Purchasing family homes: Feng Shui versus sustainability

Feng Shui is an important element to be considered for purchasing real estate property for many Chinese families. The concepts of Feng Shui has been gradually adopted and accepted in the western world. It has been found that, in many perspectives, there are similarities between the concepts of traditional Chinese Feng Shui where harmony between environment, buildings and people are created; and western style of sustainability that focuses the harmonious relationship between human and nature. This paper reviews the Feng Shui elements considered by Chinese families and explores the main features considered by the Western families when purchasing a home. The results will be used as criteria for developing significant factors in future empirical study. Through case studies in Sydney, the findings will be compared and the elements that are similar or different will be discussed. The implications of the research will also be investigated.