Properties from a feng shui perspective: Part 130
By David Koh and Joe Choo | Mar 5, 2010
Excellent Dutamas Site
The area surrounded by Mont’ Kiara, Jalan Duta and Segambut used to be full of greenery, was not quite pristine but undeveloped just the same. With the rising popularity of Desa Sri Hartamas, this did not last long and sure enough, we have Dutamas. (For Google map reference, please log on to http://maps.google.co.uk/ and search for “Kuala Lumpur”.)
Dutamas is a portmanteau of sorts taken from Jalan Duta and Sri Hartamas, but it is an unusual Malay name nonetheless: Golden Ambassador?
Dutamas is bisected by the Duta-Ulu Klang Expressway (DUKE). The western section is bordered by Jalan Segambut to the west and north and the DUKE on the east and south. From an environology perspective, this is a very, very good location. Here’s why.
This area is in a small valley with mountains to the west and south. To its north, it is embraced by a tributary of Sungai Keroh (which runs along the southern boundaries of Segambut, as you may recall in our earlier tour of said area). To its south, it is embraced by the curvature of the DUKE.
Thus, earth energy emanating from the south (Bukit Kiara) will be reflected and deflected by the river. Due to the embracing river, this energy will collect in a gentle, homogenous pool within this section of Dutamas. The embracing DUKE also captures and traps energy within the embrace.
TAMAN SEGAMBUT
Incidentally, this area also includes a part of Taman Segambut – section60a, the Taman Segambut flats and Jalan Kelapa Hijau. SK Segambut Makmur used to be located “deep” within this section at the end of Jalan 1/60a. The road itself branches out to smaller lanes, all of which used to be dead-end roads. Dead-end roads are not ideal locations for properties, as traffic is not allowed to move freely and circulate earth energy.
That could explain why, despite its good location, section 60a of Taman Segambut remained backward for so long. Of course, this could also be explained by the remoteness of this area, since it is deep within Segambut, and the main road, Jalan Segambut, is notoriously clogged with traffic during peak hours. This comes from commuters using it as a “shortcut” to Bukit Kiara and Kepong.
Then, Dutamas came along. Jalan Dutamas Seroja opens an access to Jalan 2/60a and Jalan Kelapa Hijau. This opens a link between this area and Jalan Duta. Would this alleviate congestion or create a bigger problem – time willtell.
In any case, based on the landform here, the ideal orientation is north, towards the curvature of the river. Houses and buildings that face this direction are likely to do well. Properties that face south also face Bukit Kiara, which is not conducive but this is mitigated by the embracing DUKE that stands in between.
There are a number of condominiums here, built along Jalan Dutamas Raya. Duta Ria condo is found at the end of this road. It also sits on a small hill. Prima Duta is located at the outer elbow of the same road. These are factors that may negate some of the positives found in this area. Properties should not be built on high ground or at dead-ends and they should be placed in an embracing landform, not the outer elbow.
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The KL Courts Complex experienced technical difficulties within months of opening - Filepic.
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MURKY RIVER
The next “best” orientation would be east, as there are mountains to the west. East is good because it parallels the flow of the Keroh River. West is less than ideal because properties facing west face mountains (and oncoming energy) and go against the flow of the river. This has a tendency to attract “detritus” which can cloud judgement and sound thinking.
Despite the “negatives”, this is a great area overall and even the bad here is likely to do better than the good in a worse area.
The bulk of Dutamas is found on the other side of the DUKE. The main road is Persiaran Dutamas. Jalan Dutamas 2 branches off to provide a link to Jalan Kuching. To the south, Jalan Khidmat Usaha branches off to join Jalan Duta. The main road itself eventually joins Dutamas 1 and into Jalan Duta.
Jalan Khidmat Usaha services Menara Matrade (Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation) and the Kuala Lumpur Courts Complex.
The land here has an undulating landform, with many small hills dotting the landscape. Much of these are left untouched by development and provide a welcome green lung to locals. They also provide a nice view when looking out of the windows of Matrade and the courts.
