The Nature of my Practice: Chinese architectural feng shui theory from the perspective of ecological architectural design and environmental psychology Previous Works
Current Works
work recorded from 2001-2024 Subject Skills Training
Chinese Culture Figure 2. Chinese Culture: Chinese Classics
Figure 3. Chinese Culture: Tai Chi and Eight Trigrams
Figure 10. Design Figure 11. Design Models Stained Glass
Figure 5. Design process in university
Study in the Department of BArch(Architecture) at Nottingham Trent University in the UK, experiencing the collision and baptism of Eastern and Western cultures.(2021-2024)
Sustainable
Sustainable architecture (also known as green architecture) is the buildings designed to limit humanity's impact on the environment.
Urban Horticulture (Urban Farm)
As the world faces the pressing challenges of climate change and urbanization, a new kind of farming is rapidly gaining attention—urban farming. This modern practice involves growing food in cities, often in underutilized spaces like rooftops, backyards, and even indoor vertical farms.
SPACE AND PSYCHOGEOGRAPHY
Jiarong Sun ChengYun Chang Athulya Ashok
Psychogeography, developed by the Situationist International movement in the 1950s, examines the psychological effects that geographical environments impose on individuals. It considers how space is more than just a physical area; it’s a setting shaped by cultural, social, and historical layers that impact people’s experiences and perceptions.
Introduction
Result
The concept of space in psychogeography refers to how environments, particularly urban spaces, influence emotions and behavior.
Psychogeography: as a space Design tool
Psychogeography
As a very first initiative towards using the theories and findings of psychogeography, we can see a few expertsprioritizing human well-being at par with other issues like traffic, pollution, sanitation, and drainage.
Psychologists classify the processing and evaluation of environmental perception information by humans as the environmental cognitive level, and the adaptive response to environmental perception information as the emotional level (Higuera-Trujillo et al. 2021)
The author of the book, “places of Heart: The Psychogeography of Everyday Life" talks about the alarming need ofconsidering the human psyche while designing our cities (Ellard, 2015). He also mentions the rapid development andemergence of technology across the world, and its benefits towards assisting urban designers, planners, psychologistsand psychogeographers to test their designs in a virtual
Space
Psychogeography: more than the aftermath of a city.
The meaning of space can beinterpreted in various ways dependingon the context,encompassing physicaosychological, social,and even abstractdimensions:
History and Evolution The idea of psychogeography started with an intention to design spaces and architecture which had a positive impact onhuman psychology and its well-being.
History This was very correctly quoted by the Situationists in an article from 1958, “Weyield profoundly to its influence: we react to it according to our instincts instead of according to our aspirations. In aword. this world governs our way of being and it grinds us down." (McDonough, 2004). The term Psychogeographyevolved with the group of Situationists, mostly associated with the Paris riots of 1968. The founder, Guy Debord andhis followers were a group of rational planners who believed involving public and residents in planning their cities(Chardronnet.2011).
Measure and Methods Sociability
Access and Linkages
A space where people feel welcome to interact, connect, and form a sense of community. It fosters a sense of belonging and attachment among users.
The ease with which people can reach and move around a space, both visually and physically. Well-connected spaces feel inviting and safe.
Uses and Activities
Comfort and Image
A variety of activities that attract people to a place and give them reasons to stay or return, helping build identity and community pride.
Perceptions of safety, cleanliness, and aesthetics that make a space appealing. Comfortable seating, shade, and cleanliness often enhance a sense of comfort.
Seeing the use of psychogeography throughout history, the theory has been used as an aftermath for the cities, whetherunplanned or planned. “Urban designers need to understand what makes the city experiences good and act as a brokerbetween the needs of different groups." Said Nigel McGurk, a professional planner, and land manager with a companynamed Countryside Properties (Parker, 2002). the public thus designing based on user demands rather than forms and plan, “opening themselves and cities up to thepossibility of experiencing higher moments oflife”(Parker, 2002).
Example
Conclusion
The Concept of "Lu Chong" (Road Conflict)
Psychogeography demonstrates how our environment influences not just how we move but also how we feel, act, and perceive ourselves. This topic demonstrates the profound connection between space and the mind, from the vibrant streets of Paris that served as inspiration for the Situationists to the harmonious layout of Feng Shui.
In Feng Shui, "Lu Chong" refers to the alignment of a street or path directly facing a building's main entrance, which is believed to channel intense, disruptive energy toward the structure, affecting occupants' sense of comfort and psychological well-being. This concept aligns with psychogeographic principles, where spatial design influences emotional responses. To counteract "Lu Chong," elements like plant barriers or walls are introduced to soften the direct impact, creating a visual and psychological buffer.
