Michael Goh | Astrology · Feng Shui · Qi Men Dun Jia

In the earlier articles of this series, we examined several projects from the June 2026 BTO exercise, assessing their site configurations while progressively introducing practical Feng Shui considerations that applicants may find useful during the flat selection process. Continuing the series, we now turn our attention to Lakeview Cascadia.

Lakeview Cascadia Site Plan

As with the previous articles, we begin by highlighting several noticeable Form Feng Shui considerations based on the site configuration. The illustrations presented are intended to demonstrate representative examples rather than every possible Form affliction. By this stage of the series, readers should already be familiar with the basic principles discussed previously and may begin identifying other potential considerations independently, gradually learning to 举一反三.

Potential Common Form Afflictions

Lakeview Cascadia enjoys a particularly attractive setting beside MacRitchie Reservoir Park. Its cascading architectural design allows many of the higher floor southwest facing units to benefit from relatively unblocked views towards the reservoir and surrounding greenery. The remaining orientations are likewise comparatively open. For example, many northwest facing stacks overlook low rise private housing rather than high density developments.

Nevertheless, there are still several important considerations. For the northwest facing stacks, particularly Block 325A, lower floor units should take note of the presence of 海南山天公坛 (Hai Lam Sua Tee Kong Toa Temple) directly opposite. 

Lakeview Estate 3D

Although the southwest facing units generally enjoy views towards MacRitchie Reservoir and the surrounding greenery, applicants should also take into account the three residential blocks of Lakeview Estate situated in front. Depending on the visual spacing between these buildings, certain units may potentially be affected by a Form Affliction. The actual significance would ultimately depend on the frontage view from the selected unit, the chosen floor level, and the separation distance between the buildings.

Stacks 391 and 393, which face southeast, likewise enjoy relatively open view. However, an unblocked view does not necessarily translate into favorable Form. While the view may appear relatively open, the external Forms immediately in front are not necessarily among the more desirable.

The remaining orientations generally face towards the internal development, particularly the Multi Storey Car Park for the lower floor units. Readers who have followed the earlier articles in this series should already have a good understanding of the considerations involved when selecting units facing or overlooking a Multi Storey Car Park. 

Among these remaining orientations, particular attention may be paid to the southeast facing stacks of Block 325A and the northeast facing stacks of Block 326A, both of which present comparatively less desirable frontage.

One additional Form Affliction consideration worth highlighting is the Scissor Formation (剪刀), which may be regarded as another variation of the Pointed Angle (尖角) related Form afflictions introduced earlier in this series.

This may arise where adjacent blocks or stacks are positioned at an angle relative to one another, creating a wedge shaped or triangular space between them. In some situations, the triangular formation is immediately apparent, while in others it may be considerably more subtle. As with many Form afflictions, the more pronounced the formation, the greater its potential significance.

One potential example within Lakeview Cascadia may be observed between Stacks 321 and 323, where the two blocks are neither perfectly parallel nor perpendicular, but instead form a slight angle. Whether such a formation ultimately gives rise to a significant adverse influence for these two stacks depends on the overall circumstances, including the prominence of the formation.

Having identified the more apparent Form considerations across the development, we may now turn our attention to the Qi considerations. From a Qi perspective, the stack orientations within Lakeview Cascadia generally fall into the following three categories, with most stacks adopting a Southwest - Northeast orientation.

1. SW1-NE1 (丑未 Mountain): Stack 317, 323, 325, 327, 329, 337, 335, 339, 341, 343, 345, 349, 351, 353, 355, 357, 359, 361, 363, 365, 367, 369, 371, 375, 377, 379, 381, 383, 385, 387 and 389
2. SE1-NW1 (辰戌 Mountain): Stack 331, 333, 347, 373, 391 and 393
3. SE3-NW3 (巳亥 Mountain): Stack 301, 303, 305, 307, 309, 311, 313, 315, 319 and 321

Based on broad Qi considerations, and without taking into account unit specific factors, stacks under the SW1-NE1 orientation generally favor the southwest facing direction under the current Feng Shui Period.

Among the SE1-NW1 orientation, the southeast facing stacks are likewise generally regarded as relatively favorable from a Qi perspective. However, many of these stacks do not necessarily enjoy the most desirable external Form, once again illustrating why Qi should never be assessed independently of the surrounding environment.

