusement park and an art salon; the space is staggered and the joy here is extraordinary.

Residential Design Over £1M

Godwin Austen Johnson – Serenia Residences The Palm Jumeirah

Serenia is an exclusive gated beachfront residence located on a unique beachfront plot on the crescent of The Palm Jumeirah. This exclusive community offers residents an unrivalled connection to nature and relaxed bliss with its sophisticated architecture and contemporary interior design; floor-to-ceiling glass blurs the boundaries between outdoors and indoors providing panoramic views of the city skyline and ocean and a tranquil home.

STA Architectural Group – Palazzo del Cielo

With sweeping views of the Atlantic, the 47^th-floor Palazzo del Cielo is perched atop an exclusive, oceanfront tower and located on Florida’s Riviera – Sunny Isles Beach. STA took great pleasure in handpicking each finish, travelling throughout Europe and Asia to find a unique collection of luxury stones. They created a memorable palette of materials which flow effortlessly – imbuing the space with a strong sense of permanence, freshness and colour. STA curated a collection of furniture and art with a colour palette echoing the accents of the natural environment and designed enormous, hand-cast light fixtures and hand-woven area rugs to fill the vast spaces of this penthouse. The end result is the culmination of a seven-year journey for STA and their long-time clients – one to craft a space that can be called ‘the world’s finest’.

Opaal Interiors – Mamsha Penthouse

Mamsha Al Saadiyat penthouse is a beachfront property located in the Saadiyat Cultural District. The penthouse offers a range of one to four-bedroom apartments as well as limited numbers of penthouses and townhouses. The residential property is adjacent to the 1.4km white sandy beach provide endless stunning sea views. These luxury apartments are is just minutes’ walking distance to the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, as well as The District retail destination. Residents can enjoy the unique fusion of a lively downtown destination with a wonderfully relaxed coastal ambiance.

Roth Architecture – Uh May Residence

The residence harmoniously blends in with the environment, respecting and honouring the natural habitat that hosts it. With no straight lines or sharp angles, it respects the organic shapes of the ground on which it was built. There is real purpose in its design: to force us to be present, paying attention and observing our every step. The use of ferro-cement was specifically chosen to avoid the introduction of heavy machinery into the jungle, thus preventing the felling of 250 trees. Moreover, the material gives the space a cosy feeling. The finish, carefully crafted with local materials, makes this a unique space of purely organic forms. Meticulously conceived thorough attention to detail and amenities for entertainment, this property redefines life in the jungle, promoting a non-invasive dialogue between architecture and its natural surroundings.

The 2020 edition of the SBID International Design Awards is now open for entries.

Entries close on Friday 12 June.

Visit sbidawards.com to enter now!

It’s more important than ever to focus on our health and wellbeing during this challenging time. With this in mind, this month we’re serving up some interior inspiration from last year’s SBID Awards Finalists with their award-worthy designs across the healthcare and wellness sector; from gyms and spas, to care homes and health clinics.

Healthcare & Wellness Design

Suna Interior Design – Beechwood Grove

This ‘Extra Care, Over 55’ development was to be something people aspired to rather than settled for. There were numerous communal spaces to design but also numerous special sector considerations to factor in. Suna was determined to avoid the stereotypical institutional look this sector often falls into. Colour and contrast have been used carefully throughout the spaces to ensure they look beautifully designed but help support people with visual impairments and dementia. Flooring has been carefully chosen to work with the overall design, while being practical and assisting natural flow between spaces without distractions. Suna worked alongside a specialist sector supplier and designed and manufactured items to support comfort, mobility and safety while still feeling ‘designed’. The client proclaimed the scheme a “gamechanger for the sector”.

Elkus Manfredi Architects – Equinox Seaport

Embracing Equinox’s luxury lifestyle brand, designers at Elkus Manfredi Architects reinterpreted select standards to introduce light and inspirational views at their newest location in the Boston area, Equinox Seaport. Designers resolved a significant challenge of the leased space – unifying two non-contiguous floors– by creating a monumental staircase leading from the ground floor retail and reception area directly to the members-only workout and gathering spaces on level three. Members climb to an upscale lounge and co-working area immediately adjacent to exercise areas beyond, reinforcing the brand’s holistic live/work/play lifestyle experience. Natural light streams deep into the interior through the floor-to-ceiling windows, an effect that designers amplified by painting ceilings and exposed ductwork white – a first for the high-performance wellness brand. Abundant daylight and harborfront views distinguish Equinox’s 35,000-square-foot fitness club in the heart of Boston’s booming Seaport District, while offering an on-brand fitness-as-lifestyle experience.