NOT CONDUCIVE
Alas, from a landform perspective, these structures are not oriented in a manner that is conducive. Regular readers will recall, for example, that buildings should not sit at the top of a hill or mountain as such a location tends to drain energy from the premises. Instead of enjoying an infusion of energy, it contributes energy to its surroundings.
Buildings should also not face high land. This orientation puts the buildings head-on against oncoming earth energy, which can overwhelm the inhabitants. Even if a building is located in a valley, it should face the lower section, and ideally all buildings should face an embracing river.
A close look at these two complexes would reveal where they went wrong. For some reason, the 24-storey Menara Matrade was designed with a hole in the middle! Was the architect inspired by some designs in Hong Kong where a hole was created in the middle to “allow the dragon to pass through” without harming the inhabitants?
Did someone try to follow feng shui principles when designing the tower and masking it by making the hole look like an Islamic arc? Or was it purely done for aesthetic purposes? If it is the former, someone should be asked to explain the rationale behind it. There is no “dragon” here!
From a practical standpoint, this is a wasteful design as the space can be utilised for more rooms. This is more like two towers joined by a big bridge. It may even look nice but is that the purpose for that building? Matrade is tasked with developing external trade, which forms the lifeblood of our economy. Continuous trade with a positive surplus, increased foreign direct investments and such matters should be its top priority. The building should be designed with function and such practicality in mind.
WIND TUNNEL
From an environology perspective, this is not an ideal design because it creates a wind tunnel that sucks out energy from its surroundings – theoffices, meeting rooms and convention halls. There is no accumulation of beneficial energy!
Interestingly, the construction of Menara Matrade was beset with many problems including delays. The complex took 10 years to complete, with costs ballooning to RM287mil from its original RM120mil. Shoddy workmanship and materials were apparent as even the facade showed cracks!
The government announced in November last year a deal to construct a new RM628mil expo centre nearby. Controversy aside, it would be interesting to see how this fares – will environology be factored in the design and orientation? Will the existing complex exert an influence on it? Time will tell.
TECHNICAL PROBLEMS
The Kuala Lumpur Courts Complex, opened in April 2007, houses the High Court, Sessions Court and Magistrate Court of Kuala Lumpur – practically much of the country’s judicial system. The Court of Appeal and Federal Court are located in Putrajaya.
It is also an interesting case as its orientation is also not ideal from an environology perspective. Curiously enough, the complex experienced a number of technical difficulties and failures within months of opening, which embarrassed the authorities.
Cracks at least 3m long were found; ceiling panels and a downlight collapsed in the Civil Courts room; air-conditioners malfunctioned; a burst pipe endcap flooded the cafeteria; and a sewage manhole overflowed into the basement, damaging a number of files!
Externally, the judicial system is undergoing a testing time. It has been under a lot of criticism lately from both the domestic and international front, for certain contentious cases and decisions. We shall not belabour the obvious.
Of course, poor design and construction work can be blamed for the technical faults. Perhaps the contractors shirked their responsibilities or too many greased hands caused the wrench to fall. Perhaps the nation’s socio-political conditions created a more critical and cynical eye on the judiciary.
To close our look at this area, here are a few quick observations. The Jalan Duta Government Complex sits on a raised plateau. As a government body, sitting in the north-west sector of Kuala Lumpur is a good idea. Sitting on high land is not so good. However, it is ringed by Jalan Khidmat Setia, which has an embracing effect that mitigates the situation somewhat.
The Federal Territories Mosque is also on high land but all places of worship are exempt from environology factors – God made everything and He does not need earth energy to prosper!
The Examinations Board sits in a gulley and faces highland. Perhaps that explains the standard of our public examinations today vis-a-vis internationally accredited examination boards.
*This series on feng shui and real estate properties appear courtesy of the Malaysia Institute of Geomancy Sciences (MINGS). David Koh is the founder of MINGS and has been a feng shui master and teacher for the past 36 years.
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