Abstract Outline

Blogged By JobinaMah

Recently there has been a combination of eastern and western design theories and methods. Contemporary architectural design is a method of pushing boundaries of design using new materials (ie. smart materials), technology, and geography. Contemporary design focuses mainly on vernacular design, which can be described as the evolution over time of design to reflect the environment, cultural and historical context in which it exists. Although the major influence of architecture resides in the Modern movement they can't be mistaken for one another. Modern architectural design focuses mainly on the concept of building a machine to live in, while contemporary design is focused directly upon creating a balance between structures and the land upon which it is built. These concepts also include influences from Le Corbusier a modernist architect inspired by nature and tradition.
The concept of vernacular architectural design is similar to that of the ancient oriental belief of feng shui. “Feng Shui” in literal translation, wind and water is, “the art of harmony with the land and deriving the greatest benefit, peace and prosperity from being in the right place at the right time is called Fengshui.”1. The goal for this research project is to analyze the possibility that feng shui has an influence on contemporary art of building design and to develop the structural method of the two concepts based on their practices and traditions.