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Book Review
Guidelines on house plans
VASTU NIVAS — 40 House Plans: Bela Godha; Manjul Publishing House Pvt. Ltd., 10, Nishal Colony, 74 Bungalows, Bhopal-462003. Rs. 195.
THIS BOOK provides 40 house plans, based on Vastu principles, under the guidance of Vastu specialist Dr. K. C. Agarwal. Different plans for different plot sizes have been incorporated. For each size of plot four sketches have been made facing the four cardinal directions and also for plots facing the cardinal directions diagonally.
Each plan is provided with a footnote explaining the Vastu principles followed and also the architectural features adopted. While the plans furnished generally comply with Vastu principles, in some aspects the principles are not followed, perhaps due to a different school of thought followed by the author's guide. For example, the oven in kitchen should be provided in such a way that the person cooking should face east. This aspect is not followed in many plans. In design 11, the kitchen is not located in the proper place, namely either on the southeast corner or northwest corner. In some plans, the space provided for staircase is not enough to have a convenient one.
The arrangement of furniture in each room is also shown. The perspective views furnished for each building will help the reader to visualise the look of the building on completion. The various plans have interesting combinations. A wide spectrum of design elements has been presented. The scientific use of the elements creates a perfectly balanced environment.
The different layouts adopted in the plans include arranging the sequence of spaces as per their social hierarchy, the entrance lobby stepping down in the formal living on one side while the family nook sits on the other side. Other issues to be considered are entrance directly taking in the dining area with the kitchen facing the entrance, creating a feeling of openness and spaciousness, location of a courtyard at the centre and providing a series of open spaces, emphasising the formality of the living room by its double volume.
A short note on scientific aspects of Vastu followed by explanation of how buildings constructed by following Vastu principles improve the bio energy and cosmic radiation will be of interest to the readers. It is said in the note on building materials that synthetic materials should be avoided in building construction to protect the environmental safety.
The plans are well made without wastage of any space. The author deserves appreciation for having taken pains to look into almost all details. This book will be very useful for students and young architects in addition to prospective house owners and builders.
C. H. GOPINATHA RAO
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