3rd May ‘2010

THESIS PROPOSAL GARIMA 1004

Energy and the human habitat: Understanding the Vaastu Shastra approach of
balancing energy in the interior built environment (Residential interiors) - its
implications and relevance in Interior Design today.
GUIDE: Dr. Ravi Rao
CO-GUIDE: Prof. Rajan Rawal
PREFACE:
Energy takes many forms, each created by a system that contains it for a particular purpose.
Architecture and design is one such system that contains energy by establishing stable
boundaries, limits, edges. Although traditional architecture was evolved intuitively over long
periods, it was based primarily on scientifically valid concepts.

Energy is an immanent part of the human habitat. Through the ancient times, scholars have
discussed and articulated the need of attaining a balance of energy in nature, in the
temple/church etc. we pray, in the house we live. The shastras give us an in depth knowledge
of the ways of attaining a balance of energy in a particular environment and its resultant
effect on the inhabitant.

With the globalization, climate changes and the increased awareness about the need of
attaining an ecological balance and sustainable habitats, designers and scientists together
have developed new concepts, materials, ideas like green architecture etc.

CONTENTS OF PROPOSAL:
1. Aim
2. Objective
3. Relevance of the Study
4. Methodology

1. AIM:
The aim of this thesis is:
• To understand the approach of balancing energy in the human habitat.
By the ways of the Vaastu shastra.
• An enquiry to analyze the importance of the knowledge that the shastras provide
and their relevance in today’s context
• To understand and derive inferences - how can this knowledge be put to use in
design practice. (Intuitive interpretation to radical manifestation)

2. OBJECTIVE:
• Understanding the relevance of Vaastu Shastra and its application in architecture
and interior design today, focusing on the balance of energy in the habitat.
• What part of the understanding of shastras and their functioning should/could be
included in our design process? Can it become the prime or important ingredient of the
design palette? How can it affect our design thinking, process and programme.
• Understanding the authenticity in application of the principles in the shastras to
the western world. Is this way of balancing out energy indigenous to the Indian context?

(Contd…….. Pg 2/3)
 -2-

3. RELEVANCE OF THE STUDY:

Ancient Indian scriptures provide an in-depth knowledge of the living habitat and its effects on
man. This knowledge is imbibed so well in the system, that it’s being intuitively (knowingly or
unknowingly) used for all these centuries in the building and construction of temples, houses
etc. Today, some part of this knowledge is being practiced at a more surface and notional
level while it has deduced to superstitions for others.

With the increased awareness about climate changes, there has been a steady evolution of
concepts for eco friendly, energy efficient and sustainable habitats. However, these
approaches see a more pressing need from the western part of the world, and an effort to
increase the awareness in India is in process.

If we can understand and validate our strong ancient knowledge and apply it in the current
context, a very logical way of carrying out a design process, response to existing built forms
and interpreting a programme can be evolved. We can have the Indian way of looking at and
finding solutions to the global energy issues contextual to our climate, way of living and
derivations from our past applied in the current context.

5. METHODOLOGY:
The method to be followed for research:
a) Developing a basic understanding of the application of Vaastu Shasta by reading
translations of original texts and interpretations of texts on Vaastu Shastra by eminent
people in field. For instance, Dr.Shashikala Ananth, Dr. Vibhuti Chakrobarty, Dr. Ravi
Rao etc. who are architects and designers and have understood and interpretated the
Shastras and have been practicing in accordance.
b) Understanding some basic principles and their practical aspect through a learned person
practicing in the field.
c) Analyzing the application of the principles of Vaastu in residential interiors by doing ‘n’
no of case studies.
Method for Case Studies:
- Draw a quick plan of the house under study.
- Ask the questions and fill in the details of the flowchart as explained
- To add to this, also an environmental analysis (temperature, humidity, wind
direction etc.) or survey of the houses under study will be conducted by getting
input on some simple questions related to temperature, wind direction, comfort
zone etc. in the house.
d) Tabulate Data collected under two categories as mentioned above.
e) Draw Conclusions as per results obtained through case studies.

6. Tentative STRUCTURE of research writing:

a) Energy and the human habitat – built form.
b) Balance of Energy and effect on the inhabitant.
c) Balance of Energy in the human habitat - approach and methodology.
Understanding under the Parameters – Site Condition, Energy, Water and Material. A
theoretical discussion, analysis and study.
– The Vaastu Shastra way.
– The Green architecture, energy efficient way.
d) Understanding the Vaastu Shastra approaches in creating energy efficient habitats
through case studies, study data etc. of residential interiors in Ahmedabad.
e) Comparison of Environmental and Vaastu Shastra data obtained through case studies
f) Drawing Conclusions
 (Contd…….. Pg 3/3)
-3-

Further Recommendations and feedback:

With regular inputs and guidance from Prof. Rajan Rawal, in structuring the study and
references to related people in the field.

Dr. Ravi Rao, Ahmedabad:

Walk a practical journey rather than a theoretical journey. Empirical data will speak the loudest
for validation. Rather than questioning and trying to understand the complete texts and getting
brain washed.

I can make you a journey of Vaastu which can make you believe personally that this science is
not a hoax or is new; it will shatter all those doubts and will give you a firm belief.

Dr. Shashikala Ananth, Chennai:

This is a very good format. I can recommend some users from my side also for your data sheet.
As an initial structure this format sounds good. But you may have to enlarge it.

My suggestion would be to use the analogue of yoga and the understanding of the chakras
which directly connects with the building as a body and which manifests energy transfers
between part and the whole. This energy balance directly affects the health of the organism. In
yoga this is known as alignment.

Doubt/Limitation:
Assuming, that at the end of the case studies, by analyzing the collected data I will be able to
develop an understanding towards the application and resultant effects of Vaastu Shastra in
residential interiors.
Would this act like a restriction in the design thinking and developing process and programme in
practice tomorrow?
Even if through the case studies, I am able to establish the importance and effect of Vaastu
Shastra in architecture and design. What next?

BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Vaastu Authentic Texts translations:
1. Vastu Sastra: Hindu Science of Architecture Vol 1 D.N. Shukla
2. Mayamatam : A treatise on Housing Architecture and iconography
Translated By: Bruno Dagens 1985

Vaastu- Contemporary interpretations

1. Vaastu: A path to harmonious living by Shashikala Ananth (Lustre Press Pvt Ltd, 2001)
2. Indian Architectural Theory – Contemporary Uses of Vastu Vidya by Vibhuti Chakrobarti
(Curzon Press, 1998)

Other related texts:

1. Fire and Memory- On Architecture and Energy by Luis Fernandez- Galiano
2. The Argumentative Indian – by Amartya Sen
3. Books by Dr. Fritjof Capra - The Tao of Physics, The Web of Life.
4. House, Form and Culture – Amos Rapoport.