Mr. Vanburn Andy Brooks, Principal at Morlens Architecture, gave a detailed description of his design plans for the ANGLEC building. He spoke in a brief but highly technical interview with The Anguillian newspaper, just after the groundbreaking ceremony on April 1.
Mr. Vanburn Andy Brooks
He disclosed that the plans he did were eleven years old but he had done some re-tweeting of the designs particularly in view of the COVID-19 pandemic; the need for open spaces; light; suitable courtyards; an environment where employees are happy, leading to an increase in job performance; and a building that reflected Anguilla’s standing in the tourism marketplace, among other considerations.
He also spoke about the prominence of the location of the ANGLEC building and the need to ensure that it is not boring or ugly. “I wanted to create a space where the employees feel as if this is their home, away from home, because they spend a tremendous amount of time working,” he stressed. “I think that ANGLEC, because of its longevity and importance to Anguilla, should be the one to lead the charge in creating the design and the built environment that I would like to see here in Anguilla.”
Responding to a question from the newspaper, Mr. Brooks, who served as a professional and well-respected Architect on various projects in the United States, said: “I am a proud son of Anguilla. I love this country. I made a very determined decision years ago to come back home, hoping that I would be able to put my skills-set to use. My biggest pet peeve is that we, as a people, do not understand how important architecture and the built environment are.”
Known for his characteristic manner of speaking, Mr. Brooks, who often performs the role of a Master of Ceremonies, observed: “The greatest Architect is God. I cannot create anything remotely like how He did – the sun, the sea, the sand. We lament and pray so much about our beaches but this [ANGLEC’s building] is among the things we can show and portray – and have an understanding that it should fit within the larger framework which we are trying to create here in Anguilla in top tourism.”
He added that on their way to their hotels there was a need for tourists to spot pieces of special architecture in the built environment. He was of the view that this would herald Anguilla’s standing in the Caribbean with not just a mere electrical building, but an architectural icon.
“That is my aim at the end of the day,” he concluded.
