Fengshui as a narrative of localisation: case studies of contemporary architecture in Hong Kong and Shanghai

Chinese fengshui evolved from a classical tradition aimed at achieving harmony within the environment. However, case studies and fieldwork undertaken in this thesis reveal that in contemporary architecture, fengshui is often used as a Chinese localisation device in a significant departure from classical practice. This thesis analyses examples of Chinese cultural identification within transnational architecture in Hong Kong and Shanghai, during the 20th and early 21st centuries. The outcome provides architects and urban designers with a new perspective on the contemporary use of fengshui in China.