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SCMP Reporter

Masters of fung shui help revitalise age-old beliefs in a modern world

BUSINESSMEN DO IT, homeowners do it and even hoteliers do it ... consult a fung shui master, that is, while renovating or building their offices, homes, hotels or properties.

Today, fung shui has become a multidisciplinary study encompassing architecture, urban planning, geography, landscape design and more.

It has become  popular for many organisations to consult fung shui masters to enhance the well-being of their business. Where to place the desk, how the dining table should be set and which way the fountain should face -  these are some of their basic questions.

The Grand Hyatt in Singapore  consulted fung shui masters in its building and design work, and still does today - 32 years after it opened in October 1972.

The hotel recently underwent major renovation work, and as guests walk into the revamped lobby they will see an elegantly designed water feature with embedded rocks strategically positioned in the reception area.

The feature (as one of the five elements of nature - water, fire, metal, wood and earth) helps to accentuate the balance of harmony in the environment, while the stones or rocks illustrate stability.

A renowned fung shui master was consulted  and he recommended its  position  to help the flow of 'chi' - or energy -   to improve business.

The hotel's Grand Wing was refurbished and unveiled earlier this year, with fung shui playing a major part in the redesign. Sculptures depicting the Chinese characters for happiness  and love  are now on each floor of the wing.

In addition, a series of Chinese calligraphy photographic works adorn the walls of each of the Grand Deluxe rooms and suites. Each character illustrates thought-provoking messages such as truthfulness  , kindness  , benevolence   and mankind   .

Many in Singapore believe that the success of the Grand Hyatt is due to the help of a fung shui master and monk who helped fortify the prominence of the hotel.  The monk's work is still talked about today, and the hotel was recently featured in a  TV documentary on the art.

After the hotel opened in 1972 as the Hyatt Regency, owner Cheong Eak Chong invited the venerable Seck Hoon Choon to inspect the property. Seck noticed that all the entrance doors were aligned and  parallel to the road.

He advised Cheok to  put them at a slant and even gave a specific time and date for doing this. It was believed that ominous spirits travelled only in a straight direction, and it was therefore necessary to make the modifications as soon as possible.

After they were carried out,  two bricks were buried in the front and back of the hotel as talismans.

Bernd Chorengal, now Hyatt International president, took over the hotel and found that the entrance fountains were faulty. He consulted Seck who advised that the water should cascade uninterrupted from a designated height and that a well beneath the waterfall be dug to a designated depth. Seck also said  there should be a second hotel entrance.

Today, the hotel has a magnificent 40-foot waterfall in the centre of the property and a second entrance to the hotel was added in 1983. The waterfall was unveiled in 1986, and on that day  the passengers and crew of an aircraft grounded at Changi airport were put up at the hotel. Occupancy ran at 100 per cent  for four days.

In 1998, a Hong Kong fung shui master, who is a regular guest at the hotel, advised that the stairway leading to the hotel's signature mezza9 restaurant on the mezzanine floor should comprise 32 steps. In Cantonese, this represents  'business all day'  .

Today, mezza9 is one of the most popular restaurants in Singapore, and the Grand Hyatt is one of the city's top hotels.



Elementary