Feng Shui leaves nothing to chance
The huge stucco building on Route 110 in Chelmsford used to be an Italian restaurant. However, the Chinese characters on the awnings give a hint of how things have changed inside.
Upon entering through the main doorway, the first sight is a massive nine-square design covering a vestibule wall. A glass door to the left leads to the reception area, where a brown desk curves up to meet a canopy of leaves painted on the ceiling.
These striking designs aren't there just for the visual appeal. They all have specific significance.
The awnings are red, an energizing color in Asian cultures. The nine-square design is a kind of map showing how pairs of "elements" are represented throughout the restaurant. The glass door is placed to the left and not directly ahead in order to ensure a smoother flow of energy. The reception desk simulates a tree trunk reaching skyward to its leaves, where carbon dioxide is converted into life-giving oxygen.
These features incorporate the classic Chinese concepts of feng shui, which happens to be the name of this restaurant. And while other Chinese restaurants may not share the name, almost all of them employ at least a few of the concepts.
Co-owner Sumiao Chen was raised as a firm believer in the power of feng shui. "Feng shui in China brings good luck," said Chen, a native of Hunan Province. "It returns energy, money, and health."
Feng shui (roughly pronounced "fung shway") literally means "wind water," and aims to harmonize the five essential elements - water, wood (plants), earth, fire, and metal - with the directions of the compass. Fire, for example, is considered the bringer of light and happiness and belongs to the south, between wood and earth.
Interest in feng shui has been growing rapidly in this country. A call to the Westford library turned up more than a dozen books on the topic within minutes, all of them published since 1996.
Author Gina Lazenby, in "Simple Feng Shui," says the concept recognizes our intuitive reaction to a space. Each of us has entered places that seem to have "bad vibes," she writes, while others feel more welcoming. The right combinations of architecture, construction, and interior design can lend vitality to a given space.
For cynics who would wave this off, consider a practical application. A pile of clutter can give a sense of impeded progress; anyone who has cleaned up and organized a room in their home probably recalls the sense of freedom - or expanded energy - that results when the space is liberated.
For restaurants, design choices such as an uncluttered entrance and the strategic application of the elements can enhance the dining experience.
Many restaurants, for example, display a fountain or other source of flowing water. "A waterfall encourages fluid conversation," Chen said. "The sound keeps a person's mind peaceful."
According to feng shui, a nine-sectioned energy map known as the "bagua" shows where each of the five elements should be emphasized in a space. For the Chelmsford restaurant, Cambridge-based Darlow Christ Architects Inc. took the existing plans and overlaid them on the nine squares.
"It happened to work well," said architect Peter Darlow, which was "not even intentional, but fell into our laps. For example, the kitchen happened to fall into quadrants of the squares where fire is very important, in the true organization of feng shui. The bar and lounge fell into an area where water was a prominent element."
"We used materials and colors to represent feng shui elements," added Darlow. In the area for fire, for example, there is a red counter top for the hot buffet. The wall next to the cold buffet consists of smooth stones, suggesting a river bank. The use of rippled textural materials on some walls is another way to evoke "the rippled, flowing notion of water" Darlow added.
An entire wall leading to the lounge is devoted to three huge silver circles transected by a red band. The design "signifies three coins for good luck," said Chen, adding that the ancient Chinese carried their money with a red band on their wrist.
To further integrate feng shui concepts into the decor, David Tonnesen of Somerville created the metal sculpture of a flock of birds, a symbol for good luck. Ipswich artist Julia Purinton provided the decorative art in the reception area, introducing the wood element that gives "the sense that you're under a canopy of green-leaved trees," Darlow said.
"We've designed quite a few Asian restaurants over the years," he said. "The restaurants have brought us [feng shui] experts after the fact, and we've done pretty well, even if we didn't design under those strict guidelines.
"From a designer's point of view, it's good common sense in the organization of spaces and how they feel. Good design will fall into many aspects of feng shui design, without your realizing it."
Feng Shui restaurant (fengshui2.com) is located at 285 Chelmsford St. in Chelmsford; 978-250-8888. Open daily for lunch and dinner; lunch buffet offered Monday to Saturday; dinner buffet on Sunday. 