Ben is an architect. His interest in philosophy and yoga led him to explore Vaastu architecture. What could Vaastu architecture offer, in addition to his western training? Read on to hear some of his discoveries.
Another Architecture – Vaastu architecture
Ben Farugia, Malta
As a practising architect, what drew you to explore Vaastu architecture?
I found it fascinating to see that Vaastu architecture looks beyond the design of physical buildings to understand the impact of the built environment on the lives and experiences of its inhabitants.
As Winston Churchill once said, “We shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us.” Vaastu architecture embodies this truth, recognizing that spaces, when designed in harmony with natural principles, can enhance life on many levels.
So what is Vaastu architecture?
Vaastu architecture is a time-honoured and holistic system of architecture which is founded on a unique science called Sthapatya Veda. It was discovered by the ancient Tamil scientist, poet, linguist and architect, Mamuni Mayan (date disputed, but say at least 500 BCE as can be dated from archaeological evidence and literature from that period.)
Sthapatya Veda describes the orderly manifestation of energy and matter through rhythm and form. Mayan further developed this science and applied it across the fivefold Tamil art forms: poetry, music, dance, sculpture and architecture which all share a common “grammar” based on rhythmic order. This rhythmic order is measured in time through the actions like the beat of a dancers foot, the clap of a musician’s hand, or metre in poetry. In architecture, this same rhythmic order is applied as proportionate measurement and spatial arrangements. This is why the traditional sculptures and buildings are proudly termed frozen music or musical forms.
The building grammar and design principles that have been codified in the ancient texts used to create harmonious architectural forms is known as Vaastu architecture.
Its principles are not only limited to temple architecture but also have their application in residential design and town planning to name but a few.
What Are the Characteristics of Vaastu architecture?
Vaastu architecture deeply understood the interconnectedness between individuals, their living spaces and the environment, creating a harmony between the outer space, the built space and the inner space of the in-dweller.
There are three core principles outlined in the Vaastu architecture which define a well-designed building. These are functionality (comfort), aesthetics (beauty) and spiritual ambiance.
As a western trained architect, functionality and aesthetics were not new concepts, however spiritual ambiance took me by surprise. I felt as if I discovered something timeless and sacred, a design process curated by nature herself.
This design process is built on four key practices: site selection, building orientation, mathematical calculations and building design principles. The result of following this process is buildings which foster qualities of balance, well-being, and a sense of tranquility.
Site Selection
Vaastu architecture views the relationship between the land and building much like the relationship between soil and seed. Good soil ensures and promotes healthy life on earth. Similarly, Vaastu architecture places importance on the selection of a building site and prescribes a series of site tests to determine whether it is suitable for human habitation.
Some considerations include the five types of terrain, contours, five qualities of soil, the depth and flow of water, vegetation, flora and fauna, shape of plot and location of site.
Building Orientation
Vaastu architectural tradition sees the earth as a living organism, a manifest form (Vaastu) that emits energy (Vastu) from within. These energy waves form a grid on the earth’s surface, similar to latitudes and longitudes. From this, the directional lines are conduits of energy. This grid is very meaningful and significant in the context of building orientation.
The building is an instrument which channels and orders this energy, like a radio tuning into a frequency of a local station. If the frequency is not exact, then the sound isn’t clear. When buildings are aligned with respect to the cardinal directions, it establishes a spatial harmony between the building and the earth, and therefore the people who live in them. Here the cardinal directions means true north, true south etc, not magnetic north, south, east and west.
Mathematical Calculations
In Vaastu architecture, both buildings and human beings are seen as material forms with energy vibrating from within. Each vibrates in a particular way and Vaastu technology, with aid of mathematical calculations, aligns the building’s vibration with that of its inhabitants, creating harmony. We can achieve this through precise spatial measurements and proportional layouts, creating an environment that radiates energy from within and resonates with those who occupy it. This phenomenon is responsible for the spiritual ambience component of Vaastu architecture.
Building Design Principles of Vaastu architecture
When a building encloses the free space according to the principles of Vaastu architecture, it becomes a vibrant, energetic form full of qualities.
The traditional grid pattern and a system of precise proportionate measure serve as an architectural grammar for designing a building. This grid structure is not arbitrary but is based on an understanding of the structure of a particle of energy and how energy flows within it. When building elements such as doors, windows, and walls are positioned within this grid it creates a harmonious, vibrant and balanced energy within the built space.
What Are the Benefits of Vaastu architecture?
The aim of Vaastu architecture is to create spaces that are in harmony with both the physical and subtle forces of nature, resulting in a vibrant, energetic environment. When a building follows Vaastu principles, it produces what’s known as the Vaastu Effect. It’s a balanced, peaceful space that supports well-being, vitality, health, and prosperity for its occupants. This establishes a harmony between the earth and the building, then between the building and its occupants.
How can Vaastu architecture enhance life compared with 21st century architecture?
Vaastu views space differently from contemporary architecture. Rather than seeing empty space, Vaastu regards space as a source of energy that sustains life. By designing spaces that are in harmony with this energy, Vaastu architecture promotes lasting well-being.
For example, Vastu considers irregularly shaped spaces as disrupting energy flow. Stable shapes like squares or rectangles encourage tranquillity and balance. This concept of spiritual ambience and spatial harmony within Vaastu provides benefits that 21st century architectural methods may overlook.
By integrating Vaastu principles into modern contemporary design, architects can create spaces that feel balanced and supportive for occupants thus enhancing overall well-being for those who live and work in such spaces.
“The free space is the unified field of energy and matter and source of all forms that we see in the material world” – Mamuni Mayan
How can we apply Vaastu architecture, given constraints on finances, time, and site size?
We can apply Vaastu principles to a range of building scales and budgets. A project does not need to be large or expensive to benefit from the concepts of Vaastu design. Thoughtful consideration of key elements, such as site selection, orientation, mathematics and proportionate measure, can be implemented on a smaller or more economical scale. So we can design a small studio, art room, or yoga space following Vaastu principles on a limited budget.
The availability of a suitable site in today’s densely built-up modern cities can be more challenging. That’s firstly due to orientation of the existing urban grid, and secondly due the size and shape of building plots. In the Vaastu texts related to urban planning, the principles for the layout of towns and villages take all these factors into consideration. Nonetheless, there are still specific design principles for smaller urban plots.
However, a more practical alternative is to locate a Vaastu building on the outskirts and peripheral areas. Here land may be more readily available. Here buildings or groups of buildings can be holistically designed according to the principles of Vaastu architecture.
Where will you take this new-found knowledge of Vaastu architecture?
I designed a number of buildings during my Vaastu architecture course. These include residential buildings (single family homes) and also commercial buildings (yoga centre, health centre and retreat house). However these were projects for the course and have not been constructed.
Vaastu architecture offers the opportunity to create something timeless and unique, a marvel which can be benefited for many generations.
My vision for Vaastu architecture is to bring this experience back into the architecture of our homes.
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