Recent Article in New York Real Estate Journal

Vaastu Shastra

With 2009 behind us, we are all hoping for a much better 2010. It is a new year with new beginnings and possibilities. As we look toward a return to a growing economy when companies look for new or additional office space, let’s consider something “new” which may contribute to the wellness of the occupants of the space and the prosperity of the businesses that are run in them.

Going beyond typical considerations such as function, flexibility, ergonomics and aesthetics of office furniture, in recent years companies and designers have begun to consider other factors than can impact the wellness and productivity of employees. Changing work styles, a growing multi-generational workforce and Eastern disciplines such as Feng Shui are increasingly considered when planning work environments.

Another Eastern discipline that has started to gain attention in North America is Vaastu Shastra. Vaastu is the ancient science of architecture developed in India over 5000 years ago. The principles of Vaastu harness the power of the earth in addition to other surrounding celestial bodies to bring health, wealth and good fortune.

According to Vaastu, the world is comprised of five basic elements known as the pancha maha bhoota. The five elements are earth, water, air, fire and space. There is an invisible and constant relation between all five elements. Vaastu combines these elements of nature and balances them with the person and the material. It takes advantage of the benefits bestowed by the five elements of nature to create congenial living and working environments, thereby facilitating spiritual well-being and paving the way for enhanced health, wealth, prosperity and happiness.

So how does this apply to creating productive and prosperous work environments? Without going into the why’s and how’s of the science, some of the teachings include:

• Place the owners’ offices in the Southwest corner of the building to face North or East as this allows stability and power

• Workers should face North or East while working to help them utilize their analytical powers

• Entrance to buildings should be located in the North or East side to allow positive energy to flow and impart overall good luck to the owners and workers of the company

• When designing buildings with Vaastu, a large emphasis is placed on the direction and movement of the sun, placement of rooms and open spaces to reduce the overall cost of owning an office, residence or industrial building. The reduction in energy bills; both heating and cooling are large because the power harnessed from nature works with us rather than against us.

Vaastu creates a harmonious physical environment where we can function to the best of our abilities and make better decisions. But how does this fit with the multiple objectives that must be met in creating working and living environments?

Sharad Mathur, Vice President of Marketing for office furniture manufacturer, Inscape Corporation, grew up and practiced Vaastu architecture for more than a decade in India. According to Mathur, “the practice of Vaastu is a game of balance. We have to judge the importance of certain design elements over others based on their overall effect on the space. Understanding that 100% is not possible to achieve, we are challenged with making choices. The beauty of choice is that it is open to the interpretation of the consultant who has to make a judgment call. The answer lies in our instincts to recognize the right answer. Vaastu should be an attitude towards design instead of a rule.”

Not convinced of the benefits of Vaastu? Consider Antilia…a high profile project that utilized the principles of Vaastu. Antilia is the recently completed 27-storey residence of Mukesh Ambani, one of the world’s richest men. The 490 feet tall structure is located in Mumbai, India and was designed by Chicago-based Perkins + Will. At Antilia, the overall plan is based on the square, which is Vaastu’s basic geometric unit, and a garden level occupies the tower’s midsection, the point where all energies converge according to the Vaastu Purusha Mandala. Is this billionaire ensuring his future prosperity by following Vaastu principles at his new home?