Abstract
The architectural treatises of medieval India, the vaastu shastras, are based upon a metaphysical design philosophy which underlies the construction of furniture, vehicles, building details, buildings, and settlements. Design geometry is an abstraction of an anthropomorphic form called purusha which is also a symbol of self. The vaastu shastras outline a theory of environmental design based upon person-place identity. Both sacred and secular structures are governed by its design principles. Design of settlements is an elaboration of architectural design at an enhanced scale, using a similar vocabulary of forms, their symbolic meaning, and design expertise.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 27-41 |
Number of pages | 15 |
Journal | Journal of Cultural Geography |
Volume | 17 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1998 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Cultural Studies
- Geography, Planning and Development