The Armchair Formation

Classical Feng Shui

The Landscape

Exterior Form School analyses what lies outside the property and plot, whether the natural or built environment. The surrounding environment is broken down into four sides, which are observed to determine strengths and weaknesses. The landscape and forms outside of the plot are permanent and cannot be changed. Within the plot of properties that you own, there are ways to help strengthen any weak areas to recreate the armchair formation.

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THE ARMCHAIR

In general, each property should be surrounded by an armchair-like formation, with low hills on either side of the property that represent the chair arms. With mountain support at the rear that represents the high back of a chair. To the front of the property, a clear and open area that gently slopes down hill towards the road. This formation is based on the climate in the Northern Hemisphere, where the cold weather comes from the north, and the warm weather from the south. The landscape configuration helps to protect a property from the climate, winds and rain, by closing in three sides of the property. In the Southern hemisphere this can be reversed.

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MOUNTAIN (BLACK TURTLE)

• The form and grounds at the rear of the plot.
• The area behind the plot.
• The rear urban and natural landscape.

The Mountain represents support and protection. In Chinese thinking it is easier for something to come from behind, or come as a surprise if there isn’t adequate Mountain support.

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PHOENIX

• With your back to the mountain, the phoenix is the opposite, the front aspect.
• The Phoenix must be open with a pleasant view, ideally with low lying land form.
• The form and grounds at the front of the plot.
• The area in front of the plot.
• The front urban and natural landscape.

The Phoenix represents outlook, vision and the future. In the Northern hemisphere, this would ideally be located in the southern sector.

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