Vastu Shastra For Building Construction – Beliefs, Benefits,Tips and Limitations

Vastu Shastra is an ancient Indian science which capitalizes on the concept of prosperity. It links person’s health and happiness directly with layouts and construction of a building.

Promoters of Vastu Shastra propagate that it is most authentic and proven advice science. They say that nature consists of 5 basic elements such as energy of planets, air, water, fire and earth. Each carries its own set of dynamics and with vastu one’s home and business can be synchronized.

As per promoters of shastra it creates a tremendous impact over all facts of life, i.e., health, life, education, thinking, prosperity, marriage and peace of mind.

In fact “Vastu Shastra” is the science of the ancient “Vedic Ages” of India under the guidance of which one can construct building of structures on a particular plot of land. For some people these principles are still relevant today also. As per their belief the science of “Vastu Shastra” controls forces of gravity and magnetic power of the earth.

                              

The major beliefs of Vastu Shastra are as follows:

• Existence of roads on the northern or eastern side of the house improves the health and progress of the members of the house. If a house has road on the 3 sides, its inhabitants suffer tension and tension related problems.
• When the digging is happening to lay the foundation, make sure that you start from the east, go to the north, then to the west, and lastly, southwest.
• The plot at the end of a road is also not good for its inhabitants.
• It is good to have main door on east, northern and north eastern corner of the house. A house having main door at the southwest end provides less peace and perpetually tense atmosphere.
• A house having massive main door gives a lot of unsavory events and members residing suffer health problems.
• There should be no doors in the southwest corners or the southwest portion of the house. It is best if the doors face north or east. Doors should also open inside and not outside. When the door opens inside, it stands for inviting popular powers and positive energy. However, the door opening outside would be bad for the positive energy- it would actually drive the good energy away.
• Wall of house should have soothing and soft colors on walls as this gives a tension free atmosphere. Deep yellow, red or orange colored walls give irritation to the occupants.
• All water related appliances or resources of the house should be placed on north east area. This provides prosperity.
• A well or a tube well should never be provide on the southeast end of the house. A well or tube well at center of the house brings good luck to its head.
• Presence of plants of Tulsi, Banana, Champa, Ashoka, Aawla outside the house keeps inhabitants healthy, happy and peaceful.

Tips of Vastu Shastra for Building Construction

In the urban areas, due to the scarcity of land the construction of flats has become a common practice. Flats are economical and have some added benefit such as security, common recreation centers, shopping area etc.

Therefore, in urban areas purchase of flats are more common than constructing a house on a plot which becomes quite expensive.

In fact, construction of flats as per vastu is difficult still satisfactory results could be achieved if one follows principles of vastu meticulously in selection of plot and construction of buildings.

As per vastu experts, maximum benefits to the flat owners can be achieved keeping in mind the following principles of “Vastu”.

• The site should be a square or a rectangle. If possible southwest corner should have 90 degree.
• The main door should be on north, east or northeast side of the plot. 2 gates are preferable, one on east and other in the north. In addition to this northeast, southwest or northwest blocks are also good.
• Ground level should slope towards northeast and levels in southwest should be higher than all other sides.
• A bore well should be provided in north east before the construction takes place.
• More space should be provided in the east and north compared to west and south of the complex.
• Balcony towards north, east and northeast are preferable.
• Kitchen is advisable in south east or northwest but never in northeast.
• Staircase should be provided in the south, west or southwest and should be avoided in northeast because head room of the staircase higher than southwest is not acceptable.
• Underground room or space (cellar) should be kept under the northeastern or eastern portion of the complex.
• Parking for cars, scooter and bicycles are preferred in northeast cellar.
• Open area in north and south should be used for lawns and sumps.
• AC equipment should be kept in southeast of the complex and should never be installed in northeast under any circumstances.
• Washbasins should be provided in north or east or northeast of the hall.

• Benefits of Vastu Shastra

  One often thinks about how Vastu Shastra works and not enough about how they can benefit from the same. Here are some of the biggest benefits derived from Vastu Shastra to become successful:
1. Comfort
2. Inner realization
3. Strength
4. Easy to use
5. Best use of space
6. Good structuring
7. Can enhance one’s personality
8. Enhance relationship with other people
9. Use this for spiritual knowledge
10. Greater mental peace and skill

• Limitations of Vastu Shastra

  A general recommendation from vastu shastra has been provided for information of readers. While going through these recommendations they will conclude that most of the recommendations are governing the principles of good orientation and ventilation which are national building code also has recommended.
  Since the principles of vastu are coming from Vedic period, to encourage people to get more benefits from nature, the principles have been associated mythological so the people will follow them.
  Many examples could be cited to show that if principles of vastu followed in constructing one’s house one could be quite happy and prosperous.
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• The figure above describes the best and worst position of rooms in house according to Vaastu.

