It’s decided: This is what your favourite Edinburgh Uni building says about you

Edinburgh is a diverse city – culturally, environmentally, and also architecturally. Nowhere is that more apparent than at our university’s very own campus. Whether it’s the dramatic beauty of New College’s Neo-gothic spires or the unrelenting soullessness of the Main Library, Edinburgh offers a great variety of buildings for students to either love or avoid.

Here’s a guide to what your favourite building says about you (assuming you have one at all…)

Appleton Tower

She’s tall, she’s a strange shade of grey-white, she has her own Wikipedia page. The myth, the legend – it’s Appleton Tower. If this is your favourite Edinburgh uni building, you’re probably not fussed about aesthetics. You’re after pure practicality, and Appleton Tower has it in droves. With seven whole floors of computer labs, lecture theatres, and particularly bare teaching rooms, Appleton Tower has no time for things such as “colour”, and “style” – you are here to learn.

Main Library

If the Main Library is your favourite uni building, you are incorrect. This place is lamented by students and TripAdvisor reviewers alike, as the epitome of 1960s brutalism. You probably have a deep passion for academia that overcomes all your visual senses and for that, I commend you. The Main Library is the building of choice for academic weapons, or fans of brutalism (any correlation…?).

New College

Straying away from the central George Square campus, New College offers a beautiful and atmospheric place for Divinity students to complete their studies. Established as a college for the newly formed Free Church of Scotland almost 200 years ago, New College is an impressive building with an even more impressive backstory.

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If this is your favourite, you’re probably a certified cultural connoisseur who spends most of your time skulking the cobbles of Old Town in search of some divine inspiration for your next “work.”

The Nucleus

In the battle of humanities students vs STEM students, it’s clear to see who the university’s budget favours. Over at the King’s Buildings campus, the Nucleus offers a brief glimpse into the future. A world where university buildings let in natural light, the occasional indoor plant can be spotted, and touch-activated order screens are the norm – like a McDonald’s if each of their buildings had a budget of £34 million.

The Nucleus enjoyer is definitely a person who appreciates the fancier things in life and is taking the necessary steps to fund this lifestyle with their respected STEM degree.

Seven George Square

An underappreciated cult favourite, seven GS is a beautifully well-lit haven for psychology students to ponder the mind. If this is your favourite, you have taste – nowhere else on campus can you experience such a wonderful blending of the ornate and the minimalist.

Bright white balcony railings, a gorgeous wooden ceiling: This building is for those with an eye for the elegant. Just don’t go past the main concourse.

The LIGHTING…

Gordon Aikman

It’s what’s on the inside that counts, and what’s inside Gordon Aikman is one (one, singular) lecture theatre and a weird, mysterious downstairs area that feels like a liminal space. If this is your favourite building, it’s a left-field choice but I respect the originality. You’re not bothered about versatility or excitement, and this building suits you just fine. Like the Main Library’s slightly less evil, but nonetheless evil, twin.

Lister Learning Centre

An evidently gorgeous feat of modern architecture, the Lister Learning Centre screams office chic. Where exactly is it? Who can say, but if it’s your favourite building, you’ll be keen to keep its spacious insides and numerous study spots a firm secret.

Potterrow

Dare I say “iconic”? Potterrow is truly a marvel of a building. A cute and airy study space celebrating “Hot Dog Thursdays” by day, transforming into the venue for the uniquely Edi Uni phenomenon “Big Cheese” by night, it is a diverse building with a lot on offer. If this is your favourite, you’re probably a fun and friendly individual who loves the social aspect of our very own Student Centre. Potterrow, they could never make me hate you <3

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