Sensory Guide: Arts Building

jmn9
Tuesday 3 February 2026

Introduction

The Arts Building was the first purpose-built addition to the central St Andrews campus and has won several architecture awards. Since 2006, it has housed the School of International Relations, where seminars, lectures, and office hours are still held today.

This sensory guide outlines what you might experience in key teaching and communal spaces across the building.

The Arts Building is located off The Scores, St Andrews (KY16 9AX).

Entrance and Stairs

Visual 👁

  • Floor-to-ceiling windows fill the space with lots of natural light
  • Signage shows directions to seminar rooms and offices

Audio 👂

  • Hard flooring can make footsteps sound loud 🔉
  • Possible draughts from outside door

Touch & Personal Space ✋

  • Spacious layout allows easy navigation
  • Open stairways and corridors

Arts Lecture Room

Visual 👁

  • Capacity: 46
  • Generously spaced, padded chairs in three rows along tables
  • Windows along the back of the room provide natural light

Audio 👂

  • Air conditioning can be noisy 🔉

Touch & Personal Space ✋

  • Comfortable spacing between seats
  • Tables allow note-taking and workspace

Seminar Rooms 1 & 7

Visual 👁

  • Capacity: 40
  • Seats arranged in theatre style
  • Floor-to-ceiling windows with optional blackout blinds

Audio 👂

  • Carpeted flooring muffles sound of footsteps

Touch & Personal Space ✋

  • Generous spacing between seats for comfort

Seminar Rooms 4, 5 & 6

Visual 👁

  • Capacity: 24
  • Seats arranged in seminar style but can be moved
  • Variable amounts of natural light

Audio 👂

  • Carpeted flooring muffles sound of footsteps

Touch & Personal Space ✋

  • Flexible seating allows reconfiguration for group work

Seminar Rooms 2, 3, 8 & 9

Visual 👁

  • Capacity: 22
  • Seats arranged in boardroom style

Audio 👂

  • Carpeted flooring muffles sound of footsteps

Touch & Personal Space ✋

  • Intimate seating encourages discussion and interaction

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