Cultural Influence on Design

Harmonizing Culture and Design

Canada’s increasingly multicultural landscape has introduced (largely) Eastern design philosophies and principles to our practice. The nuances of these design principles layer our work with purpose, colour, and texture. For over three decades, we’ve helped clients find harmony and balance by incorporating culture or faith into their home’s design. More broadly, in the quest for a harmonious and balanced life, many of us are turning to ancient practices.

We’ve included some of our favourite projects and principles that harmonize culture, faith, and design.

Vasthu Shastra - The Science of Happiness and Prosperity

This home has been designed using Vastu principals while maintaining it’s traditional shingle style exterior

Vasthu Shastra or “Vastu” is an ancient spacial science based on the concept of combining the five basic elements – earth, water, fire, air, and sky – to create a pleasant setting. Vasthu principles integrated with architecture boost health, wealth, energy, and prosperity to make the living or working atmosphere serene and enlightened.

There are some similarities between Vasthu Shastra and Feng Shui. Site selection and orientation are essential in both disciplines and affect all aspects of the home design. Vastu science dictates that the build faces true north, so proper site selection to accommodate this is of the utmost importance. 

The Vastu Mandala Chart is the base template of this design philosophy. This modular form guides the alignment of auspicious energy axes with the exterior access to a residence. Alignments, geometry, spirituality, and the natural world drive the cultural traditions of Vasthu Shasta to achieve balance in life and home.

VASTHU SHASTRA MANDALA CHART

This chart is the base template of this design philosophy, which leverages natural elements to promote positive energy flow

VASTHU SHASTRA FLOOR PLAN

This is a McDowell-designed Vastu floor plan in collaboration with the client, designer, builder, and registered Vastu expert. Following the principles of Vastu design, we created a modern home based on the teachings of the past.

While many design elements from Feng Shui can be incorporated into existing buildings, Vastu can only effectively be incorporated into the design of new buildings because of the very specific and detailed elements of the science. With both Feng Shui and Vastu, we find that many of the rules are not dissimilar to what we consider good design practice in modern terms.

Feng Shui - The Chinese Art of Creating Positive Flow

This is a Feng Shui Bagua template. It’s configuration in the Western approach to Feng Shui is rather different; it’s divided into nine areas of life called “guas.” If you were to imagine yourself standing outside of your front door (which would be below the bottom row in either left, middle or right), your house would be divided into these nine squares.

Feng Shui is an ancient building philosophy, which at its core maintains that the rules of design and building are related to nature. It focuses less on how the space looks, but rather on how the space feels. The word “feng” translates to wind and “shui” translates to water. Chi is the “life force” and many Feng Shui rules relate to the flow and control of Chi through space. If a space is too cluttered the flow of the Chi is inhibited. On the other hand, if the space is too open the Chi moves too quickly and escapes from the space.

Of the five principles of Feng Shui, the most applicable to architectural design is the incorporation of the five elements — wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. Each element has distinct qualities and energies that can influence well-being and bring harmony to a space. Be it wood, metal, or stone exterior siding, the position or focal point of a fireplace, the location of a water feature, or blending the outdoors with the indoors, actively incorporating these elements creates a calm, restorative space.

Other Design Principles to Honour Culture and Energy Flow

Prayer Rooms. We are often asked to include a sacred place in the home for the practice of one’s faith.

We are acutely mindful of creating a space where shoes can be removed and stored before entering, as well as the inclusion of a washing area.

The entrance to the room should be situated to enable worshippers to enter and leave the room without passing in front of those at prayer.

The orientation of a prayer room is significant for different faiths. In Christianity, the crucifix generally dictates the direction of prayer, whereas Jews generally pray in the direction of Jerusalem and Muslims, Mecca. Although a prayer room itself does not generally have to be orientated in any particular way, there should be some indication of which direction each wall faces.

Adding a Scullery. Not to be confused with a pantry, a scullery or spice kitchen is a separate space dedicated to washing, food prep, and cooking. It functions to contain odors from the rest of the house. (A pantry functions as a storage space for food, ingredients, and sometimes kitchenware.) A scullery is typically adjacent to the main kitchen and equipped with a separate mechanical ventilation system.

Multigenerational homes. Accommodating multiple families or generations under one roof is not only commonplace in many Asian and Eastern European countries, but it has become standard practice in North America. Constructing an entirely new home is not the solution for every family that shares living quarters with their grandparents, grandchildren, or adult relatives. But, living peacefully is a requirement, and it comes down to creating spaces that allow for flexibility, privacy, and a sense of autonomy. Creating boundaries both socially and spatially is critical to success.

MULTI-GENERATIONAL HOMES

This multi-generational home is designed with two flanking wings where parents and the next generation are separated by a common family area where everyone gathers.

Incorporating design principles to harmonize culture, faith, and positive energy is something we do very well. We hope this post inspires and informs your next home design. We’d love to hear about it.

— Namaste. 合十