What binds all styles of architecture and runs as a common thread through them is the underlying principle that all architecture is motivated by a certain philosophy of Design and that every architect is a philosopher.

Nonetheless, what sets apart Vastu Architecture is its deep interweave with the elements of Time, Form and Rhythm, and its spiritual approach to design philosophy.

Vastu Shastra and Element of Time

The world is a cyclic movement of the Divine Consciousness in Space and Time. It exists to progress, it exists by progression.

Time cannot roll back. Time was not created, it came into existence. Creation could not have come into existence without Time, because Creation itself is a projection of the Divine Consciousness into Space and Time.

Everything is born in Time, everything dies in Time. This philosophy forms one of the fundamentals of Indian thought. Since Time is seen as a common factor in all movements and events, the Indians firmly believed that things in the Universe are deeply connected to each other.

They measured Time through the movement of planets and stars. But they were not mere stargazers; they went beyond it to study the movements of various celestial bodies, planets and constellations, their configurations with each other etc to understand the mystical side of Time.

Time has a unique occult attribute. It is like an invisible stream which constantly moves ahead with its currents, undercurrents, rapids, draughts, tides which have a non-patterned cyclic nature, much like a mountain rapid. When we choose to make a movement, either we are moving with its flow or moving against it.
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They used this knowledge to foretell events and select moments for commencement of auspicious events. Thus was born the concept of Muhurt.

Vastu cannot be practiced without a deep study of astrology. Vastu depends upon astrology to determine whether or not a chosen moment is conducive to procurement of land, laying the foundation, commencing the construction, house opening, in fact, to every process of construction.

Vastu Shastra and Element of Form

Out of Time was born Space
Out of Space was born Form

Form and Shapes is what Vastu is all about.

The Triangle is a primary shape. It represents the very first manifestation of delineated space. In Tantra an upward triangle represents Shiva the Purush and the downward Triangle represents Shakti or Prakriti. They are used extensively in tantric rites, but rarely used in Vastu because of its acute angles.

The square represents stability and is considered very important. Its four sides represent the four faces of Brahma and so a square is called a Bramhamandala. This is a shape of the Vastumandal.

The Octagon is called a Vishnumandal because Vishnu presides over the eight deities which govern the eight directions.

The Circle is called Rudramandal. It is the shape of celestial bodies and has properties like pi which are unique to it. Vastu considers it a sacred shape and does not use it as a design element.

The rectangle is a derivative of a square and is the most common shape used for building design. It is interesting that the recommended ratio of length:width are in conformity with Fibonacci series. 1:2, 2:3, 3:5. But in actual practice rectangles of various ratios are used.

Vastu Shastra and Element of Rhythm

Space or Akash is one of the five primal elements. There are two spaces: the invisible Inner Space within an individual. Here he creates his mental world, lives in it, thinks, ponders, imagines, contemplates. The other is the visible Universal Space which contains the Universe.

Both these spaces are intricately integrated, both influence and mirror each other; what happens in one is reflected in the other. Vastu works on the inner space by creating a harmony and rhythm in our environment.

Naad as Rhythm has created the world and Vastu reinstates this cosmic rhythm in our environment by establishing a unity of scale, balance and proportion in buildings.

Based upon the utility and function of the building and the astrological sign of the owner the yoni of the building is determined and that becomes the central theme for creating a sense of rhythm in the design.

All measurements are made to follow the chosen yoni scale. The perimeter of a room, the space between pillars, the size of the walls, the width of steps, the length of the courtyard, the height of the basement, column, roof, the depth of foundation.. everything is designed accordingly to maintain the overall character of the building. This is also punctuated by the repetition of patterns, open space and other forms. This strict adherence to the chosen scale ensures a perfect dimensional harmony and lends it a characteristic rhythm