For the SE3 to NW3 orientation, the northwest facing stacks are generally regarded as relatively more favorable.

As mentioned in the previous articles, when referring to relatively favorable stacks, it is always assumed that the facing direction is supported by an open and pleasant external environment. A favorable Qi orientation alone does not automatically make a stack desirable if the surrounding Form is compromised. Likewise, favorable external Form does not necessarily compensate for less desirable Qi. Every stack possesses its own strengths and limitations, and no single consideration should determine the overall assessment.

In the next and final article of this review series, we shall examine another aspect of stack assessment that becomes apparent only from the more detailed block layouts released during the flat selection stage. These finer details, while often overlooked, may prove useful when comparing otherwise similar unit choices during the flat selection process.

Image sources: HDB Sales Portal (artist’s impression and site plan).

In the earlier articles of this series, we examined various projects from the June 2026 BTO exercise, focusing on their site configurations and preliminary Feng Shui observations based on the available project information. Continuing this review series, we now turn our attention to Berlayar Rise at Bukit Merah. 

Among the projects in this launch exercise, Berlayar Rise is arguably one of the most closely watched developments. Located beside MRT station and within the Greater Southern Waterfront area, the project naturally attracts considerable attention due to its city fringe location, accessibility, and the possibility of wider open views towards the surrounding landscape and sea for selected stacks and higher floor units. These locational advantages have also contributed to its strong popularity among applicants in this exercise.

Berlayar Rise Site Plan

From a Feng Shui perspective, however, attractive views and desirable locations do not necessarily translate into equally favorable considerations across all stacks. While certain units may enjoy broader open views and stronger surrounding support, others may present potential Form Feng Shui considerations that applicants should remain mindful of during the selection process.

In this article, we will first examine some of the more noticeable Form Feng Shui considerations within the project, identifying stacks that may potentially be affected by external influences and highlighting areas that may warrant closer consideration during the selection process. Thereafter, we will briefly consider some general Qi related observations and whether similar orientations necessarily imply similar outcomes.

With this in mind, let us begin by looking at the Berlayar Rise site.

Artist's impression of Berlayar Estate. Image source: HDB.

Before looking at the individual blocks, it is worth considering the site as a whole. Broadly speaking, Berlayar Rise occupies a rather attractive location from a Feng Shui perspective. One notable feature is its relationship with the surrounding water formations.

Image source: Google Maps satellite imagery. © Google.

Unlike developments that face directly towards an immediate and vast open sea, the surrounding waters here appear comparatively more gathered before gradually extending outward. From a Form perspective, such a water formation generally creates a more embracing and contained environmental relationship rather than one that feels excessively exposed. Considering the overall site alone, the location itself appears reasonably attractive. Traditionally, favorable water formations are often associated with wealth accumulation and opportunities.

The project consists of six residential blocks, all largely following a north south orientation. If we consider only Qi principles in isolation, then units sharing the same facing direction and internal layout would theoretically experience similar Qi influences. Taking the four room units as examples, Stacks 118, 102, 151, 143, 127, and 111 share a similar arrangement. Likewise, Stacks 122, 106, 155, 147, 131, and 115 follow another similar arrangement.

Does this therefore mean that all these stacks would necessarily experience similar outcomes?

Not necessarily.

Similar internal arrangements do not always translate into similar outcomes once external environmental influences are considered. Therefore, before moving into broader Qi observations, let us first examine whether there are any noticeable potential Form considerations based on the site configuration.

Berlayar Rise Potential Form Afflictions

From a preliminary overview, Berlayar Rise appears relatively straightforward. The six residential blocks are reasonably spaced apart, and there appear to be relatively few immediately noticeable Form afflictions arising from close block to block interactions, excluding lower floor units where surrounding structures may naturally have greater impact.

However, one external feature that should not be overlooked is the expressway located towards the north of the site. Looking broadly across the blocks, 200B and 201A, followed by 200A, appear to be positioned closest to the expressway.

Units situated nearer to the expressway, particularly those at levels approaching the road height, may need to pay attention to practical and Form related considerations such as 声煞, 光煞 and certain visual influences arising from fast moving traffic.

