As the Philippines and much of Asia step into 2026, the Year of the Fire Horse brings an energetic pivot in the way space, direction, and workplace environment are perceived not just in homes but in offices and commercial properties as well. Feng Shui expert Norman Cruz highlights that office energy is fundamentally different from home because of “limited control” over space and multiple people involved. To give a better understanding, he unpacks insights on office‑oriented feng shui applications for work and business environments.
What makes office feng shui different
In residential feng shui, homeowners typically have full control over furnishing and room layout. Mr. Cruz notes why this is not the case in offices. “Office feng shui is limited because consultations are usually done with the person managing a single floor, so adjustments apply only there, unless the goal is to cover the entire building.” Feng shui for an entire building is most effective during initial planning, construction, or major renovations. Applying these principles before occupancy helps align with the building’s natal chart and maximize harmony, luck, and prosperity.
For commercial establishments with multiple levels and occupants, coordination among leaders is crucial, especially among key executives, to ensure cohesive energy flow and organizational harmony. “In company feng shui, the most important figures are the CEO, COO, and CFO. Even if feng shui adjustments are made for one executive, nothing will be effective unless all three agree. It’s ultimately about harmony,” Cruz explains. This collective buy‑in matters in workplace planning and organizational culture before spatial enhancements can take effect.
The Fire Horse influence on work and business
From a feng shui perspective, 2026 is described as a period of dynamic, fast‑paced energy, movement, and intensified action that can both ignite growth and lead to burnout without balance and intentional focus. The horse symbol historically represents movement and initiative that lead to forward acceleration. These are qualities that can help entrepreneurial decision‑making and workplace innovation when harnessed wisely.
Retail and commercial cures and adjustments
Office feng shui principles can also be applied to commercial and retail spaces, as they are equally influenced by the same energies. Entrance energy (for example, a south‑facing doorway) may become less favorable at times, so a simple workaround is elemental cures such as doormat color adjustments to balance energies—like using a gray metal‑colored doormat to strengthen the metal element if an area is in imbalance. Such color symbolism illustrates how subtle design touches can refresh a brand’s visual identity and psychological perception among visitors.
Wind chimes can also be a cure when placed properly, but he warns that, in the wrong orientation, they may create noise and discord instead of harmony.
Balance and intentionality
While feng shui remains interpretive, many businesses use its principles alongside functional office design to create environments that feel more harmonious and intentional. Its practice starts with people—one’s personal focus and clarity of purpose, as well as the conscious use of space. As workplace tenants, executives and professionals may adopt these feng shui considerations as part of a broader strategy for office wellness and productivity in 2026.
Desk, direction, and spatial energy
One of the key physical factors Mr. Cruz emphasizes is the positioning of workstations and executive desks. He suggests using a feng shui compass to check whether a desk falls under auspicious or problematic energy lines—termed “dragon line” for prosperity or “death and emptiness line” for stagnation.
He outlines three spatial concerns for any office:
1. Floor Element and Suitability: Is the executive or employee on a floor whose elemental energy matches their role?
2.Desk Location Within a Floor: Consider how a desk relates to doors, pathways, and structural features.
3.Facing Direction: Use a compass to check if the seating or desk orientation aligns with favorable directions.
These align with commonly accepted feng shui practice that workspace orientation, light, and openness can impact focus and productivity; where possible, feng shui adjustments should support ergonomic and functional design (e.g., clear view of the entrance, ample light, uncluttered desk).
Practical positioning tips
Beyond generic feng shui definitions, Mr. Cruz stresses simple, doable principles:
• Location of power: It means positioning where you can see the main entrance diagonally, not directly from the back or sides.
• Chair height matters: A slightly higher chair gives a sense of greater authority. It’s a principle that mirrors executive ergonomics.
• Avoid elevator shafts near office doors since moving machinery can symbolically “suck energy”—though this is better understood as distraction and noise issues in workplace planning.
• If desks cannot be moved: Adjust the facing direction first before furniture shifts. Check the facing direction with a phone compass, and adjust the chair accordingly. Avoid south, southwest, west, and northwest.
These practical cues dovetail with workplace design standards that prioritize visibility, line of sight, and decluttered spaces to support concentration and decision‑making.
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