Short answer: an east-facing factory is very good in Vastu. Put the main gate between the middle and the north-east end of the east side, short of the corner, short of the corner, keep the east and north of the plot open, put heavy machines and stores in the south and west, and keep the south-east corner of the east side for power, not for the gate.
Saurabh Sen writes this from his own industrial work in and around Bengaluru. He is an IIM Ahmedabad alumnus and spent 15+ years at IBM, Philips and Mercedes-Benz before Vastu.
What “east-facing” means for a factory
A factory is east-facing when the road and main gate are on the east side of the plot, so you look east when you stand at the gate facing the road. Take the compass reading on site, away from metal, before you fix the gate position.
Is an east-facing factory good in Vastu?
Yes. East is linked with the Sun, with reputation, government approvals and leadership. Morning light reaching the front of the plant is a practical bonus too. The main risk on east-facing plots is the gate drifting towards the south-east end, which happens often because the road junction or electricity pole is there.
Where to put the main gate
Keep the main gate between the middle of the east side and its north-east end, but short of the corner itself. Avoid the south-east end of the east side for the main gate; in our experience gates there go with disputes, labour issues and fire-related worries. If the only possible gate is towards the south-east, keep it as close to the middle as you can and use the corrections below.
Factory layout for an east-facing plot
| Zone of the plot | Best use in an east-facing factory |
|---|---|
| North-east | Open and clean. Water storage underground, small garden, visitor parking. |
| East | Reception, administration, training room. Keep buildings here lower than the rest of the plant. |
| North | Sales office, accounts, quality lab. |
| South-east | Transformer, DG set, electrical panels, boiler, furnace, canteen kitchen. |
| South | Heavy machine halls and raw material stores. |
| South-west | Owner or MD cabin inside the main building, heavy stores, overhead tank. |
| West | Production lines, workshops. |
| North-west | Finished goods store, dispatch and loading. |
| Centre | Open or lightly used. |
Keep more open space on the east and north than on the west and south, and slope the ground and drains towards the north-east.
Common mistakes on east-facing factories
- Main gate at the south-east end of the east side.
- A tall office block or warehouse built right on the east boundary, leaving no open space in front.
- Overhead water tank or heavy storage in the east or north-east.
- The canteen kitchen or DG set placed in the north-east because that land was empty.
Corrections without demolition
Move the staff and visitor entry towards the middle of the east side or just north-east of it, even if trucks use the existing gate. For a gate in the south-east part of the east side, fit a copper strip at the threshold, use red or brick tones near it and keep it well lit. Clear the east setback of stored material and vehicles. Shift any overhead tank to the south-west when the roof allows it.
Factory Vastu for other facing directions
- North-facing factory Vastu
- South-facing factory Vastu
- West-facing factory Vastu
- Factory layout Vastu: the complete guide
- Industrial Vastu consultation (fees on request)
Frequently asked questions
Which is the best gate position for an east-facing factory?
Between the middle of the east side and the north-east end, short of the corner. Avoid the south-east end for the main gate.
Where should heavy machines go in an east-facing factory?
In the south, south-west and west of the plot, as far as possible from the east and north-east.
Where should the office be in an east-facing factory?
General offices in the east or north, owner’s cabin in the south-west of the main building, facing east or north.
Can an east-facing factory have its gate in the south-east?
It is not ideal. If it cannot be moved, keep the main entry as near the middle as possible, use a copper threshold strip and red tones, and keep the area clean and lit.
Before you plan an east-facing factory
On an east-facing plot I first look at the gate position, which should stay away from the South-East corner, then at what sits in the South-East corner, because that is where the fire zone of an east-facing unit usually ends up crowded with stores instead of the transformer and boilers. I also keep the East side lower and less built-up than the West.
Your product matters as much as your gate. I explain my product-first method, with the Sarjapur textile unit as an example, on the industrial consultation page. Where a building code says otherwise, the code wins.