Recently I visited the hemp building project underway in Campbell’s Creek in central Victoria being built by Aman and her husband, and led by experienced hemp builder David Brian from Southern Hemp. I was there to sticky-beak on the project, and to build connections as the project is only a few kms from my own home in Castlemaine.

What I discovered was a quiet but determined group building a modest family home in the late Australian summer that was not only going to be a thermally efficient and comfortable but was also a perfect representation of Vastu architecture, the Hindu principles that promote positivity and prosperity through harmonious design. The Vastu, meaning ‘dwelling’, covers all buildings irrespective of their use such as residences, industries, business establishments, lodges, hotels etc.

Vastu is the traditional Hindu approach to design known as a Cosmic Science that seeks balance for harmony. Vastu Shastra unifies the science, art, astronomy and astrology, it can also be said as an ancient mystic science for designing and building. Much like the great architect Le Corbusier who developed 5 principles; Pilotis (pillars), roof garden, open floor plan, long windows and open facades, Vastu advises the five elements of Earth, Water, Air, Fire (Heat & Light), and Sky(Cosmic).
Much like the idea that good design will engender happier healthier residents, when the five elements are in the proper place, they are key to supporting greater success, peace and prosperity.

According to Vastu, the cosmos is full of beneficial energies which we must keep in balance if we wish to experience a state of well-being. Energy is essentially emanated by two forces- the five elements and the electro-magnetic energy generated by the rotation of earth. Vastu Shastra, when applied to design, looks to harmonise the natural forces and energies of the universe with the environment.

What I learned when listening to how the principles of Vastu were being applied to an ordinary-looking passive solar hemp house in central Victoria, was that the traditional principles of dwelling in place, with reference to seasonality, breezes, orientation and harmonious design are very resonant with the best practices of sustainable building in western mindsets.

In Vastu, man is the subject, object and the cause of architecture. He perceives and conceives architecture in relation to his experience of himself with the surrounding world. Through art of design, he alters and moulds the elements of natural environment. In best practice passive design, we seek to accommodate and absorb the climate and prevailing environment into our homes to create harmony and long-term sustainability.

The origin of “vaastushastra” goes back thousands of years. The learned men of those days may not have lived in houses themselves, but they dedicated their lives to the development of the science “vaastushastra” or “vaastu”, as it is popularly known today. The principles of construction, architecture, sculpture etc., as enunciated in the epics and treatise on temple architecture, have been incorporated in the science of Vastu.

Vastu is more than just design, it also advises using natural materials like wood and stone to build and decorate a house. Natural elements like these are believed to foster a connection with nature and bring in positive energy. Wood and stone symbolize grounding and stability, which balances a space’s energy. The key principles of Vastu Shastra include proper placement of buildings and spaces to maximize natural light and air flow, positive energy flow through placement of furniture and objects within the space, and use of specific colors and materials to create a harmonious environment. Vastu Shastra also emphasizes the importance of cleanliness and orderliness in creating a positive energy flow in a space.

As noted in the encyclopedia on Vastu,
“Vastu shastra is based on various energies that comes from atmosphere like solar energy from sun, cosmic energy, lunar energy, thermal energy, magnetic energy, light energy, wind energy. These energies can be balanced to enhance peace, prosperity and success. If a house is made according to these principles, the inmates enjoy all the happiness in life. If it is against vastu principals, it will be a place for all sort of problems, worries and no peace.”

The principles of Vastu can help with block selection, orientation of buildings, their uses, grading, internal arrangements of space, dictates over how space is to be used, who lives where and how to age in your building among many other dictates over life and how space can be occupied to create the most harmony and the least stress. Vastu can be used for every room, every house, every temple, every shop industry, town planning, tour, cities and even for earth.

There is much we can learn from traditional societies and the way earthen architecture developed in best practice for comfort and well being. This won’t be the last article on Vastu and in future blogs we’ll look for Vastu principles as applied to Australian conditions.

References:
https://www.vaastu-shastra.com/how-does-vastu-shastra-works.html
https://www.vaastu-shastra.com/vastu-shastra-and-architecture.html

https://www.architecturaldigest.in/story/7-indian-homes-that-combine-vastu-and-beautiful-design/