Between the lines
the gridlines, setback lines, and boundary lines
lies the true art of building:
navigating technical complexities while finding the lighter side of everyday engineering challenges.
Noah’s Non-Compliant Ark
The Lord came unto Noah. The Lord said, “Once again, the earth has become wicked. Build another Ark and save two of every living thing along with a few good humans. You have six months to build the Ark before I will start the flooding rains for forty days and forty nights.”
Six months later, the Lord looked down and saw Noah weeping with no Ark. “Noah!” He roared, “I am about to start the rain! Where is the Ark?”
“Forgive me, Lord,” cried Noah, “but things have changed."
"BCA rejected my submission. CORENET X flagged 1,400 IFC-SG clashes across the 9,500 sqm GFA, and the Ark lacks Green Mark Super Low Energy certification.
My neighbours lodged an objection with URA claiming I have violated zoning by erecting an unapproved multi-tiered maritime structure.
MPA declared the Ark an unlicensed ocean-going pleasure craft and refused port clearance until I submitted a full maritime seaworthiness certificate, installed AIS transponders, and paid harbor dues.
DSTA warned me that the mast breaches regional height controls, while LTA insisted the stern protrudes 1.2 metres into the road reserve line. I told them the road would be underwater anyway, but they would not budge.
Sourcing the timber was another nightmare. NParks declared the trees within a Tree Conservation Area. SCDF flagged the Ark as non-compliant timber construction and demanded a full Performance-Based Fire Safety Design.
PUB demanded a full Drainage and Flood Impact Assessment on Your proposed 40-day deluge, while NEA withheld Environmental Information clearance due to insufficient health and nuisance buffer distances from the neighbouring estate.
When I rounded up the local wildlife, AVS cited me under the Wildlife Act for illegally keeping them without written approval. To make matters worse, MOM issued a Stop-Work Order because I had not completed the WSH safety briefings.
IRAS slapped an Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty of 35% plus 5% non-remittable on the development. So, forgive me, Lord, but at this rate, it will take at least ten years to get TOP."
Suddenly, the skies cleared, the sun broke through, and a rainbow stretched across the horizon. Noah looked up and asked, “You mean You are not going to flood the world?”
“No,” said the Lord. “The statutory authorities beat me to it."
"Can We Put a Water Feature in the Lobby?"
The Architect: "Yes! A cascading mirror pool to reflect the soaring glass curtain wall!"
The Engineer: "No! The structural floor slab cannot carry 12 tonnes of water weight without doubling the transfer beams!"
The Feng Shui Master: "It must be facing precisely 38 degrees North-East with seven swimming koi fish, or everyone on Level 4 will get back pain.
Ancient
Observations
Houses were built with the back portion to the mountains up north and facing south, “from where the sun would shine in the northern hemisphere”.
Ensure an open plain to the south so sunshine will not be blocked.
A household digs a well in the house for water supply.
Ancient Chinese preferred meandering watercourses over straight ones for managing river floods
Ancient Chinese avoided settling next to or creating straight watercourses.
Believed that all rivers in China flow from the west to the east (left to right as you look on a map).
Houses won’t be built perpendicular to river flow as such houses are exposed more to flooding.
What does
Fengshui say?
Auspicious site will be slightly elevated and has a U shaped formation from the surrounding hills. All entrances must face south.
The front of houses, tombs, etc., must be unblocked by tall objects.
Water (a fountain, etc.) in the home brings blessings.
Meandering watercourse with vegetation is essential to an auspicious site.
A straight watercourse means that Qi is being swept away from the site.
It is important that there is water at the front of businesses, house, etc., running from left to right.
A main entrance that sits perpendicular to an oncoming road is unfavourable.
What does Geography / Architecture say?
Elevated sites or hills offer the best shelter from winds, typhoons, storms, floods, etc. Vegetation protects against strong winds, landslides, and floods.
An open or unblocked frontage allows optimal ventilation and provides convenient access.
Water sources in the home offer great convenience.
A meandering watercourse deposits fertile soil for people to plant.
Straight watercourse sweeps away fertile soil in its path and accelerate water flow
Natural topography governs flow; water follows gravity.
An entrance opening aligned directly perpendicular to a public street or corridor creates a privacy issue.
Is Feng Shui an art, a science or mere superstition?
Today, Feng Shui has become a popular practice.
According to the book, A Biblical Approach to Feng Shui and Divination by Daniel Tong, he observed that Feng Shui captures much of what the Western world has placed under the study of geography and architecture.