Design Impact on Suppor�ng Data/Sta�s�cs Element Psychology Greenery Reduces stress, access to green spaces and Natural improves mood Spaces and cogni�ve 20% func�on
Curved vs. Straight Pathways
Curved paths are perceived as more invi�ng and reduce stress
Sound scaping (Water Features, Birds)
Decreases stress, improves focus
inviting 150% 100%
reduces stress
access to green spaces
40%
Ligh�ng lmproves mood, (Natural and reduces Ar�ficial) depression symptoms
0%
140%
100%
5%
80%
Natural sounds
100% 75%
80% 60%
100%
depression rates
20%
social interaction in spaces with communal seating
83%
50% 0%
Urban noise
commuting stress 120%
40%
social interaction
Bright lighting 150% 100%
130%
straight paths
100%
20%
Proximity to Increases Public accessibility, reduces Transit commuterelated stress
reduces stress
100%
50% 0%
stress
80%
70%
communal seating 150% 100%
curved paths
120% 100%
60% 30%
Promotes social interac�on, enhances wellbeing
100%
50% 0%
80%
remaining stress
remaining stress
Sea�ng Areas
Figure 2 : 古建&营造之源http://xhslink.com/a/PTBSYSgjfcSY
Figure 6. Graduated from the Department of Architecture at Nottingham University (2024)
Environmental Psychology
Environmental psychology is a branch of psychology that studies the relationship between people and the physical features of daily life environments—both built and natural environments, in order to enhance human well-being and to improve people– environment relations.
Figure 12. Design Rendering
Through lectures and discussions understand the issues that have already and are currently shaping contemporary design and architectural practices, and critically evaluate these practices through reflection and debate. Utilizing Varying facilities
Graduate Display
Feng Shui Theory
Feng Shui has a very long history in China, the common people strictly followed the Feng Shui theory in their home construction, spatial layout, and surrounding environment. Feng Shui is the Chinese philosophy of life and allows them to live within the laws of nature. Feng is the wind which refers to vitality and energy, while Shui is water which refers to flow and change.
Receive various subject skills training at UCA
Professional Research Figure 4. Classmates and the Tutor at NTU
4 Areas of interest
Figure 9. Studying at UCA
Figure 8. Rendering
Influenced by Chinese culture before the age of 18 (2001-2020)
Undergraduate Education -BArch (Architecture)
Themes and interest
Work practiced in the studio at UCA
depression rates in bright lighting
Chart 1 : Made by Chengyun Chang
0%
Visual Barriers (Plants, Walls)
Reduces perceived threatand enhances privacy
more than 5 minutes
within a 5-minute walk to transit
stress 110% 100% 90% 80% 70%
100% 85%
Visual barriers in non-open spaces
Visual barriers in open spaces
Chart 2 : Made by Chengyun Chang
Reference: Chrześcijańska, M. (2020) 'Psychogeography as a therapeutic space' In: Psychogeotherapy.
(s.l.): Routledge. pp.141–174.Koenigsberg, R. A. and Stein, H. F. (1988) 'Developmental time, cultural space: Studies in psychogeography' In: Political psychology 9 (3) p.553. At: http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/3791732 Stein, H. F. (1987) Developmental time, cultural space: Studies in psychogeography. Norman, OK: University of Oklahoma Press. Rafiq, I. and Pujara, T. (2019) 'How does psychogeography of urban SPACE help in shaping mental health positively?' In: Journal of transport & health 14 (100761) p.100761. At: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jth.2019.100761
Figure 13. Poster
Figure 7. Graduation Design Exhibition (2024)
Figure 14. UCA Canterbury
The integration of environmental psychology, Chinese architectural feng shui theory, and urban horticulture "Reflect"
"Lu Chong"
"Lu Chong" refers to the direct frontal or sloping direction of a road towards the main entrance of a building (as shown in Figures 10 a and b), which is said to direct strong destructive energy onto the building, affecting the comfort and mental health of residents
"Solution"
The solution in Feng Shui is to place a "Shi Gandang (large stone)" between buildings and roads. If the buffer zone is large enough, green vegetation can be planted around the "Shi Gandang" or a small pool can be built behind it. In the pool, the fish can be raised and some aquatic plants can be placed.
Figures 15a The direct frontal "Lu Chong"
Figures 15b The sloping direction "Lu Chong"
Some Feng Shui theories can be explained from the perspective of environmental psychology. 1.When a building faces a "Lu Chong", people living in the building will feel pressure, which comes from the noise of vehicles driving, the panic and anxiety caused by residents seeing cars rushing towards them, and a deep sense of insecurity, worrying about whether vehicles will lose control and crash into the building. 2.The "Shi Gandang" forms a safety buffer barrier between buildings and vehicles driving on the road, giving residents a sense of security.
Feng Shui can be combined with the concept of urban gardens (urban farms).
3.The small pool forms a second layer of safety barrier, even if an outof-control vehicle rushes over the "Shi Gandang", it will still get stuck in the small pool.
1.The green vegetation around the building should be able to be replaced by green vegetables or fruit trees. Urban gardening connects food and architecture, bringing a stabilizing force to people who lack food (Frangos & Imbesi, 2015). control and crash into the building.
4.Green vegetation around "Shi Gandang" and aquatic plants in small pools can soothe residents' moods and reduce stress. At the same time, green vegetation can help drivers restore their tired vision, and clearly distinguish roads and buildings based on green vegetation.
2.Living green plants connect you with nature, embodying the energy of life and bringing freshness and vitality to your home. Green and vibrant plants are one of the key elements of Feng Shui in the house (Cho, 2024).
5.These seem to be explained by the environmental psychology of architecture.