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 Fore Front Challenges: Changes An Assignment Malate, Manila Fleur Feast Color Coordinates Lively Lines Refreshing Reprise Table Tops Sweet Scents Prosperity Pillar ________________ Diversions Flowering Frisco Buddhist Banahaw My Mahayhay ________________ Sign Guest Bbook Read Guest Book  BOOK ONE CONTENTS foreword Introduction Part One Formative Years Space to Start Tools of Trade Concept Renderings First Break East by Southeast Part Two Working Manner Space Transitions Seasons' Home Summer Spring Autumn Sunsets' Place Pied á Terre Something Different Restrained Elegance Dream Zones In Comfort Part Three Prestige Investments Building Lobby Legal Office Garment Office Realty Office Asian Gallery Part Four Lighting Objects Flowers Afterword Professional Profile Personal Profile Interview Clippings Times Journal, Mla. Architectural Digest SCM Post HK Philippine Standard Style Magazine HK Todays Living HK Lifestyle Asia Other Links Importance of Living Lin Yutang Herman Hesse |
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In this two-bedroom apartment perched high overlooking the Pearl River in Guangzhou, China, I opened up the balcony to include it as integral part of the whole living space. In the middle of this space, I created a round column as a metaphor to wealth and prosperity. This rounded element is repeated as half columns in the open corridor leading to the living room. To emphasize this poetic expression and to tangibly invoke prosperity, I asked my client to put some coins inside this round pillar. This may be superstition to some, but in feng shui, nothing is left to chance.
The restructured floor plan. The living room and master bedroom is delineated by glass windows following the contour of the exterior architecture. Unfortunately, these are not in parallel to the interior space. This peculiar situation creates an unbalanced feeling and does not augur well for good feng shui. To solve this, I redefined the parallel lines disregarding the as-built formation of the windows. I tried to create a feeling of openess and unrestricted movement in the space layout. Sliding doors help open up spaces and also provide privacy when needed.
Left: View of the dining and living room from the foyer showing the series of rounded columns. Right:
View of the dining room from the balcony with the wall water feature and the prosperity pillar.
Centered to the dining table, the sliding door on the right opens to the kitchen. Further down is the foyer with a large fish bowl with water plants on a pedestal. The Charles Eames designed molded plywood dining chairs used here were introduced in 1946. Comfortable, practical and lightweight, it looks as contemporary now as it did then. These masculine looking chairs covered in black and white pony hide are teamed with a Le Corbusier designed dining table adjusted to Asian ergonometry. It has a black double glass top. Extra large (120 x 60 cm.) ceramic tiles used in the floor and wall looks seemingly seamless. 
Left: Glass walls divide the interior and exterior yet expands the feeling of space. Right:
The light celadon glass wall serves to delineate the dining area and accentuate the modern classic furniture. A pair of marble pedestals display a sculptural Alocasia plant in a glass vase and a modern yet traditional ceramic vase matching the color of the accent glass wall.
Left: The Quisqualis indica or Chinese Honeysuckle has fragrant flowers from white to pink to red. It is used here to hide or obscure a misplaced water meter mounted in the exterior wall of the building that is visible. Right:
A simple and functional kitchen. The mirror above the counter and under the hanging cabinet visually expands the long and narrow space.
