Project Spotlight: A Milton Feat of Ancient Practices
This week we wanted to cover a project by our friends at LDa Architecture and Interiors that's full of light and air to contrast from daylight savings ruining our perception of harmony. This project, in particular, is philosophically based on the principles of Vastu Shastra, a traditional Hindu system of architecture.
Architecture & Interior Design: LDa Architecture & Interiors
Builder: Denali Construction
Photography: Greg Premru Photography
Vastu Shastra is complex and dates back to the sixth century, but the easiest way to understand it is viewing the home as a living organism – design, layout, measurements, ground preparation, space arrangement, and spatial geometry all following suit. This system is designed to prevent negative energy and promote positive energy through a space – most often represented by a grid divided into quadrants corresponding to cardinal directions, and assigned to each of the elements: fire, water, air, and earth.
Spaces here are divided by shelving, wood screens, a glass stair, and a central fireplace - which help create an open flow in the nine-grid layout the family chose. In a warmer climate, the center square called Brahmasthana (the light and energy center) would be an open courtyard. But instead here it was fashioned to be a living room with a large central skylight system. As you can see above, there is artful striation of shadow and light depending on where the sun hits.
Dining Room
Situated around the center in the surrounding quadrants are the kitchen, entry, temple, stair, guest bedroom, dining room, playroom, and family room. All rooms in the house possess as much light as possible with their large floor to ceiling windows which was a goal for the homeowners. Nestled in the dining room is our Amicable Bench and Clutch Chairs.
Kitchen
Nature imagery is delicately weaved in throughout – like the silver vine wallpaper reflecting light on the backsplash or the water droplet mirror duo next to the kitchen counter. Bertoia Counter Stools wrap the counter with their honeydew seat pad staying within the rich natural palette.
Family Room
The quadrant orientation has the kitchen directly face the family room – perfect for relaxing or making food for a movie night. And do you spy our Hecks Ottomans fitting right in with the organic forms?
Bedrooms
Upstairs, the bedrooms are divided over two areas – occupying three “squares” on opposite sides of the home. The blowing dandelion in the guest room below is one of our favorite touches. Saarinen Side Tables and Nook Bed don't look too shabby either.
