Cecil Lee

Case Study: 3 Bedroom Premium Type B2, B2a and B2b with stove partially facing sink home the developer has realised that the sink faces the stove. And like some past developments; the developer had adjusted the sink to avoid facing the stove. Fortunately 3 Bedroom Premium Type B1, B1a, B1b shows that the sink is not directly facing the stove. Which is a plus point:-

Case Study: Balcony/PES with Three-Panel Sliding Doors Some of the layout plans at 100 Palm Residences feature three-panel sliding doors for the balcony or PES. 1. This photo is from The Terrace at Punggol, which has just received its T.O.P. (Temporary Occupation Permit). 1.1 Three-panel sliding doors at the balcony/PES: 2. As flat sizes continue to shrink, more new developments feature balconies with only three-panel sliding doors, instead of the more common four-panel designs found in older condos, ECs, and even HDB flats. 3. The benefit of four-panel doors is that the opening is centered, allowing the panels to slide to either side for easy access between the living room and balcony. 4. This convenience is lost with three-panel doors. 5. With only three panels, it’s difficult to place a large sofa close to the balcony doors. TV consoles or cabinets also can’t be too thick or fully cover the sliding door panel behind the sofa. 6. Therefore, you need to carefully consider not only the length of your sofa, but also the height and width of any armchairs, ensuring they don’t block the lock mechanism by the sofa, or vice versa. 7. Another advantage of four-panel sliding doors is that you can often leave a gap for ventilation without fully closing the doors. With three-panel doors, however, the opening is usually at the edge, where heavy rain and wind can easily enter. 8. For example, Sol Acres development also features three-panel balcony doors. (Note: This is an actual photo from The Terrace EC Block 88, ground floor unit PES.) 9. The four-panel balcony sliding door allows you to open not only the middle two panels, but also either the side or corner panels. 9.1 This design combines the versatility of three panels with added flexibility offered by four panels.

Case Study: Potential poison arrows from roof-lines. There may be possible poison arrows directed toward the lower storeys of stacks #03, #04, #08, #33, and #34, especially if the roof-lines point toward any windows or balconies of these units. Based on the showroom model, it appears that the third storeys of stacks #03, #04, #08, #33, and #34 could be affected. However, as shown in the illustration, trees in front of stacks #03, #08, and #34 may help to block or reduce the impact.

One map protractor readings... For this development, extra care should be taken onsite to do proper measurements. Given that the HDB sales brochure's block outlines differ from the government survey map used in onemap.sg

Case Study: Herb Trail means edible herbs? Yes / No? All developments are required to do weekly outdoor fogging. This is to prevent egg or lavae from mosquitoes. Thus herbs planted in such a development are not meant to be placed in one's mouth...

Case Study: Northwave's pool is East-West direction. May lead to "Sick Building Syndrome" or SBS... What is SBS? Understand it.... here:- Can it happen at Northwave EC?

Today, there are two main types of security intercom system: System Type 1: Guard room with a fixed line connected to each unit's wired intercom. This system has been used for many years, especially back in the days of fixed telephone lines and pagers. In the past, the unit’s intercom was usually located close to the main entrance door. There are many different types of systems, ranging from simple voice-only calls to intercoms with built-in cameras. If no one is physically in the unit, the security guard may call and get no response. At some side gates, there is also an intercom, and you can call in to get access. For large developments like Sol Acres EC, it makes sense to opt for this fixed-line system to avoid massive phone bills from a telecom provider, given that there are so many units in the development. System Type 2: Each unit needs to register a phone number. These days, most people just use their handphone. The system uses GSM, 3G, and 4G modules to call the owner’s or occupier’s number. Here, as long as the occupier registers a specific phone number, the security guard can call the unit number and that particular phone will ring. This way, the guard can check directly with the owner to see if the occupier is expecting a specific visitor or not. For smaller developments, there is often a call panel outside the access gate. A visitor can key in a unit number and, instead of the call going to a guardroom, it goes straight to the occupier. The occupier can then speak with the visitor and even press a code, for example #2, to open the side gate for his or her visitor. The advantage of this system is that the occupier can be anywhere—whether in the bathroom or even overseas—and still allow the visitor to enter the development. (Of course, this assumes the occupier is not on a flight with their phone switched off. If it is, he or she usually should not be expecting a visitor.) The disadvantage of this system is that the occupier often has to choose only ONE phone to register as the “intercom” phone. And for a new occupier, tenant, or resale buyer, they have to quickly register their phone. Otherwise, visitors will have a hard time calling up to the unit. This also means the management has to spend time and effort updating phone numbers every time a new tenant or occupier moves into the development. Another disadvantage is that, in a large development with many visitors, the telecom bills may increase if the telecom company charges based on the number of outgoing calls from the system. Northwave uses this later System Type 2. Addendum on 17/7/2019 = We’re introducing a new e-invite system for visitors at The Clementi Canopy. In addition, Treasure at Tampines e-invite is still functioning at my last visit recently on 4th January 2026.

