Planning your layout
Practical lessons from Indian sites, for people building their own house.
- Place living spaces to catch north and east light; limit large west-facing glass.
- Put windows on opposite walls for cross-ventilation.
- Stack bathrooms and kitchens vertically to simplify plumbing.
- Position the staircase so another floor can be added later.
- If you follow Vastu, tell the architect at the very start — changes later cost more.
- Design for ageing: a bedroom and bathroom on the ground floor, grab bars, no step thresholds.