Maharishi Vastu architecture represents a restoration of ancient Vastu Vidya, a system of design and construction that aligns buildings with natural law to produce health, happiness, and well-being. This approach, offered through accredited architects and consultants, focuses on creating spaces that nurture vitality by adhering to timeless principles of orientation, placement, and proportion. By integrating these elements, homes and communities can foster inner peace and success, as evidenced by client experiences in peer-reviewed studies.
The core of Maharishi Vastu lies in its universal design philosophy, applicable to homes, office buildings, and communities across 57 countries and 37 US states. Projects range from residential styles to commercial structures, all crafted to harmonize with nature's rhythms. The system emphasizes that the built environment profoundly influences human life, and corrections or designs based on authentic Vastu Vidya can lead to improved physical and mental health. Consultants, many of whom are architects, provide guidance to ensure precise application of these principles, streamlining the process for homeowners and business owners seeking balance.
Key to this architecture is the emphasis on right orientation and placement. Homes oriented to the east capture the energy of the rising sun, which is associated with health, happiness, and success. Working and sleeping in recommended directions further enhance well-being. The sun's journey from east to west generates different qualities of energy, and a building's design must correspond these energies to specific activities within each room. This alignment ensures that the structure supports the occupants' goals, whether in residential planning, commercial endeavors, or personal growth.
Vastu Principles for Site Selection and Orientation
Site selection is the foundational step in Maharishi Vastu design, as the land's characteristics influence the building's energy flow. A formal site evaluation by Vastu consultants determines Vastu feasibility for candidate sites, with a nominal fee applying for this guidance. Before this evaluation, individuals can consult the Vastu Site Guide to begin preliminary selection. This process ensures that the site aligns with natural laws, optimizing the potential for positive outcomes in health and vitality.
Orientation is a vital aspect addressed during the consultation phase, where conceptual floor plans, elevations, and sections are discussed with the architect and consultant. The primary directive is to orient homes to the east, the direction of the rising sun, to promote health, happiness, and success. This east-facing orientation allows abundant windows to capture the sun's morning energy, as seen in designs like the Oceanside house, which features east-facing windows and an entry from the east. Such designs not only enhance natural light but also align the home's energy with the daily rhythm of the sun.
In addition to orientation, the placement of the building on the site is crucial. Vastu Site Plans develop a comprehensive layout including the house footprint, utility paths, enclosing Vastu fence with gates, out-buildings, and driveway general layout. This holistic approach ensures that every element of the site contributes to harmonious energy flow. For instance, the use of Vedic dimensioning attains precise proportions for the building, its rooms, and site placement, which are fundamental to aligning with Vastu principles. These proportions are not arbitrary but rooted in ancient knowledge that promotes balance and symmetry.
The importance of symmetry is evident in classical designs, such as the Dario home, which features strict symmetry in façades and floor plans, extended in all four directions with two-story porches. Classic pillars and cornice profiles add to the aesthetic and energetic harmony. Similarly, the Skandinavia design incorporates a meditation room and optional commercial space, emphasizing the integration of spiritual and functional elements. These designs demonstrate how proper orientation and placement can create spaces that flood interiors with natural light, as in the Surya home, which features an open-air space above the center and a veranda all around for exquisite views.
Remedial Measures and Design Corrections
For existing structures or new constructions, Maharishi Vastu offers remedial measures to correct imbalances and enhance energy flow. While specific corrections are not detailed in the provided data, the emphasis is on authentic applications that restore alignment with natural law. Consultants work with clients to identify areas needing adjustment, such as room orientation or fixture placement, ensuring that the building's design corresponds to the sun's energy dynamics.
The consultation process involves engaging with architects and consultants to discuss and implement these corrections. For example, in the Luminary design, which spans 2125 SF with additional veranda space, the focus is on wrap-around windows upstairs for beautiful views, aligning with Vastu's principle of maximizing natural light and east-facing elements. Guest suites and meditation rooms are positioned to support rest and spiritual practices, reflecting the holistic approach to well-being.
