Plot facing is the direction you face when you step out of the main gate onto the road. Traditional Vastu favours north- and east-facing plots, but every facing can work: the plan changes where the entrance, kitchen and bedrooms go, and how much shading the front needs.
What "facing" means
A plot's facing is the side its road is on: stand at the main gate looking out at the road, and the direction you face is the plot's facing. It decides where the entrance can go, which side gets the larger front setback, and which walls take the afternoon sun.
East-facing plots
- Traditional Vastu places the entrance in the north-east part of the east side.
- The front gets morning sun, which is pleasant and easy to shade with a verandah or vertical fins.
- The south-west corner, often used for the main bedroom, falls at the back of the plot, away from the road.
North-facing plots
- Traditional Vastu places the entrance in the north-east part of the north side.
- The front gets soft north light all day, so the façade can have larger windows without much heat.
- The back of the house faces south, which needs overhangs but is easy to shade.
West- and south-facing plots work too
Plots facing west or south are often priced lower, and they can make excellent houses. The front of a west-facing house takes the harsh afternoon sun, so it needs deeper shading, fewer large openings on that side, or service rooms placed there. Within Vastu, entrance positions exist for every facing; the architect's job is to find the right one on your plot.
Side by side
| Facing | Front gets | Design focus |
|---|---|---|
| North | Soft daylight all day | Generous front windows; shade the south at the back |
| East | Morning sun | Verandah or fins at the front; protect the west side |
| South | High sun, easy to shade | Horizontal overhangs on the front |
| West | Hot afternoon sun | Deep shading, smaller openings, buffer rooms at the front |
Before you buy a plot
Facing matters, but plot size, shape, road width and the setbacks your development authority requires matter more to what you can build. If you are choosing between plots, an architect can sketch a quick layout on each before you commit.
Planning a home?
Space Designers has designed homes and interiors across Kanpur, Lucknow, Jhansi and Uttar Pradesh since 1996. Tell us about your plot and brief.
