Sensory Guide: Purdie Building
The Purdie Building at the University of St Andrews is home to the School of Chemistry, named after Thomas Purdie, the founder of the School of Chemistry.
This sensory guide highlights key sensory aspects of the building.
The Purdie Building is located on the North Haugh, St Andrews (KY16 9ST).
Lecture Theatre A
Visual 👁
- Little natural light
- Tightly spaced, padded seats with narrow desks
- Blackboards
Audio 👂
- Desks are pulled out from the seat in front and can be noisy 🔉
Touch & Personal Space ✋
- Capacity: 300
- Close seating can feel restrictive
Lecture Theatre B
Visual 👁
- No natural light, bright overhead lighting
- Tightly spaced, padded seats with narrow desks
Audio 👂
- Carpeted flooring dampens sound of footsteps
Touch & Personal Space ✋
- Capacity: 140
- Close seating
Lecture Theatre C
Visual 👁
- No natural light, bright overhead lighting
- Fixed, padded seating with large gaps between seats
- Blackboards
Audio 👂
- Carpeted flooring dampens sound of footsteps
Touch & Personal Space ✋
- Capacity: 73
Lecture Theatre D
Visual 👁
- Large windows with blinds provide natural light
- Fixed, padded seating with small gaps between seats
- Blackboards
Audio 👂
- Carpeted flooring dampens sound of footsteps
Touch & Personal Space ✋
- Capacity: 60
Common Room
Visual 👁
- Large windows provide lots of natural light
- Large round tables with padded chairs
- Computer and printer access
Audio 👂
- Wooden flooring can be creaky 🔉
- Possible noise from students
Touch & Personal Space ✋
- Capacity: 50
- Relaxed seating and study environment
Smell 👃
- Possible food smells
- Possible draughts from outside door
Dr Ettie Stewart Steele Reading Room
Visual 👁
- Small, quiet study space
- Chemistry book library
Audio 👂
- Often quiet
Touch & Personal Space ✋
- Accessible to all students
- Open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm
- Often quite warm