Relevance of ancient architecture (‘Vastu’ In Modern Interiors)

In the stream of modernization and westernization, we have drifted ourselves from our basic human system requirements from the natural environment. Moreover our increasing need for comfort leading to synthetics has brought about a great change in our surrounding atmosphere, which in turn affects our system leading it to unlimited problems related with health viz. fatigue, asthma, cough, cold, nausea, leukaemia etc.

An architect has a chief role to play in this changinrdingly. The in-depth concept of Vastu, based at achieving the same, is an eye opener about how we are destroying ourselvg atmosphere. The role of an architect is to create a balance and harmonise the environment and the human system accoes and wrapping the mass under increasing problems and depressions.

An interior is the area where the human system is continuously exposed to for long hours, by and large. Hence it becomes a great necessity that the environment created inside should be such that it is suitable and helpful to the basic human system requirement. We should consider the basic layout, which should be functionally suitable and space utilizing. Also it should enable the inmates to move in such a way that the system is in consonance with the environment.

Interior planning in architecture is of great importance. The main layout is originally dictated in the planning itself marked by the placement of doors, windows, toilets etc. The furniture layout, the materials used, the use of specific lighting color etc. All play their individual roles in creating internal harmony.

Sizing up our interior, one small aspect, which is now completely forgotten and deleted, though the name still remains, ‘The Chaukhat’, meaning a door frame with four members, two are the verticals and two horizontals. In the present context, we use only three members deleting the fourth i.e. horizontal floor member, which structurally didn’t seem to have any importance. But its introduction as a necessity was understood in ancient times. We have two kinds of basic energies prevailing and affecting our environment and human system viz. The Cosmic energies (due to sun, moon, stars and planets) and the Earth energy obtained from the ground. These energies combine to form the essential energy, which develops in human system also, depending upon which our body functions (or malfunctions).

The main door is the Mouth of our house, which invites these essential energies. The cosmic energies enter the door from up to 18 inches height. And the earth energy enters in alignment with ground, which in its original form is dynamic. The horizontal floor member of chaukhat converts this depromic energy into static energy, which is then in consonance with the static built environment.

The human system is a very complicated system sensitive to any minor change in surroundings. Our system consists of various sets of energy axis in different parts of body, which is related to different parts of body and corresponding organs.

A very small change in environment, for example, is caused by the opening of main door inside or outside. As per Vastu rule, the main door should be double leaf opening inwards. The door thus placed keeps all the energy axis sets aligned with the center of body and at the same time if the door opens outside, these sets get greatly disturbed and shifted and if this disturbance pertains in the system, then in due course it develops fatigue and other signs of discomfort in the body.

The interior guides the inmates to follow a particular circulation pattern of course the space creation. The proper orientation guides the inmates to harmonize the energy levels of the body and keep the system in balance utilizing their full ability. This ensures a healthy mind, body and spirit.

As per Vastu rules, we must sleep with head on the South. Why ? We all are aware that our Earth is a magnetic body with North and South poles and the magnetic fields above the surface of earth travels from North to South. Similarly in our human system, the head is the North Pole and foot is the South pole and the blood consisting of iron, allows the magnetic field of earth to travel through it. Hence if head is positioned in North, then North poles will repel body. On the other hand with head in South direction, there will be easy flow of magnetism giving comfort and rest to the entire body.

The orientation if considered for regular activities harmonizes the system and keeps it in balance, which largely affects its well being and keeps one in high spirits. The interior atmosphere is greatly enhanced by the proper use and nature of materials.

The extreme dominance of economy and technology in our work and life has brought us to the limits of ecology and personal balance. When we size up our modern living at a glance, we find; they have forced ventilation, are of light construction, indoor surfaces are covered in synthetic textiles (carpets, furnishing, fabrics etc.) they have lack of natural ventilation. The commonly used building materials are treated wood, mineral fibre and synthetic.

INSPIRATION AND HAPPINESS THROUGH COLORS

Color theory offers a way to enhance nearly every aspect of our lives – improving our moods and stimulating our minds, increasing our effectiveness at work and in society and creating better physical health.

