Applying fuzzy weighted average approach to evaluate office layouts with Feng–Shui consideration

Office layout is an important issue, especially in China and the Asian countries, where the Feng–Shui theory frequently plays a vital role. Yet, in the literature, Feng–Shui theory has seldom been discussed. Another problem is the imprecise or vague satisfaction level of the linguistic expression used in this theory. In this article, the fuzzy set theory is applied to deal with this aspect of the problem. Using an improved and efficient fuzzy weighted average (EFWA) algorithm, which has been shown to be more advantageous than the existing FWA algorithms, an empirical study of an office-layout design problem with the consideration of Feng–Shui is presented to illustrate the EFWA approach. The results and the criteria developed, based on the interpretation of the Form school concept of the Feng–Shui are reported.