The total sum of my case study lesson plans cover a lot of ground for very different types of homes and feng shui predicaments. One such group of unique homes are those which are very large. There are definitely many feng shui principles which are universal, no matter the size of the home.  However, there are some challenges you will find in larger homes that just don’t exist with average-sized or small homes.

Just the sheer size of a large home brings up the question of whether the directional grid of the house should remain one cohesive “luo shu” grid or if the various large wings of a literal mansion should be viewed on their own terms.  Larger homes, by definition, are going to statistically take on more unusual shapes as well.  With the support and insight conveyed in this case study, new practitioners will have a much easier time applying these esoteric principles on a larger scale.

EXCERPT:

“With very large estates, there are usually competing views, which is a major aspect to consider in determining orientation.  The house could have magnificent views from both the facing and the sitting side.  Or the house may have the great views from the sitting side, but an equally compelling grand facing side where much of the “yang” activity is, including a grand entrance, long driveway and multiple garages.

You would also have to take the exterior environment into consideration with regards to roads, mountains or other elevations in land. It would also be wise to take into consideration neighboring properties and how they are aligned to help determine orientation.

However, many large homes are on equally large parcels of land, often several acres.  It is common for the home to be quite a distance from other homes and they may all be situated with very different orientations.”

Large homes have a tendency to be too yin or too yang.  The house with too few residents for its large size could end up feeling lonely and the Qi must be stimulated in other ways without having a good number of family members to liven it up.  As well, the large home could be too yang, overly stimulated if there is a lot of staff, constant coming and going, and if the home is used in commercial ways.  Consider how it might feel if the large home is used as a backdrop to a reality show or photo shoots, for instance.

There is nothing superior about a large home compared to a small or average-sized home.  A beautiful, palatial home can still fail the feng shui test and cause serious problems for the owner.

Large homes struggle to feel cozy and I’m reminded of visiting one gorgeous home in Bel Air which felt more like a hotel than a single family residence. Large homes also have the luxury of space where rooms can be dedicated to activities that may be hard to prioritize, compared to average floor plans.   Is a room that is devoted just to hair-cutting or gift-wrapping more important than the chef’s personal break room or the office for the chauffeur? I can say that common sense should prevail, even when surrounded by opulence.

Author: Kartar Diamond

Company: Feng Shui Solutions (R)

From the Architecture and Design Blog Series