The Principles Of Vastu As
A Traditional Architectural Belief System From
An Environmental Perspective
Author(s)
H. Fazeli & A. Goodarzi
Abstract
The shortage of technological discoveries in traditional architecture - which has
now made it possible to warm and cool any area regardless of considering the
proper direction or geometrical shape - used to lead the habitants to make use of
natural phenomena to provide physical and emotional comfort. Therefore,
traditional architecture is always accompanied with a set of rules and principles
that are to some extent based on environmental criteria as well as the dominant
belief system of the specific culture; these two variables seem to be inter-related
and in some situations dominating one another. Although assigning auspicious
directions, auspicious geometrical patterns in the plan configuration, the concept
of concentric zones, elongation of the whole complex and the façade
considerations seem to be religious in basis or due to cultural values, still a great
amount of such principles in traditional architectural guidelines are derived from
the environment; thus a number of common characteristics of vernacular
architecture, such as the presence of vegetation in the buildings’ site, the use of
local materials that create a micro-climate adaptable with human comfort and
structural forms associated with the climatic positions, which can also be applied
to other cultures with the same climate, are present as parts of all traditional
structures.
Vastu as one of the most ancient architectural belief systems, similar to other
traditional architectural sciences such as Feng Shui, also deals with the principles
designed to make the most use of the environment and more specifically climate
as one of its dominant factors. Based on the knowledge of the Sun Rays, the
Earth’s Magnetic Poles and the Geopathic Zones, many rules have been
legislated in ancient Indian architecture dealing with environmental criteria that
Keywords
principles of Vastu Shastra, the sun rays, magnetic zones, Geopathic Zones, concentric squares, the surrounding environment
Related Book
Other papers in this volume
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