Cecil Lee

Part 5 - Topic: "Bottom-up or Top-down" and 5-Bedroom maisonettes 1. Maisonettes were very popular in the mid-1970s. And pioneered by HDB. Where these flats still exists. HDB called these flats HDB maisonette flats. 1.1. Illustration shows a typical HDB maisonette flat. And this model is a "Bottom-up" model. 1.2. Bottom-up simply means: The main entrance is at level 1. And all the sleeping quarters are at 2nd storey (2nd level):- 2. The former enbloc-ed HUDC Amberville now Silversea also had HUDC maisonette flats. 3. In fact, all the past generation of HDB & HUDC maisonettes are virtually "BOTTOM-UP" models. 4. What do you mean by "Bottom-up?". 5. This means that when we open the main entrance door, this is LEVEL 1 or 1st storey. And all the bedrooms / study / family area are located 1 floor up or LEVEL 2. 5.1. Bottom-left: shows Level 2 with the main bedroom, bedroom 2 and 3 at this level:- 5.1. Here, it is good to super-impose the Level 1 with Level 2 layout plan: 5.1.1. And make sure that the stove is not directly above a bed and/or 5.1.2. A stove / dining table / an altar (if any) is not below a toilet etc... 6. "TOP-down" This 5-Bedroom maisonette is less common. Here, to enter the bedroom areas; one needs to walk-down. Thus "from TOP to bottom.. this is where I called this Top-down". 6.1. Where all the bedrooms are at lower level or Level 1. Where the living room / kitchen / dining are at Level 2. 6.2. Here, there is no such thing as sleeping with the stove directly above the bed. 6.3. Fortunately, the toilets at Level 1 is also not directly above any of the bedrooms. This is both a concern (if any) be it a Bottom-down or Top-up layout model.

Resource materials - Inz Residence EC e-brochure (sales brochure) resource Floorplan.pdf

Case Study 7: Multiple Air-con Ledges and a look at Reinforced Concrete or RC Ledges 1. Multiple Air-con ledges: Two Air-con ledges: Inz Residence EC and 3-Bedroom Superior and Shapes and Forms Feng Shui 1.1 Under Shapes and Forms Feng Shui, it is ideally to avoid purchasing a home with so many air-con ledges. 1.2 This Inz Residence EC 3-Bedroom Superior design has an Air-con ledge at the frontage and another towards the rear of the unit. 1.3 The frontage of the unit is suppose to be a high asset value. And what worse than an air-con compressor spinning and generating noise and heat, here:- 1.3 Even with units that has 4 or 5 bedrooms; often their planners still manage to place the air-con compressors at a single ledge. 2. Many RC Ledges:- 2.1 There is a double edged sword with regards to having RC ledges. 2.2 In my opinion, the pluses outweigh the negatives. 2.2.1 This is because with such ledges, more often will encourage a family to leave the windows open (perhaps not fully) but partial. Making the entire home airy all year round. 2.2.2 Of course, Reinforced concrete or simply called RC ledges is not counted as part of the floor area. And often added by the planners for exterior asthetic purposes. 2.3 Bird resting place - magnet: 2.4 Below: iNZ Residence EC with a distinctive frontage full of multiple RC ledges:- 2.5 The only dread is that if the RC ledges are not slanted at an angle like much of the RC ledges found in new and old HDB flats; it simply means birds can perch on them and often leave bird-shit droppings. And can or may be a source of bird-flu or other air-borne viruses.