If we were to loosely compare an entire residential block to a person and regard the expressway as a form of moving water, then assuming the block itself faces south, one may perhaps use the phrase “背水一战” as a simple analogy for illustration. Likewise, the expressway would also not generally be considered 有情之水 for those facing directly towards it.

That said, most applicants would likely be more attracted towards the south facing stacks overlooking the sea, Sentosa and Keppel Bay. After all, most people naturally appreciate a good view.

As mentioned in previous BTO articles, frontage is an important consideration. Frontage 为向，也就是前。前，也可以理解成前景。景既可以是眼前的景色，也可以延伸理解为 future development and potential, that is, 前景.

Taking four room units as examples, Stacks 118, 116, 102, 100, 151, 149 and 141 may potentially enjoy broader frontage and outward views. Likewise, Stacks 111, 109, 127 and 125 may also benefit from relatively open outward views due to the staggered height design across the site. However, frontage itself remains only one among several considerations.

Furthermore, one needs to note that while higher floor units may potentially enjoy broader frontage and wider outward views, height itself is not always an unconditional advantage. From a Feng Shui perspective, as one moves increasingly higher, surrounding Qi may also become comparatively more dispersed and less capable of accumulating or retaining Qi.

Certain blocks also appear somewhat more “孤” despite sharing similar directions. Furthermore, if considering the concept of Four-Sided Form Assessment mentioned in the previous article, one needs to remain mindful as well. For instance, for Stack 118, the right side is relatively "empty" (空), whereas conversely for Stack 116, the left side is relatively open. Such conditions may create both advantages and disadvantages depending on how one interprets support, a point also discussed in previous article.

At the same time, I have mentioned previously that one should not only observe 局内 influences but also remain mindful of 局外 surroundings.

Towards the southeastern side of the project sits the distinctive Reflections at Keppel Bay. Its highly recognizable architectural design creates a rather strong visual presence within the surrounding landscape.

Image source: Stankn via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

From a Form perspective, one also needs to consider whether the building's shape and reflective surfaces introduce any noticeable visual influence. Stacks positioned more towards this side, such as Stacks 163, 161, 139 and 137, may potentially experience stronger interaction. Ultimately, however, actual site experience and floor height will likely determine whether such observations become meaningful in practice.

Finally, based on a broad Form overview, applicants may first wish to exercise greater caution towards stacks with more obvious surrounding influences. This would include north facing stacks within Blocks 200A, 200B and 201A which are positioned nearer to the expressway, particularly for floor levels closer to the road height. Likewise, stacks such as 163, 161, 139 and 137 may wish to consider potential visual interaction arising from surrounding structures, while stacks such as 121 and 143 may present comparatively less spacious frontage.

Naturally, these observations do not automatically imply that such units are unfavorable in finality. They are simply factors that applicants may wish to consider and balance against other practical priorities.

From a broader Qi perspective, north south orientation under the current Feng Shui period is generally considered a favorable orientation. However, this assumes that the facing direction, whether north or south, is supported by a pleasant and open surrounding environment.

For Berlayar Rise, many stacks appear to satisfy this condition reasonably well, particularly those benefiting from broader outward frontage and less immediate surrounding influence.

Without going into more detailed considerations involving Four-Sided Form Feng Shui, deeper Qi analysis, internal layouts, or whether a unit complements the occupants' personal charts, Berlayar Rise is, on a broader level, a relatively positive project from a Feng Shui perspective.

Image sources: HDB Sales Portal (artist’s impression and site plan).

In the first two articles of this series, we examined Kebun Baru Ridge and Woodgrove Acres respectively, focusing on their site configurations and preliminary Feng Shui observations based on the available project information. Continuing our review of the June 2026 BTO exercise, we now turn our attention to the two Sembawang projects, Sembawang Brook and Sembawang Portico. 

Sembawang Portico Site Plan

In this article, the discussion will take a slightly different emphasis. Beyond identifying potential Feng Shui afflictions that applicants may wish to take note of during the selection process, which readers who have followed the earlier articles should by now have little difficulty recognizing, this review also serves as an opportunity to introduce the basic concept of 形势风水 or the Four-Sided Form Assessment (四象风水), which forms part of Form Feng Shui evaluation. It examines the strengths and weaknesses of the external physical environment through the relationship between the left, right, front, and rear surroundings.

