The Penrose by CDL

[Cecil Lee]

The Penrose is a 99 year leasehold development located along Sims Drive. This new development is just beside Sims Urban Oasis and only a 5 minutes’ walk to Aljunied MRT.

Source & Credit: In this snapshot:-

[Cecil Lee]

To: support@geomancy.net

 

[Cecil Lee]

Last checked on 3 August. Did not manage to find a copy of the e-brochure. And or any other newly launched developments e.g. at Pasir Ris Central etc...

I hope to review as many as possible.

Thanks in advance!

[Cecil Lee]

Thanks to a kind gentleman who had just WhatsApp a copy of the e-brochure! Thank you Sir!

[Cecil Lee]

Case Study 1: Conservative Feng Shui Masters often wants to have nothing to do with and advice their clients to avoid a unit with a WC directly beside the main door!

 1. Sample of 3-Bedroom Premium Type (3Y) d #03-34 to #17-34

2. In Singapore, Feng Shui Masters can be often be divided into two camps: 

a. The Conservatives and their mantra is " Main Door and nothing but the main door only". LOL
b. The Modernists: "For High-rise units, often it is standing inside the living room looking outwards and/or the open areas with the most Yang Qi".

3. Good luck, if you encounter a Conservative Feng Shui Master (CFSM Be it when getting advice on buying a unit and or when in the near future, a potential buyer brings one over to view your home. LOL

4. A CFSM will consider a WC beside the Main Door as a FATAL error. Much like the movie: "Fatal Attraction".

5. While The Modernists Feng Shui Master, will continue to also consider many factors during a house hunting session before making a holistic decision on the home:-

6. Sample of 3-Bedroom Premium Type (3Y) b1 #01-22

7. Okay, based on my personal experience, a CFSM will not raise an immediate red-flag (if any) on such a layout plan:-

7.1. Thus even if the stove is close to the main door, it is not perfect, but most CFSM would continue to happily survey this type of layout plan.

8. The morale of the story is: "Before engaging a Feng Shui Master, ask this question: Is your Feng Shui from the main door?"

Reference: Understand who are the Conservatives vs the Modernists:-

 

 

[Cecil Lee]

Case Study 2: Sample of 3-Bedroom Type (3) b1 Stack #08

1. Not very common to encounter such a layout plan where the main door opens partially to a "wall" and roughly the other half towards an open space.

2. Many Feng Shui Masters would consider this poor Shapes and Forms Feng Shui.

3. Under the science of Feng Shui, it can be roughly explained by the flow of qi and vortex-imbalance:-

4. While some Feng Shui Masters would crudely say that one should not enter into the main door with part of it facing a wall and the other an opening.

5. A consolation is that is that the "half-wall" or red-line on the layout plan is roughly 3 metres away and not 1 to 2 metres away which then is really close.

6. What about a main door facing towards a full wall? 3-Bedroom Type (3) c / e

6.1. This is an additional example of a real dislike by a Conservative Feng Shui Master. Who only eats, sleep, repeat on the main door only. LOL

6.2. The advantage of such a layout plan is that there is no direct path from the main door towards an opening on the opposite side such as a balcony sliding panel.

6.2.1. Which in Feng Shui symbolises difficult to save money.

6.2.2. Thus, often with or without Feng Shui advice, some automatically add a partition between the main door and the opening on the opposite side, if any. 

[Cecil Lee]

Case Study 3A: Where are the location of the two common bins on each level?

1. It is good that more and more developers include a block map with the interior layout of each block.

2. One of the key must sight before signing the dotted line is to find out where is the location of the common bin.

2.1. Nowadays, majority of condos/EC install two common bins.

2.2. In fact, when The Sail at Marina T.O.P. in the past, they already had a common and a recycle bin.

3. Looks like for The Penrose, the two bins falls beside the two main doors of the Type 1 (a) units:- 

4. Ideally, best to avoid purchasing the unit highlighted in yellow. Why?

4.1. Technically, it is good that the unit main entrance does not face the two common bins.

4.2. In fact, the other day, I received a question from a former client. He said that the Agent told him that the unit he viewed has a common bin facing the unit.

4.3. But was told by the Agent that no worries as the bin has a facade door to cover the bin.

5. Common Sense Feng Shui

5.1. In many of the past forum messages, I wrote about the need for consideration.

5.2. But if one is unlucky, meets an inconsiderate or worse several of such neighbours, one cannot stand at the door to confront that neighbour.

