| What
a worthy goal it is to create the perfect Feng Shui house. What does this mean?
It means that we are in harmony with our environment and that the energies are
flowing in balance and that any imbalances are corrected naturally and that inhabitants
are in resonance with their environments in a way that creates health, happiness,
wealth, and all good things. It also means that any parts of us that are not in
balance will be encouraged to change and release old negative outdated beliefs
and patterns so as to adjust to a new way of living in harmonic resonance with
our environment. The task
of building the Perfect Feng Shui House was not easy and continues to offer lessons
and growth opportunity but it is a perfect creation, meaning as perfect as we
are able to create in this current state of evolution. The
desire to create my own Perfect Feng Shui house was burning inside until finally
a few years ago I was given the opportunity to build it with no restrictions except
my own self imposed ones. The
goal was to create a perfect home that was in balance at every step of the way,
using green, environmentally safe building materials at an affordable price, super
energy efficient , that anybody could reproduce. In other words it needed to be
a design, shape and construction method that anyone could reproduce and that was
affordable. This would be the new paradigm of construction. In
order to accomplish this feat we required technical help from the latest science
as well as time proven Feng Shui principles at every step of the way. Energy Star
principles were used with the special assistance and collaboration of Efficiency
Vermont, a quasi non profit service that is paid for by a small percentage of
electrical bills. Efficiency Vermont then provides the technical skills and training
to assist builders and home owners to create environmentally safe and energy efficient
homes. The challenge was to balance the technology with the Feng Shui principles
and my objectives. I
began by looking for land in Northeast Vermont, where there is a minimal amount
of zoning and building restrictions so as to allow maximum freedom to create the
perfect Feng Shui house. I found land listed as the "snow field", and
the magic began. It is
close to an abundance of nature, beautiful mountains, clear skies, clean water,
fresh air, lots of open land, a freer pace to life and other supporting factors.
When we set our intentions clearly and have passion for what we want and then
take action, the creative forces step in and support us. This was certainly the
case for this project. Next
comes the process of testing the land and the earth energies to see if there was
any geopathic stress, noxious zones, good well water sources, any old wounds or
negative energies in the earth, etc. We discovered some old trauma that was then
cleared as well as some minor geopathic stress in the area where the structure
was planned so these were cleared using dowsing rods, special dielectric resonators,
and energy healing. After planning the approximate size of the structure and determining
road access and any set back requirements and other Feng Shui principles, we placed
the structure in approximately the middle of the rectangular shaped lot with the
best views, with a healthy separation from any neighbors, access to the pond and
ease of access for the driveway from the road and to the house. Part of the planning
included the idea that the main front door would face South or Southeast for the
best Feng Shui. The
driveway was placed so that there was easy access to the main road and then upon
entering the property, the driveway was comfortably wide and meandered towards
the house but not straight towards the house which in Feng Shui would create an
intrusive energy towards the main front door. The driveway was also designed so
that utilities would have space to go underground. Special
consideration was given to the affect of electric underground and what it would
do to the balance of earth energies and how much EMF would it create. Special
dielectric tabs were placed every 10 feet on the conduit to neutralize any unwanted
EMF. Once the shape
of the house was determined (rectangular), then time was spent staking out the
actual placement of the house on the land and the final testing to insure that
the earth energies were balanced under the foot print. Dielectric resonator spirals
were placed in the ground at key areas to insure that the energies remain balanced
over the years, because earth energies do shift and change from time to time depending
on earth quakes, blasting, testing by the government/military and other unknown
factors. Plans
were also incorporated to add a barn near the house for 2-car parking, tractor,
equipment, toys on the lower grade level, and an apartment or office area on the
top floor. Most people in suburban living these days seem to want parking attached
to the house so that one is insulated from the rain, snow, and inclement weather.
In this case, from a Feng Shui perspective, it is felt that the garage is best
separated from the house to keep the energies separate and not place a hole or
missing gua in the BaGua. The
highly energy efficient (92%) gas fired Munchkin boiler in an already super efficient
structure, requires 1/3 of the usual BTU heating requirements. In Vermonter's
terms the whole house (almost 3000 sq ft) can be heated all winter for only about
2 chords of wood in a simple wood stove. We
decided that the house was so efficient, that we need only place a simple photovoltaic
panel on the roof so that we can sell back unused electric which will probably
result in a monthly credit. Connections were put in place to have a backup generator
gas fired for times when the power may be out, but in the end we decided to have
electric and be connected to the grid because of ease, and expense. The current
electric costs are less than $30 per month for the whole house, pretty reasonable
by most standards today. We used energy star lighting and appliances, which also
helps keep the costs very low for electric. The
construction of the house is unique but easily reproducible, using advanced construction
methods, stick framing, 2x6 walls with 2" Styrofoam glued and nailed to the
exterior for the sheathing, and special metal bracing for structural integrity.
This method actually tests stronger than conventional methods and uses less lumber,
plus it creates an air tight envelope that can also breathe and release moisture.
Otherwise the framing is 2' on center for higher energy R rating and less lumber
and yet as mentioned before is actually stronger. The costs of this highly efficient
construction, turned out to be about the same as a conventional house but is much
more energy efficient, uses less materials, and should last for a very long time.
Easy maintenance is afforded by the exterior high quality vinyl siding which was
much less expensive than wood even though wood was preferred. This is an example
of how decisions were made. Less cost for the vinyl, less maintenance, nice appearance,
will last longer, so that is the overall choice even though vinly is not biodegradable
and sustainable. These tough choices have to be made with the pocket book in mind.
In some cases the materials are not the most earth friendly but if they conserve
energy and last longer than they may be better overall for the environment. The
result was that Energy Star principles were in fact balanced very well with Feng
Shui principles, and the house, as built, was awarded the "Best Of The Best"
for energy efficient homes built and set a new standard. From a Feng Shui construction
perspective, it is unusual because every step of the way was cared for including
the energy of the workers and attitude, the earth energies, EMF (electromagnetic
field) issues, color, lighting, materials, construction ease, cost of materials,
layout, colors, compass orientation, etc. Check
out Stanley's website to see some of the items references for EMF and learn more,
www.bartlettdesigns.com , fengshui@bartlettdesigns.com, (802) 626-9492. PHOTO
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Stanley Bartlett - Bartlett
Designs www.bartlettdesigns.com P.O. Box 119 East Burke VT 05832-0119
(802) 626-9492 * Feng Shui Private Consultations, Seminars & Catalogue
* "How to Build the Perfect Feng Shui House" (New Film) * Plus
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