Part 4 - Inz Residence EC and 3-Bedroom Superior and Shapes and Forms Feng Shui 1. Two Air-con ledges 1.1 Under Shapes and Forms Feng Shui, it is ideally to avoid purchasing a home with so many air-con ledges. 1.2 A 3-Bedroom Superior layout plan where there is an air-con ledge at the frontage of the unit. The frontage is suppose to be the highest asset of a unit:- 1.3. No issue with an air-con ledge at the rear of the unit. This is was what is suppose to be. And not two air-con ledges: front and back. 1.4 Even with units that has 4 or 5 bedrooms; often their planners still manage to place the air-con compressors at a single ledge. 2. Multiple RC Ledges (sample illustration from another development in Katong):- 2.1 There is a double edged sword with regards to having RC ledges. Below: iNZ Residence EC with a distinctive frontage full of multiple RC ledges:- 2.2 In my opinion, the pluses outweigh the negatives. 2.2.1 This is because with such ledges, more often will encourage a family to leave the windows open (perhaps not fully) but partial. Making the entire home airy all year round. 2.2.2 Of course, Reinforced concrete or simply called RC ledges is not counted as part of the floor area. And often added by the planners for exterior asthetic purposes. 2.3 Bird Magnet?: The only dread is that if the RC ledges are not slanted at an angle like much of the RC ledges found in new and old HDB flats; it simply means birds can perch on them and often leave bird-shit droppings. And can or may be a source of bird-flu or other air-borne viruses.

Singapore Improvement Trust plans on Tiong Bahru Estate was built along/around Chinese Hokkien cemetery land. Which includes land currently occupied by S.G.H. This estate consists of 504 flats and a market. From the attachment one can see that the flats are conservatively laid out in uniform and orderly fashion. As much as possible, the roads are laid out also in orderly grid. If all the wordings were blank-out; believe me - if I sat that a quick glance: I could have mis-read it (mistaken) as a colonial British naval base. With warships parked along this wharf...

Ok thanks so much for your advice Master Lee! It is a breeze consulting you!

Thanks for ur advice on my current property. I love the place. .. client wanting to upgrade to a condo.. and wanting to use the Can and cannot buy service Geomancy.sg

Blocks 519A, 519B, 520A and 520B NE2 such as stacks 05, 07, 09, 11, 23, 25, 27, 29, 45, 47 & 53. As the mountain star #8 is at the frontage; In order to activate the pearl string effect; best not to have a water position at the frontage. Unfortunately, all the stacks in this facing (Sky Patio) have pool(s) of water at the frontage. SW2. With stacks 01, 03, 15, 17, 19, 21, 31, 33, 39, 41, 43, 49 and 51. Shares quite similiar characteristics as NE2. But as it enjoys an auspicious "parent string" combination; it has much better Feng Shui than NE2. But high floors may get a dose of indirect afternoon sunlight.

6 blocks with 16 storeys and 1 block of 15 storeys high. There are a total of 708 units in this development and comes under Period 8, Flying Stars N3. Stacks/Units has the double auspicious #8's wasted at the "back/rear" of the unit. Thus not as favourable. S3. Stacks are the best stacks for a East group person. As both frontage enjoys the double auspicious #8 wealth stars. And furthermore their facing directions has water. Bring great wealth. It is advantages for a S3 facing as the frontage of the home has the double auspicious weath luck. Vs a N2 facing where this good stars are wasted at the "rear" which is usually the kitchen/yard area. The only concern for a S2 facing chart is that so often, the kitchen may be located at NW sector. Which in Feng Shui is called: "Fire at Heaven's Gate". And this can affect the male breadwinner's career luck. Thus for a South facing (S2) best to select a unit where the kitchen is either at North or North-east sector is preferred.

More resources on The Panorama at Ang Mo Kio

Since each unit does not have a rubbish chute; whenever one buys a unit with an external rubbin bin; always try to find out where it is before signing the dotted line..

Best to avoid being on the sky-roof during thunderstorms. I remembered visiting a landed property nearby at Yio Chu Kang Gardens (Chip Type Gardens). And that year, the owner told me that because his home is on a higher ground; lightning strike a tree on the roof of his terrace home. And I could visibly see a chunk of concrete got bitten away when the lightning bolt tried to find earth after striking the tree and grounding itself to the concrete railing of this home. Thus in this development and elsewhere, above standing too close to a tall tree on the skyline as often; this may be higher than the lightning rods of that building.

three poiinted sail-tip can be a poison arrow if aimed towards a unit's opening such as the balcony or windows.