5.3. Condo common bins are placed against a corridor wall. Unlike a HDB block where there is adequate space for a common bin lobby. So far, the few that I had encountered that has a small common bin cubicle / sunken in lobby is that of Hillion at Bukit Panjang.

5.4. Otherwise, in some instances, some residents may even dump things on the floor of the bin(s).

5.5. In addition, nowadays less are less places provide plastic bags. Just imagine a neighbour uses a Macdonald's type of paper bag and carry liquid and it drips on the surrounding floor... Yucks!

6. Frankly, for me, I would also try to avoid the (3) f unit - if possible as it's main entrance is also pretty close to this common bin area. Okay, okay! My standards are too high.. LOL..

Case Stuy 3B: Block 28 Common bin lobby circled in RED

7. This time round the common bins are tucked at a corner sharing the same wall as the (4) b main door...

8. Not that bad for the opposite unit (3Y) e since the bins does not directly face it's main door. But still if one stands at it's main door and look left..

[Cecil Lee]

Case Study 4A: Any issue if my unit shares the same wall as common lift(s)?

1. Modern building's lift air-well are suppose to be solidly built.

2. And sometimes, a unit that hugs around the Lift air-well gives the entire unit greaty rigidity.

2.1. Sorry, I don't mean that if one does not hug the lift air-well, the building may collapse some day. On the contrary, our building are suppose to be well or rather over-built. So they are 101 percent safe.

3. However, some Feng Shui Masters advice their clients to avoid buying a unit similar to the above.

3.1. This is because the argument is that lifts are especially that of moving metal and also movement of air.

3.2. For example, if one were to take an underground subway train; some distance before the train pulls up, one can often see the platform door move ever so slightly or even hear it.

3.3. Fortunately, the lift air-well is like a C column where the opening is not towards any unit but facing the lift lobby. Thus Para 3.2 type of situation is not a concern for a unit.

4. Most lift movements are smooth, thus with a solidly built lift air-well, there should not be any significant vibrations. If so, this may account for "bad Feng Shui".

5. Overall, I feel a unit sharing the same wall as a lift is not a major issue.

6. Furthermore, if so, the Lift door will never be able to face the unit's main door.

Case Study 4B: CDL seems to break-new ground in the design of their (2) a layout design

7. The maxim in common sense house layout design is "Try to have at least one of the toilet walls sharing an external wall".

7.1. Don't seem to see this happening, here?

8. Rarely if any have I also seen toilet fittings and pipings like the WC waste pipe and sink /shower pipes sharing the same wall as the core of the Lift air-wells.

8.1. I say this because, there can be a chance, remote perhaps, but a chance that some of the pipes may leak etc.. and air-well reinforced-steel columns may even be weaken thru time.

8.2. Or that "water" often has a way of finding it's way out the other side. And hopefully, it does not interfer with the lift mechanisms and circuits.

8.3. For example, maybe I have to vivid an imagination.... Some how water suddenly leaks from say 8th storey... and it is pouring into the air-well. The lift I am in is now at 7th floors and below... hmm...

9. A potential home owner should examine the toilet of their current home. If it is always wet and damp; I suggest go look elsewhere where the toilet shares an external wall!

10. Heard this?

The Architect: "Hi Master Cecil Lee, why all the negative comments?"

The Architect: "I always thought that you Feng Shui guys always claim that the frontage of a home should have clear space or reserved for bedrooms and/or living room etc. I am only doing this for the sake of Feng Shui".

The Developer: "See lah! Now I have a hard time marketing or selling these units! Next time, make sure that the toilet shares ONE or SATU external wall!"

[Cecil Lee]

Case Study 5: To build or not to build a Household Shelter (HS) within a unit or at the common emergency staircase? Allowed only to choose one method!

Okay, skip this if you are not interested! As it is not really Feng Shui!

1. For example Block 26, each unit has their own built in HS.

2. For Block 20, seems like the bigger units have a HS each.

2.1. Too bad for the smaller units, go make use of the common emergency exit staircase as your HS.

2.2. This is a first for me. As in the past, it is either all units has a HS each or it was built into the common emergency exit staircase.

3. Appreciate the logic behind this for smaller units. As a HS has to meet a minimum requirement. And place constrains the design of a layout.

4. Kudos as it is out-of-the-box thinking.

[Cecil Lee]

Case Study 6: Is this the end of days for Teak Parquet flooring for regular condos?

1. Frankly, nothing beats the solid feel of teak-wood parquet flooring which was prevalent especially from the years 1975 of the HUDC era flats till much of 2010.

