The cardinal directions of the compass—North, East, West, and South—hold significance beyond mere geographical orientation; they form an integral aspect of the ancient architectural science known as Vastu Shastra. People often consult these directions before buying or constructing a home. While the north and east-facing homes and land plots are considered to be the most auspicious and preferred, it’s the often overlooked south-facing plots that are carving out their own niche, offering unique benefits that discerning buyers are starting to recognize.

A recent data release by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) recorded a rise in house prices during the latest quarter in different cities of the country. Unsurprisingly, Chennai witnessed the highest growing market in the Housing Price Index and was at the top of the list with an 8.41% year-on-year increase in Q32024. However, it is Coimbatore that is considered to be the prospect for attractive real estate investment within the state, with a 5% increase in housing unit sales, soaring high price appreciation in the previous year’s quarter, and a 10–15% overall market activity increase projected in the current year. These numbers clearly point to the fact that the Tamil Nadu real estate market is projected to be one of the country’s top real estate markets with skyrocketing growth.

However, amidst all this busy residential real estate market activity, people are still conscious about preferred-facing plots, but what is unknown to them is that these plots come at the expense of missing out on great purchase deals. While most buyers stick to the traditional hierarchy of plot preferences, the north and east-facing plots due to cultural and architectural considerations, the savvy buyer today is beginning to appreciate the advantages of south-facing plots.

South-facing plots, beyond all the superstitions and myths, can be adapted with post-modern architecture fused with innovative interior design. The newer methods of architecture have in recent times enabled much more efficient methods of housing that can be accommodated in all types of facing. It is now possible to construct an east-facing house on a south-facing plot through modern architecture, eliminating all sorts of space wastage.

Additionally, people often fail to observe the advantages of south-facing plots, which include getting plenty of sunlight throughout the day, which is also believed to be a source of positive energy as per the ancient architectural science. This indirectly helps keep the interiors of the house warm organically, lessening the need for artificial heating systems and further contributing to energy efficiency techniques such as appropriate insulation, shading components, and material selection. One can also strategically place windows and skylights to maximize natural light and ensure optimum ventilation. This natural light and ventilation exposure has also been linked to numerous health benefits, including improved mood, increased productivity, and better sleep quality.