HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH WAITE YUTTHACHAISANTI, A FOUNDER OF FENGSHUIPLUSDESIGN WHO INTEGRATES FENG SHUI INTO DESIGN KNOWLEDGE TO ASSIST THE OWNER AND DESIGNER IN ACHIEVING THEIR IDEAL DESIGNS  

TEXT: CHIWIN LAOKETKIT
IMAGE & PHOTO COURTESY OF WAITE YUTTHACHAISANTI EXCEPT AS NOTED

(For Thai, press here)

Many may be familiar with the concept that ‘Feng Shui,’ an ancient belief system, plays a pivotal role in crafting optimal spaces for living and conducting business. Yet, the principles of Feng Shui often find themselves at odds with the vision of contemporary designers, a conflict that can bring building projects to a frustrating halt. In an engaging discussion facilitated by art4d magazine, Waite Yutthachaisanti—a graduate of Silpakorn University with a degree in design—shared insights drawn from his encounters with Feng Shui in his interior design practice. These experiences propelled him to establish Fengshuiplusdesign. This initiative aims to bridge the gap between traditional Feng Shui and modern design aesthetics, providing solutions that integrate Feng Shui principles into the planning of homes, retail spaces, and commercial venues. His efforts have fostered collaborations with leading design firms such as PIA Interior, VAIR, and ATOM Design, as well as renowned designers Pomme Chan and Saran Yen Panya.

art4d: How did you first become interested in integrating Feng Shui into your designs?

Waite Yutthachaisanti: Growing up, my home doubled as a bookstore, which meant I was constantly surrounded by a wealth of reading material. This environment, combined with my early fascination with design and fashion, led me to take a course in visual representation during my sophomore year in high school. I continued to refine my skills and eventually pursued a degree in Interior Design at the Faculty of Decorative Arts at Silpakorn University. After I graduated, a relative suggested studying Feng Shui, emphasizing its practical benefits. I took that advice to heart and dedicated several years to studying the discipline. This background allowed me to work on a variety of projects, from residential to commercial spaces in shopping centers, where I realized how seamlessly Feng Shui principles could integrate with modern design and functionality.

art4d: How have you integrated Feng Shui principles into your design work?

WY: In some of the projects I’ve done, clients seeking Feng Shui guidance have owned either a single condo unit or a standalone house. After our discussions, they typically go on to hire a contractor or designer. At that point, I recommend materials that align with Feng Shui principles concerning energy flow and orientation. For example, in commercial spaces like Clothier and Sons designed by Bellman Design Studio at EmQuartier in Sukhumvit, I’ve suggested using specific lighting designs to solve particular issues. Sometimes the design requires certain colors to adjust the energy flow. Other times, simply using existing frames or products can be effective. My background in interior design really comes into play, helping to incorporate these Feng Shui principles that emphasize openness, light, cleanliness, and brightness. Creating such energized environments can significantly enhance productivity and agility. Ultimately, the core principles of Feng Shui align well with architectural design.

art4d: We know that you have a Facebook page called Fengshuiplusdesign. Could you share the inspiration and the principles behind how you run this page?

WY: ‘Feng Shui,’ derived from the Chinese concept of balancing life between wind and water, inspired me to start this page after spending some time as a design consultant. It serves as a record of my projects and a learning tool for students at the Faculty of Decorative Arts at Silpakorn University, where I teach a course on Feng Shui. During class, I aim to demystify Feng Shui, showing that it’s not as daunting as it might seem. I teach how to integrate these principles into design by using real floor plans, placing satellite pins on maps to identify directions, and aligning these with the homeowner’s personal details such as date of birth, etc. This helps in advising on the functionality and precautions for each residence. For instance, I use familiar locations like Siam Paragon, a place my students often visit, to analyze Feng Shui at various points, helping them see its practical applications. This prepares them to more easily understand and tackle design challenges they may encounter in the future.

art4d: Have you ever faced a particularly challenging design project?

WY: Each design project brings its challenges; it’s never a case of ‘anything goes.’ Take, for example, the Norma coffee shop we’re at right now. It’s situated in an old building that has a very peculiar layout. The space is triangular, almost flag-shaped, which is a form typically avoided in residential designs. This type of space also symbolizes the fire element, generally suited for food-related businesses and endeavors that require creativity and imagination, which is why there’s also a studio upstairs.

When I began working with the owner and designer of Vessu Collaboration, they showed me the floor plans. Most of the functionalities were suitable, but there was a problem with a sharp-edged column in the center of the building. From my experiences, such columns can cause regular users to suffer abdominal pain. We managed to address this issue by applying plaster to the sides of the column to reduce its sharpness. Another complex issue involved the positioning of the door. It needed to be placed in a spot that harnessed the building’s positive energy. The entrance initially feels narrow, but as you move further inside, the space significantly widens. This aspect required extensive discussions with the owner and the architect, as the placement of the door is critical in attracting customers to the shop.

art4d: In the past projects, have changes or modifications typically been driven more by the owner’s requirements or by the design’s compatibility from the designer’s vision?

WY: It’s crucial to collaborate with the architect, the designer, and the owner. For residential projects, we usually start by analyzing the owner’s personal fortune to find the most suitable energy and direction. This helps us develop a collaborative approach. While some believe that living at a three-way junction is unfavorable, for others, such a location can be advantageous if it aligns with their fortune, potentially leading to prosperity. The physical characteristics of a three-way junction, being close to the road, can result in car lights shining into the house. The placement of windows is particularly critical; if they aren’t high enough or there aren’t any barriers like fences or bushes, the glare from the street can be disruptive. In many cases, installing curtains can be a simple yet effective solution to mitigate the problem of intrusive light.

art4d: Given the diversity of Feng Shui as a field of knowledge, how do you choose the right approach for each project?

WY: Each site has its unique context and conditions. For example, when building on vacant land, we can thoroughly define elements like the orientation of the building, the placement of doors, the functional rooms, and even the positioning of system installations. However, when we’re renovating homes that use precast wall structures, we encounter limitations with structural modifications and functionality. In such cases, we often turn to colors and materials for support, especially in rooms where the plumbing and piping systems are difficult to relocate. From the Feng Shui perspective, our recommendations need to be in harmony with both the design’s functionality and the user’s preferences. The younger generation tends to prefer aesthetically pleasing spaces and values incorporating beliefs that provide a sense of comfort. Consequently, we devise solutions that cater to these modern needs while respecting the limitations of the space. Feng Shui, which is part of the Yi Jing philosophy centered on life’s balance, must be practically applicable in design. Sometimes, ancient guidelines may not suit contemporary contexts, so we make necessary adjustments to bridge this gap.

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