Colors affect various domains of our life – world, food, clothing, the living place, transportation, education and recreation. Wise arrangement of color will help to increase their happiness, enhance their wealth, and faster their marital harmony. Color inspires emotion. Color structures our behavior.

Pink on green conveys vitality, red symbolizes justice, white represents pureness, and black denotes a sense of awe, grandeur and depth. No color is universaly useful in all cultures for the maintenance of internal harmony within individuals and external harmony between them and nature.

All permutations, from cosmic to atomic, resound in us. The force that links us with color is energy or cosmic breath. The energy is the non-biological self i.e. our spirit, our psyche, our essence. Without energy, we are nearly flesh and bones. Energy is the breath essential to maintaining physical, environmental and emotional balance. In a sense, it is destiny, blue print of our personality, talent and life course. Color also can harmonize and balance our energy and thus improves our life and destiny. For any form known to exist, it must possess color. Out of the void of the universe come all things. Harmony and balance are desirable in our physical and emotional makeup and in our environment. Out of the balance and harmonizing of positive and negative forces arises energy – the most essential feature of life and human energy is greatly affected by color.

Color also indicates cardinal directions, seasons, the cyclical passage of time, and the internal organs of the human body. Color is regarded as a manifestation of cosmic energy – vitality – that can also shape an individual’s personal energy and therefore, their destiny. Adding a new color to an environment can stimulate a positive or negative response.

Color describes emotional properties. We relate blue or green with envy, red with shyness, describes someone as "a yellow – coward". The properties of color are both emotional and physical. The direct impact of color on our existence is easy to understand. Some colors make us happy, other colors make us sink into gloom, and some other relax, distract or energize us. Color is manifestation of light and energy, a good color can depend on your mood of the day. If you select a color that harmonizes with your energy, then you will flourish. If the color clashes with your mood, that color sensory signals to our body to react to what our eyes see, so the colors of everything our eyes come in contract will influence our temperament, physical movements, language and thoughts – in short, our life.

Five elements of nature i.e. Fire, Earth, Water, Air and Space are responsible for generating positive and negative energies. These five elements are not physical substances, but powers or essences describing all matter and all attributes. These elements are also associated with colors, seasons, directions and organs. For example, the element ‘Fire’ is associated with red, summer, the south the heart. ‘Earth’ positioned at the center, stands for yellow, orange, or brown, mid-autumn, etc. and the liver. ‘Air’ is blue, autumn, north and the lungs and gall bladder, winter, the west, and the kidneys. Space is shapeless, colorless and has North-East as its direction. It affects mind and cells.

A rainbow sighted in the east indicates fine weather, while to the west it means rain. A red sky in the morning will foretell an afternoon shower, while a red sky at night will mean a clear sky. A halo around the moon indicates wind.

These can be employed in all areas of our lives – the colors of homes, offices, clothes, food, even our cars as well as in adjusting our personalities and vitality. Its role is both determining good and bad, improving the luck of a site and residence in which we live. Following colors are, therefore, proposed for improving ‘Vastu’ of a building.

• Purple - Purple, deep red, or plum is an equally auspicious color. It is said to inspire respect.

• Yellow – Yellow or gold stands for power. Yellow gives a sense of tolerance, patience and wisdom gained from past experience.

• Green – Green represents tranquility, hope and freshness. In plants and vegetation, green indicates good, healthy earth energies.

• Blue – Blue or indigo symbolizes spring, new growth and hope. However, blue is also a cold secondary mourning color.

• Blue – Green :- Blue – green, mint, or aqua are more auspicious than indigo as they are more closely aligned with colors of nature and spring. In general, vitality represents verdant youth.

• Black – On the positive side, black – or any dark color – gives a feeling of depth, both in mood and perspective. Yet black indicates a lack of hope, and it may make us feel "dark", low and depressed.

• Grey – Grey is an ambiguous – or grey area. To some, grey, like a dismal cloudy day, keynotes frustration and hopelessness. To others, it is positive and signifies balance and the resolution.

