William Gilmour [WG]: Please describe yourself.
Andrew Planton [AP]: I am an extremely serious person who plays guitar by the rules, and designs buildings as demanded by Building Regulations and the Planners. I never drink, smoke or swear, and always open doors for the opposite sex and those shorter than myself.
WG: What are you doing as an architect?
AP: Recent projects have included new house designs, student accommodation, a school extension, home extensions, and barn conversions. I prefer new build projects, but every house extension uses the same principles – it’s like building a small house. It’s all good practise. Also, I’m involved in a couple of movement building projects.
WG: Where are your clients?
AP: In the North West, for example Wrightington, Congleton, Skelmersdale, Dalton, Lancaster.
WG: What is your main business aim right now?
AP: The number one thing for me is to stay busy as a conventional architect. By the time the course for a Maharishi Sthapatya Veda Consultant becomes available again, I’d like to be well established in my architectural practice. I am on course to become the first Sthapatya Veda architect in Britain. With my training and experience in conventional architecture (design, construction, materials, legalities) fused with Maharishi’s knowledge, I feel able to offer prospective clients something special – the best of both worlds. And I’m in the best place in England to achieve my aim.
WG: What do you expect to be doing in ten years from now and where?
AP: By then, I aim to be a very successful architect, with all the trappings – respect, a large flashy car…. Living somewhere warm and really beautiful appeals, like the Mediterranean. In fact, doing what I am doing in a Sidhaland somewhere like the Med is something that really appeals NOW, not ten years time!
WG: OK, good luck with all that. Changing the subject, tell me about your guitar playing. You have switched from classical to electric guitar in the past few years. What brought that about?
AP: I played electric guitar as a teenager, so I am going back to my first love. I want to be loud! Playing blues guitar has become an obsession. I’m having great fun in a band right now. We need more musicians - percussionist, singer, harmonica – anyone with experience please get in touch. I feel the band is great for enriching the social life of the Sidhaland. It also helps raise money for the Woodley Park Centre and the School.
WG: You work at what you love, and play with the music you love. You seem to have it made, don’t you think?
AP: Yes, I really couldn’t ask for more.
WG: Thank you for your time, Andrew and for all the valuable things you do for our community.
AP: Thank you.
Andrew can be contacted at aplanton@vastu-architect.co.uk
For general information on Maharishi Sthapatya Veda go to http://www.sthapatyaveda.com |
