Staircase facing front door

[myfs_125003]

Dear Respected Sirs,

I am finalising the design for a new house, and I am having difficulty interesting the architectin Feng Shui considerations. Attached are two images, the first of the original house design, the second with an alteration to the staircase, amongst other things.

The architect said he had been told that a staircase could face the front door directly (which I realise is a very undesirable option) as long as a large statue or water fountain was placed between them. He later agreed to modify the design, and produced a curving staircase as shown in the second attached image.

My two questions are: 1. Does the curving staircase solve the problem - ie, is it curved enough away from the entrance? and 2. Is the architect right to suggest that the original central staircase could comply with Feng Shui if we incorporate a large statue, sculpture, or water fountain directly between the front door and the stairs?

Many thanks for your assistance with these questions.

Regards

David Brooks