2. Perhaps I am bias, here.

3. But harder to maintain and often turns black due to constantly flooded with water molecues. Plus wear and tear and some shrink badly - often when exposed to the afternoon sun.

4. Again this is really not Feng Shui.

5. Engineered wood should be much more hardy then parquet flooring.

6. Today, mostly used in new landed homes and high end condos and boutique condo developments.

7. Hopefully the wood does not contain formaldehyde. As some have installed dubious VINLY flooring (not engineered wood) and even after the manufacture, it still oozes out this chemical throughout it's life-cycle.

8. If one were to search for "vinyl toxic" avoid "non-green" label vinyl flooring.

9. Anyway, it is scary to learn that some wardrope manufacturers even state that their wardrope also does not have this formaldehyde thing. As breathing in ... can lead to cancer.

[Cecil Lee]

Case Study 7: Preference for higher floors especially for stacks #02 and #17

1. Depending on the high and low pressure zones, usually, around this area, often, during the day, wind blows from the sea inwards towards the land.

2. In the evenings, often, the sea (South-SE of Singapore) becomes low pressure zones and this is where perhaps, wind from PIE side flows down towards "south".

2.1. As such if there are bbq activites at either or both the Dining and Gourment pavilion, do expect the smells flowing towards one's unit.

3. If possible, higher floors preferred.

4. In addition, do skip at least the first two levels of stacks #02 and #17 since the several toilets are close-by. Particularly that of stack #02.

[Cecil Lee]

Case Study 8: Where are the car park vents + level 1 /PES units only

1. Several of the recent Sales Brochures for example Fourth Avenue, provides a site map with locations of vent openings.

1.1. This development marked each of the Ventilation Shaft (VS) with an orange circle with the initial VS:-

1.2. Fortunately for Fourth Avenue, by marking the locations of the VS, it gives one a peace-of-mind that the developer places these VS around the perimeter of the development.

2. This was because in the past, in a undisclosed condo, a client only realised after key collection that one of the bedrooms has a ventilation opening directly below the bedroom.

3. So happens that the basement carpark's fan were turned on during specific hours and also happen that it was noisy.

4. The client was distrub by the noise generated when she opened the bedroom 3 windows.

5. Often, it could instead be some vehicle when unlocked or locked give off a honk or sorts. Or it could be a vehicle coming back late and trying to park at a lot directly below that unit. I leave this to your imagination.

6. No harm to get your Agent to check out the location of the nearest Vent (if any).

[Cecil Lee]

Case Study 9: Is the North marking on the Sales Brochure reliable?

1. Step 1: To orientate the North marking making sure that is is facing true North:-

2. Above: The North marking is exactly what is true North.

3. Step 2: Initially, have to wait for streetdirectory.com to include the outlines of each block into their map. Once, they have updated it; I can then try to see if the block orientation matches the Sales brochure site plan.

4. As for onemap.sg this map uses government data map. And often, updated either on or shortly just before T.O.P.

5. For now, when applying Flying Star calculations, it is based on protractor readings.

[Cecil Lee]

Case Study 10: Flying Star Feng Shui of The Penrose

1. Expected T.O.P. is on 1st October 2025.

2. Based on the Sales Brochure Site plan (subject to future confirmation via streetmaps and on-site surveys). This is what can be determined, now:-

2.1 Blocks 20 and 24 either have facing directions of NW3 or SE3.

2.2. Blocks 26, 28 and 30 have facing directions of either N1 or S1.

3. In theory, East Group persons have more choice of N1, S1 or SE3. And West Group only NW3 direction.

4. Most common grounds of House Hunting in Feng Shui is based on the three major considerations of 1. Frontage 2. Kitchen and 3. Main Bedroom.

 

5. The other greater consideration is under Shapes and Forms Feng Shui - simply: Location, location and location.

[Cecil Lee]

Case Study 11: Flying Star Feng Shui of The Penrose

1. It is good to learn that the developer has made an effort by placing the MSCP parallel to PIE.

2. In fact, it's neigbhour = Sims Urban Oasis's MSCP's creepers (plants) have grown so well - pleasant sight plus also should help in reducing a small percentage of decibel noise.

3. Hopefully the developer CDL also include sound reduction baffles as found in many new condos such as found at The Visionaire.

4. If possible, please do install better insulation glass panels for such stacks/units. Human wise, and for practical reasons, still cannot run away with traffic noise from PIE.

Reference: Extract of article from The Visionaire EC:-

Extracts from The Visionaire on this specific subject matter:-

Blocks such as 186 have balconies installed with sound proofing properties.