Minimum Height and Size Standards for Rooms in Buildings

Minimum heights and size standards for rooms ensures that there is good ventilation, lights and comfortable living inside the room. Height and size standards for rooms varies from one country to another and is mostly based on the preference of clients to meet their demand.

However, in the absence of controls, developers (both public and private sector) tend to reduce the size of dwellings being developed whilst trying to avoid any reduction in value. Added to that, established minimum height and size standards allows disciplined and systematic growth of buildings and towns, and provide proper utilization of space.

Height Regulation for Rooms

1. Habitable Rooms

• The minimum height from the surface of the floor to the ceiling or bottom of slab should be not less than 2.75m.
• For air-conditioned rooms, a height of not less than 2.4 m measured from the top of the floor to the lowest point of the air-conditioning duct or the false ceiling should be provided.
• According to Ontario Building Code (OBC), 2.3 m over at least 75% of the required floor area with a clear height of at least 2.1 m at any point over the required area

2. Bedroom Height Restrictions

• As per OBC, the bedroom height should be 2.3 m over at least 50% of the required floor area.
• Alternatively, 2.1 m over 100% of the required floor area
• Any part of the floor area having a height of less than 1.4 m shall not count when calculating required floor area

• 3. Bathrooms, water closets and stores

  • The height of all such rooms measured from the floor in the ceiling should not be less than 2.4m.
  • In the case of a passage under the landing, the minimum headway may be kept as 2.2m.
  • According to OBC, bathroom minimum height of 2.1 m in any area where a person would be in a standing position
  

  4. Kitchen

  • The height of the kitchen measured from the floor to the lowest point in the ceiling should not be less than 2.75m except for the portion to accommodate floor trap of the floor.
  • However, according to OBC, kitchen height should be 2.3 m over at least 75% of the required floor area with a clear height of at least 2.1 m at any point over the required area.
  
  
  

  5. Ledge

  It shall have a minimum head room of 2.2m

• 6. Hallways

  Minimum height should be 2.1 m

                                   

Minimum Standard Sizes of Rooms

1. Habitable Rooms

• The area of habitable rooms should not be less than 9.5m2 where there is only one room. However, such rooms shall have at least 13.5m2 of floor area and no dimension less than 3.0 m as per Ontario Building Code (OBC).
• Where there are two rooms, one of these should not be less than 9.5 m2 and other be not less than 7.5 m2 with a minimum width of 2.4m.
• Natural ventilation shall be provided.

2. Dining room

• It should have a floor area not less than 9.5m2 with a minimum width of 2.4m.
• According to OBC, dining room shall have at least 3.25 m2 of floor space when combined with other rooms, and at least 7.0m2 of area when not combined.
• minimum dimension of 2.3 m.
• Dining rooms vary greatly in size. It should be ensured that furniture is accommodated.
• Natural ventilation shall be provided.

                                    

• 3. Primary Bedrooms

  • One bedroom shall have at least 9.8m2 of floor area
  • Minimum dimension should be 2.7 m
  • Natural ventilation must be provided
  • 

  4. Secondary Bedrooms

  • It shall have at least 7m2 of floor area
  • Minimum dimension is 2.0 m

  5. Kitchen

• Minimum floor area required is not less than 5.5 m2. But OBC specify that kitchen room shall have at least 4.2m2 of floor area
• It should not be less than 1.8min width at any part. With a separate storeroom, the area may be reduced to 4.5m2.
• Mechanical ventilation must be provided (exhaust fan).
• Ensure that appliances can all open without interfering with one another, and that standing space is provided.
• 

6. Bathrooms and water closets

1. The size of bathroom should not be less than 1.5m x 1.2m or 1.8 m2.
2. If it is combined with water closet, its floor area should not be less than 2.8 m2.
3. the minimum floor area of a water closet should be 1.1 m2.

