Chinachem Group and Feng Shui: Architectural Principles and Practices in Hong Kong

Chinachem Group stands as one of Hong Kong's prominent property developers, with a portfolio spanning residential complexes, commercial towers, and hospitality ventures. The company's development has been intertwined with feng shui principles, a traditional Chinese practice deeply embedded in Hong Kong's architectural landscape. This report examines how Chinachem's buildings incorporate feng shui principles and the historical context that shaped this relationship.

The Chinachem Group Legacy and Feng Shui Connection

Chinachem Group was established as a paint and chemical business by Wang Din-shin, who eventually expanded into property development. The company rose to prominence under the leadership of Teddy Wang and later his wife Nina Wang (née Kung Yu-sum), who took control after Teddy was kidnapped in 1990 and later declared legally dead in 1999¹. Under Nina Wang's direction as "Chairlady," Chinachem evolved into a major property development conglomerate with significant holdings across Hong Kong¹².

Nina Wang, once Asia's richest woman with an estimated fortune of US$4.2 billion, was known for her eccentric appearance—often sporting pigtails and girlish outfits—and her strong belief in feng shui practices¹². During her legal battle with her father-in-law over her husband's will, Wang turned to feng shui masters for guidance³. She installed wind wheels and feng shui tripods at Chinachem headquarters to bring good fortune and improve her chances of winning the inheritance dispute³.

Her relationship with feng shui extended beyond professional consultation. When battling cancer in her final years, Wang employed feng shui practices in an attempt to prolong her life². Her most notable feng shui consultant was Peter Chan Chun-chuen (formerly Tony Chan), who later claimed to be the sole beneficiary of her estate before being convicted of forgery and sentenced to 12 years in prison for falsifying her will⁴⁵⁶.

Feng Shui Principles in Hong Kong Architecture

Feng shui, which literally translates to "wind and water," is a 6,000-year-old Chinese practice aimed at creating harmony between environment, buildings, and people⁷. In architectural terms, it optimizes internal and external spaces to promote positive energy flow, or "qi"⁷.

Hong Kong's architectural landscape has been profoundly influenced by these principles, with many major developments incorporating feng shui elements into their design. Key feng shui principles in building design include:

1. Energy Flow: Creating layouts that allow for the unobstructed flow of qi throughout the building⁷⁸.
2. Balance of Elements: Incorporating the five elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, and water) through materials, colors, and shapes⁸.
3. Orientation: Positioning buildings to maximize beneficial energies based on compass directions⁷⁹.
4. Site Selection: Choosing locations with "dragon veins" (mountain ridges), suitable surrounding hills, proper water flow, and optimal positioning⁹.
5. Visual Harmony: Avoiding sharp angles and creating balanced visual elements¹⁰.

Notable Hong Kong Buildings with Feng Shui Features

While the search results don't specify Chinachem buildings with explicit feng shui elements, several prominent Hong Kong structures demonstrate how these principles are applied:

HSBC Building

The HSBC Building exemplifies excellent feng shui through multiple design elements:

• It features a tall, hollow atrium that invites wind and positive chi inside¹⁰¹¹.
• Escalators are angled rather than straight, based on the belief that evil spirits can only travel in straight lines¹¹.
• Its position offers clear harbor views, as water is associated with prosperity¹¹.
• Two cannon-like maintenance cranes were installed on the roof, pointing at the Bank of China Tower, to defend against the negative feng shui emanating from its neighbor¹⁰¹¹.

Bank of China Tower

Ironically, the Bank of China Tower is notable for its controversial departure from feng shui principles:

• Its sharp, knife-like edges are believed to "cut" positive chi and radiate negative energy to surrounding buildings¹⁰.
• After public criticism, remedial features were added: a waterfall, rocks from mainland China representing stability, and plants to "cleanse" the environment¹⁰.

Cheung Kong Center

Positioned between the Bank of China Tower and HSBC Building, this development demonstrates strategic feng shui planning:

• It features a square shape with reflective glass exterior to balance the negative energy from neighboring buildings¹⁰.
• Its height was deliberately limited to harmonize with its environment rather than competing with neighbors¹⁰.

