In recent years, the ancient Chinese art of feng shui has found renewed relevance, evolving to meet the needs of a modern, fast-paced world. Rooted in the idea that the arrangement of our surroundings influences the flow of qi—or life force—feng shui offers both a design philosophy and a way of living that prioritizes harmony, vitality, and connection. At Optima®, where architecture is conceived as a seamless blend of form and function, many of today’s most prominent feng shui trends align closely with our own design principles.
Biophilic Elements for Energy Flow
One of the strongest trends in contemporary feng shui is the incorporation of nature to encourage balance and rejuvenation. This is especially visible in the use of plants, water features, and natural materials to create a vibrant indoor environment. In feng shui, these elements help activate positive energy and create a bridge between interior spaces and the natural world.
Optima®’s communities—whether it’s the lush, green courtyards of Optima Kierland Apartments® or the serene pool decks of Optima Signature®—are designed with this principle in mind. Here, biophilic design doesn’t just bring nature indoors; it integrates greenery into the building’s structure, ensuring that residents experience nature as a daily, effortless part of life.
Light as a Vital Energy Source
In feng shui, light represents the strongest form of yang energy, enhancing vitality, clarity, and warmth. Modern practitioners emphasize maximizing natural light, using it not only to illuminate but to energize.
This is a philosophy deeply embedded in Optima®’s approach to architecture. Expansive floor-to-ceiling windows, open floor plans, and thoughtful building orientation capture and diffuse sunlight throughout the day. Whether it’s the soft morning light in a Wilmette residence at Optima Verdana® or the dramatic desert sunsets seen from an Optima Sonoran Village® terrace, the design supports the feng shui belief that light is as essential to our well-being as air and water.
Decluttering as a Design Mindset
Minimalism and feng shui share common ground in advocating for spaces free of unnecessary clutter. In feng shui, clutter obstructs the natural flow of qi, while minimalism uses open, purposeful spaces to create a sense of calm and order.
At Optima®, interiors are intentionally designed to allow residents to move freely and to furnish their spaces in ways that reflect personal meaning rather than excess. Built-in storage solutions and thoughtful spatial planning provide both aesthetic and energetic clarity, echoing the feng shui principle that the most powerful rooms are those with breathing space.
Balanced Color Palettes
Color plays a central role in feng shui, with each hue corresponding to one of the five elements—wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. Current trends embrace softer, nature-inspired palettes to promote tranquility, accented with purposeful pops of color to encourage specific energies, such as prosperity (greens), passion (reds), or stability (browns).
Optima® applies a similarly thoughtful approach to color, ensuring that palettes work in harmony with the building’s environment. For example, desert-inspired neutrals and earth tones complement the Arizona landscape, while in Chicago, deeper tones may contrast against the skyline while still maintaining balance within interiors and shared spaces.
Flow and Connectivity
Perhaps the most universal principle linking modern feng shui to Optima®’s architectural philosophy is the concept of flow. In feng shui, pathways—both physical and energetic—should be unobstructed, guiding movement and vision effortlessly through a space.
Optima® designs prioritize this same sense of flow. From sightlines that draw the eye toward nature or artwork, to communal areas that encourage organic movement and social connection, every element is positioned to create ease and continuity.
In today’s design landscape, feng shui is not about rigid rules or decorative superstitions—it’s about creating environments that feel alive, supportive, and in tune with the people who inhabit them. This modern interpretation mirrors Optima®’s own belief that architecture should enhance quality of life through thoughtful integration of space, light, color, and nature. By weaving together ancient wisdom and contemporary innovation, both feng shui and Optima®’s design philosophy remind us that when our environments are in balance, our lives are too.
