Building Materials
Advanced Science of Vastu/Vaastu
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Environmentally harvested
native hardwood |
Recommendations for Building Construction Materials
Vaastu principles also contain valuable guidelines for all aspects of planting and landscaping. These are too detailed to list here. We will assist with these categories on an individual project basis.
1. General Recommendations:
The purpose of the following suggested materials and construction methods is to vibrantly reconnect the indoor environment with the natural forces of nature. These forces are symbiotic with and necessary for all of the ongoing processes of life. The indoor environment should be a carefully planned extension of nature, itself, and of the surrounding natural environment. Blocking the natural frequencies of nature, as most modern construction does, isolates the human biological system from the very energies which sustain life. Many of these natural long wave and short wave energies are found to be fundamental to biological life in all of it's processes.
Most vapor barrier systems in buildings have a tendency to trap moisture. This becomes a primary contributor to many mold and mildew problems. Basic lack of understanding concerning the natural processes of nature also contribute to these and many other problems. Mold and mildew also become excessive when a building structure is built over naturally negative magnetic grid lines. This is usually easy to avoid when sufficiently understood. Vapor barriers are also found to block certain short wave radiations which are fundamental to biological life.
Remember to avoid vapor barriers altogether, whenever possible. When using a non-vapor barrier system it is important to use only non-vapor barrier paints, stains, varnishes, and finishes of any kind; so no moisture will become trapped within the structural components of the building. The exceptions to this rule are for wood members which may be in direct contact with the foundation, or elsewhere where contact with the elements is more extreme.
Certain materials and finishes are recommended for moisture sensitive areas such as in the bathroom and behind the kitchen sink For some purposes, hygroscopic materials and finishes which are moisture resistant but do not act as vapor barriers are recommended.
Some of these materials include non-toxic wood treatments, and such materials as environmentally harvested redwood (use sparingly), cedar, tile (earth, magnesium oxide clays, ceramics) brick, baked earth, natural linoleum, etc. Green board can be used as a backing when deemed necessary.
We recommend hygroscopic, breathable materials throughout your construction. This means mostly natural, biological materials such as wood, stone, brick, adobe, earth, straw bale, straw panels and extrusions, organic compounds, organic sheet materials, exterior tapestries, etc. When trees are harvested environmentally, post and beam, and even log homes are also recommended. Naturally circular logs purify air and condensation more effectively than most dimensioned lumber. Vaastu principles restore and amplify energies in natural materials beyond the inherent qualities of the materials, themselves.
Careful selection and felling of each tree
Using draft horses to convey the tree to an existing road or to a sawmill
Wood products from consciously harvested timber are more alive.
This wood will become a valuable energy inductor and conduit.
Living wood products are very compatible with human biology.
They are warm, soft, and nurturing.
Note: some woods are not recommended by Vaastu in
residential construction. Choosing compatible wood products
may be assisted by a person who has studied these principles
of Vaastu and who has experience in the use of different
wood products in various building applications.
Every tree has personality. This inherent personality is projected
through subtle frequencies, related to musical notes, into physical
attributes. The time and manner of cutting and handling, generate
additional very specific wave patterns. These wave patterns form
the subtle vibrational qualities of the finished wood product.
Vaastu is about conscious harvest and creation. The life of the tree
is considered as an extension of our own life force.
Underground and partially underground homes are excellent when brought into well defined Vaastu principles. Potential negative scenarios can become a very positive living environment.
We recommend using a Grander Water Treatment Unit (or a comparable system)to revitalize the water used in construction materials such as cements and clays. Revitalized water effects the life force of the material. Adding the Vaastu principles increases these effects and sustains them indefinitely.
Whether you choose wood, adobe, stone, or some other material(s) for your building's structure, it must also be finished correctly to correspond with all of the requirements of a hygroscopic construction. This means using only sheathing, cladding, finish materials, paints, stains, and varnishes which are also natural and hygroscopic (or breathable through capillary action).
With post and beam and other wood structures, use non toxic, pressure treated posts for on grade, exposed, and below grade level.
