Migrating Indian homebuyers bringing vastu shastra wellness architecture to Melbourne suburbs

A migrant community buying more than a third of the land being sold in Melbourne’s new housing estates has begun to change the way the city’s homes look. And they’re just getting started.

David Bonaddio

@daveobigbro

3 min read

June 16, 2024 - 5:00AM

National News Network

The Winslow display house by Sherridon Homes follows vastu shastra design.

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More than a third of the land being sold in Melbourne’s new housing estates is going to Australians born in India, and it’s going to reshape the city’s housing market.

Oliver Hume land sales research shows 38.1 per cent of the allotments sold across the city’s new housing estates from the start of the year until May 31, went to buyers born on the subcontinent, with numbers even higher in some growth corridors.

It comes as a leading builder has announced plans to create homes following the ancient Indian philosophy of vastu shastra – an architectural methodology that underpins world famous sites such as the Hindu-Buddhist temple of Angkor Wat in Cambodia or the more modern Lotus Temple of Delhi.

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Vastu shastra is centred around key elements of nature including key elements of nature including: water, earth, air and fire.

It requires specific orientation for ovens, electrical appliances, toilets and airflow, in ways that are believed to provide good health and opportunities for those occupying the household.

The practice has also been slowly transforming suburban streets for several years, as families have renovated and replaced older homes.

Air flow and the spread of natural light are core elements of the home design’s philosophy.

Sherridon Homes regional managing director Natalie King said from clean light surfaces, to decluttered spaces to storage tucked away the home’s were a fantastic layout that didn’t have to necessarily cater for the Indian community.

“It has been a really interesting journey for us, when you look at the history of architecture and designs we have adapted over the years we put alfrescos on our homes, outdoor kitchens and barbecues, feng shui and now this is that next natural step,” Ms King said.

Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows India was the second largest source of overseas migration to Australia in 2023 with a total of 846,000 people.

They now account for 4.2 per cent of Victoria’s total population.

Australia’s biggest builder Metricon are also seeing high demand for those principals.

Following the principals of vastu shastra, paintings and imagery of water as well as fish tanks are a no-go for bedrooms.

“We take pride in delivering dream homes that meet our customer’s cultural and family needs,” said Metricon general manager of sales and marketing Drew Glascott.

“Areas with strong demand for vastu-inspired features include Melbourne suburbs like Wyndham, Tarneit, and Truganina.

Expert and Brilliance Vastu owner Geettika Sharma said her clients felt a difference after completing vastu shastra based remedies on their homes.

“To our community it is an ancient architectural science and doesn’t only have to be homes it can be buildings and commercial as well,” Ms Sharma said.

“The idea is to bring in comfort, security, growth and warmth to the space through harmony and balance.”

Jignesh and Urmilla Patel in their Glen Waverley residence, built by Metricon Homes. It features a prayer room. Picture: Jake Nowakowski.

Jignesh and Urmilla Patel knocked down rebuild a Glen Waverley house to replace with a new one with vastu features by Metricon Homes and said they hoped to pass the knowledge of vastu onto the Australian people.

“In our culture vastu shastra is important but prior to building we also carry out a ritual called bhoomi pujan where we bring prosperity and peace to the land where the home is constructed,” Mr Patel said.