While Qi evaluation, referring to the more formless energetic influences that often require compass measurements and calculations, is commonly discussed, the external physical environment remains one of the earliest and most important considerations in traditional practice. With this in mind, let us first examine both sites through this lens.

Relative to some of the previous BTO projects discussed in this series, the potential Form Afflictions arising from surrounding stacks appear comparatively fewer in both Sembawang Brook and Sembawang Portico. Some relatively straightforward and visually identifiable examples include Stack 118 in Sembawang Brook, which may potentially experience influence from Stacks 100 and 124, while in Sembawang Portico, Stack 437 may similarly be affected by the positioning of Stacks 439.

Sembawang Brook - Examples of Potential Form Affliction

Sembawang Portico - Examples of Potential Form Affliction

For both developments, greater attention should perhaps be directed towards the potential influence of the Multi Storey Car Parks, particularly for lower floor units situated in close proximity, such as Stacks 102, 100, 122 and 120 for Brook, or Stacks 471, 473, 451 and 453 for Portico.

In addition, for Sembawang Portico, Stacks 473 and 451 situated above the seven storey Multi Storey Car Park may wish to take note of the visual gap created by the spacing between Stacks 403 and 425, which may potentially give rise to a Form Affliction. However, given the relative distance involved, the visual impact is likely to be less pronounced, although its actual significance would ultimately depend on the frontage view from the selected unit.

That said, the larger consideration for both projects from an external Form Feng Shui perspective is not necessarily the visible structures within the site itself, but rather the number of surrounding unknown variables. Much of the surrounding environment remains undeveloped or yet to be finalized. These factors introduce a degree of uncertainty that cannot yet be fully assessed at present.

Among the two projects, Sembawang Brook deserves some additional discussion. At first glance, many readers may already recognize a familiar site configuration mentioned in the previous article, namely a development that follows a reverse road curvature (Admiralty Lane). However, the key consideration is whether this curvature becomes visually apparent from the frontage view of the selected stack itself. Given that the roads remain at the planning stage and the stacks are not directly oriented towards the curvature, the perceived reverse Form may ultimately be less apparent in actual observation.

To the north of the site is land reserved for a proposed church. Further north lies the Sembawang God of Wealth Temple. Does living beside a 财神庙 necessarily improve one's wealth prospects? I believe most readers would recognize that Feng Shui does not work in such a simplistic manner.

In residential Feng Shui, there are certain building types generally considered less ideal to be situated in close proximity to residences, common examples being places of worship, hospitals, and facilities such as fire stations. This is not because such places are inherently negative, but rather because they may introduce environmental influences less suitable for a residential setting.

Chinese temples in particular often contain large incense burners that can potentially create certain forms of Affliction, especially where the burners become visually prominent from the residence itself. Likewise, the architectural forms of churches or temples may occasionally create certain types of Form Affliction such as Pointed Angle that may affect nearby residences.

Temple Architectural Form Example

Church Architectural Form Example

Hence, stacks facing these buildings should be mindful of potential considerations in the future, especially lower floor units, particularly Stacks 132 and 134. Nevertheless, the presence of Acacia Home may already help obstruct direct line of sight towards the Chinese temple for certain lower and mid floor units within Block 437A. However, possible noise-related concerns arising from religious festivals or ceremonial activities should still be taken into consideration. As for stacks located nearer to the proposed church site, this remains an unknown factor for now. Future building height, design characteristics, and architectural forms may or may not introduce additional concerns.

At the upper right side of the site are a proposed school and the existing Heavy Vehicle Park. Similarly, the eventual school design, including its height and physical form, remains uncertain. At present, it is also unclear whether sufficient structures or buffers will exist between the Heavy Vehicle Park and nearby residential stacks. If located too close to the Heavy Vehicle Park, which is generally not regarded as an ideal neighboring land use for residential developments, possible 声煞 and 光煞 concerns may arise.

Next, let us discuss the concept of Four-Sided Form Assessment (四象风水), which forms part of Form Feng Shui and focuses on evaluating the influence of the front, rear, left, and right surroundings upon a residence, assessing whether these configurations are favorable or otherwise. The term 四象 traditionally refers to the Four Symbols of Chinese cosmology, but in practical Feng Shui application, it may be understood more simply as examining the four sides of a residence, namely the front, rear, left, and right.

