Hong Kong: 6 times the philosophy of Feng Shui defined the architecture of the city

Feng Shui ("wind" and "water") is the ancient Chinese practice of aligning buildings and objects so that they attract good luck and ward off bad luck. In Hong Kong, feng shui experts play an important role in the architectural development of the city. Here are six examples of buildings influenced by feng shui.

HSBC Building

Designed by British architectural firm Norman + Partners, this landmark building was built after extensive consultation with experts in Chinese practice and is considered to have excellent feng shui. Instead of a ground floor, the building features a tall, hollow atrium that invites wind and positive chi (energy) inside. The escalators in the atrium are angled towards the entrance, preventing the misshapen evil spirits from entering upwards into the building. Additionally, a pair of large bronze lions guard the entrance, symbolizing wealth and prosperity.

But it doesn't just stop there. After the nearby Bank of China tower was completed, two cannon-like structures were placed on the roof of the HSBC building. These are said to protect the HSBC building from the bad feng shui of the Bank of China Tower, diverting any bad energy right back to the rival bank.

Bank of China Tower
The Bank of China Tower is known for not following the principles of good feng shui in its design. Designed by the famous architect I.M. Pei, the tower has the shape of a triangular prism, imitating the elegance of a bamboo branch and being one of the best examples of structural expressionism in the city.

However, the prism's angular structure is contrary to feng shui practices, as its knife-like edges "cut" good chi and radiate negative energy into surrounding buildings, according to practitioners. During the construction of the Bank of China tower, a series of unfortunate incidents fueled local superstitions about the building's negative feng shui. These include the financial collapse of the original owner of the nearby Lippo Center, as well as the death of Hong Kong's governor at the Governor's House.

After the public criticized the building's bad feng shui, some features were added to remedy the situation. A small waterfall was placed next to the building along with giant rocks that came from China, representing harmony and stability. Many plants and trees were also added around the building in order to "cleanse" the environment and bring in good energy.

Hopewell Center

Opened in 1980, this 64-story building was the tallest in the city until it was surpassed by the Bank of China tower a decade later. After consulting with a feng shui master, a circular pool was added to the roof because the thin, cylindrical shape of the building was thought to look too much like a candle or lit cigarette. This was considered dangerous, as such images are associated with fire and death in Chinese culture. Thus, the presence of water at the top of the building serves to "extinguish" any negative energy.

Cheung Kong Center

Cheung Kong Center was developed by Hong Kong billionaire real estate tycoon Li-Ka Shing in the 90s. It sits right between the Bank of China tower and the HSBC building - caught between the negative energy emitted by the former and the deterrent cannons of the latter. This meant that the designers of the Cheung Kong Center had to be extra careful when it came to managing feng shui.

They ultimately decided on a humble square shape with a reflective glass exterior, and an orientation that ensured the qi would flow smoothly around the building. These features balanced the negative energy in the environment and protected the building from bad chi. Even the height of the building was limited, reinforcing the principle of harmonizing with the environment rather than competing with its more ostentatious "neighbors".

Jardine House

Hong Kong's first skyscraper looks austere compared to more recently built, but Jardine House was the city's tallest building when it was completed in 1972. The building's 52-story facade is instantly recognizable as it is covered in identical rows of circular reflective windows. - a fact that gave the building its rather unfortunate nickname, the "House of a Thousand Holes".

The circular windows are said to resemble portholes, a subtle nod to the maritime trading businesses of the historically powerful Jardine family. However, windows are also considered an auspicious feature. According to the principles of feng shui, round shapes resemble both coins and the sun, and are thus associated with wealth and the sky.

Repulse Bay
Hong Kong's environment naturally has good feng shui, thanks to the dual presence of mountains and water. It is believed that the dragons - symbols of strength, kindness and good luck in Chinese culture - create positive energy as they travel from their mountain homes to the water to drink, a movement that can be felt when the wind blows towards the shore.

However, blocking the dragons' march with skyscrapers creates bad chi. To remedy this, many Hong Kong buildings feature holes called "dragon gates", which invite dragons to pass through unhindered. One of the most striking visual examples is The Repulse Bay, a residential and commercial complex on the south coast of Hong Kong Island.