NOTE: stone which is excellent for many commercial buildings is NOT recommended for the structural components of a residence. It may be used as an exterior veneer and to some extent in the interior. Stone is inherently colder and much more dense than the human body and does not maximally nourish the magnetic and crystaline structures of human biology, especially when we are at rest. Wood and earth materials are warmer and more biologically compatible in their subtle frequencies and relationships to human biology.
(Exception: correct use of gemstones and crystals in the Vaastu building can be very potent and beneficial).
For most insulation purposes, we recommend natural and untreated materials except for treatments with boric acid or other natural and non toxic formulas. Cellulose (with 'wet blown' being the most effective), cotton, wool, perlite, etc. perform well in various situations. Wool has many wonderful inherent qualities when used as a natural insulation. It inherently increases indoor temperatures in cold weather, with cooling qualities in summer. It should be treated with boric acid or some other solution which is non-toxic environmentally; this protects against mice, insects, mildew, and fire. In actual combustion tests, wool insulation 'self extinguishes' and will only continue to burn when the source of fire, such as a torch, is continuously applied. The boric acid treatment is environmentally safe and resists insects as well as mildew and fire. Wool insulation has been legalized in England and is still little known in America.
With post and beam or modified post and beam construction, some alternatives are either pressed straw clay panels, or wet blown cellulose insulation with 2X4 or 2X6 framing between posts. This will make an excellent weather/temperature proof and sound proof building. When you insulate and caulk all window and door frames and all other possible air cracks while framing and finishing; and use double or triple insulated windows, this will make a building that is energy efficient and inexpensive to heat and cool. Some MgO clay mixtures are highly efficient in insulating qualities.
Some suggested exterior finishes for this kind of natural and healthy construction are wood siding, board and batten, stone, brick, lime/earth stucco, or magnesium oxide clays for extra strength and durability; with non vapor barrier finishes.
2. Interior Recommendations:
In general, sheetrock or gypsum board can be used for interior walls and ceilings. However, there are a variety of natural alternatives available today. These include straw/clay panels, MgO sheets, etc.
Environmentally harvested wood is healthful, warm, and symbiotically compatible with human health on both physiological and psychological levels.
Packed earth, adobe, clay/sand mixtures, and earth brick, etc. are excellent for indoor use. Make certain that you are not bringing radon contaminated materials indoors, however. We also emphasize using earth clays from positive grid areas and avoiding harvesting most building materials from negative grid areas. This 'grid' we refer to, concerns earth's natural magnetic grids. With training, these grids are generally easy to detect and can have a major impact on our lives through their specific vibrational and vortex frequencies, etc.
Magnesium oxide when used in earth/clay mixtures may have an energizing and healing interaction with human biology. Research suggests that it may support the immune and nervous systems.
Other recommended interior wall and ceiling coverings include consciously harvested wood. Appropriate woods include (shiplap, tongue and groove, board and batten; all available from environmental harvesting methods and suppliers), natural board paneling, natural composite boards, bamboo, cork, pine, fir, maple, aspen, beech, and many others (note some woods are NOT recommended for interior use), etc. Also celotex and other natural materials made of reeds, grasses, cotton, wool, hemp, silk, etc. are appropriate considerations.
We recommend only area rugs which can be taken out and aired, sunned, and cleaned. Natural wool, cotton, reed, grass, hemp, and other natural fiber rugs and carpets are excellent. Natural linoleums are also excellent and are very durable. High quality, natural wool carpets can add much to the warmth and quality of your home. High quality, natural wool carpet actually resists dust and tends to expel it into the surface of the fibers for cleaning.
More dense materials may be used as an interior finish to some extent. overuse of these materials used indoors will produce a more cold, heavy atmosphere when compared to human biology. This is much more than 'just a feeling'; these dense materials do affect the natural biological electromagnetic fields, radiation temperatures, air quality, etc. These include granite (great for counter tops; test it to make sure it is radon free), marble, limestone, flagstone, agate, sandstone, ceramic tile, etc. Sandstone is less dense than some other stones; however it should not be over used in the interior of a home. Certain minerals and stones, including gemstones, may have very potent qualities and are highly recommended with Vaastu principles when used with knowledge and care in a Vaastu building structure.
