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| The Silicon Valley Association of Realtors (SILVAR) regularly shares local housing data, sales trends, expert insights and other real estate-related topics. This week, the association shares expert insights from Gautam Rana, founder of True Yogic Dwelling, on the ancient practice of vastu shastra. |
As ancient practices like feng shui have found mainstream appeal, another centuries-old science is quietly making its way into contemporary homes: vastu shastra.
Rooted in Hindu philosophical traditions dating back more than 8,000 years, vastu offers a practical blueprint for creating balance between the built environment and the natural world.
Vastu is essentially the architecture of harmony, according to Gautam Rana, a vastu consultant and founder of True Yogic Dwelling in San Jose.
It’s a design science focused on how a house and its rooms are oriented in alignment with the five elements of nature — earth, water, fire, air and space — which are considered the building blocks of both the body and the home. The right placement, he explained, can promote positive energy flow.
When these elemental energies fall out of balance, the effects can mirror what happens when we live out of sync with nature or eat poorly. Your environment either supports or resists your growth, according to Rana.
For thousands of years, vastu’s principles have guided the design of temples and cities across Asia. Today, they’re resurfacing in modern architecture and interior design, especially in global tech hubs such as Silicon Valley, where interest in holistic living runs deep amid the area’s high-stress, fast-paced culture.
“Real estate agents report an increasing number of queries about vastu-friendly properties, and developers are beginning to incorporate these principles into new construction,” according Seb Frey, broker associate at Compass Real Estate in Los Gatos, in his 2024 article about Vastu and its influence on Silicon Valley real estate.
A search of local listings shows that “vastu-compliant” features are now among the selling points for some homes. In Palo Alto’s Midtown neighborhood, for example, a recent listing on Zillow described one property as “Vastu-compliant, inspiring good luck and stress-free living.”
Decoding the elements
In vastu, each direction — north, south, east and west — corresponds to a natural energy and deity, representing one of the five elements. Aligning a home with these forces is believed to foster harmony and positive energy, according to core vastu principles.
East (air) is associated with prosperity, health and new beginnings. South (fire) signifies energy, identity and recognition. North (earth) is linked to wealth, while west (water) symbolizes stability, protection and long-term prosperity.
Tips for incorporating the 5 elements
Gautam Rana recommends introducing the elements through simple, everyday design choices. Here are tips from his website:
Earth: Use natural materials like stone or clay, and incorporate earth tones for grounding and stability.
Air: Add movement and connection with plants, sheer fabrics, or artwork depicting open skies.
Space: Encourage openness with uncluttered rooms, rounded objects, and shades of white or gray.
Fire: Spark passion and vitality with warm colors — reds, oranges, and pinks — or elements like candles and fireplaces.
Water: Cultivate calm and opportunity with fountains, blue accents, or art depicting serene water scenes.
Depending on what you wish to enhance, rooms and entrances can be oriented toward specific directions. For instance, a north-facing home office is thought to attract financial success, while an east-facing entrance encourages vitality and optimism.
Vastu, Rana emphasized, isn’t about superstition — it’s about aligning physical space with natural energy so that your environment supports your purpose and well-being.
Finding the right direction
One of the most persistent myths about vastu is that only north- or east-facing homes are favorable. Rana said that misconception often prevents buyers from considering great properties.
“Facing doesn’t exist in vastu,” he said. “What matters is where the main door is placed — not which direction the house faces.”
A south-facing entrance, often thought to be inauspicious, can actually be beneficial for those in technology or creative industries because it aligns with the fire element. Similarly, not all homes located at a T-junction — where one street points directly toward the front door— are negative; some hold strong, positive energy depending on layout and context, Rana said.
Another misconception? Correcting vastu imbalances requires expensive remodels.
“The good news is, most corrections can be made through interior design,” Rana said. “By adding the right colors, art, plants, or elemental objects, you can balance your space without tearing down walls.”
Bringing balance to your home
To strengthen social connections, Rana suggests activating the east zone of your home with open, airy decor or plants. For career recognition or vitality, emphasize the south with warm tones or a symbolic fire element, like a lamp or artwork.
Accuracy, he said, is key: Always measure from the center point of the floor plan — not individual rooms. That’s how you ensure your home’s energy grid aligns properly.
Whether you’re building new or rebalancing your current home, vastu offers more than aesthetic guidance; it’s an invitation to live with intention.
When your home is in harmony, life flows naturally in the right direction, according to vastu principles.
Silicon Valley Association of Realtors (SILVAR) is a professional trade organization representing 5,000 Realtors and affiliate members engaged in the real estate business on the Peninsula and in the South Bay. SILVAR promotes the highest ethical standards of real estate practice, serves as an advocate for homeownership and homeowners, and represents the interests of property owners in Silicon Valley.
The term Realtor is a registered collective membership mark which identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of Realtors and who subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.
Real Estate Editor Linda Taaffe contributed to this article.