Case Study: Where is the central rubbish bin? An interesting read on universal concerns including the central rubbish bin

Case Study: Avoid main door (opening) facing or view of a stove A simple use of opaque film, here. Opaque films usually have transparency such as 10% to 100%. Usually 50% opaquecity is good enough.

Case Study: When purchasing a ground floor or second-storey unit, consider any nearby function areas such as BBQ pits or alfresco dining and kitchen spaces. These buildings often have support structures like pillars and beams, which may result in a pillar facing or pointing toward an opening, such as the balcony or bedroom windows.

Case Study: A look at pavilion design and whether a near-by unit get's attacked by poison arrows in terms of the roof-lines (if any) Does these two pavilions look "threatening?". Good news is that under symbolism they don't.

Case Study: Where are the bin centre, sub-station (transformer room), and gen-set located? If possible, try to avoid choosing a unit that faces the bin centre. The planners of Northwave did a pretty good job with the placement of the bin centre, generator set, and substation (highlighted in yellow). So it’s safe to say that for Blocks 111 and 101, having units facing these facilities is really not an issue.

May 2018 progress of The Tapestry

A snapshot of the streetmap in 1966 shows that there were two markets close-by to The Visionaire. The EC is situated at an active zone or area at Sembawang.

A compact Altar with auspicious dimensions.

Case Study: 2 Bedroom Type - Stove sharing the same wall as WC Under Shapes and Forms Feng Shui less than ideal for this:

In 1966, there was a Dispensary near-by to the site.And the site was located at Kampong Sultan. A seaside Hotel was at the fringe of the sea. Today, this is reclaim land and is now the West Coast Highway.

Case Study: Comments on The Verandah Residences strata landed. Under Shapes and Forms Feng Shui, less than ideal to have a toilet at the centre of the unit. Ideally, a toilet should share one external wall.

The Verandah Residences by Oxley Amber Pte Ltd is a freehold development. This development has Four blocks of 5-storey residential flats with three 2-storey strata landed houses.

Part 8 - Another competitive new launch near-by: The Garden Residences jointly developed by Keppel Land

Part 7 - Case Study: Flying Star Feng Shui of Affinity at Serangoon T.O.P. in 2024 under Period 9 Flying Star Feng Shui +++ Block 24 with stacks either facing N2 or S2. (East Group directions) Block 30 with stacks either facing NE1 and SW1. (West Group directions) Block 18 with stacks either facing NE1 and SW1:- Block 22 with stacks facing NW3 or SE3 and Block 28 with stacks facing N1 or S1 Strata houses number 10 to 16A with flying stars of N1 facing: Block 20 with stacks facing N2 or S2:-

Part 6 - Case Study: Flying Star Feng Shui of Strata houses 32 to 64 House numbers 32 to 65 faces compass direction: 324 degrees or NW3. NW3 Has the auspicious water wealth #8 at it's frontage. Good that most these homes has a water position at it's frontage. Other than this, the rest of the sectors on this home has imbalances. If the master bedroom or a bedroom is located at West sector of the home: be careful of frequent sickness

Part 5 - Case Study: Poison arrow(s) from sharp corner of neighbouring block or from strata landed homes affecting some condo unit's low storeys. I am particularly concerned with Block 22, stacks 21, 22, 23, 24 & 25 and the low storeys of the strata homes from house no. 10 to 16A. As both sides may pose a poison arrow to each other. Block 26 stack 47 does seem to have poison arrows aimed towards Block 18 stack 10. Block 18 stack 06 has a threatening poison arrow from stack 06 aimed towards Block 24 stack 36. Strata house no. 32 may have a poison arrow aimed towards low storeys of Block 30 stack 67. In addition Block 30 does have stacks 65, 66, 67, 68 and 69 may also have poison arrows aimed towards strata homes 32, 32A, 34 and perhaps 34A.

Part 4 - Reading between the lines of the Sales Brochure of Park Colonial 1. One major consideration is: "Where is the external common central rubbish bin(s) on each storey?" 2. For this development, the developer does not show the location of the external central rubbish bin(s). 3. Before signing the dotted line.. do check with the Sales Agent. In many recent past developments like the Hillion at Bukit Panjang and even 100 Palm Residences, many "wise" potential buyers have successfully requested and viewed the exact location of the common central corridor. 4. Don't want to get an unexpected surprise to find the central rubbish bin beside one's main door! Or possible not facing the main door. Both in terms of Feng Shui and may affect future resale value or even resale potential (if any)... 5. There are more considerations like the location of the central rubbish bin collection point(s) the electrical sub-station(s) and even emergency diesel generations etc.... 6. I have complied a useful set of key considerations.. they are not exhaustive but rather.. is good to know...