Rien Kuan Interior Design Group – Dosha Spa

The site was in a 15 years old modern designed building, the original thoughtwas to rejoining the natural atmosphere within the construction.The project is to design the main lobby of the Welldosha spa. The main design concept of the space is to create a multi-functional space which many events can take place in the space. Therefore, we created a space that can be fully opened up suites for different purpose.

Rockwell Group – Tia Clinic

The Tia Clinic pairs science, technology, and community with real-world healthcare services to create a radically inclusive, highly personalised, and compassionate experience. The clinic’s lobby and entrance convey convenience and clarity, signaling that Tia is frictionless, clear, and accessible and puts patients at ease. When patients arrive, they are greeted by a curved white, ribbed wood reception desk with a terrazzo surface. A graphic environmental mural covers the walls with speckled, amoebic shapes in pastels and grays. Rather than a typical waiting room, Rockwell Group created the Living Room as a space that encourages members to choose their own adventure. Wellness and educational talks will take place here, and the Living Room softly and warmly assumes holds space for those events, while also creating a safe feminine universe.

Catalyst Interiors – Emerson Grange

Emerson Grange is a luxury Cinnamon Care residential home situated in Kent. Cinnamon asked Catalyst to create a home with ‘understated elegance’ throughout, with a focus on the entrance and reception areas. Emerson Grange has been designed with the social needs of the resident in mind. Providing a luxurious space in the foyer and reception designed as a hub for the local community. A piano bar, gym and salon offer a destination for residents whilst providing the sense of being in a public space, without sacrificing the safety of the home. As you travel through the building towards the communal areas the design takes a noticeable change. The focus takes a shift towards a more personal and connected environment that creates the true feeling of a home.

From the tiny cubicles and bland colour schemes of the early 2000s to the ping-pong tables and sleeping pods of modern times, the interior design of offices has evolved dramatically in the past 20 years. At the beginning of a new year, and the start of a new decade, the focus of office interior design is shifting once again. Office interior design is now becoming more and more centred around the wellbeing of staff members.

About the Author

Michael Lawrence is CEO at YourWellspace, a health and wellbeing tech start-up who focus on data-driven wellbeing for teams and workplaces.

This article was written by Michael Lawrence, CEO at YourWellspace.

Project of the Week: SBID Awards Finalists 2019

This week’s instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a modern fitness centre which proves that working out can be a stylish experience! The circular reception area is surrounded by wooden grids which curve towards the ceiling, meeting at the centre. This arresting design feature acts as a point of focus, creating instant visual intrigue as you enter into the space. A feeling of openness is created by circling multicoloured glass which is designed to divide (but not completely separate) internal spaces with its transparency. The glass panels also add an air modernity and vibrancy as the light shines through, casting colourful shadows. Huge semicircular lampshades and sturdy triangular prisms also punctuate the space. Other features include black iron artwork studded with metal rivets and cement walls clad in wood which come together to create an industrial aesthetic and evoke the feeling of strength.

SBID Awards: Healthcare and Wellness Design finalist sponsored by Stone Federation

Company: The XDH Design Firm 

Project: Five Fitsport

Location: Guangxi, China

What was the client’s brief? 

Five Fitsport is located on the fifth floor of the National Film City in Nanning ASEAN Business District, Guangxi. It is a fitness centre combining sports and leisure, with an area of 3578㎡.

What inspired the interior design of the project? 

The design inspiration of the project was to combine the strength of fitness with materials in the form of an industrial style, so as to express the theme of exercise. The space is interspersed with coloured ground glass, reflecting light and shadows to convey movement and the rhythm of the movement.

What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?

The most difficult obstacle to be overcome in the project was that the overall design needed to optimise the structure by combining the factors such as mechanics and considering the connection and grade of steel structures to achieve the practicability of the structure.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

The highlight of the project is that the design scheme of the space is fully open plan but zoned in a creative way using coloured glass, so the design fits the modern yet industrial aesthetic with design elements which introduce colour and vibrancy. The special design feature of the suspended ceiling in the fitness area also adds to the visual focus.

Why did you enter the SBID Awards?

The SBID International Design Awards is one of the most prestigious and interesting activities in the industry, and the competition is also very fierce. Participating in such a competition has been a very interesting and valuable experience for us!

Questions answered by Denver Hsu, Chief designer at The XDH Design Firm

If you missed last week’s Project of the Week featuring SBID Award winners for the sustainable retail design for cosmetic brand, Lush with the opening of their largest global store in Liverpool, click here to see more.

We hope you feel inspired by this week’s Healthcare and Wellness design! Let us know what inspired you #SBIDinspire

SBID Awards 2019 | Healthcare & Wellness Design finalist sponsored by Stone Federation