About

Dr. Ken Dimitrius Kastle, AKA Swami Ramananda, is the world’s leading exponent of Eco-Architechturalism.

Utilizing the most advanced computerized architectural rendering and space planning programs, Dr. Kastle applies digital Feng Shui to Interior Residential and Commercial Projects as well as Film, Television, and Video Production Design.

View Slideshow Example of his residential work here.

Education in Feng Shui, Vastu, and EcoArchitecturalism

After receiving a B.A. from U Cal Berkeley, he completed four years of post-graduate study at the University of Madras, India. The ancient Hindu basis of modern Feng Shui, the Sanskritic Vastu Vidya Shastra, and its relationship to residential, commercial, and sacred architecture was the topic of his Ph.D. dissertation; he received his Ph.D. in Architecture and Design, Summa Cum Laude, from Shefferton University, London, England; he then spent an additional 15 years working with local and regional masters throughout the country of India.

Dr. Kastle studied Architecture and Design with Arthur Elrod  and Interior Design with Steve Chase.

Residing today in Las Vegas, Nevada, Dr Kastle specializes in Residential and Commercial Interior Projects, Hotel Architecture and Concept Design, Corporate Architectural Planning, Worldwide Conversions of Great Homes and Palaces into Hotels, Applications of Feng Shui concepts to movie set design for Feature Film, Television, Music Video, Theatrical and Concert Productions. Recently, Dr. Kastle partnered with Jon9 to design Feng Shui inspired video and set production for Cirque du Soliel.

 

BOOKS, CD’s, Film and Videography of Dr. Kastle

 

Publications:

“Death in Venice and the Amorality of Art” – Berkeley Philatetic Gazette, July 1980

The Search for Sacred Architecture – Berkeley Press

The Call of the Eagle, the Cry of the Wolf – Lama Foundation Press 1989

Bliss Now – Select Books 2002

From India with Love – Harcourt and Brace – pre-publication, slated for release late 2007

Film:

Faces of Architecture – Discovery Channel 2000

A Modern Search for Secret India – Jai Ma Films – in post production

Indian Pilgrimage – Avatar Films – in post production

Production Design and/or Consultation:

8 MM – Joel Schumacher Productions, Sony Pictures
Brittle Glory – Tony Curtis, Shoreline Productions
Trees of Big Sur – Leonardo di Caprio, Marie di Caprio Prod.
Batman Forever – Sony Pictures
Minority Report – Steven Spielberg

Music:

“Wings of the Dawn” – music by Swami Ramananda
(nominated for “Best New Age Music” Grammy Award

“World Peace Concert” – live concert by Swami Ramananda – JMS Productions, Hawaii

“Swami Ramananda Live in Concert from New York City” – Balaram Jivamukti Yoga Productions


Partial Client List:

Steve Wynn
Tony Curtis
Michael Jackson
Janet Jackson
Doris Day
The Honorable Lorraine Hunt, Lt. Governor of Nevada
Donna Summers
Countess Trudy von Blackenberg
Dionne Warwick
David Kaplan
Mr. & Mrs. Harold Robbins
Mr. & Mrs. Marvin Davis
Princess Marina Pignatelli
Duke and Duchess of Bedford
Princess Rabia el-Galowa of Morocco
Robert Earl

Some of the great masters Dr. Kastle studied with:

Bishop Nippo Shyaku, Japanese Zen Master
Dr. Haridas Chaudhuri, Pres. Calif Institute of Asian Study
The Mother of Sri Aurobindo Ashram
Lin Yutang, Taoist Master
Dr. Albert Einstein, Jr., University of California, Berkeley
Swami Shankarananda Giri, world master of Vastu
Narada Maha Thera, World Head of Theravada Buddhism
Sri Sri Anandamayi Ma, Avatar

Swami Shankarananda Giri bestowed upon Dr. Kastle (Swami Ramananda) the title of Jagadacharya, World Teacher and Master of the Art of Living. In becoming Sw. Shankarnanda's dharma successor, it makes Dr. Kastle the worldwide head of the Adi Parashakti Shiva Peetham in India with world wide followers in his teachings regarding the Art of Living. 

Dr. Kastle completed 9 years of post graduate study with a 4.0 GPA. He is one of the first scholars from the west to translate the Vastu Vidya Shastra of the ancient scriptures laying a basis to Feng Shui from the original Sanskrit to English.



What people are saying about Dr. Kastle:


"Dr. Kastle is one of the most dynamic and motivational speakers I have ever heard. He absolutely inspired an audience of nearly 1200 people in Los Angeles to try for a more harmonious lifestyle. He explains how we live and design our homes can affect our finances, health, and general well being. He exudes high energy and is a living example of how CHI can give us energy, positivity and dynamism. You must hear him speak, he will change your life!"
---Michael Santeros, F.I.R.E. Magazine Los Angeles

"Dr. Swami Ramananda is here to help us all create a more beautiful, harmonious, and understanding world. We have sent him around the world inspiring people to embrace the Art of Living through Vastu Feng Shui. His design work is a triumph of color, light, peace, and grace. He is bringing stability and peace into people's lives touched with positivity and INNER CHI. He is regarded in India and throughout the world as a great teacher."
----Swami Shankarananda Giri, Head Acharya
Adi Parashakti Shiva Peetham of India


"Dr. Kastle is one of the finest Interior Designers in America today. His homes are currently showcased in five European magazines. He brings over thirty years experience in design, architectural space planning, and a firm knowledge of all the Asian art forms which lead to harmonious design concepts. He was showcased on HGTV's AWESOME INTERIORS, design magazines across the US and Europe as one of the leading forces today in Design. He is a guru of style, a very dynamic speaker, and his wit and amazing life stories of travel and work in over 90 countries is absolutely a mountain top experience."
----Steven Weinberg,
Showcase of Design Magazine.