Interior finishes can be natural wood as with post and beam construction, straw/clay panels, lime/earth plaster, wood, etc. Use only non-vapor barrier paints, stains, varnishes, etc. To assist with indoor sound acoustics, if this is a concern, use celotex tile or cork on ceilings, or other natural (non-plastic) acoustical materials. Cork on walls will minimize echoes and increase warmth and softness of interior space. Other woods and adobe finishes will have similar, if less, effects of warmth and softness in the interior space. We like to use some complementary varieties of materials and colors. A limited amount of carefully placed stones, tiles, hardwoods, and a variety of appropriate colors will add much to the beauty and personality of the interior design effects.
It is recommended to avoid plastics indoors as much as possible. This includes plastic and vinyl carpets, draperies, blinds, upholstery, furniture, toys, exercise balls, etc. Plastics interact electrostatically with oxygen molecules to create a surplus of positive ions. This is one of the reasons why ionizers are required in the indoor space today. Physical contact with plastics also changes the natural biological electromagnetic rhythms, giving our immune and nervous systems one more challenge to process.
Iron furniture is also to be avoided for the most part. Iron has some interesting interactions with the natural electromagnetic fields and when improperly used or overused can create tension and stress within the biological nervous system. This phenomena has also been observed with plants, etc. There are many varying criteria, depending on where and how iron is utilized. There is not time or space to go into more detail here; however Viktor Schauberger's works throws much light on this subject with considerable other research available, as well.
Iron furniture may be used in modest amounts in the southeast area of the house, or in commercial and public building.
Iron will also conduct and spread artificial electric fields. For these reasons, iron bedsteads are not recommended. Beds should be made of natural, hygroscopic materials. This includes the bedstead and frame, mattress and box springs, and covers and other bedclothes. The body should be maximally supported in it's natural bio-electromagnetic processes and assisted to perspire freely, especially at night when asleep. When the mattress and frame 'breathe' freely, this also promotes the abilities of the skin to perspire and 'breathe'. When this potential is blocked with vapor barrier materials, this can contribute eventually to various skin and lymph gland problems. In addition, the bedstead should NOT be solidly enclosed to the floor; air should be able to circulate freely beneath the bed.
3. Exterior Recommendations:
An all
granite temple under construction in Kauai
designed by Dr. V. GANAPATI STHAPATI
We recommend avoiding plastic and asphalt products that will cover large areas of the exterior of the building (roof, walls, etc.). These materials create another vapor barrier which is usually not highly effective in itself, and serves primarily as a moisture trap. Plastics, along with other synthetic vapor barrier materials also block solar and terrestrial short wave radiations, which are essential aspects of the basic components of our own life forces and biology in general.
It is highly undesirable to spend most of our lives in buildings which have blocked the very forces which energize our own biological and nervous systems. Correctly understood, designed, and constructed, buildings will raise and support our own life forces at the most basic levels, mentally, physically, and psychologically. Vaastu describes such buildings as "'Living buildings' which are vibrant with universal life forces". Such buildings dynamically support both humans and the environment at all levels of experience.
Recommended exterior finishes for the home include appropriate wood sidings, etc. Stone and brick veneers are good. Stone is recommended only in minimal amounts for a home (especially for structural purposes and in the interior); however it is excellent for both structural and veneer applications in many commercial and public buildings. The inherent properties of the stone used will affect the overall ambience and electromagnetic qualities of the finished building. For this reason, Vaastu tests every kind of stone to be used with specific recommendations for their use. Many granites contain a high toned vibrational and magnetic resonance; however this varies widely from location to location, so the granite from a particular quarry or area will need to be checked separately from that at another location. Some stones are neutral or magnetically inactive; when these are overused they will have a similar effect on the building and on the humans using the building. Such buildings will tend to have enervating effects and may be one cause for individual feelings of frustratration, etc. One of our valuable services at Vaastu By Design is to assist in testing and choosing high energy and health supporting materials for construction purposes.
