From a clerk at an architecture school

Well I work for an architecture school and on [sic] of our instructors actually lecture [sic] to architect student [sic] about feng shui. I really don’t agree to [sic] your article and you should do more research.

From an architecture student

Frankly, I was somewhat surprised by the negative outlook between architects and Feng Shui, but perhaps it is only my naivety and inexperience that renders me so.

However, I would speculate that perhaps the problem lies in the architects' interpretation or utilization of Feng Shui principles in the design process—since architectural design is a very complex process involving many layers and many integrated systems, maybe Feng Shui needs to be thought of as another layer or system to integrate rather than an ubiquitously governing control over the entire design process.

Perhaps some would argue that would defeat Feng Shui's integrity, but I would differ to say it is honoring its inherent value in equal proportion to all of the other vital factors of architectural design.

From an architect in México

Architects can hate or avoid feng shui because it isn't a mandatory subject in the five years they are typically in college. When they graduate that lack of knowledge is not likely to change.

It's a grand contradiction: the professional trained for and hired to undertake urban planning and to design buildings, select furnishings and features, is an architect—and most architects' first encounters with feng shui tend to be great disappointments.

Why? Because as a rule (especially for large projects), feng shui consultants don't understand that the structures they analyze have already been designed—sometimes by a large team of architects, interior designers, contractors, engineers, carpenters, and others. Feng shui consultants direct clients to "Change the position of the bed, add metal to that wall" without giving a thought to the time, effort, and money that went into the building they want to change. Then you have the fraudulent consultants who toss off ridiculous solutions for clients seeking a "miracle cure," and believe these frauds can give it to them.

Consider this advice from feng shui consultants (and my questions)

Why don't you change the location of the bathroom, and put it on the other side of the house?

Does the consultant provide a risk assessment on the work, time, and cost required to move pipes, electrical lines and outlets, and other structural pieces necessary for the safety and integrity of the building?

Take off the roof, leave it open some weeks, and put it back again.

Does the consultant provide a risk assessment on the effort and expense, what problems can arise by doing this, what is likely to be the outcome of such an extreme measure—and does the practitioner advise the client on whether the outcome is worth the considerable trouble?

Pity the poor client who can't decide which professional is truly looking out for their best interests!

Why should two types of specialists that supposedly create a comfortable, positive space, have to work in several directions? Why don't they meet and collaborate?

Advice for the architect

• Knowledge. Although usually architects don't have time to become a feng shui consultant (or may not like doing so), I recommend they do get to know a little about feng shui by consulting books and websites with good materials.

Traditional feng shui based on complex methods and exact orientation (such as Flying Stars and Four Pillars), is the most accurate and reliable. Most feng shui consultants do not know these techniques very well because it takes several years to be a specialist.

Please, architects: don't get ideas for feng shui from magazines and any articles that take feng shui as a religion (it's not that). I recommend that architects not try to be feng shui consultants too because architecture is already complex enough (dealing with clients, contractors, etc.). Real feng shui is not easy and it takes time.

• Selection. Choose a good feng shui consultant, that is also known by his/her way of thinking towards design. Architects can be avant-garde, classic, traditionalist, hi-tech, retro, etc. A sole architect and an architectural firm both choose wisely from professionals that match their ideas and tastes.

Insist that prospective feng shui consultants provide a c.v. (a résumé) with the studies they have taken and with which teachers. A consultant whose schooling consists of a weekend course is not an expert. I recommend at least 150 hours in training and at least 3 years of professional experience with real clients, not just indulgent friends and relatives.

Also, having a Chinese teacher is not a warranty of good teaching, so find out what schools a consultant has attended. Fortunately the world of feng shui is not that big; worldwide there are a few real masters and disciples who teach others. For me, the best masters are Joseph Yu, Eva Wong, Yap Cheng Hai, Larry Sang and Raymond Lo.

Unfortunately, it's true that being famous (on TV and authors of books) does not automatically mean a feng shui teacher is good. So why are the feng shui celebrities successful? Because they tell people what they want to hear—how to a get a steady relationship, how to quickly attract money by hanging this here, or wearing this or that. If that's their level of advice, maybe your consultant should reconsider their education.

• Practice. In your next projects, work closely with a feng shui consultant on the team just like interior designers, contractors, etc. You don't always follow unquestioningly their recommendations (unless the consultant is an architect and has decision-making power) because the architect makes the final decision. Involve your consultant when considering budget, orientation, design trends, etc.
• Results. Analyze. Ask clients about their reactions to a feng shui consultant in your team. Usually wives are more open-minded on the subject. Logically, this makes sense: they're the ones who spend more time in the building and worry most of the well-being of their family.

Advice for feng shui consultants

Self-assessment

Be honest as you ask yourself the following questions.

Do I really have a good education in feng shui or do I need more courses recognized professionally?

Your skills need to be realistic and capable of working with construction crews and well-educated professionals. Get training if your skills are not up to the task.

Are those "magic solutions" I read about in feng shui books convincing me?

Well, investigate them if they don't convince you.

Have I analyzed enough structures to realistically consider myself an expert, or do I need more practice?

Get it. Don't practice on paying clients. They can, and will, sue you for lack of due diligence.

What is my track record with clients? Have they paid too much for too little?

Keep detailed records and analyze the data. That is how you improve.

Know the professional landscape

Do you believe you are expert enough to recommend clients to change their interior design? If you're not trained as an architect or interior designer, you don't know about construction, structures, materials, and architectural projects.

I suggest you research interior design—not necessarily to practice it, but at least to know something about trends, materials, colors, furnishing, gardens, budgets, etc. In 2 to 6 months, you could learn a little about different disciplines in design. Take a position on a work team in an architect's office; it could be very helpful to you.

Professional ethics and practices

If you want to be professionally accepted, act like a professional. Don't do favors, quick fixes or solutions for friends, and even worse, for free. Professionals DON'T GIVE AWAY WORK FOR FREE unless they are using the practice in their studies. Nor do professionals overcharge for their work.

When people ask for you to perform an audit, show them your c.v. (surely you already have it), hand out your business card, present your prospective client with a budget (on your letterhead) with your fee range, timetables, and payment schedules. People appreciate that kind of professionalism.

Promote yourself as a professional

It is one thing when your neighbor hires you to "decorate" the baby's room. It is another level entirely to arrange a meeting with the CEO of a large company and explain why the company needs your services. Will they believe in what you have to sell? There is a 95% chance that they don't and won't — that why it's a challenge.

Foster professional relationships with architects; promote yourself as someone who can easily work as part of the architectural design team like anyone else.

Advice for clients

• Evaluate the consultant. Who to hire? How much am I able to pay? Do I ask my architect, look in the Yellow Pages, or on the Internet? Ask for c.v.'s (I already mentioned the advantages for architects), written budgets, references, and expected results.
• Do not give your consultant more information than necessary. The fraudsters ask too many questions; they would know the answers if they were competent consultants.
• Hire a team. Don't hire separately. Supposedly an architect will design your house, an engineer (or a construction firm) will build it, a feng shui consultant will give tips; if these people perform separately, they will all start to contradict. This is disaster! They need to work together. Maybe a professional team will cost you more, but paying for the team that includes a feng shui consultant, and where every member of the team knows what to do at their time, ensures a better result.

I hope these few recommendations help integrate these complex disciplines for the well-being of the architect, interior designer, feng shui consultant, and most of all, for the clients, because they're the ones who invest, trust in us and literally live out the work and results.