In cases where sites are not ideally oriented, consultants may recommend structural changes or symbolic remedies to mitigate negative influences. The goal is to achieve a state where the building nurtures well-being, as supported by peer-reviewed studies indicating improved health and vitality among clients. This includes addressing energy disruptions from improper placement of utilities or fences, which are incorporated into the site plan to maintain a cohesive energetic boundary.
The Zen design, a modern farmhouse, illustrates how remedial measures can be integrated into contemporary styles. With a North wing for kids' rooms and bathrooms, it balances family needs with Vastu principles. Optional additions like pools and tennis courts extend the harmonious design to outdoor spaces, further enhancing the property's energy. For narrower lots, the Seaside design fits up to four bedrooms and bathrooms, with upstairs washer/dryer or workout space, demonstrating adaptability while maintaining core Vastu alignments.
Vedic Dimensioning and Proportional Harmony
Vedic dimensioning is a cornerstone of Maharishi Vastu, ensuring that the building's proportions align with ancient Vastu Vidya. This involves precise measurements for the structure, rooms, and site placement, which are fundamental to harmonizing with natural law. The process is integral to the design and construction phases, as outlined in the steps for creating a Maharishi Vastu home.
Proportional harmony extends to the layout of interior spaces. In the Dario home, the upper floor features a surrounding gallery that allows natural light to flood the interior from above, creating an airy and uplifting environment. The ground floor includes functional areas like the living room, dining room, kitchen, meditation room, office, bedrooms, and maids' room, all arranged symmetrically. The upper floor adds four ensuite bedrooms, a study, and an office, totaling 576 SQM. This design exemplifies how Vedic proportions promote balance and light.
Similarly, the Luminary design incorporates a meditation room and guest suite, with 86 SF of veranda space, using Vedic dimensioning to optimize the 2125 SF footprint. The Zen design's open floor plan and optional pool/tennis court reflect proportional extensions that maintain energetic integrity. For smaller residences, the Surya home at 1292 SF uses a single-story square footprint, a shape highly regarded in Vastu for stability, with subdivisions between functions to create efficient, light-filled spaces.
The Andreana guest cottage, at 880 SF, includes a master bedroom, bath, kitchen, living area, study, screened porch, sunroom, and loft with storage and balcony. Its covered porch of 10.5m extends outdoor living, aligning with Vastu's emphasis on seamless integration with nature. These designs show that Vedic dimensioning is not limited to large homes but applies to various scales, ensuring that every space, from a cottage to a multi-story home, embodies proportional harmony.
Holistic Energy Harmonization in Residential and Commercial Contexts
Maharishi Vastu's holistic approach extends to energy harmonization across residential and commercial domains, fostering well-being and success. In residential planning, designs like the Oceanside house prioritize east-facing windows for rising sun energy, which clients may experience as a boost in vitality. The entry from the east further reinforces this positive flow, creating homes that nurture inner peace and happiness.
For commercial success, the principles of right placement ensure that work environments align with natural law, enhancing productivity and mental clarity. The Skandinavia design's optional Airbnb or commercial space on the ground floor illustrates how Vastu can support business ventures within a home setting. By placing offices in recommended directions, such as the east or north, individuals can benefit from the sun's energy during work hours, potentially leading to better health outcomes.
In terms of relationship harmony, Vastu designs incorporate spaces that promote interaction and tranquility. The Zen home's North wing for kids' rooms and command station encourages family cohesion, while communal areas like the living and dining rooms in the Dario design foster connection. Meditation rooms, present in many designs, provide sanctuaries for personal growth and spiritual practices, contributing to emotional balance.
Personal growth strategies are supported through the inclusion of meditation spaces and studies, as seen in the Luminary and Andreana designs. These areas are positioned to maximize light and energy, allowing occupants to engage in reflective practices that align with natural rhythms. The emphasis on natural light, as in the Surya home's open-plan layout, promotes a sense of openness and clarity, aiding in personal development.