Vaastu pillar sculptures in white
granite by Dr. V. G. STHAPATIPacked earth, adobe, clay/sand mixtures, and earth brick are also recommended for a wide variety of building purposes Included are straw/clay panels and lime/clay mixtures. Natural finishes are available which very durable, beautiful, and and in some cases, relatively inexpensive as compared with most standard systems. Check with us for area contacts. Magnesium oxide when correctly introduced into these formulas will greatly increase the durability and weather resistance of these products.
Use only natural, hygroscopic exterior finishes so as to avoid the vapor barrier, moisture trap syndrome.
Although we will OK steel roofs for some applications; asphalt/fiberglass shingles are still preferable for most situations. These are still primarily secondary options. Our highest recommendations for roofs are wood shingles or shakes, tile roofs, slate, appropriate earth mixtures, sod, etc. Bamboo and/or Kenaf with clay and magnesium oxide may be still another viable option for some situations.
For many applications, we recommend slate or good quality tile, such as baked clay tile. With care and prudent maintenance, slate will last well over 100 years. Wood shingles when environmentally harvested are recommended for some applications.
It is also possible to obtain your own magnesium oxide and mix with earth, wood chips, grasses, reeds, etc., to create a strong, elastic, and water proof tile if you are excited about such a do-it-yourself, creative adventure. You can design the shape, size, color, and texture of the roofing tiles, and use the same materials and methods to make strong, beautiful, durable floor and wall tiles as well. Some expert advice and/or training with practice is necessary before you proceed to your finished product and applications.
Some earth/clay products have been demonstrated to have healing effects when used in building materials; especially when remaining unheated in the manufacturing process (sun baked is good). Magnesium oxide and basalt are two mineral based ingredients, among others, which seem to inherently support life at various levels and in a variety of applications.
As much as possible, avoid iron studs and iron rebar in foundations and slabs. Continuous structural metal is notorious for channeling artificial electrical fields. When in contact with negative magnetic frequencies, it will also channel these, spreading them throughout the structure. We recommend bamboo, basalt extrusions, or fiberglass in place of steel for rebar and some other structural purposes.. It is our understanding that fiberglass rebar has more tensile/shearing strength in concrete than steel. Fiberglass rebar has been approved by the building codes in various areas to date.
4. Recommendations For Electrical Wiring:
Note: Do not attempt the following recommendations by yourself. Use only a qualified electrician.
It is advised to run all electrical wiring in parallel (three wires with ground) in metal sheathing or conduit. Connect the metal sheath directly into an appropriate ground. This assists in neutralizing the common phenomena of standing electric fields. It is important to understand the criteria for an appropriate grounding source.
All wiring should be parallel; never run single electric wires by themselves; to do so can greatly increase magnetic fields. In parallel, the reverse magnetic fields will largely cancel each other out. The standing electric fields, which are another phenomena, ARE NOT CANCELLED OUT IN THIS MANNER (note metal sheathing is required to be properly grounded, as stated above).
Never wire neutrals from two separate branch circuits together in a single junction box.
Never ground neutrals at subpanels: all neutrals must be returned directly to main panel for grounding.
Carefully following all the specifications of the NEC (National Electric Code) will help to minimize the electromagnetic fields. However they may not neutralize all of the "standing electric field" phenomena.
Avoid grounding to water pipes. Make certain that no current, including neutral wires, contacts any metal building components such as rebar, ductwork, etc. Such contact may spread electromagnetic fields throughout the building with potential impact upon the human energy and nervous system.
For more technical advice on electrical wiring, appliances, and grounding, Vaastu By Design will provide contact information for trained specialists on request.
Contact Ronald Quinn at rvastu@gmail.com for more details.
Phone: (970) 260-9458.
Or you may call (541) 488-4027 (USA). This is a message phone only so be sure to leave your contact information.
Vaastu By Design will be happy to provide more details on request, including the names of professional persons requiring knowledge in specialized areas.
At Vaastu By Design we also offer our services to assist you in choosing healthy, ecological materials and their correct applications for each aspect of your job.
Ronald Quinn, Director
Vaastu Design and Construction
P.O. Box 3277
Ashland, OR 97520Email. rvastu@gmail.com
Phone: 1 (970) 260-9458
Natural earth clays and cements are recommended for brickwork
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Vaastubydesign is not a licensed, practicing architect