Continuing my previous article about feng shui for the office, which primarily talked about the main points in the layout arrangement of an office fit-out, I would like to share several other details about the arrangement that we must seriously consider. Some of these are explained below.
When we work in an office block, especially in a high-rise building, we must be aware of a condition called the ‘high-rise building syndrome.’ This generally happens because the building’s air circulation, which only takes place by means of air conditioning system, causes a lot of positive ion exposures, which lead to the weakening of the physical condition and the worsening health of the building occupants. One of the answers for this particular malady is to install an air purifier in order to generate negative ions, which will refresh the body. In addition, we must also be mindful of the large number of electronic devices inside the office spaces. These appliances emit negative ions, especially nowadays where we use a lot of routers to activate wi-fi signals in order to help us do our work. We must be wary of items that release radiations and anticipate their effects so that the physical condition of the office occupants, and of the building itself, can remain wholesome and fit. One of the solutions is to arrange a safe distance between the desk and the radiation-emitting electronic devices in the room. It is also advisable that workers be given the opportunity to regularly conduct relaxing and refreshing activities such as traveling to the mountains or the beach.
It is important not to let files or papers lying around your desk—they should be filed properly inside filing cabinets or shelves. These containers should be large enough to store everything so that the papers won’t be scattered around the office. Old files that belong to the storage area should be moved promptly while unused and unnecessary files should be thrown away so their spaces can be allocated for more urgent matters. Scattered files reflect the inefficiency and disorderly nature of the office occupants, and will trigger them to work incompetently, thus creating a devious circle that binds office users and prevents them from giving their best work performance.
Office users’ ratio towards the dimension of the office should also be calculated so that everything is in great proportion. A cramped office fit-out will lessen the work performance of its occupants and eventually makes it difficult for the company to achieve the desired target. In contrast, a sparse room will create a passive office environment. A proportional layout and appropriate use of space is an important point in the feng shui arrangement of an office.
In the case of too many rooms inside an office fit-out, we must make sure that the doors of the rooms are not facing the sharp edges of the walls across them. However, the most important thing is to ensure that all of the rooms are well-suited for the users: the direction that the desks and the doors face should be calculated carefully so that their feng shui properties suit the occupants.
Colour scheme should also be taken into account by calculating the qi composition inside the room and adjusting it to be compatible with the elements needed by the users. The occupants’ favourable elements can easily be predetermined using the four pillars method of feng shui.
Then, should a negative effect inevitably emerge from the interior design arrangement, a step needs to be found to neutralise the negative effect by applying the five elements theory of feng shui. This way, the users of the room can still show their positive work performance.
Finally, the lighting—including the one in the lobby, hallway, and throughout the working spaces—should also be seriously taken into account. If a room is too dark, it will invite the yin of the qi, which has a negative character, to gather inside the room. This might cause negative occurrences to come unexpectedly. Therefore, we must ensure adequate illumination throughout the office fit-out, even in a room that is considered passive.
That’s all I can share in this edition. I hope it will give you great benefit.
Be equilibrium.