Under Shapes and Forms Feng Shui, it is less than ideal to have the WC beside the main entrance door. In addition, under Shapes and Forms Feng Shui it is less than ideal if there are two air-con ledges. Especially if one of the air-con ledge is sharing the frontage of the unit.

Children's bedroom with a study Nowadays parents are "forced" to consider this as one of the Options; provided the study direction is suitable for that child.

This massive development should yield some good stacks/units. Since the southern and south-eastern parts face the Serangoon Reservioir. In general good Shapes and Forms Feng Shui. Description: Sengkang East Drive with Serangoon Reservior with a massive 2,440 units of 2R Flexim 3R, 4R and 5R. Development name has yet to be revealed. Of course, stay clear of stacks/units facing the Tampines Expressway and if can help avoid the stacks/units also facing Sengkang East Drive.

Block 799A:- NW3 with stacks 115, 117, 199 and 121. Has the auspicious water wealth #8 at it's frontage. Good if the balcony/living room faces a pool of water. If not can consider placing a water feature at the balcony to activate it. Other than this, the rest of the sectors on this home has inbalances. If the master bedroom or a bedroom is located at West sector of the home: be careful of frequent sickness SE3 such as stacks 111, 113, 123 and 125. These stacks has the water wealth star at it's frontage. Thus, it would be good if the unit faces a pool of water. Or enhanced with a water feature at the balcony area of the living room. The rest of the stars in other sectors are inauspicious. And may need to be disarmed Good, if the rear of the house has a "mountain" support. Block 799B:- NE1: stacks 129 and 131. Has the auspicious water wealth #8 star at the frontage. Thus, units with water position at the frontage (balcony side) can enjoy good Feng Shui. If so, the sum-of-ten can be activated for : Health, wealth and family luck. If the unit is not facing a water position, then best to place a water position at the balcony area to activate the luck. On the downside; the other sectors in such a home has bad stars that best to be disarmed or neutralised. SW with stacks 127 and 139. As the water wealth #8 is at the frontage; water at the frontage is good. It will be advantages if the unit faces a pool of water or activate a water position at the balcony area. As such overall, the unit can activate the sum-of-ten. Need though to disarm bad stars in many sectors of the home. To disarm health related considerations.

Sales Brochure: Site Plan and Floor Plans woodleigh-hillside.pdf HDB Woodleigh Hillside BTO flats Based on Shapes and Forms Feng Shui:- Blk 212D 565, 563 (4 Bedrooms) 559, 561 These four stacks/units are considered amongst the best in this development. But the unfortunate trade-off is the afternoon sun....

Case Study 6: Where is the drainage point at my unit's balcony? Common sense says that this may determine not only how many potted plants but also where it should be placed! Question: I have many potted plants. Can I place them at the balcony of my new condo or EC? 1. Nowadays there is only one miserable drainage point at a unit's balcony. 2. This is because in the past, one was used to a large drainage running from one end of the balcony to the other. This has lead to ponding. And mosquito breeding. 3. For this reason, today's regulation allow only a specific drainage point. Many new developments I had recently visited e.g. The Vale at Sengkang, Rivertrees etc.. there is only one drainage point. 4. With this in mind, if one wants to place potted plants or even a water feature: determine where is the drainage point at the balcony. 5. And place these potted plants and (unfortunately) the water feature beside/at these drainage areas. 6. If not, and if one over waters the plants. The excess water has to flow a long distance to the drainage. Sometimes it may just flow across the balcony. Resulting in algae and in time, the balcony becomes slippery and a danger as one may just slip and fall. 7. The illusration on the left shows the drainage design of an older flat. But this has been phased out in new developments. In new developments since 2010 there can only be drainage points (see the right most illustration):- 8. In the illustration on the right: excess water may cause slime or greenish algae to form and make the entire blcony slippery. And may result in a serious fall. Or need frequent cleaning. 9. In the past, with a large drainage at the balcony stretching from one end to another, many choose to place a decking. And such balconies were prone to ponding and result in mosquito ponding. 10. Today, good news is that new owners don't need to spent money to cover such drainage since it is extinct. 11. The yellow arrow (below) shows the drainage point:- 12. Common sense says to place potted plants close to the drain. And not too far off. Since excess watering needs to flow to it. 13. Therefore, one can only wait until T.O.P. to collect their keys or managed a sneak peak during construction stage...