• Brown – Brown gives us a heavy feeling, the color can be used to create a stable, established impression and a sense of the passage of time. It symbolizes the depth and elegancy.

• Tan – Tan or café represents a new, successful beginning. Out of seeming hopelessness, a new possibility arises.

• Orange – Orange, a mixture of red and yellow is auspicious and is imbued with the characteristics of happiness and power.

• Pink – Pink represent love and pure feelings, joy happiness, and romance.

• Peach – It is the color representing attraction and love.

Exterior colors of house

The colors of a house and the face it presents should be uplifting. The effect of such colors on us is immediate and intuitive. The color and condition of a house exterior can also affect its inhabitants. The proposed color scheme is given in table – I. It should start from bottom of the building to the roof.

Exterior decoration through window – boxes

Exterior color schemes need not be limited to outside walls and windows. The color of window boxes is another element of a building’s façade. The best window box color is one that has a creative relationship with casement color. The color of the box should always be different from that of the window casement.

Our house – Interior color scheme

A general idea of appropriate colors which help enhance the specific room’s atmosphere and uses :

Bedroom – Pink is best for the master bedroom. Pink is also an auspicious color. Light green and light blue are also fine for bedrooms, as they are colors of hope and cultivation.

Plain white sheets or white sheets with flowers or colorful designs are fine. Pink or red sheets and blankets are used by those who want to get married as well as by newly-weds desirous of ensuring marital bliss. Yellow is fine for the elderly.

For young children, education is important and therefore green color. Black is fine for furniture to encourage deep thoughts.

Living Room – The living room should be full of May colors, shades and patterns. As the place to entertain guests, the living room should be full of pleasant visual stimuli to keep the atmosphere and conversations lively and diverse. The best colors are yellow, beige or tan, or green or blue.

Meditation Room – If there is a meditation room, am austere setting is best : solid, calm, subdued colors, with no patterns. Subtle and deep shades of blue, green, yellow, or red will encourage deep concentration and thoughts.

Library – The best color, however, depends on the type of books that the residents like to read. If they prefer serious books, brown is an appropriate shade. For less serious readers, pale blue, light green, or pink are good.

Dining Room – Dining rooms, where the family eats and entertains, should be appetizingly colorful. Pinks, greens, and blues are best. Avoid black or white or a mixture of black and white. These colors are less conducive to enjoying eating.

Kitchen – In a kitchen, white is the best color, it shows off the colors of food, as if it were a blank canvas upon which the cook creates a meal of red tomatoes, green peppers, yellow squash. Besides it is also the color of purity and cleanliness.

Bathroom – It can be white or a mix of black and white or gray. Pink and other pastel colors are also good.

Color of public places

The colors of public places – parks, mountains, parkways, rest areas and gardens should be both lively and vibrant and arranged in ways we do not see normally. This enlivens our energy and increases our happiness and pleasure. In general, the best color choices for a large building such as skyscraper are white or coffee, gold or yellow, or earth colored. The lower levels and base of the white the top floors can be green with red accents, suggesting the upper reaches of a tree laden with fruit, its good luck and prosperity.

Out Side

Roads

Roads and roadside colors are also important. Highways should ideally have shoulders and dividers with abundant greenery and flowers to keep the driver’s mind stimulated and awake and generally to inspire.

Schools and business

Colors, full of life force – green, blue, bluish – purple, reddish – purple – stimulate the brain providing access to energy. Such colors help them to work hard and concentrate.

From ancient times to the present, the color of nature have provided a calming and invigorating stimulus to our bodies and minds, enhancing our emotions, speech and nervous system. The reds, blues, greens, yellows and whites of trees, flowers and earth, help to inspire and regenerate our energy.

All colors of nature are highly evocative. Today, life is complicated and confusing, and our minds can become unsettled and weighed down by work, daily activities, and struggles. So we take vacations each year to rest and travel, to go to the mountains or seashore to regenerate ourselves. We need to see colors we do not normally see often to bring balance to our minds and bodies and to stimulate our energy. This colorful change is, in a sense, enjoyment.