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).