As one of the main culprit is the balcony ceiling reflecting noise especially from MRT tracks into the home.

Further good news is that new generation trains are less noisy. 

Next time if one sees this: do understand that it is meant to reduce/absorb the magnified noise bouncing onto the balcony ceiling this magnifying the traffic noise.

This these ceilings are not only for decorative purposes but for the above mentioned purposes.

A completely flat surface echos sounds that travel in a straight line. 

From now onwards, the government placed a restriction of every unit with a maximum of 15% balconies to total unit floor area.

In addition, some development comes with thicker noise reduction glass panels. Some high end one comes with dual ply glass panels.

P.S. In the Clementi Canopy, the developer also installed sound baffles for specific units facing the AYE also.

[Cecil Lee]

Case Study 12: Views towards the PIE side

1. The Nexus International School recently became operational.

2. Thus lower floors do expect to see the school. 

3. While higher floors should be able to see towards Macpherson Primary School; currently two vacant plots before North East Building and Performance Building.

4. For high floors of South facing units, if lucky can see beyond Stadium and Fort Road...

[Cecil Lee]

Case Study 13: 3-Bedroom Premium Type (3Y) a1/a - Stove does not clash with the WC

Stove's backing is part of the HS shelter wall. 

 

[Cecil Lee]

Case Study 14: 3-Bedroom Premium Type (3Y) b1/b - Yard Toilet sink clash with stove

1. This is a clash of fire (stove) and water (sink-TAP).

2. The easiest remedy is to just close this toilet door when not in use.

3. There will be some who convert this toilet / at WC to place a washing machine. But hopefully a standard 60cm by 60cm front loading type or top loading type can be placed in this tiny toilet.

4. There are some who may consider converting this toilet into a small store.

4.1. But do take note that the ceiling for this yard toilet is low. Thus not much can be stored.

4.1.1. If the WC has been removed and the sewerage pipe hole has not been properly capped, often 3 years later.. there can be a distinct aroma or rather stench coming from this toilet. LOL

4.1.2. In theory, one can expect to waive the conservancy charges for this toilet WC. As the utility bill counts how many toilet one's home has.

5. In theory, the stove faces a toilet and technically still considered as a clash. Even if the sink/sink tap does not do so. And only a slight portion of the front of the WC seat is visible:

5.1. If one feels uncomfortable with it can simply close the toilet door when not in use.

[Cecil Lee]

Case Study 15: Potential Poison arrow from external sha qi

1. Hopefully the landscape company contracted to plant trees in this development places trees with a trunk facing the separation wall of a unit's bedrooms/living room instead of facing one of it's windows.

2. In this artist drawing, the two specific tree's tree trunk rise up to three storeys high. 

3. However, a mature palm tree trunk could rise higher than that.

4. Unfortunately this is out of one's control as it is the external environment. 

5. And only time will tell when one proudly collects keys to a new home.

[Cecil Lee]

1. Many Feng Shui Masters with lineage in Singapore are a glorified Feng Shui Store in disguise.

2. They give Feng Shui a bad name.

 

3. Ask: "Must I buy from YOU?"

[alee]

Hi, how about stack 23 and stack 20?
 

[alee]

How about stack 24,

It has that odd study room with no windows?

Can I use it for dining instead? or study and home office is fine?

[Cecil Lee]

On 9/6/2020 at 8:51 PM, alee said:

Hi, how about stack 23 and stack 20?
 

 

 

[Cecil Lee]

5 hours ago, alee said:

How about stack 24,

It has that odd study room with no windows?

Can I use it for dining instead? or study and home office is fine?

1. Yes, it can be used for dining or study and home office. 

2. Many years ago, before, I am aware of a certain bank in Singapore's Cash Unit having such a "room" but much bigger. They used to count cash for both cash loading and unloading of their off-site ATMs. 

2.1. And yes, such a room has no windows. Only four walls and a safe vault.

2.2. The room was big so no issue with "eye-sight".

3. The issue for this tiny room of stack #24 is that if one were to study or work in this room for too long, the eyes cannot frequently adjust to near and far. Thus often, one may end up having "thicker" degrees.

4. The other thing with no window room is that one may not be able to physically know daylight and nightlight - if spent all day long, here. Or know when it is raining or sunshine.

[zephyred]

Hi, for the block facing Sims Drive, there is the corner of an HDB block opposite it (image of the hdb block is in the lower part of the photo with the superimposed site plan). Would it be considered as "sha qi" against the 2 stacks that are directly opposite it in block 30?