7. Ledge

1. A ledge in a habitable room shall not cover more than 25% of the floor area of the floor on which it is constructed
2. It should not interfere with the ventilation of the room under any circumstances.

8. Hallways

Hallways shall have a width of at least 860 mm except where the overall width of the building is less than 4.3 m, and this may be reduced to 710 mm

9. Mezzanine floor

The minimum size of a mezzanine floor, if it is used as a living room, should not be less than 9.5m2.

Measurement of Plinth Area and Carpet Area of a Building

Plinth area and carpet area of a building is measured for estimation and calculation of building cost. It is also a measure of usable space of building.

Plinth area is the covered built-up area measured at the floor level of any storey or at the floor level of the basement. Plinth area is also called as built-up area and is the entire area occupied by the building including internal and external walls. Plinth area is generally 10-20% more than carpet area.

Carpet area the covered area of the usable spaces of rooms at any floor. It is measured between walls to walls within the building and is the sum of the actual areas of the rooms where you can carpet.

                                 

Measurement of Plinth Area and Carpet Area of a Building

For measurement, the lengths and widths should be measured nearest to 0.01m and areas should be rounded to 0.01 m2. In Case of feet system, length should be measured to nearest 1 inch.

During the measurement, following categories are measured separately:

• Basement
• Floor without cladding (stilled floor)
• Floors including top floor which may be partly covered
• Garage
• Mezzanine floor

Measurement of Plinth Area

Following areas are included during measurement of plinth area:

1. Area of the wall at the floor level, excluding plinth offsets. If there are any common walls between two buildings, half of the area of such walls shall be considered in the plinth area. When building consists of columns projecting beyond the cladding, the plinth area is measured upto the external face of the cladding (in case of corrugated sheet, cladding outer edge of the corrugation is considered).
2. Areas of the internal shaft for sanitary installations and garbage chute, electrical, telecom and firefighting services provided these do not exceed 2 m2 in area.
3. Vertical duct for air conditioning and lift well including landing.
4. Staircase room or head room other than terrace level
5. Machine room
6. Porch
7. Open projections of veranda, balconies and parapets, if the area is protected by projections, full area is included in plinth area, if the area is un-protected by projections, 50% of the area is included.
8. Recess by cantilevering beyond external walls, bay window is the best example. If the recess height is up to 1.0 meter, 25% of such area shall be included. If the recess height is 1.0 to 2.0 meters, 50% of such area shall be included. If the recess height is above 2.0 meters, 100% of such area shall be included.

The following is not to be included in the calculation of plinth area:

1. Additional floor for seating in assembly buildings, theatres, auditoriums
2. Cantilevered porch
3. Balcony
4. Area of loft
5. Internal sanitary shaft and garbage chute, provided these are more than 2 m2 in area
6. Area of architectural band, cornice, etc.
7. Area of vertical sun breaker or box louver projecting out and other architectural features such as slab projection for keeping flower pots
8. Open platform
9. Terrace at first floor
10. Spiral staircase including landing
11. Towers, turrets, domes projecting above the terrace level at terrace.

Wall Area in Plinth Area Calculation

Wall area is also included in plinth area calculation. Wall area is the area on plan occupied by walls on any particular floor. It includes the thickness of any finishing or dado tiles if the height of such wall is more than 1m from floor finish.

Following should be included in wall area of the building:

1. Area on plan occupied by doors and other openings
2. Intermediate pillars, supports and other such obstructions within the plinth area irrespective of their locations
3. Pilasters along wall if exceeding 300 cm2 in area
4. Flues within the wall
5. Built-in cupboards, wardrobes, shelves appearing within a height of 2.2m from floor
6. Fire place projecting beyond the face of wall in living or bed room

The following is not included in wall area:

1. Pilaster along wall not exceeding 300 cm2 in are

2. Platforms projecting beyond the face of the wall

Measurement of the Carpet Area of the Building

Carpet area is the plinth area less the area of the following portions of the building:

1. Wall area
2. Veranda
3. Corridor and passage
4. Entrance hall and porch
5. Staircase and stair cover
6. Lift shaft and machine room for lift
7. Bathroom and lavatory
8. Kitchen and pantry
9. Store
10. Canteen
11. Air conditioning duct and plant room
12. Shaft for sanitary piping
13. Stilted floor and garage

For the calculation of approximate cost of the building using plinth area method, the sum of the built-up area of all floors including based basement is considered as the plinth area of the building.