Holistic energy harmonization also involves the broader community context. Maharishi Vastu has designed communities that integrate homes with shared spaces, ensuring collective well-being. The system's adaptability to different styles—classical, modern farmhouse, beach-style—demonstrates its universal applicability, from narrow lots to expansive courtyards, as in the Andreana cottage with its L-shaped covered porches opening to a 1300 SF courtyard.
Integration of Design Elements for Optimal Flow
The integration of design elements in Maharishi Vastu ensures optimal energy flow throughout the structure. Porches, verandas, and galleries are not mere additions but strategic features that extend living spaces and enhance light penetration. Two-story porches in classical designs, like the Dario home, provide symmetry and allow the building to extend in all four directions, promoting balanced energy distribution.
Windows and doors play a critical role, with east-facing windows being a hallmark for capturing sunrise energy. In the Oceanside house, abundant east-facing windows and an entry from the east exemplify this principle. Wrap-around windows in the Luminary design offer panoramic views and natural light from multiple directions, while the Surya home's veranda all around ensures continuous exposure to natural elements.
Floor plans are meticulously crafted to correspond activities with energy zones. The ground level of the Luminary includes two offices, one doubling as a guest bedroom, aligning work and rest areas with appropriate directions. The Zen design's open floor plan minimizes barriers, facilitating smooth energy circulation. Optional basements, as in the Seaside design, add functional space without disrupting the main structure's harmony, with laundry and storage positioned to maintain flow.
Symmetry is a recurring theme, reinforcing stability and aesthetic appeal. Strictly symmetrical façades and plans, as in the Dario and classical Vastu designs, create a sense of order that resonates with natural law. This symmetry extends to out-buildings and driveways in the site plan, ensuring the entire property functions as a unified energetic entity.
Benefits of Maharishi Vastu Consultation
Engaging with Maharishi Vastu consultants offers numerous benefits for those seeking to implement or correct their spaces. Consultants, often accredited architects, provide tailored guidance from site evaluation to final design. The process begins with a formal site evaluation to assess feasibility, followed by consultations to refine plans and ensure orientation and placement align with Vastu principles.
Clients experience improved health and vitality, as indicated by peer-reviewed studies, and gain access to designs that range from efficient single-story homes like the Surya (1292 SF) to larger estates like the Dario (576 SQM). The consultants' expertise in Vedic dimensioning and site planning streamlines construction, allowing homeowners and business owners to focus on their goals.
For spiritual seekers, the integration of meditation rooms and growth-oriented spaces provides tools for personal development. The holistic approach ensures that every aspect, from the enclosing Vastu fence to the placement of rooms, contributes to a nurturing environment. This service is available worldwide, with projects in 57 countries, underscoring its global relevance.
In summary, Maharishi Vastu architecture offers a comprehensive framework for harmonizing living and working spaces with natural law. Through precise orientation, placement, and dimensioning, it fosters health, happiness, and success. Whether for a beach-style home, a modern farmhouse, or a commercial venture, the principles provide actionable pathways to balance and well-being. By consulting with trained professionals, individuals can create spaces that not only meet functional needs but also elevate spiritual and energetic harmony.
Conclusion
Maharishi Vastu provides a time-tested approach to design that aligns human habitats with the rhythms of nature, leading to enhanced health, happiness, and success. Its emphasis on east orientation, right placement, and Vedic proportions ensures that homes and buildings nurture well-being holistically. For homeowners, business owners, and spiritual seekers, this system offers practical solutions for residential planning, commercial optimization, and personal growth. By consulting accredited architects and following authentic Vastu principles, individuals can transform their environments into sanctuaries of positive energy and inner peace. The provided examples of designs and processes illustrate the system's adaptability and effectiveness, encouraging informed decisions for a harmonious life.