A three bedroom type C9 and three balcony panels...

Case Study 5: Unit Balcony with just Three Panel Sliding Doors. What does this mean? 1. This photo is from The Terrace at Punggol which had just T.O.P. 1.1 Three panel sliding doors at the balcony/PES:- 2. As the size of flats gets smaller and smaller. There is a surge of flats with balconies that are only three (3) panels instead of the more common four (4) panels found in older condos, ECs and even HDB flats. 3. The benefit of 4 panels means that the openings are exactly at the middle. And the panels can slide to each side for ease of entry and exit of the living room/balcony. 4. Not anymore if there are instead three panels. 5. If so, it is thus not possible to have a large sofa or place it too close to the balcony sliding door(s). Plus the TV console or cabinets cannot be too thick or fully cover the sliding door panel on the other side of the sofa location. 6. Thus, this means that one has to seriously consider not only the length of the sofa but also the height of the arm-chair and the width of it. Make sure that it does not block the lock mechanism at the sofa side and vice-versa. 7. Another plus of a four panel sliding door means that often one may still leave ajar or a gap and not fully close the sliding panels. But for a three panel door; often than not the opening is close to the edge of the roof-line. And often, this is the first area where heavy winds and rains may come in. 8. For example: Sol Acres development has similar three (3) panels:- (Note: This is an acutal photo from The Terrace EC Block 88 ground floor unit PES) 9. More: An added bonus if a unit has an outdoor power socket and water-point. 10. One will only know if there is a water point or outdoor power switch after collection of keys. As often, this is not mentioned in the sales brochure. But an added bonus if your new unit has them:- 10. A Four panels balcony sliding doors. (Location: Bellewaters EC) 10.1 The advantage of this four panel balcony sliding door means that not only the middle two panels can be opened; but also either of the side or corner panels can also be opened. 10.2 Thus it incorporates the best of both worlds of the three panels with this four panel model.

This photo is from The Terrace at Punggol which recently T.O.P. Can't be helped. Since 2016, I keep on seeing a three panel sliding balcony doors. Just imagine, one cannot open the panels in the centre or mid-point. And in many cases, on either side where the entry/exit is; one may either have the bulky sofa or the TV console. Isn't it much harder to access in and out of the unit view these two panels. And especially heavy downpour and windy conditions, it would be fool-hardy to open the sliding panels on either side for ventilation... I have seen many units in Sol Acres also share this similar three panel balcony sliding doors... If sofa and TV consoles are bulky is too close to the openings... can hinder the opening and closing of the door panels on either side .... An added bonus if the PES of Sol Acres units have these:-

An extra bonus especially for ground floor units with PES to have a water-point and a power point. But if one has yet to stay in the unit; try to either not apply for PUB or lock up especially the power point. I have personally seen contractor's workers tapping power from such vacant units. Since the owners are no where to be seen.

Can't be helped. Since 2016, I keep on seeing a three panel sliding balcony doors. Just imagine, one cannot open the panels in the centre or mid-point. And in many cases, on either side where the entry/exit is; one may either have the bulky sofa or the TV console. Isn't it much harder to access in and out of the unit view these two panels. And especially heavy downpour and windy conditions, it would be fool-hardy to open the sliding panels on either side for ventilation...