APARTMENT living has gained popularity among Malaysians in recent years, not just as a long-term investment but also as an affordable mode of living, particularly in Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Johor Baru.

But choosing the right property could turn into a nightmare without the know-how to evaluate a potential property purchase.

This problem becomes more apparent for high-rise buildings compared with landed properties, because the former are more complex and require a different method of assessment.

Here are some rules of thumb to gauge the feng shui of a high-rise property.

Is it facing the right way?

It can be hard to determine the Facing Direction of a high-rise property because the Facing Direction is not obvious. The solution is to assume that the whole apartment block is one house sharing a common roof. The Facing Direction should be the direction of the façade of the block itself.

To determine the direction of the block’s façade, or Facing Direction, you have to use a Feng Shui Luo Pan while standing at the centre of the façade, facing outwards from it.

Mapping the Qi

Once the Facing Direction has been determined, map out the Qi of the unit by plotting the Flying Stars or Eight Mansions chart. Do note that even if the units in the apartment share the same Facing Direction, they will not share the same Qi map because each unit is not located at the same location in the building. When you have plotted either the Flying Stars or the Eight Mansions chart of your block, superimpose the chart over a copy of your unit's floor plan.

After you have used a compass to get the direction of your unit’s Main Door, use the Flying Stars chart of the block’s Facing Direction to get a general idea of the Qi affecting your potential unit. If the stars’ indication is unfavourable, the collection of energy of your unit will too be unfavourable.

People frequently ask how Qi flows from the ground floor to the upper floors. The answer is that Qi also flows vertically, from high to low ground, and it will also expand upwards within a building.

External and internal factors

When gauging the feng shui of a high-rise building, observe the external forms that influence the Qi of the block and the ones around the block’s Main Door as well. You also need to check the Water and Mountain formations and take into consideration the apartment’s swimming pool. The corridors outside your unit have to be clear and wide. Also, ensure that the lift is not obstructed or blocked, because it is considered an internal Qi mouth.

A Main Door for a high-rise should be spacious, prominent and does not sink deep within the building. An inauspicious Main Door would be those with a hidden, sunken, or a low and narrow entrance. Additionally, a Main Door with steps leading to it could denote higher negative risks for the building. These stairs could cause the Qi to leak out rather than flow in. Also, if there are stairs at the main entrance, you should avoid this building at all costs!

Another external form to look out for is the Bright Hall. This is the space before the main entrance of any building. This space has to be capacious enough to allow Qi to gather and to be received into the building. The external Bright Hall should be level. If it appears to slope away, then the Qi will gradually flow away.

There is also an internal Bright Hall, which is inside the building just after the entrance. If this is small, then avoid having too many plants or furniture there as it can obstruct the flow of Qi. Generally, in order to have a unit with good features, you need to look for a small garden or patio area outside the unit.

This means that the unit is blessed with an External Bright Hall. Sometimes, the Bright Hall may not be located right outside your unit, but if it is still accessible via a window, your unit could still be considered a slightly superior unit.

Numbers, shapes and other taboos

First and foremost, remember that the unit number or the colour of the Main Door is of no significance. Living on the 13th floor is not taboo. Also, while owning a penthouse may offer you the best view of the area, it does not always mean that it has the best Feng Shui. Similarly, if the door of your unit faces a small garbage chute, it is not necessarily negative — it does not mean that your luck is being tossed away.

But you may want to stay clear of units located at the end of a corridor, opposite the fire escape, staircase or garbage chute or if it is too close to the lift area. Pay attention to the shape of the unit as well. A square or rectangular unit is highly preferable. As for the exterior of the apartment, a building with a “stable” shape is preferable to buildings that are lopsided, shaped like a wedge or overly thin or narrow. These structures are considered negative because they are of an imbalanced shape, causing the Qi to be stretched out or squeezed internally.

Hunting for a home may be frustrating and confusing. But with a little knowledge and guidance, you can spot one that matches your budget and living needs. Remember that it is not about how much you spend or the amount of renovation you do to your home. It is about maintaining the general happiness of the occupants and creating a home that supports your aspirations in life.