Chinachem Properties and Likely Feng Shui Applications

Based on general feng shui practices in Hong Kong and the available information about Chinachem properties, we can identify several developments and their potential feng shui features:

Nina Tower

Named after Nina Wang, this is one of Chinachem's signature properties. While specific feng shui elements aren't detailed in the search results, the tower likely incorporates:

• Water features to attract prosperity, as mentioned in Chinachem's sustainability initiatives with CLP to implement a "zero-carbon" air-conditioning system¹².
• Strategic orientation to optimize energy flow and minimize negative influences from surrounding buildings.

WHITESAND COVE

This low-density residential project in Sai Kung features:

• A seaside location with vibrant seascape views, aligning with feng shui principles valuing water proximity for wealth attraction¹³.
• Only 40 villas and spacious residences, suggesting attention to space and harmonious living environments¹³.
• Configurations ranging from 3 to 5 bedrooms with substantial saleable areas, indicating consideration for balanced spatial arrangement¹³.

Lee Garden Eight

A collaborative development with Hysan Development that demonstrates feng shui-aligned features:

• Improved traffic efficiency and connectivity, potentially enhancing energy flow through the area¹³.
• Enhanced walkability and accessibility, creating harmonious movement patterns that align with qi flow principles¹³.
• Green landmark status, incorporating natural elements that balance the built environment¹³.

The Integration of Feng Shui in Modern Building Design

Contemporary developers like Chinachem likely approach feng shui as both cultural tradition and practical design philosophy. The principles often align with modern sustainable design practices:

1. Site Selection and Environmental Integration: The Form School approach to feng shui evaluates topography, surrounding environment, water flow, location, and orientation⁹—considerations that parallel modern environmental impact assessments.
2. Structural Harmony: The Feng Shui model's emphasis on balance between natural elements resembles contemporary biophilic design principles⁹.
3. Spatial Organization: The hierarchical structure of feng shui knowledge provides a framework for integrated design that considers multiple scales—from urban planning to interior layouts⁹.
4. Sustainability: Chinachem's recent focus on sustainable development, as evidenced by their recognition as a Global Sector Leader in the Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark¹³, aligns with feng shui's emphasis on harmony with nature.

Nina Wang's Feng Shui Practices and Chinachem Decisions

Nina Wang's belief in feng shui likely influenced Chinachem's corporate and architectural decisions. According to court testimony, she employed multiple feng shui advisers, including "Professor Liu" who would "observe the constellations to determine the fung shui"³.

Peter Chan recounted that Wang took him to Chinachem construction sites as she trained him to be her right-hand man¹⁴. This suggests feng shui considerations may have been integrated into project planning and site supervision processes.

Wang also reportedly installed feng shui elements at Chinachem headquarters:

• A large wind wheel to bring good luck
• A feng shui tripod
• Other modifications recommended by her consultants³

These practices extended beyond personal superstition—they represented a cultural approach to business that influenced decision-making at various levels within the organization.

Conclusion

While specific details of feng shui implementation in individual Chinachem buildings are not extensively documented in the search results, the company's development under Nina Wang's leadership clearly embraced these traditional principles. The continued importance of feng shui in Hong Kong's architectural landscape suggests that Chinachem properties likely incorporate these elements, whether explicitly acknowledged or subtly integrated into their design.

Today, Chinachem Group continues to evolve, with recent initiatives focusing on sustainability and innovative design¹³¹². Their approach represents the modern integration of traditional feng shui wisdom with contemporary development practices—balancing cultural heritage with forward-looking design in one of the world's most dynamic urban environments.

The legacy of Nina Wang's belief in feng shui principles continues to influence Hong Kong's architectural landscape, with developers recognizing that these ancient practices often align with modern concepts of harmonious, sustainable, and well-designed spaces. As Chinachem builds for the future, the invisible flow of qi remains an integral consideration in creating buildings that resonate with both cultural traditions and contemporary needs.