For this article, I will briefly introduce the considerations of the left and right sides of a residence (Landform Fengshui - The Dragon and Tiger). The first step is to establish how left and right are determined. In modern apartments, the direction facing outward from the living room or balcony window is commonly taken as the frontage of the unit. Once the frontage is established, the left and right sides naturally follow. See the figure below using Sembawang Portico Stacks 471 and 457 as examples.

Many readers would likely have heard the saying “男左女右”. While not a Feng Shui principle in itself, it serves as a useful starting point for introducing the left and right considerations within Form Feng Shui. Simply put, the left side is generally associated with the male occupant, while the right side is associated with the female occupant.

For Stack 457, the right side is relatively "empty" (空), meaning it does not adjoin another neighboring stack and instead opens towards a road. The left side, however, is supported by neighboring stacks and therefore forms a comparatively stronger presence. This creates a condition described as "right empty, left solid" (右空左实).

If interpreted in a straightforward manner, for an unmarried male, relationship prospects may be comparatively less favorable. Within a household setting, the female occupant may experience greater pressure, possess comparatively less influence within family dynamics, or encounter relatively weaker health conditions.

Why is this so?

In simple terms, emptiness (空) represents a lack of support. 空则无力. Where support is lacking, the associated symbolism is considered weaker in both presence and influence.

Conversely, Stack 471 presents the opposite condition of 左空右实, where the left side is relatively open while the right side receives stronger support from neighboring stacks.

For an unmarried female, relationship prospects may similarly be comparatively less favorable. Within a family environment, the female occupant may exhibit a stronger personality or greater capabilities, while the male occupant may encounter comparatively weaker health conditions or less favorable overall progress. Overall helpful support, or 贵人运, may also be lacking.

There is a Chinese saying, “左右逢源”. In residential Feng Shui, neither side should ideally exhibit significant deficiencies. Ideally, both sides should receive support from adjacent Forms, with the left side preferably being slightly higher, stronger, or more extended than the right.

Of course, the principles of 四象风水 extend far beyond these simplified examples. However, I personally feel that some basic concepts should be understood by the general public. Just as everyone benefits from foundational education, certain fundamental Feng Shui concepts may likewise help people make more informed decisions when selecting a home.

Image sources: HDB Sales Portal (artist’s impression and site plan).

In the first article of this series, we took a preliminary Feng Shui look at Kebun Baru Ridge BTO. Continuing our review of the June 2026 BTO exercise, we now turn our attention to Woodgrove Acres in Woodlands. As with the previous review, the observations presented here are based primarily on the available site plan and project information, with the hope that these observations may, in some way, assist applicants during the flat selection process. Let us begin by examining the overall site configuration and surrounding environment of the development.

Woodgrove Acres Site Plan

For Woodgrove Acres, rather than directly pointing out potential afflictions or undertaking a quick Qi assessment of the stacks, I will approach the review from three perspectives. First, the Macro Perspective (大局). Second, Off Site Considerations (局外). Finally, Relative Significance (轻重缓急).

The first perspective, Macro Perspective (大局), refers to the broader assessment of the project site rather than individual stacks within the development. This level of analysis is generally more relevant when assessing the suitability of an area based on surrounding influences.

Looking at the site of Woodgrove Acres, the southern side is comparatively open, with views extending towards the surrounding greenery and wooded areas beyond the expressway. At first glance, this may suggest that the southern orientation benefits from a more open outlook and potentially more favorable frontage. However, the southern side also directly faces the Seletar Expressway. Proximity to an expressway already introduces potential concerns such as noise (声煞) and light (光煞) disturbances. More importantly, what I wish to highlight here is the Form of the road itself.

From the perspective of the Woodgrove Acres site, the road creates an outward embracing configuration resembling a Reverse Bow road (反弓路), with the project site situated close to the apex of the curve. In Feng Shui, a Reverse Bow Form is considered a type of Form Affliction (反弓煞) and is traditionally associated with challenges relating to health, finances, and relationships.

