In the field of Vaasthu, three principles of design one paramount. They include:

a) Bhogadyam (suitable for the purpose)

The designed products must be useful, lend itself to easy application. For example, a house must have ample space for storage of articles and facilities for cleaning.

b) Sukha Darsham (pleasing to the eye)

The designed product must be aesthetically pleasing. The proportion of windows and doors, the size of rooms, the rhythm of projections and depressions play a critical role in the aesthetics of form.

c) Ramya (should provide sense of well being)

The designed products should evoke a feeling of well-being and contentment in its user.

Picture of Jassim House, Mumbai, India e.g.: Traditional elements in a residence.

Form and center

Within the suggested form many centers (foci) must be established in a space meant for many people. If the space has a specific activity, then gathering all energies in a single center proves to be very powerful. This is possible for a place of learning, worship, manufacture and research. But in a home, a hostel, or neighborhood, several centers or shifting centers is most inspiring and motivating. These centers can be open spaces, common gathering spaces filled with herbs, healing plants and sacred water, or a religious center.

It is possible in the contemporary context to adapt this principle in ways suitable for present day life styles.  

· A square or circle for the cooking and eating zone.

· A square or rectangle for the preparation and storage of food and clothes.

· A square or rectangle for sleeping, washing, bathing and resting.

· A square, rectangle or octagon for studying,

In the shifting centers, the relationship of each to the main center (brahmasthana) should be constantly classified.

Natural Environment and symbols

Some of the associations and connections between nature and concepts for building are:

Lotus- water pond -environment.

Bird- flight- skyline.

Rock- earth- stillness.

Trees, plants, waters, the earth, the sky, are there for us to connect with-older, wiser, more in touch with eternal ‘being’   The method of creating connections between the occupants of a built space and their heritage through symbolism and mythology is a very significant part of the tradition.

Shapes and form of habitat in nature

Any wisdom that comes down from the past should integrate the local needs and the constraints into its design solution to be effective or functional.

The wood and clay tiles and steep slopes give Kerala architecture its uniqueness and make it climatically suited to the west east. The Sanchi Stupa, even after so many centuries, continues to attract the viewer with its perfection of proportion and simplicity of line.

Orientation

The geographical directions have played a very significant part in the design of individual buildings and group housing in the tradition.

Cosmology

Any given physical space can be perceived in its connection with primary energies. The cosmology of the space depends a great deal on the dominant view of the people.

a) Mandala or Mandalam

It is a representation of the cosmos through geometric forms where by the living space is laid out in a variety of patterns.

b) Fixed locations

The direction in which a building is facing, the configuration of movement and the location of facilities can create infinite patterns for people to inhabit.

Shapes and colour  

Next shapes experimented with are square, triangle, polygon, rectangle, circle, ellipse, oval, or free form. The choice of shape would affect the management style, lifestyle and activity patterns.