Vedic Architecture Frequently Asked Questions

Vedic Architecture is becoming more known and sought after in the U.S. One proof of that is a paper published a few years ago by the Harvard Business School about the 2000 Tower Oaks Boulevard, a building in Maryland that is designed and built on the principles of Vedic Architecture. In India, homes have been built using these principles for centuries. Some people will live in nothing else but a home designed with Vedic principles. Because this may be a new concept to you, naturally you may have some questions. Here are the answers to a few questions that I often hear:

Do I need to believe in Vedic Architecture in order for it to work for me?

Gravity works irrespective of your belief system. In fact, gravity is not a belief, but a scientific phenomenon. Likewise with Vedic Architecture. It is not a belief. When I say to you that if the kitchen is in the Southwest versus the Southeast, then the woman in the family would have various health problems, it may seem difficult to accept. However, such outcomes are documented in data that I have gathered. Vedic architecture reflects the magnetic field of the Earth writ small. The Earth has a network of energy lines and these occur in a geometric grid pattern. If our homes are oriented with the Earth’s energy lines, then there is harmony.

Is this going to cost more than “normal architecture”?

Yes, and it is going to give you much more as well. If you go for a green building, then that term “green building” refers to recycled material, water-saving features, LED, but it does not address the nurturing potential of the building. Vedic Architecture ensures the quality of the space and whether the right ambiance is created for both comfort and nurturance.

For example, I like to place the living room in the North zone because, in the Northern Hemisphere, this is the side that never receives direct light. Having the living areas on the North creates a nice ambiance for larger, open windows and wonderful views. You can still have sun in the breakfast area, which regulates Circadian rhythms, leading to better functioning and health, with less need for a nap in the afternoon. (Here again, you see science and not belief.)

How long does Vedic Architecture take?

Vedic Architecture takes a longer time because the design follows the rules of a framework called Mandala. Everything that the client requests for or that the home needs to have must be adjusted to the Mandala requirements. We put great thought into every detail and then apply this in the architectural drawings. For example, I have a client who wants two master bedrooms; the zone for this is the Southwest. It’s a challenge to give the client both master bedrooms in this zone, such that it complies with the Mandala. This process requires more thought, more expertise, and more time — typically 20 to 40 hours more than with mainstream U.S. architecture — so it naturally costs more. You are right to expect that when you pay more, you receive more. This better value is assured with adherence to the Mandala framework.