Reverse Bow Form Affliction

Since the embrace is directed outward rather than inward, the symbolism suggests that 财难聚，情难留. One may loosely relate this to the common Chinese saying, “胳膊肘往外拐”. The support and flow appear directed outward rather than towards oneself. From a macro Feng Shui perspective, therefore, facing a Reverse Bow road is generally not regarded as favorable for a residential environment.

Having said that, this remains a broad site level observation. Does it mean every block or stack within the development is equally negatively affected? Certainly not. Suitability is always relative.

好坏是比较出来的。有钱没钱是比较出来的。

For example, one school may generally have fewer or weaker resources than another, yet a particular class within that school may still benefit from a stronger teacher or better support than other classes. In the same way, although the Reverse Bow configuration can be clearly identified at the macro level, it may not necessarily be apparent from the perspective of every stack or unit.

Nevertheless, from a macro perspective, the project site does present concerns relating to the Reverse Bow affliction. The question then becomes one of degree rather than presence. Which stacks within Woodgrove Acres are likely to experience this influence more noticeably? The answer is fairly straightforward. Those closer to, or directly facing, the Reverse Bow road, especially where the curvature is visibly apparent from within the unit itself.

The second perspective is Off Site Considerations (局外).

Site plan analysis naturally has its limitations. A development may appear unproblematic on paper, only for additional concerns to become apparent after construction. Site plans provide a largely two-dimensional representation and may not adequately reflect the forms of certain structures or the influence of neighboring developments.

Take Stack 715 as an example. Are there any obvious Form concerns? Some may immediately observe that the frontage appears less open due to Block 447B directly opposite. While this observation is not incorrect, that is not the point I wish to highlight.

One must not neglect neighboring residential or commercial developments, which may not be clearly represented within the site plan as they fall outside the immediate project boundary. Let us look at the neighboring Woodgrove Edge project launched in 2024. I believe one can now identify the potential impact of Woodgrove Edge Block 450A on Stack 715.

This is what I refer to as Off Site Considerations. Such factors are often less fixed and can be difficult to assess, particularly when surrounding areas remain undeveloped or under construction.

Let us consider another potential issue. Looking towards the northern side of Woodgrove Acres, certain stacks face Woodgrove Condominium. Upon examining the architectural form of the condominium, a potential concern may become apparent. For some lower floor units in particular, the pointed architectural features may become more directly visible. This would fall under what is traditionally referred to as a Pointed Angle Affliction (尖角煞).

Woodgrove Condominium

Woodgrove Condominium 3D

Finally, we come to Relative Significance (轻重缓急).

Compared with Kebun Baru Ridge, readers may notice that Woodgrove Acres has a more orderly site configuration and appears to contain fewer apparent Form concerns.

In Part 1, I mentioned that although multiple Form afflictions may sometimes be identified, not all of them carry equal significance. One should avoid placing excessive attention on minor observations while overlooking more important factors.

Consider Stack 717. Readers who followed Part 1 may immediately identify a possible Wall Edge (壁刀) concern from the opposite block. Similarly, Stack 701 may present a comparable observation.

Do such concerns have an influence? Yes. Are they significant? That is a different question.

Regardless of significance, one cannot deny that the frontage for these stacks does not appear particularly open or visually ideal. However, such frontage conditions are increasingly common in modern residential developments, where land constraints and design considerations often make spacious and open frontages more difficult to achieve.

As for Wall Edge (壁刀) related concerns, these have also become relatively common due to the irregular and recessed designs frequently found in many buildings, as shown in Example 1 below. The question is therefore rarely whether such a Form influence exists, but rather the extent and significance of that influence.

Example 1: Recessed Form Edge

Would the effect remain the same if the unit were instead facing a Form Affliction configuration similar to Example 2 or Example 3? Although these Forms may carry different names and characteristics, for basic reference, one may regard them as falling under Wall Edge (壁刀) related afflictions.

Example 2: Wall Edge

Example 3: Wall Edge

I believe readers can already sense which among these would carry greater significance.

As with many Feng Shui observations, the objective is not merely to identify the presence of a Form issue, but also to understand its relative weight and practical impact. Not every concern carries equal influence, and in actual unit selection, one often needs to balance multiple considerations together rather than focusing on a single point in isolation.

Image sources: HDB Sales Portal (artist’s impression and site plan).